Debut novelist Helen Lederer to discuss 'laugh-out-loud' work at Henley Literary Festival

Losing It is Helen Lederer’s debut novel ‘loosely based’ on her own experiences as a divorced, single mum ‘obsessed with losing weight, aspirations of sex and desperate in love.’

“Although technically a work of fiction given my whole life has essentially been one long diet, I certainly had a wealth of autobiographical material to draw on for my dysfunctional heroine’s myriad forms of self-denial,” said Helen.

Elucidating further about her work as a novelist, she said: “I’m coining the phrase ‘mid-lit’ because there are not a lot of books addressing this neurotic time of life.

“With Losing It, I wanted to turn it into a laugh-out-loud read because there’s no point in getting depressed and pulling yourself apart at my age.”

Pushing the boundaries and facing body-conscious demons, with her ever-present humorous style, has been time well spent for Helen, as Losing It was shortlisted for this year’s only literary award for comic literature, The Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize.

“Literary festivals are a brand new experience for me,” said Helen. “There is an overlap in execution from the comedy circuit but these festivals are a lot less hostile and much jollier affairs.”

She adds: “With my ‘mid-lit’ debut novel I’m hoping it will be a positive connector with the audience and the message is: stop worrying and appreciate who you are.”

Helen will be speaking at this year’s Henley Literary Festival, alongside a host of actors, adventurers, comedians, cooks, politicians and sporting stars.

Other speakers include Vince Cable, Pam St.Clement and Brian Blessed.

The festival takes place in the riverside town for a week from Monday, September 28 until Sunday, October 4.

There will be 170 talks, question-and-answer- sessions, performances, workshops and a children’s festival too, with stars including Kipper, Maisy Mouse and Charlie and Lola. Tickets cost £7.

Visit www.henleyliteraryfestival.co.uk for further details and to book tickets.