GLADSTONE’S Library in Hawarden will welcome two women authors next month as they take up their places on the library's successful Writers in Residence scheme.

Welsh-born Sophie Mackintosh, whose first novel, The Water Cure, has found huge success both commercially and critically and was long-listed for the Booker Prize, begins her residency on February 10

At an evening event, ‘Utopias and Dystopias’, on Tuesday, February 12, she will ruminate on why both critics and audiences seem to love speculative fiction so much and will tackle some tough questions including why we are so drawn to it, what speculative fiction helps us to come to terms with, and what it can tell us about ourselves. Sophie also leads an exciting day-long masterclass on ‘The Art of the Short Story’. During the day, participants will learn how novels and stories inform one another, as well as how to work within the limitations of short fiction.

Susanna Forrest, whose residency runs between February 10 and 24 is an author, journalist, essayist and teacher who writes creative non-fiction on equine culture. On Tuesday, February 19, she will present an evening talk on ‘Writing Animals’ and will explore the challenges of doing animals justice in contemporary non-fiction.

A spokesperson for Gladstone's Library said: "Sophie and Susanna join us in February as the Library’s first and second Writers in Residence of 2019.

"Whilst staying with us they will be reflecting on and engaging with social, moral and ethical questions through their creative writing, and sharing their expertise with residents, visitors and event audiences. They will also submit a blog post to the Library’s blog, Volume."

Tickets for ‘Utopias and Dystopias: The Water Cure - An Evening with Writer in Residence Sophie Mackintosh’ are priced at £15 or £25.95 with dinner (a copy of The Water Cure included). Tickets for ‘The Art of the Short Story - A Masterclass with Writer in Residence Sophie Mackintosh’ are now sold out.

Tickets for ‘Writing Animals - An Evening with Writer in Residence Susanna Forrest’ are priced at £15 or £25.95 with dinner (a copy of The Age of the Horse included).

For more information or to book tickets to any of these events, please call 01244 532350 or email enquiries@gladlib.org. You can also book tickets online at www.gladstoneslibrary.org.