In Conversation with Rachel Canwell @ The Book Brewery, Ambleside @ 7.00pm, 27th March
Paper Sisters, Rachel's debut novel, is a haunting piece of historical fiction set against the misted marshes of the Lincolnshire Fens at the dawn of World War I. Inspired by a real, abandoned hospital that Rachel's family tended for decades, Paper Sisters follows three women bound by secrets, grief, and impossible choices. As war reshapes the world beyond the marsh, Eleanor, Lily, and Clara must confront love, violence, and the dark pull of the past — all in the shadow of a hospital that was built for patients who never came.
Dark, lyrical, and quietly devastating, Paper Sisters explores what happens when women are left to carry the weight of history.
Come and hear Rachel Canwell speak about forgotten places, family stories, and the making of her powerful debut
Author talk, Q and A and book signing @Loubies Bookshop and Cafe, Scunthorpe @1.30pm, 28th March.
Join us at Loubie’s Bookshop & Kitchen for a relaxed and welcoming afternoon with author Rachel Canwell.
Rachel will be sharing insights into her writing journey, the inspiration behind her work, and the stories that shaped her books. The event will include an author talk, an audience Q&A, and a book signing, with the opportunity to have copies personally signed.
This is an intimate, cosy event for book lovers, readers, and anyone who enjoys thoughtful conversation in a warm bookshop setting.
Tickets are £5 per person and include admission to the author talk, Q&A, and book signing.
Themed drinks and food will be available to purchase on the day.
We kindly encourage guests to pre-order a copy of Rachel’s book ahead of the event to support the author and guarantee a signed copy. A limited number of books may also be available on the afternoon, subject to availability.
Lincolnshire, 1914. As the First World War approaches, three women are living, trapped between marsh, river, and fen. Their lives held fast by grief, the past, and the looming presence of a hospital. A hospital which has never admitted a single patient.
Eleanor longs to escape. To make a life with the man she loves, leaving her sister and all her ghosts behind.
Clara’s marriage is crumbling and violent, although she yearns for peace and security for both herself and her children.
Meanwhile, Lily, determined that nothing should change, will do anything to prevent life and her family from moving on. No matter the cost.
Paper Sisters is Rachel's first novel. and a Brown Onion Books favourite.Her short fiction has appeared in numerous anthologies. Her collection of flash fiction Oh I Do Like to Be was published in 2022 and her novella-in-flash Magpie Moon in 2023.
Join us for a short reading and Q&A with Rachel on Sunday 12th April. Rachel will also be signing copies of her book at the event.
