Francesca discusses her adult novel Salka at Waterstones Swansea
Date: Tuesday 29 April 2025
VENUE: Waterstones, Swansea
6pm
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Gramophone magazine praises The Faerie Bride
In an extensive review Gramophone magazine’s Arnold Whittall lauds The Faerie Bride for its structural terseness and psycholgical candour. Calling it a ‘fine example of contemporary music, which makes this splendid recording something to savour’. Francesca is singled out for praise – for her libretto that is ‘a model of economical expressiveness’. The review appears […]
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Francesca introduces Salka her first novel for an adult readership
Francesca Simon writes: SALKA, Lady of the Lake, started life as a cantata called The Faerie Bride. My friend and opera collaborator, the composer Gavin Higgins, suggested we turn the medieval Welsh legend about a lake faerie who marries a shepherd on condition he never strikes her three heart-blows into a piece for two voices, […]
Read more » Faber announce publication of Francesca Simon’s first novel for adults
Salka is a passionate retelling of a haunting myth, a tragic romance that echoes through the ages. Faber will publish Salka: Lady of the Lake in April 2025. Francesca’s first novel for an adult readership is an exquisite and tautly moving tragedy told by multiple voices, both a richly woven retelling of an ancient Welsh […]
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Francesca Simon reunited with Gavin Higgins for The Faerie Bride CD release
A recording of the libretto Gavin Higgins created with Francesca Simon, called The Faerie Bride, will be released on CD. The production, which is a Horn Corncerto for horn and orchestra, features Ben Goldscheider (horn), the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, and Jaime Martin as conductor. In telling the tale of The Faerie Bride, Gavin […]
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BBC 500 Words – Francesca Simon meets fellow judges
Francesca Simon is very proud to be a judge for this year’s BBC 500 Words competition. This year she’s joined by author and Waterstones Children’s Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce, author Charlie Higson, author Malorie Blackman, author and comedian Sir Lenny Henry as well as singer song-writer Olivia Dean. Entries close on 8th November at 9pm so […]
Read more »Francesca Simon Supports National Literacy Trust Libraries for Primaries Campaign
Francesca Simon is backing the leading reading charity, The National Literacy Trust, and their new campaign ‘Libraries for Primaries’. The initiative, run with Penguin Books, aims to ensure that every child at primary school has access to a dedicated library or reading space. Francesca visited Portcullis House in Westminster on 8th November 2023 to celebrate […]
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Francesca awarded MBE by HM King Charles
Francesca visited Buckingham Palace to receive her MBE from His Majesty King Charles for services to literature. Here she is at the Palace with her husband and son, proudly showing her insignia.
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BBC’s 500 Words returns with Francesca Simon as a judge
Francesca recently appeared on BBC Breakfast to mark the return of 500 Words, the BBC’s most successful children’s writing competition. Francesca is one of the competition judges, alongside Malorie Blackman, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Charlie Higson and Sir Lenny Henry. She is pictured here with the presenters and to the left, Jonathan Douglas, CEO of the National […]
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Win a set of Francesca Simon’s Two Terrible Vikings series!
To celebrate the publication of Francesca’s new book, Two Terrible Vikings: Feast with the King, and her event at Jorvik Viking Festival – Jorvik are giving away a signed set of her books. To be in with a chance of winning Two Terrible Vikings, Two Terrible Vikings and Grunt the Beserker and Two Terrible Vikings: […]
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