During this 60-minute Q&A, Mike Gayle will discuss the inspiration behind his latest novel On We Go, his prolific career and his unique approach to writing relationships with warmth and humour.
The event will offer invaluable insights into Mike’s nearly three-decade career as an author, as well as what it takes to write standout romance, deliver unexpected twists, and build an empathetic connection with your readers – hallmarks of his brilliantly written, bestselling commercial fiction.
For fans of David Nicholls, Jojo Moyes and Nick Hornby, On We Go is a warm, funny and tender story about what it truly means to be a family. When Cal loses his beloved wife Nikki, and his teenage step-daughter Zoe moves out to live with her father, his whole world falls apart. But life works in mysterious ways. And when a prestigious university wants to pay tribute to Nikki with a posthumous award in Zurich, Cal sees an opportunity to both honour his wife, and mend things with Zoe. The plan is a European inter-railing trip to Zurich – but what Cal hasn't anticipated is Zoe lying to her father about it, and inviting her other relatives to join too. What starts off as a very awkward family reunion – punctuated with some sightseeing – quickly takes a turn as tempers fray, secrets are revealed, and the pent-up grief they're all still carrying is unleashed. There's nothing quite like family. Except maybe a family on holiday . . .
All ticket-holders will be invited to submit a question for Mike ahead of time. The most interesting and frequently asked questions will be curated and put forward to Mike by CBC host Abby Parsons. This event will be ‘webinar style’ with Mike and Abby appearing live on-screen, attendees will not appear on the screen however they will be able to post comments in a chat box.
Mike Gayle was born and raised in Birmingham. After graduating
from Salford University with a degree in Sociology, he moved to
London to pursue a career in journalism and worked as a features
editor and agony uncle. He has written for a variety of publications
including The Sunday Times, the Guardian and Cosmopolitan.
Mike became a full-time novelist in 1997 following the publication of
his Sunday Times top 10 bestseller My Legendary Girlfriend, which was
hailed by the Independent as 'full of belly laughs and painfully acute
observations', and by The Times as 'a funny, frank account of a
hopeless romantic'. Since then he has written 18 novels,
including The Man I Think I Know, selected as a World Book Night title,
and Half A World Away, selected for the Richard and Judy Book Club.
His books have been translated into more than thirty languages. In
2021, Mike was the recipient of the Outstanding Achievement Award
from the Romantic Novelists' Association. He lives in Birmingham with his wife and kids. You can find Mike online at mikegayle.co.uk and on Twitter
@mikegayle.
Abby is CBC’s Senior Courses Manager / Editor. Abby was previously an editor of commercial fiction, at Hodder & Stoughton, Little, Brown Book Group and, most recently, HQ, HarperCollins, where she worked on bestselling books and exciting debut authors. In 2016 she co-founded Dear Damsels, a publishing platform sharing the words of women, and has loved working closely with new writers to help them find the very best version of their story ever since.
Purchase your ticket for this event by clicking the ‘Enrol Now’ button.
After purchase you will be sent an email confirmation – then we will send you a link to join the Zoom event at least a week before the interview takes place. A recording of the event will be made available to ticket holders after the event.
Please note, current members of The Writing Studio (including students of our Complete Your Manuscript – One-to-One Programme) get free passes to live online events. If this applies to you please book using the Event Calendar in the Writing Studio, or email students@curtisbrowncreative.co.uk for assistance.