Sam Blake Books

This evening I had the absolute pleasure and honour of introducing Awards at Southwark Cathedral. The Rev Mark Oakley delivered a magnificent speech and I introduced board member Helen Epega who covered the awards part of the evening (that's the hardest part! She made it look easy!) Tonight Cerrie Burnell of Ceebebies fame was our keynote with an absolutely brilliant speech where she likened writing to tightrope walking in the dark - what a perfect description!

Here too with the fabulous Harrie Evans, previous board member and current chair of the crucial policy and campaign committee.

The cathedral was packed and there was so much love and joy in the room, it was a true celebration of everything the Society of Authors do - huge congratulations to Sophia and the staff team who pulled it all together so seamlessly 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Hey presto ✨ An empty table fills with plots, chatter, gossip, and a murder of lady crime writers 💀 🔏

Gorgeous cocktails, fabulous food and flaming desserts! So lovely to see in Dublin! And what a brilliant event with Lisa and hosted by the fabulous .crowley 🔥

The photo of the creme brulee is from a video made - it arrived fully alight but between me 'persuading' her to take a video and her trying to find her phone, we only caught the end of the flame. Trust me it was very impressive!

Thank you to the team at The Cellar Bar at for being so lovely, what a gorgeous spot!