Penarth-based scholar and lecturer Vicki Joule presents a special one-off seminar about the conception of the ‘novel’ as we know it today. No previous knowledge of the period or literary studies is needed- only curiosity and a pen!

This discussion-based seminar will give you a taste of the wonderful world of eighteenth-century fiction: the place where the novel really started to take shape. The session will cover the genre of ‘the novel’ and how it was perceived in this time, the different narrative styles and approaches, and the range of content and authors. To do this, we will explore the opening pages of a small selection of novels. As well as introducing you to the fiction of the period, the session might also provide creative inspiration for developing your own writing.

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VICKI JOULE is an independent scholar living in Penarth having previously worked as a Lecturer in English Literature for 10 years. She works on eighteenth-century literature, particularly women’s writing and has published her research in scholarly journals and edited collections.