Teesside University launches free alumni author events
Special guests, who have gone on to become successful writers since graduating from Teesside University, will return to campus to discuss their latest literary works with Beyond the Book audiences.
Bookworms and budding authors will have the opportunity to learn more about their favourite writers and get the inside scoop on what inspired their stories during the sessions.
The events series includes:
Beyond the Book…with Jenna Warren – Thursday 7 March, 6.00pm - 8.00pm
Jenna Warren [MA Creative Writing, 2008] published her debut contemporary fiction novel, The Moon and Stars, in 2022. In the same year, her bookshop in Saltburn was named one of the top ten best independent bookshops in the country by The Guardian.
Beyond the Book…with Lisette Auton – Thursday 11 April, 6.00pm - 8.00pm
As an author, playwright, poet, spoken word artist, filmmaker and performer, Lisette Auton [MSc Youth Work & Community Development, 2016] is a master with words. The disabled and neurodivergent author is known for children’s books The Secret of Haven Point and The Stickleback Catchers.
Beyond the Book…with Rachel Dove – Thursday 23 May, 6.00pm - 8.00pm
Romantic fiction author Rachel Dove [MA Creative Writing, 2019] has received various accolades for the 20 books she has written to date, including The Chic Boutique on Baker Street and Second Chance Hotel. She previously won the Writers Bureau Writer of the Year Award.
Beyond the Book…with Richard Milward – Friday 21 June, 6.00pm - 8.00pm
Richard Milward [Honorary Graduate, Doctor of Letters, 2013] has received great critical acclaim since publishing his debut novel, Apples, when he was just 22 years old. Since then, his surreal stories have been translated into nine different languages and adapted for the stage.
It’s our pleasure to bring together guests from across the University and wider Tees Valley community for an evening of escapism each month until June.
Rachael Barker, Head of Alumni Engagement and Stakeholder Development at Teesside University, said: “Teesside University has a long heritage of producing graduate authors, many originating from our English & Creative Writing courses, although many from disciplines as diverse as Animation and Youth Work.
“The genres across which our authors publish is equally diverse, and our new online bookshelf showcases a growing mixture of poetry, crime, academic topics, history – and more.
“It’s our pleasure to bring together guests from across the University and wider Tees Valley community for an evening of escapism each month until June.”
The events will be held in Teesside University’s Library, which recently underwent a multimillion-pound refurbishment to create new, collaborative spaces, an exhibition area and a large café on the ground floor.
The work was completed as part of the University’s Campus Masterplan, which has seen £280m invested to date to enhance the student experience.
All Beyond the Books sessions are free to attend. Complimentary refreshments and on-site parking will be available.
