Celebrating the world of words

What makes a character unforgettable? How do authors breathe life into the people who live on the page long after the book is closed?

Step into the heart of the storytelling process with bestselling authors Caroline James and Rowan Coleman, as they talk to Fee Mak about the art of character creation—how their fictional favourites are born, developed, and brought vividly to life.

From romance to historical drama, Caroline and Rowan craft characters who feel real, relatable, and impossible not to root for. Caroline James brings warmth and wit to every page, with her latest novel The Cruise Club offering onboard adventures and friendship in the most fabulous of settings. Her characters sparkle with humour, heart, and second chances.

Rowan Coleman, Sunday Times bestselling author and screenwriter, delivers emotionally rich, immersive fiction. Her latest novel Never Tear Us Apart is set on the beautiful yet dangerous island of Malta during WWII—a sweeping story of love, resilience, and destiny. Writing also as Bella Ellis, Rowan reimagines the Brontë sisters as sleuths in her clever and atmospheric Bronte Mysteries series.

Together, they’ll explore how characters shape a story, how they surprise even their creators, and why readers connect so deeply to fictional lives. With Fee Mak, BBC Radio 1Xtra presenter and bookstagrammer behind High Shelf Esteem, guiding the conversation, this event promises to be as lively and engaging as the characters themselves.

Expect laughter, insight, and plenty of inspiration—plus a book signing to follow.