I had fantastic fun being interviewed and answering readers’ questions at the online launch party for my new book, Folly Ditch. The video for the launch is online now on my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhaTp9gTrzA
Video
Talks, readings and conversations: my new video channel
Would you like to hear me read from my novels? How about listen in on conversations with creative friends, or watch an online talk about the books? I’ve set up a new channel to host all my video content.
You can:
- Listen to me talk to musician Katie Rose about how the changing seasons affect the way we work
- Hear me read the opening chapters of Unlawful Things, The Peacock Room and The Crimson Thread
- Watch an online talk about the history behind Unlawful Things
I’ll be adding more content as I go, so why not subscribe to make sure you get an alert when I add something new?
Introducing my Creative Year conversations

For a while, I’ve been thinking about how the turning of the seasons affects the way I write.
In spring, I’m full of ideas. There’s energy, there’s a sense of possibility; every conversation or contact seems to spark a new project or plan. Come summer, some of those projects need sunshine, feeding and attention, while others have to be weeded out. In autumn, I’m starting to see some of the ideas ripen into chapters, stories, novels. There’s a ‘back to school’ energy about the crisp air, a willingness to get back to the desk. Winter is quieter, often a time to finish a first draft or start work on edits, polish and shape my work from the warm cocoon of my study.
I wondered if other creative types also feel a seasonal rhythm to their work, so I’ve begun what I hope will be a series of Creative Year conversations. First up is the amazing Katie Rose, a singer, conductor, composer and writer who loves to sing, and to help people sing. I was lucky enough to sing with Katie’s aptly-named Welcome Choir in London over the past few years.
Katie released a new album of jazz-influenced songs, Flame, this July. We talked about what’s inspiring her right now, the creative process, ‘squirrel season’ and current projects. You can listen on my YouTube channel here. And do check out Katie’s website, The Rose Window, for news of her music and other projects.
The history and mysteries behind Unlawful Things – online talk
The usual talks and events that I had planned for this year are on hold, so I decided to try an online talk. On Monday May 4 at 7pm, I’ll be talking about the real-life history and mysteries that inspired the novel.
The talk will take you to some of the fascinating places in London and Kent that I visited while researching the novel. I’ll talk about the amazing archives at Dulwich College, the ancient pilgrim hostel in Canterbury and the magnificent Cobham Hall in Kent.
To join the talk, email me hello@annasayburnlane.com and I’ll send you a link.
NEW: Listen to a recording of the talk here.