The National Book Council is thrilled to announce that bestselling UK author Vanessa Fox O'Loughlin, writing as Sam Blake, will be one of the special guests at the Malta Book Festival, taking place at MFCC, Ta' Qali between 18 and 22 October. Sam Blake has garnered multiple No. 1 bestsellers and earned nominations for the prestigious Irish Crime Novel of the Year award on three occasions.
Her latest works, including her seventh bestseller, The Mystery of Four, and her YA debut Something Terrible Happened Last Night, have captivated readers and critics alike. Her literary contributions extend beyond her writing, as she is the founder of Europe's largest writing resources website, the award-winning writing.ie. In addition, she has played a pivotal role in fostering emerging talent and organising Ireland's International Crime Writing Festival, Murder One.
As a board member of the Society of Authors and a fellow of the RSA, Vanessa Fox O'Loughlin has made significant contributions to the literary world. She continues to champion emerging writers, collaborating with agents and publishers in both the UK and Ireland to nurture fresh talent. Her dynamic leadership was demonstrated when she joined the Board of the Crime Writers Association in 2021 and played a key role in organizing National Crime Reading Month.
Sam Blake will be participating in three events during the Malta Book Festival. On 19 October at 11:30am, she will lead 'Inspiration, Technique, Success', a creative writing session for post-secondary students delving into the essential elements of storytelling, including character, location and plot. Drawing from her extensive experience and insights garnered from industry luminaries such as Jeffery Deaver and Joanne Harris, Blake will guide post-secondary students interested in fiction writing, irrespective of their language of choice. The session is free of charge but online registration is required. Those interested may register on the event page here.
Later on that day, she will lead a masterclass entitled 'What's Your Story: 5 Steps to Writing a Bestseller', which will instruct participants on how to turn an inspired idea into a dynamic story with market appeal. Those interested may register here.
True to the National Book Council's aim to build bridges between local and international authors and readers, Sam Blake will also be engaging in a public discussion with renowned Maltese author Leanne Ellul, moderated by Blake's literary agent Simon Trewin - a fellow special guest at this year's Festival. Titled 'Finding the Words' and taking place on 20 October at 6:00pm, their conversation will delve into the art of storytelling, as both writers trace the origin of their story ideas and expand upon their creative process.
Book enthusiasts from all walks of life shouldn't miss the opportunity to engage with the multifaceted talent of Sam Blake at this year's Malta Book Festival. Her wealth of knowledge and experience is sure to leave a lasting impact.
The 2023 Malta Book Festival will be held between 18 and 22 October at the MFCC. Ta' Qali. Entrance to the event is free of charge. Please follow the NBC website, and the NBC Facebook page and Malta Book Festival 2023 Facebook page.