What really happens at literary festivals?

In this episode of Rock, Paper, Swords!, historical fiction authors Matthew Harffy (Bernicia Chronicles, A Time for Swords) and Justin Hill (Shieldwall, Viking Fire) sit down to talk about the highs, lows, and hilarious moments of literary festivals — from meeting readers and other writers to book signings, panels, and the chaos of travel and deadlines.

They share their experiences of festivals big and small across the UK and Europe, offer tips for authors attending their first event, and discuss what makes these gatherings so important for connecting books, writers, and audiences.

📲 All Podcast Links: https://linktr.ee/RockPaperSwords

https://www.patreon.com/c/RockPaperSwordsPodcast

🔥 In this episode:
✍️ What authors love (and dread!) about festivals
🎤 Behind-the-scenes stories from panels and signings
📚 Why literary festivals matter for writers and readers
✈️ How travel, networking, and book promotion all collide
🎭 The fun — and fatigue — of the literary life

#RockPaperSwordsPodcast #HistoricalFiction #WritingCommunity #LiteraryFestivals #AuthorLife #BookEvents #MatthewHarffy #JustinHill #WritersOnWriting #BookPodcast