Meet the author: 5 minutes with Karen Angelico

The Bury St. Edmunds Literature Festival is a celebration of books and writing in the heart of East Anglia. The festival, which runs from the 20th to the 22nd of October 2023, brings together authors, readers, and literature enthusiasts for a series of engaging events. One of the most anticipated of these is the New Voices in Fiction Panel taking place at 3pm on Sunday, 22nd October. Among the panelists is the up-and-coming author Karen Angelico, and we were fortunate enough to spend 5 minutes with her for a quick chat.

Discovering the Writer Within

When asked about what first sparked her interest in writing, Karen reveals that it wasn't so much a spark as a flame that's always been burning. "I have written for as long as I can remember," she shares, "My mum still has some of the stories I wrote at primary school." It's clear that Karen's passion for storytelling started at a young age and has continued to grow over the years.

Inspiration and Influences

Every writer has their heroes - authors whose work has inspired them and shaped their own literary journey. For Karen, these heroes include Angela Carter, Daphne Du Maurier, Jane Austen, and A.S. Byatt. It's easy to see the influence of these powerful female authors in Karen's work, particularly in her strong character development and intricate narratives.

'Everything We Are'

At the Bury St. Edmunds Literature Festival, Karen will be discussing her debut novel, 'Everything We Are'. It's a gripping story about four people, two couples, and a secret that threatens to unravel everything. "This is a story about you and me and everything we are," Karen explains, "And it questions how well we can ever really know those closest to us." With its complex characters and suspenseful plot, 'Everything We Are' is sure to be a hit with festival attendees.

Looking Forward to the Lit Fest

Karen is excited about many aspects of the festival, but she's particularly looking forward to participating in the New Voices in Fiction Panel. "I’m on a new writers panel including some of my fellow UEA post graduates," she says, "So I’m looking forward to that and talking about the course and how it helped me to hone my writing."

Book Recommendations and Reading List

Like most authors, Karen is an avid reader. At the moment, she's reading 'Diving for Pearls' by Jamie O'Connell and planning to start '73 Dove Street' by Julie Owen Moylan soon. She recently finished 'Tom Lake' by Ann Patchett, which she highly recommends.

A Fun Fact About Karen

Finally, we asked Karen to share something about herself that her readers might not know. She revealed a fear of heights that she discovered as a child while visiting the whispering gallery in St. Paul's Cathedral. "My body froze and the only way I could return to ground level was to crawl backwards on my hands and knees," she recalls. The fear isn't as extreme now, but she sometimes still opts for the lift instead of the escalator in department stores.

For those interested in attending the Bury St. Edmunds Literature Festival and seeing Karen Angelico speak, as part of the New Voices In Fiction Panel you can book your tickets at https://theatreroyal.org/shows/new-voices-in-fiction-out-of-east-anglia-panel/#book

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to celebrate books and writing in the heart of East Anglia!