We celebrated 50 years of being a charity with our Calibre Conversations Live Event.
Calibre Audio celebrated 50 years of being a charity with their Calibre Conversations Live Event on the 21st of October 2024, an engaging gathering that brought together students, educators, and audiobook enthusiasts for a day of insightful discussions. The event took place at The Library of Birmingham and featured authors Louie Stowell (Loki: A Bad God’s Guide series of books for kids) and Natalie Marlow (Needless Alley, The Red Hollow) designed to inspire and inform attendees about the power of audiobooks.
The day kicked off with an interactive session hosted by bestselling author Louie Stowell, known for her popular Loki series. Kids of varying ages were invited to join Louie on stage to act out scenes from Norse mythology in the author’s humorous and appropriately anarchic fashion, followed by ‘Doodle Time!’ – where Louie showed off her illustration prowess by drawing whatever the kids asked for (cue pages of Gods enacting gas-related gags). The floor was then open for kids to probe their treasured author on whatever was on their minds – where insightful quips on their favourite characters were answered among a handful of “when’s the next book out!?”.
With the kids back home for dinner, it was time for the adults to visit Europe’s biggest library for a drinks reception, followed by a Q&A with acclaimed West Midlands author Natalie Marlow. Marlow was joined on stage by Calibre’s Director of Commissioning and Editorial, Emma Scott, who conducted an interview covering Marlow’s two works, Needless Alley and the recently released The Red Hollow. Marlow's passion for storytelling resonated with attendees as she touched on the importance of local heritage, drawing inspiration from classic English crime fiction, and her love of writing as a creative process. The evening featured a lively Q&A session, allowing audience members to delve deeper into her writing process and ask questions about her journey as an author.
A highlight of the evening was the announcement of the winners of Calibre’s Inclusive Voices – a short story competition held over the summer to also mark the charity’s anniversary. Budding writers were encouraged to create characters who had a print disability, aligning with their goal of supporting individuals who have difficulty reading printed text. Winners were invited on stage to receive their awards from Louie Stowell and Natalie Marlow themselves, creating a moment of celebration and recognition for the talented writers.
Attendees had the opportunity to get signed copies of either Natalie Marlow’s or Louie Stowell’s books, creating memorable moments for fans and budding writers alike. The atmosphere was filled with enthusiasm as participants engaged with the authors, discussing their works and sharing personal experiences related to writing and storytelling.
Calibre Audio’s commitment to promoting the benefits of audiobooks was evident throughout the event, with numerous discussions highlighting how audiobooks can enhance learning experiences and foster a love for literature.
This event marks a successful beginning for the Calibre Conversations series, with plans for more engaging discussions and author interactions in the future.