Events, Festivals and Workshops

I regularly speak at bookshops, forums and literary festivals talking about my own work when it coincides with the publication of a new book. My solo talks are supported by photography and film gathered in the field. 

I’m also a fluent interviewer, moderator and public speaker, appearing on the BBC, Times Radio, Tortoise, and NPR.

I’ve worked internationally, talking at the Jaipur Literature Festival, the Dénia Festival of the Humanities in Spain, and the Festival of the Century in Aarhus, Denmark. 

I also do guest speaker engagements for commercial clients, including American Express.

  • Chalke History Festival, Dorset

    29.06.2025

    A fantastic line-up of speakers at this annual week-long festival, where I’ll be talking about A Training School for Elephants, with behind-the-scenes footage, photos by Michael Turek, and rare archive film.

    Book

  • Arvon Residential Writing Course, Devon

    22.09.2025 – 27.09.2025

    I’ll be co-leading this residential writing week at Totleigh Barton with award-winning writer, Rory Maclean. We’ll focus on transforming travel experiences into compelling writing. Open to all levels.

    Book

  • Bridport Literary Festival, Dorset

    07.11.2025

    An illustrated talk about A Training School for Elephants — including behind-the-scenes footage of the author’s journey, in Iraq, Ireland, Tanzania and Ireland. This event will be held at Bridport’s Electric Palace at 4pm.

    More Soon

  • Writing and Photography Workshop, Nepal

    08.04.2026 – 18.04.2026

    An immersive travel writing and film photography workshop in a spectacular Himalayan landscape co-led by my colleague, photographer Michael Turek. Our base will be The Happy House. Itinerary and price on application.

    Enquiries

  • Royal Geographical Society, London

    29.09.2025

    In this Monday night lecture, I’ll connect ‘lost’ dots held in the archives of this institution, some unusual 19th-century history of European exploration in East and Central Africa, and my Sunday Times bestselling book, A Training School for Elephants. The talk will be accompanied with photography, maps and archive film.

    More Soon