Writing Jane Austen | Gill Hornby in Conversation with Tracy Chevalier
Join bestselling author, Gill Hornby for a captivating evening as she discusses her writing inspired by the world of Jane Austen with writer Tracy Chevalier. She will be discussing the sources and inspiration behind her novels including Godmersham Park and her critically acclaimed Miss Austen, which reimagines the life of Cassandra Austen and was recently adapted for the BBC starring Keeley Hawes. Her most recent novel The Elopement is a gripping, sharp and funny story exploring the love life of Mary Dorothea Knatchbull who enters the Austen family circle when her father remarries. Hornby’s work brings fresh insight into the era and the women who shaped it. Discover how her deep love of Austen’s world influences her writing, the meticulous research behind her novels and how she breathes new life into real historical figures. A must-attend event for Austen lovers and historical fiction fans alike!
About the speakers
Gill Hornby is a British author known for her bestselling novels that often explore family, community, and historical themes. Born in 1958, she is the sister of renowned writer Nick Hornby. She began her career as a journalist before transitioning to fiction writing. Her notable works include The Hive (2013), a witty novel about school-gate politics, and Miss Austen (2020), which imagines the life of Jane Austen’s sister, Cassandra. Her latest novel, Godmersham Park (2022), continues her exploration of Austen-era historical fiction.
Tracy Chevalier FRSL is a renowned author of historical fiction, best known for her international bestseller Girl with a Pearl Earring. Her novels, set across Europe, the United States, and Dorset, include Remarkable Creatures, which explores the life of fossil hunter Mary Anning. A passionate advocate for history and nature, she is a Trustee of the Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society, an Ambassador for the Woodland Trust, and a Patron of both the Dorchester Literary Festival and the Lyme Regis Museum. She also actively supports several charitable organisations.
