‘A little magic can take you a long way’

It’s looking oh-so-gloomy out there and you may be wishing you were somewhere else entirely. Wouldn’t it be great to open a very ordinary-looking door and find a strange intriguing forest or rolling picturesque landscape lurking behind it? You could just step right through and finish off the summer with an amazing adventure. Sadly, we don’t know of any doors that lead to magical lands … but we do know of quite a few exciting events that feature princesses, fairies, dragons and many more whimsical happenings!

‘The Fall of Gondolin’ – An evening with legendary J. R. R. Tolkien illustrator Alan Lee | 1^st September 6:30pm, Waterstones Exeter 

Tolkien considered the destruction of the elf city Gondolin to be the ‘first real story of Middle-Earth’. Now his son Christopher and illustrator Alan Lee have brought this Lost Tale to life in a stunning edition that is a must for Tolkies. Alan will be talking about his work and signing copies. Find out where else he’ll be visiting!

Anna Stephens, Stephan Aryan and G. X. Todd | 5^th September 5pm, Forbidden Planet Birmingham 

Discover the follow-ups to some of the most bloodthirsty and gripping fantasies of last year. Anna Stephens picks up from the bloodshed of Godblind with Darksoul, G. X. Todd continues to hear voices in Hunted and Stephan Aryan returns to a broken kingdom in Magefall. Meet them all and get your books signed at Forbidden Planet in Birmingham.  

An Evening with Connie Glynn | 20^th September 6:30pm, Waterstones Piccadilly London 

If you loved Undercover Princess, the first instalment of the adorable Rosewood Chronicles, you won’t want to miss the launch of the sequel, Princess in Practice. Author Connie Glynn will be on hand to sign copies and chat about her work and her favourite fairytales. There will be some tasty magical treats, too! She’ll also be visiting Glasgow on 22^nd September.

Come and meet Chris Riddell | 28^th August 4:30pm, Waterstones Glasgow 

Meet Rapunzel, Cinderella, Red Riding Hood and the seven dwarves as you’ve never met them before in Chris Riddell’s latest book Once Upon a Wild Wood. There may even be some new faces too! The man himself will be signing copies of this exciting new story complete with his signature magical illustrations.

Meet Cressida Cowell | 22^nd September 10:30am, Waterstones York 

There are dangerous witches lurking in the Wildwoods and it’s up to the Wizards of Once to stop them! Twice Magic is the second instalment to the new series from How to Train Your Dragon author Cressida Cowell. Come and meet her to get your copy signed and pick up a bookmark and a badge!

The Restless Girls: Jessie Burton and Angela Barrett in conversation | 26^th September 6:30pm, Waterstones Piccadilly London 

Over 200 years ago, the Brothers Grimm wrote ‘Twelve Dancing Princesses’, a story of twelve sisters who secretly dance all night with twelve princes. Now bestselling author Jessie Burton has teamed up with talented illustrator Angela Barrett to create a modern, feminist re-imagining of the classic tale. Both author and illustrator will introduce The Restless Girls to debut children’s author Anna James.