FREE Kent Archives Lunchtime Talk with Dr Michelle Crowther | The Rural Fiction of S.C Nethersole
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Join Kent Archives at the Kent History and Library Centre in Maidstone for a free talk, as part of our National Year of Reading programme for 2026.
Dr Michelle Crowther (Canterbury Christ Church University) will be talking about the rural fiction of Susie Colyer Nethersole (1869 to 1956) the author of eight novels set in East Kent and one of the first authors signed by Mills and Boons in 1908.
This talk will explore her works and consider the grittily realistic ways in which she wrote about the Kentish landscape. One reviewer wrote: "here are people who are bone and flesh, farming folk, in a countryside that is as freshly English as they are". Her 'warts and all' portrayal of Kent's rural past marks her out as more than just a writer of romance fiction...
The event will include a talk followed by the chance for a question and answer session.
This is a relaxed, welcoming event for anyone who enjoys history, research, reading, writing and books.
This event is free, and open to all ages, though adults may find it more suitable.
Booking is required. Please contact the Kent Archives team directly.
🗣️ Speak to a team member at the Kent History and Library Centre
📞 Call us on 03000 420673
📧 Email us at [email protected]
Dr Michelle Crowther is an Academic Librarian at Canterbury Christ Church University and a co-lead of the Kent Maps Online project. Her doctoral thesis explores the works of the Persistent Scribblers Society, a Canterbury-based manuscript magazine society from the 1870s.
Her research interests include Victorian and Edwardian literature, manuscript magazines, biography, rural writers and nineteenth century Canterbury.
This free talk is part of Kent Libraries and Archives wider support for the National Year of Reading, a national initiative that encourages people to read more for pleasure.
This year’s message is Go All In - if you're into it, read into it - celebrating reading about the topics, places and stories people love.
These events celebrate authors with strong connections to Kent, including those who live here, and those whose books feature Kent’s places, history and stories.
To find more free author talks taking place in Kent Libraries and Archives, and to explore how you can get involved with the National Year of Reading, visit our website at kent.gov.uk/nationalyearofreading
Dr Michelle Crowther (Canterbury Christ Church University) will be talking about the rural fiction of Susie Colyer Nethersole (1869 to 1956) the author of eight novels set in East Kent and one of the first authors signed by Mills and Boons in 1908.
This talk will explore her works and consider the grittily realistic ways in which she wrote about the Kentish landscape. One reviewer wrote: "here are people who are bone and flesh, farming folk, in a countryside that is as freshly English as they are". Her 'warts and all' portrayal of Kent's rural past marks her out as more than just a writer of romance fiction...
The event will include a talk followed by the chance for a question and answer session.
This is a relaxed, welcoming event for anyone who enjoys history, research, reading, writing and books.
This event is free, and open to all ages, though adults may find it more suitable.
Booking is required. Please contact the Kent Archives team directly.
🗣️ Speak to a team member at the Kent History and Library Centre
📞 Call us on 03000 420673
📧 Email us at [email protected]
Dr Michelle Crowther is an Academic Librarian at Canterbury Christ Church University and a co-lead of the Kent Maps Online project. Her doctoral thesis explores the works of the Persistent Scribblers Society, a Canterbury-based manuscript magazine society from the 1870s.
Her research interests include Victorian and Edwardian literature, manuscript magazines, biography, rural writers and nineteenth century Canterbury.
This free talk is part of Kent Libraries and Archives wider support for the National Year of Reading, a national initiative that encourages people to read more for pleasure.
This year’s message is Go All In - if you're into it, read into it - celebrating reading about the topics, places and stories people love.
These events celebrate authors with strong connections to Kent, including those who live here, and those whose books feature Kent’s places, history and stories.
To find more free author talks taking place in Kent Libraries and Archives, and to explore how you can get involved with the National Year of Reading, visit our website at kent.gov.uk/nationalyearofreading
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Where is it happening?
James Whatman Way, ME14 1LQ Maidstone, United Kingdom, Maidstone, United Kingdom
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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Host or PublisherKent Archives
