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

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.
Worth saving
in 'Woman's Weekly', June 2026
Three readers talk about coming together to rescue vital community assets.
The project of a lifetime
in 'Woman's Weekly', June 2026
Christine Adams devoted her life to a special building.
Miniature magic
in 'Woman's Weekly', June 2026
Three women share their passion for doll's houses.

More about books

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

 

 

_

 

Rhyme and reason

This summer's blockbuster, Christopher Nolan's movie 'The Odyssey' has met with mixed reviews. Some have considered it superficial, too long, and obsessed with spectacle, overlooking deeper psychological and ethical messages. Others were delighted at the special effects, music and the casting in an epic piece of cinema.

Either way, there have been huge attendances at cinemas and also a vast increase in sales of the original text - up by 1,400% in the weeks around the release of the film. The audio by Stephen Fry has also proved popular, in the top 10 on Spotify, with Ian McKellen's narration appearing in the US chart.

Press coverage has been keen to highlight that poetry in general has risen in popularity in recent times - not solely due to the interest in Homer this year. With increases in sales for the last three years, this year is projected to be the best yet for poetry collections - at £17m. 

Social media is believed to be key in raising the profile of poets such as Lucas Jones, Nikita Gill and Len Pennie. Donna Ashworth is Britain's bestselling living poet of the decade with her 2025 collection 'To The Women' selling almost 34,000 copies this year. Films of the poems of Hollie McNish have repeatedly gone viral with some gaining over one million YouTube views in just over a week. And Harry Baker has a growing presence at festivals, on radio, sell out tours and TedTalks. 

The reason? 'All writing is about connection,' says Ella Risbridger in her article in the 'Guardian' this week. 'But the immediacy of the connection between author and reader is somehow easiest in poetry: when it works, there's a direct shot to the heart...social media offers these poets a new way to gather people round the fire...Poetry needs the new so that it can keep on telling the oldest stories we have: love, despair, grief, hope, joy, community, companionship. Long may it live'.

Thank you for reading.