PEOPLE flocked to Tavistock Town Hall recently to celebrate the launch of the book 'Historical Fiction Writing, A Practical Guide and Tool Kit' by local author Myfanwy Cook and more than 50 other contributors.

This was a rare opportunity for many of Tavistock Library's readers to meet some of their literary heroes and for hopeful writers to get a real insight into how to write and become a successful novelist.

More than 100 people attended the event proving just how popular the genre of historical fiction is.

The event was opened by town mayor Cllr David Whitcomb, with the town crier David Turner making important announcements such as the raffle, with prizes donated by author Karen Maitland.

A question and answer session was held with a panel of experts, including Nicola Thorne, Simon Hall, Lilian Harry, E V Thompson, Michael Jecks, Professor Bernard Knight, Simon Dell, Tania Crosse and Mary Andrea Clarke.

Members of the public were then invited to talk to authors and contributors who each had a stall around the town hall, where there was also an opportunity to purchase signed copies of books.

The staff at Tavistock Library expressed thanks to the Friends of Tavistock Library for paying for the hire of the town hall, all the volunteers who helped make the evening a success as well as Jude Jeal, library manager, and Myfanwy Cook for organising and promoting the event and to all the authors and contributors who gave their time.

For more details on where to purchase a copy of 'Historical Fiction Writing, A Practical Guide and Tool Kit' please visit http://www.myfanwycook.com">www.myfanwycook.com