Portsmouth BookFest: Tides of time – writing the historical sea

Name: Portsmouth BookFest: Tides of time – writing the historical sea
Start: 2026-03-04T19:00:00+00:00
Location: Clarence Esplanade, PO5 3NT Portsmouth, United Kingdom

Schedule

Wed, 04 Mar, 2026 at 07:00 pm

UTC+00:00

Location

Clarence Esplanade, PO5 3NT Portsmouth, United Kingdom | Portsmouth, EN

With Katie Daysh, Carolyn Kirby & Alex Preston
Moderated by Nikki Jones
As part of Portsmouth BookFest 2026 set sail on a literary voyage through time with three acclaimed authors whose novels are steeped in the salt and spray of the sea. From queer naval adventures to smuggling on the Sussex coast, this panel explores how the sea shapes stories, characters, and history itself.
Katie Daysh is the author of the Nightingale & Courtney series, an Age of Sail adventure set in the 18th century. Her novels, including Leeward and A Merciful Sea, bring to life the emotional depths of life at sea, exploring themes of identity, loyalty, and mental health.
Carolyn Kirby is an award-winning historical novelist whose books The Conviction of Cora Burns and When We Fall have earned critical acclaim. Her latest novel, Ravenglass, is a sweeping 18th-century tale of identity, rebellion, and the sea, set against the backdrop of the Jacobite rising.
Alex Preston is a prize-winning author and journalist. His latest novel, Winchelsea, is a gripping tale of smuggling, revenge, and freedom on the 18th-century Sussex coast. He also co-authored As Kingfishers Catch Fire, a lyrical celebration of birds and nature in literature.
Join them for a lively discussion on how the sea continues to inspire powerful, atmospheric fiction — and discover the stories that lie beneath the waves.
Tickets are £10, £6 for Leisure card holders.
Book here - https://wegottickets.com/event/683053