February 6, 2019 - 10:06am by Steve

As a freelance journalist, writer, editor and presenter, I have enjoyed many years meeting and interviewing fascinating people, and visiting wonderful locations worldwide.

I regularly conduct on-stage interviews with authors and personalities at festivals and events, and for more than 10 years co-hosted a monthly on air book club with Lesley Dolphin at BBC Radio Suffolk.

Details of my events, book reviews and recommendations can be found on my website moreaboutbooks.com and all the latest information is available in my weekly e-newsletter which you can receive by signing up here or read recent issues here.

Or follow me on Twitter @catherinelarner

In the press

Magazine cover pagesAs a journalist I contribute lifestyle features and profiles for regional and national newspapers and magazines. Earlier in my career, I was the launch editor of what became the leading business journal for the fitness industry in Europe, and I regularly contributed articles about the market for a US publication.

published articles

On the radio

For more than 10 years I co-hosted an on-air book club on BBC Radio Suffolk with Lesley Dolphin. Listen to past discussions here.

In addition, my print articles and author interviews often feature as podcasts. You can listen to an interview with former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams for Premier Radio here.

view archive on moreaboutbooks.com

At events

Hosting book launches and talks for festivals and events throughout Suffolk, I regularly interview authors on stage with audiences from 30 to 300. I have been in conversation with Esther Freud, Salley Vickers, Victoria Hislop, Rev Richard Coles, Elly Griffiths and Patrick Gale (pictured).

view event listings on moreaboutbooks.com

Recent articles

Inside Lowestoft's new creative hub
in 'Suffolk', September 2026
Once an empty shell on Lowestoft's high street, Messums East is bringing the Post Office back to life - this time with art, community and creativity.
Ashley Hickson-Lovence - Man on a Literary Misson
in 'Suffolk', September 2026
We chat to the East Anglian author, performer and book festival patron on grief, ambition and why books are for everyone - ahead of his appearance at Ipswich Book Festival.
Walking through words
in 'Suffolk', September 2026
In author Jacky Colliss Harvey's new book 'Thoughtlands', she walks Suffolk's forests, coasts and fields, tracing the footsteps of writers past and rediscovering what moves the imagination.
Extraordinary friendships
in 'Woman's Weekly', August 2026
Three women describe how they've created special bonds through challenging circumstances.
For the love of the game
in 'Suffolk', August 2026
From him home in Woodbridge, former Ipswich Town chairman David Sheepshanks discusses the club's glory years, his love of Suffolk and how he's navigating an unexpected health battle.
Folk for today
in 'Suffolk', August 2026
After two decades together, FolkEast patrons The Young'uns return to the Suffolk festival with powerful stories, rich harmonies and a shared love of folk tradition.

More about books

Catherine LarnerFor my book reviews, event information and blog, please visit moreaboutbooks.com

 

 

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Thinking about a day out

As you receive this email, I'm just getting home from this year's FolkEast Festival. I was taking part in the programme of author talks taking place over the weekend throughout the Sotterley Estate, alongside the music, arts and crafts of this very lovely annual event.

There have been some familiar names, and faces, speaking. Among them, the nature writer Simon Barnes, novelists Melissa Harrison and Rob Parker, and former BBC Look East presenter Stuart White. But there have also been debut novelists, historians, nature writers and children's writers and illustrators sharing their insight and experiences.

And this is what I've always enjoyed about attending festivals - discovering new subjects, authors and books to explore. Event prices today, by necessity, have risen and very often at dedicated book festivals we have to make a decision between the headline speakers with whom we are familiar, and the new and emerging talent who may pique our interest but for whom we may not want to risk the price of a ticket.

It's interesting to see, then, that we have two festivals in Suffolk in the coming months where we are invited not to go to individual talks, but to attend an all-day event.

The Leiston Book Festival on 19 September is themed on our natural environment while the Flipside Festival in Framlingham on 3 October promises to take us on 'Travels in Time and Space'.

Both festivals require more upfront commitment in time and money for the audience member, but when we are all aware of the constraints of life with algorithms feeding back to us material we have already discovered, this is a great way to be challenged, stimulated and surprised through carefully curated programmes. Will you join me there?!

Thank you for reading.