In Conversation

Join bestselling authors Lisa Williamson and Lisa Heathfield for an unmissable event, discussing their latest powerful YA novels, The Summer After the Night Before and This Boy I Hardly Know.

From the fallout from a post-exam party to a run-for-freedom from the care system, both authors explore the intense, difficult and life-changing experiences of being sixteen. They will discuss themes of first love, consent, identity and the bonds of friendship and sisterhood. Sharing insights into how they write authentic teen voices that resonate - voices that are unflinching, nuanced and real. 

Recommended age 14+

Tickets for this event are charged on a pay as you feel basis, starting at £4 per child (16 years old and under) and on a completely pay as you feel basis for adults, but please note that each person attending will need a ticket. All money from ticket sales supports the running, continuation and expansion of Canterbury Children's Literature Festival and our year round outreach work within the local community.

About the Author

Lisa Williamson was born and grew up in Nottingham. She studied drama at Middlesex University and following graduation worked as an actor on stage and TV.

Her first novel, The Art of Being Normal won a number of prizes including the Waterstones Children's Book Prize for Best Older Fiction 2016. She has written three other YA novels and non-fiction for younger children. She lives in London with her husband, stepchildren and a mischievous whippet called Nelson.

Lisa Heathfield is the author of several YA novels, including Seed, Paper Butterflies and Such Pretty

Things, which have all won or been shortlisted for awards, including the Waterstones Childrenʼs Book

Prize (twice) and the YA Book Prize.

Having worked in a school for students with mental health challenges and also a residential childrenʼs

home, Lisa now teaches teens who are unable to be in school for a variety of reasons. She lives in

Brighton, UK, with her husband and three sons.