Lucky is OUT NOW! This twist tale of online gambles, migration, racial injustice and the risks we all take to survive came out in paperback on 17th March. ORDER NOW.
Darling was my debut novel. Buy your copy from any good bookshop or order it here
THE LATEST NEWS
It was a real joy to visit Bridgwater & Taunton College recently. I led a creative writing workshop for the students and was then interviewed in before a fantastic audience of students and staff by the Head of English, Shaun Costello. I loved the ideas that everyone shared and the diverse questions I was asked. Thanks to Jolanta and the library staff for hosting me so wonderfully. More school and college visits, I hope, with the next novel.
Gotta love a new local bookshop! Huge thanks to The Snug Bookshop and Café, Langport, for such a warm welcome at the weekend. Thanks to the friendly and enterprising owner, Sam, there are now freshly signed copies of both DARLING and LUCKY in store. Pop in for a browse… and a coffee!
I’ve recently enjoyed popping back into the BBC Radio Somerset studio to chat to Simon Parkin once again, with Sam Allen calling in. Lots of local and national news and views… plus we laugh a fair bit too! Listen here (starts 3:11:50): BBC Radio Somerset 18th March
Lovely to be back on BBC Radio Somerset for Simon Parkin’s Saturday morning show. Simon, Nigel – founder of Somerset Day – and I chewed over the news and had a good laugh while we were about it. Listen here.
Fancy some interesting bookchat in Taunton? I’ll be talking about diversity and inclusion in publishing at Taunton Literary Festival on Friday 18th November. Lionel Ward of Brendon Books hosts and I’ll be joined by authors Anita Roy and Karla Neblett. Join us! Buy tickets here.
Back on the radio, this time for a chat to Andy Spragg of TONE FM. We went on air as taster of our upcoming chat on diversity and inclusion in publishing at the Taunton Literary Festival, hosted by Lionel Ward of Brendon Books. Karla Neblett (King of Rabbits) and Anita Roy will be joining us for the literary chat on 18th November. For now, here’s our pre-festival radio chat: https://on.soundcloud.com/2YmJ9
LUCKY is out now in the US and Canada, as well as the UK, Australia and New Zealand. Keep an eye on my social for giveaways, reviews and more…
It was wonderful to catch up with Bill Buckley of BBC Berkshire, as ever. We talked about LUCKY, my writing career and much more. Listen here (from 08.23): https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0ccyvxp
Fantastic to visit BBC Bristol to talk to the wonderful Claire Cavanagh about LUCKY. An actual, in-studio interview, at last! I loved our chat – listen in here (from 23:14)
Loved this LUCKY week on the radio! The wonderful Charlie Taylor of BBC Radio Somerset invited me on air to chat about my writing career and my latest novel. The live interview was great and it made me giggle a touch – listen here. Readings of short extracts (with no spoilers!) were played on following nights and can be found here: Reading 1 and Reading 2.
Thank you, Claire Carter and the team at BBC Somerset (3:15:34). It was lovely to have a live chat about LUCKY before heading off to sign copies.
Book-signing in ASDA Taunton – I’m delighted to announce that LUCKY is available in every ASDA in the UK, as well as in all good bookshops and online. I’ll be visiting ASDA Taunton from 10am on Friday 8th April to sign copies… which are also on special offer instore! That’s what I – and my heroine, Etta – would call a win-win!
Brendon Books Taunton made a wonderful venue in which to be interviewed about LUCKY on 25th March. Thanks to Lionel and his team, and to everyone who came along to ask questions and have their copies signed. Looking forward to doing more Taunton events in future!
It was wonderful to chat to Simon Parkin again on BBC Radio Somerset, this time with Emma Craigie. Listen to us here! (3:12) We discussed news, news, and more news, from the big international picture to local moments onf joy. Love this show and I’ll be back, so keep checking here for our next chat.
As ever, I loved chatting to Bridgitte Tetteh of BBC Berkshire during her morning show on Saturday 15th January. We talked about PLR (Public Lending Right) and the great importance of supporting our libraries. Listen here
I’m on BBCRadio5 Live podcast You’re Not My Mum from 6th January. I have a frank, from-the-heart chat with Katie Harrison about being a stepmother. Listen here
I love appearing on Radio Somerset from time to time – the latest chat iwht Sion Parkin, which took place on Saturday 4th December can be found here (from 3:04:06): Radio Somerset Any Other Business
I took over the Instagram account of the incredible Gillian Flynn for 24 hours from Thursday 14th – Friday 15th October as part of the #sharethemicpublishing campaign for Black History Month. I was thrilled to be part of this important initiative to amplify Black voices. See my posts, stories and everything I had to say ‘on the mic’ over on Instagram: @TheGillianFlynn
EVENT UPDATE: The event at Brendon Books on Taunton, when I’ll no be talking about Lucky, my writing process and more, will now take place on Friday 25th March 2022, just as my paperback launches. Do please book your seats early! Book tickets here.
I very much enjoyed speaking at a fantastic event for Mostly Books at the Amey Theatre, Abingdon recently, alongside by Olivia Kiernan, Cara Hunter and Robert Thorogood. More fesitvals and events coming accross the UK.soon.
I’m speaking at the Henley Literary Festival, alongside Susannah Beard, on Thursday 7th October. Book tickets for How to Be An Author here.
The reviews about Lucky are starting to roll in… Exciting! See what critics and other authors have to say here: Lucky Reviews
I loved chatting to the InSuspense vodcast/podcast authors, the lovely Lauren North and Lesley Kara. Apparently, I write about contentious issues… you bet I do! You can watch it here on the vodcast, or listen here: podcast
Here’s a piece I was delighted to be invited to write, It centres on how my heritage has shaped my writing: Born on Three Continents
It’s always a joy to be asked interesting questions. Katie Morwenna delved into my approach to social media recently and got me thinking. Me on social…
I love talking to my former university King’s College London, about any and all things writing. Here’s a recent interview, alongside authors Delphine Grouès and Francesca Reece, for the French Department’s newsletter: Des Nouvelles, Héloise?
I had a wonderful time on Times Radio Culture Panel on Easter Saturday, chatting to Kait Borsay alongside guest, the hugely talented Ayanna Witter-Johnson. Have you heard her Roxanne? It’s heaven. We got carried away chatting and I was able to shout-out books, theatre and music that I love. Listen to my Times Radio interview here (starts 01:05:10).
Thank you to all at the University of Worcester for inviting me to give an online talk and reading to students who start studying Darling in 2021. It was a joy and an honour.
In Good Housekeeping in the run-up to Mother’s Day talking about it from the stepmum perspective (but not Darling’s). Have a read!
I was interviewed by the lovely Lizzie of The Big Little lifestyle community recently. You can view it on my Facebook Author Page here
My article for the Sunday Times Magazine about being a stepmother featured on 21st November. Read it here
Loved, loved, loved doing my Instagram takeover for Black History Month on Tuesday 27th October.. Follow me – @racheledwardsauthor – on Instagram for my writing advice, creative inspirations and much more.
The last column in my extended run in the Sunday Times Magazine! This one shouts out love for the Notting Hill Carnival.
Chicken love. It’s a thing Read about the latest household additions in my Sunday Times column here.
Want read my honest thoughts about marriage to a husband 13 years my senior? I share them in my Sunday Times Magazine column of 16th August here.
My 9th August Sunday Times Magazine column about the joy of staycations is here.
Read my Sunday Times Magazine column of 2nd August to discover how I acquired my first home.
Here’s a chance to listen again to my Badass Women’s Hour Talk Radio interview. We talked about my Sunday Times columns and much more – good fun on a Saturday night! Listen to the start of the 8pm-8.30pm slot.
I had great fun chatting to Bill Buckley of BBC Berkshire once again. This time we talked about my new novel LUCKY, coming May 2021 as well as my Sunday Times Magazine column. Listen here (from 8:20, after Pulp):
Would you like to see the recommendations I made for Good Housekeeping’s Big Summer Book Day on 26th July? Watch the vid!
My latest Sunday Times Magazine column, from 26th July, is here. It’s a surprising story featuring a helicopter….
Here’s my second Sunday Times Magazine column, this one all about dogs.
My first Sunday Times Magazine column appeared on 12th July. Read it here.
Had fun chatting to Muddy Stilettos Bucks & Oxon about some of my favourite haunts: read about some favourite places here.
What a joy to talk to Jenni Murray of once again, this time all about Darling and why it is the debut I just had to write… (starts 31:10)
Wonderful that Darling has been chosen as a top debut by LoveReadingUK
I was delighted to be interviewed, in depth, by Christopher Swann of FOBL – of which I am the Ambassador – for their inaugural online author talk. He asked some fascinating questions… Author Talk
Delighted to have been asked to contribute to the Writers Rebel website, a vital new space to discuss the Climate Emergency. Read my contirbution and others including Zadie Smith, Margarett Attwood Jonathan Franzen here
It’s official! Darling is one of the 2019 Booker winner’s Top 3 Lockdown Reads, as cited to BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour! Thank you, Bernardine Evaristo…
Great to be back talking to Bill Buckley about my reading picks for BBC Berskhire Book Club (17th March). Listen
Thank you, Booker winner Bernardine Evaristo, for including me on the list of top 20 woc writers. Happy International Women’s Day to all!
I recently chatted to one of my favourite bookish innovators, Molly Masters of Books That Matter. We discuss banned books including ‘The Color Purple’ and ‘Beloved’. As for the silencing of women: on this topic we were anything but silent… The podcast is
Loved talking to about how a spot of wild swimming can encourage us to love our precious rivers. Starts from 36:08
The first of 2020…. and we discussed some corkers, including my picks My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell, All In Her Head by Nikki Smith and Don’t Touch My Hair by Emma Dabiri. Love them – here’s why: http://bit.ly/BookClubJan14
It was a privilege to discuss some of today’s BBC Berkshire Book Club picks… including the stunning joint Booker winner from Bernardine Evaristo!
We are all, surely, passionate about the climate crisis – so come and rebel with us! Join the crowds in Trafalgar Square for Writers Rebel: 5pm – 9pm on Friday 11th October. I’ll be onstage, reading as one of 40 writers, including Ali Smith, Naomi Alderman and Simon Schama.
Back on BBC Berkshire Book Club, this time chatting about must-reads from Mike Gayle, Baroness Susan Greenfield and Amrou Al-Kadhi (aka Glamrou). Starts at 1:07:37 here
Ohttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p07m0zcqur BBC Berkshire Book Club chat was fun on Tuesday 27th August, taking in some stellar fiction and non-fiction picks. Listen here from 1:08:05
BBC Woman’s Hour made my day by inviting me to talk to Jenni Murray and anxious listener Wanja Kimani about embracing life in the countryside as a woman of colour. It went by in a flash! I could have talked for far longer about the joys, challenges, micro-aggressions and rewards of my past 22 years in rural Oxfordshire, but here’s the small taster that is my Woman’s Hour debut! (Starts at 9:43…)
Thanks to BBC Berkshire for inviting me to chat through some zeitgeisty picks for the Book Club on Tuesday 13th August. Listen here from 1:07:16
The Guardian Weekend and the fantastic photographer, Dominick Tyler, are owed my thanks for one of the most inspiring features I’ve ever taken part in. It appears in the Guardian Weekend on Saturday 10th August. Here’s the online Guardian Weekend Wet and Wild feature
BBC News UK filmed me talking a little about my experiences in the countryside as a black British woman… and walking our dog! It appeared online and on TV on BBC South Today on 31st July. Watch here: http://bit.ly/RachelBBCNews
BBC Radio invited me to do four live radio interviews for some of the African and Caribbean shows discussing the recent BBC programme ‘Who Should Get to Stay in the UK?’. Listen here:
BBC Nottingham (starts at 41:07) – https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p07cq51r
BBC WM / Birmingham (starts at 1:23:09) – https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p07d3cww
BBC Oxford invited me for a live chat with Kat Orman on her 12th June daytime show. We covered a host of topics including some key themes explored in Darling such as identity and belonging, my writing life and inspirations. Listen to us here.
BBC Berkshire’s Bridgitte Tetteh welcomed me back to talk about the realities of life outside of London for members of the black community, as explored in that day’s Sunday Times. Listen to our chat, which aired on 9th June, from 11:02 here.
The Sunday Times Magazine (9th June) features my article about being black, British and living in rural Britain. Read it here.
BBC Berkshire, and in particular Bill Buckley, thank you once again for hosting me, alongside the lovely Jenny Quintana, for the Book Club on 14th May. Listen from around 1:03:20 here.
Hatchards certainly knows how to throw a party! Such a memorable evening at the Authors of the Year Reception on 2nd May. For pics of this and other literary events (usually with a glass of something delicious in my hand, I cannot lie), please sign up to my Facebook page, Rachel Edwards Author Official, or follow me on Twitter or Instagram.
Love this blog post by Joanne Norris. It analyses the themes and social concerns of Darling (best read after you’ve read the novel as contains some necessary spoilers). You can read it here.
The Open Page interviewed me about Darling, writing inspirations and the creative process and more back in summer 2018. Read the in-depth interview.
Books That Matter is a book subscription service that empowers and inspires. I loved chatting away to is informed, aware, book-loving founder, Molly Masters during my first ever podcast. You can hear us discussing writing inspiration, blended families, Brexit, literary influences and much more here.
BBC Berkshire’s Bridgitte Tetteh called on to ask about my take on Brexit for her Sunday show on 20th January.
ABC-owned Dallas, Texas channel, WFAA, gives Darling a fantastic TV review!
The New York Post selects Darling as one of its best books of the week.
Darling is coming to America… Darling was launched in in the United States and Canada on 15th January 2019. Buy your copy here.
Marlow FM – Serena and the team invited me for a chat at on Friday 9th November.
4th Estate Black History Month Article: Why We All Need Iconic Literary Characters of Colour. And Why They Don’t Need to be Role Models.
Killer Women – Fresh Blood panel of debuts authors, chaired by Sarah Hilary. Had a lively chat with the wonderful C J Tudor, Lynne Truss, Alex Reeve.
Henley Literary Festival on October 4th – Just so much fun to talk to chair Daniel Hahn, alongside the brilliant Nikesh Shukla and Thomas Maloney as part of The Novel Fights Back panel.
Reader in Canada? Darling is out now and in paperback on 15th January 2019. Order your Canadian copy here.
BBC Berkshire Interview – Hugely enjoyed a good chat with Bill Buckley about family life, Brexit and all things Darling. Listen from 2:05 (after the Eurythmics) here
Another fab chat on BBC Berkshire, this time with Bridgitte Tetteh. We covered mixed race relationships, Brexit Britain, raising stepchildren and more.
BBC Berkshire Book Club on 11th September – Had a great chinwag with Bill Buckley and Amanda Jennings during my first ever book club.
Terrific New UK Reads To Dive Into This Summer – BookRiot selects Darling as part of this brilliant list.
EVENT, Benson Library: An enjoyable evening of bookchat at 7.30pm on 3rd July. .
Apple iBooks select Darling as one of the ‘Best Books of 2018 (so far)’. See this tweet
EVENT, Riff Raff London: Thursday 14th June. What a fabulous night! Read the interview, ‘My First Time…’ here
The Guardian ‘Review’ section selects Darling as one of the Books of the Month – Best Recent Thrillers here
The Sunday Times writes that Darling is ‘Fast-paced … similar in spirit to Lionel Shriver’s We Need to Talk About Kevin’’
Grazia features Being a Stepmother: The Truth in Black and White (21st May issue)
Rachel Edwards writes about her relationship with her real-life stepchildren in The Guardian Weekend (12th May 2018) here
Elle magazine (June 2018 issue) reviews Darling – ‘It was only a matter of time before we got the first Brexit thriller and it’s oh so good.’
Stylist’s Sarah Shaffi chooses Darling in her ‘Best Books for May’ list. Find out why.
iBooks list Darling as on of their ‘Books We’re Loving in May’.
The Independent name Darling in Summer Reading: The Debut Novelists to Know this Year here
iBooks feature Darling in their selection for Most Anticipated.
EVENT 9th May 2018: 4th Estate Literary Salon.
Thanks to everyone who joined Rachel Edwards, Imogen Hermes Gowar and Sarah Shaffi at Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen for a discussion about first novels. Details here
International Women’s Day 2018: A wish for all the young women we love here.
TV OPTION – Darling optioned for TV by Artists Studio, the makers of ‘The Fall’…
METRO name Darling one of the best books by a BME author for 2018.
More here >
Cover Reveal for Darling by Fourth Estate.
More here >
Fourth Estate, HarperCollins, acquires World English and Film/TV rights for Darling, Rachel Edwards’ debut novel.
More here >
