Fay Weldon Lecture 2024
News
Champion for women’s writing, Dr Debbie Taylor, to deliver second annual Fay Weldon Lecture
Wednesday, 27 November, 2024On Tuesday 3 December 2024, Bath Spa University is set to host this year’s Fay Weldon Lecture, delivered by Dr Debbie Taylor, novelist and founder-editor of award-winning Mslexia magazine.
This annual public lecture series was launched by Bath Spa University last year to continue the legacy of Fay Weldon, novelist, renowned literary figure, and Professor of Creative Writing from 2012 to 2021. She spent nine years in post at Bath Spa University teaching and empowering aspiring writers. Each year the lecture continues her legacy of social engagement, gentle humour and writing for women.
“Why will no one publish my novel?” was the question posed by the Fay Weldon. It was the typically provocative title of one of her 30+ books, a success plan for writers based on her lifetime of mentoring fellow authors. Giving the second Fay Weldon Lecture, Dr Debbie Taylor, promises to continue Fay's legacy in equally hard-hitting style. Dr Debbie Taylor has been an outstanding champion of women’s writing in Britain since she founded Mslexia:The Magazine for Women Who Write 25 years ago. The magazine is supported by Arts Council England.
Previously Debbie reported on women and social issues for Oxfam, UNICEF, Anti-Slavery International, WHO and other national and international agencies. Her many books include narrative nonfiction, short stories and four critically acclaimed novels, the most recent being Herring Girl, a paranormal historical murder mystery.
Looking forward to her lecture, Debbie said:
“Why Will No One Publish My Novel is a book Fay Weldon wrote based on her lifetime spent mentoring new writers and I want to build on her wisdom from my own experience. I’m going to be provocative - Fay was an early supporter of Mslexia magazine. I published and interviewed her several times and it was her rebellious streak that I loved.”
Melanie Golding, now a bestselling novelist but also one of the last students to be taught by Professor Weldon, will introduce the speaker. Her award-winning first novel Little Darlings was internationally published by Harper Collins in 2019, and she is now the author of three supernatural thrillers with elements of dark British folklore. Melanie gained her MA in Creative Writing at Bath Spa University, and continued to be awarded a PhD in 2022. She will share some memories of Fay Weldon during her introduction to this year’s lecture.
Reflecting on Fay’s influence, Melanie said:
“Fay is the reason I even finished the novel that ended up being my debut - she emailed me with a well-timed kick up the backside after the MA had finished.”
The audience is set to include many students, staff and graduates of Bath Spa University’s Creative Writing programme, members of Fay Weldon’s family, and BSU alumna The Right Worshipful The Mayor of Bath, Councillor Michelle O’Doherty.
The Fay Weldon Lecture is open to the public and will take place at St Swithin’s Church in Bath at 7pm on Tuesday 3 December 2024. Tickets can be purchased on the Ticketsource website.
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