Marti Leimbach and Mary Loudon, May 18
discuss their books Daniel Isn’t Talking and Relative Stranger and family relationships at Waterstone’s, Notting Hill Gate, London W11 (020-7229 9444; www.waterstones.com).

Making Connections, May 22
Gillian Reynolds chairs a debate about museums at the Museum of London, EC2 (0870 4443850; www.mgm.org.uk).

Books for Cooks, May 23
A series of lunches with cookery authors is opened by Tom Jaine, who talks about his translation of the first significant French cookbook La Varenne at Books for Cooks, Blenheim Crescent, London W11 (020-7221 1992; www.booksforcooks.com).

Sue Hepworth and Jane Linfoot, May 23
talk about their debut novel Plotting for Beginners at Scarthin Books, Cromford, Derbyshire (01629 823272; www.scarthinbooks.com).

Young Readers Birmingham, May 20-June 3
An annual festival for children and their families, with events at all Birmingham libraries, the Library Theatre and various arts venues in the city
(0121-303 3368; www.birmingham.gov.uk).

Winchester Writers’ Conference and Bookfair, June 23-26
Maureen Lipman leads a starry line-up of authors, playwrights, poets, producers, literary agents and commissioning editors who will meet aspiring writers for workshops, lectures, seminars and one-to-one appointments at the University of Winchester (01962 827238; www.writersconference.co.uk).

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