About Us
Celebrating Women’s Fiction
The Edinburgh Women's Fiction Festival is a new literary festival celebrating writing for, by, and about women.
We are an inclusive event and welcome everyone who finds joy in reading women's fiction - commercial, romance, historical, literary, book club and beyond.
Our festival showcases authors of genres that are often overlooked, and our aim is to give readers the opportunity to connect with their favourite writers.
Organising committee: Jane Anderson, Olivia Kekewich, Kristin Pedroja, Robin Facer, Fran Woodrow, Grace Baird, Sarah Birrell Ivory, Amy Penrose, and Lindsey Miller
Women’s Fiction is an umbrella term for women-centered books that focus on the characters' life experiences, and are marketed — but not exclusive — to women readers.
The Women's Fiction genre includes many commercial and mainstream novels, romantic fiction, and other subgenres. It can be contemporary or historical and have elements of magic, mystery and more.
It is distinct from women’s writing, which refers to literature written by (rather than promoted to) women.
JANE ANDERSON
Jane writes historical fiction.
The Girl Who Fled the Picture was published in 2023, and The Paintress came out in July 2024.
She is a founder and host of the Edinburgh Writers’ Forum.
In 2023 Jane’s novel The Orchid Hunter’s Daughter was Highly Commended in the Jenny Brown Associates Debut Writers Over 50 Award.
Currently Reading: Six Little Words by Sally Page
Book recommendation: The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
OLIVIA KEKEWICH
Olivia is Assistant Manager and Events Coordinator at the award-winning Edinburgh Bookshop, and co-creator of Wee Three Indies virtual events platform.
In 2019, she received the James Patterson Young Bookseller Special Achievement Award and she has been shortlisted for Individual Bookseller of the Year at the British Book Awards twice (2022 & 2024).
Currently Reading: Writers & Lovers by Lily King
Book Recommendation: So Thrilled For You by Holly Bourne
KRISTIN PEDROJA
Kristin writes women’s fiction and won the Women’s Fiction Writers Association’s Rising Star award. She is also a writer and editor for a Swiss boarding school.
In 2008 she started the Highland Literary Salon in Inverness (now Highland LIT) which she hosted and coordinated until 2011. She has chaired book launches and events in Edinburgh, Inverness, and Melbourne and is a founder and host of the Edinburgh Writers’ Forum.
Currently Reading: My Year in Paris with Gertrude Stein by Deborah Levy
Book Recommendation: Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld
ROBIN FACER
Robin is a former television producer who writes mystery and Gothic horror. She is a Women's Fiction Writers Association's Rising Star award finalist and a graduate of Boston's Grub Street Novel Generator. Robin is currently represented by literary agent Gina Panettieri of the NYC agency Talcott Notch.
Currently Reading: The Truth About Ruby Cooper by Liz Nugent
Book Recommendation: The Book of Witching by C.J. Cooke
SARAH BIRRELL IVORY
Sarah Birrell Ivory writes book club and women's fiction, and is an active member of the Edinburgh Writers Forum and Jericho Writers. Previously she was a Senior Lecturer at The University of Edinburgh, with expertise in critical thinking skills, and business and climate change. During her time as an academic she published two textbooks with Oxford University Press and won the prestigious Aspen Institute 'Ideas Worth Teaching' award.
Currently Reading: The Seven O’Clock Club by Amelia Ireland
Book Recommendation: A Million Things by Emily Spurr
FRAN WOODROW
Fran Woodrow (aka Fran McBookface) is an archivist by day and a voracious reader, book blogger, and occasional crafter by night.
Perhaps it’s no surprise that historic fiction is her favourite genre.
Currently Reading: The Jewel Keepers by Sara Sheridan
Book Recommendation: Ordinary Saints by Niamh Ní Mhaoileoin
GRACE BAIRD
Grace Baird (of GracesBookshelf) is currently completing a Masters in Publishing while running a book blogg and cramming in as much reading as possible the rest of the time. She has a special interest in Scots language literature and hunting down obscure female authors the canon has forgotten.
Currently reading: There are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak
Book recommendation: Spring by Ali Smith
LINDSEY MILLER
Lindsey Miller is a fourth year undergraduate student of English at Edinburgh Napier University. She is currently writing her dissertation on Contemporary Southern American and Appalachian Literature and hopes to pursue her Masters/PhD in the future. Outside of work and classes, Lindsey can be found at community arts events or local jam nights.
Currently Reading: Cruel Optimism by Lauren Berlant
Book Recommendation: Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward