I am available for booking as a visiting speaker for groups, literary festivals, libraries and anywhere else where people might be interested to hear about my writing. Please see my range of talks below, although I’m happy to discuss a bespoke talk if there was a particular subject you were interested in.
To book a talk or for more information, please email contact@stevecouch.co.uk
40 minutes, plus time for questions
How a childhood dream of being an author was repeatedly put off until I was approaching my 40s, and then took another 15 years to come true. Lessons learned along the way and the difference that the outcome, and the journey itself, made in my life.
40 minutes, plus time for questions
Do novels have to be based on personal experience, or can you make stuff up and still feel authentic? I talk about the relationship between fact and fiction in my own books, and the different ways that they are (or aren’t) autobiographical.
Different length versions available
A music-and-words collaboration with singer-guitarist Olly Hopper-Pay. I read extracts from Dead Man Singing, interspersed with Olly performing songs mentioned in the book. We offer 30 minute, 20 minute and 15 minute versions, plus additional introduction and discussion as well as time for questions. If you would like this as part of a longer presentation, it can be combined with readings from my other books, and/or solo performance by Olly of his own songs.
60-90 minutes
A workshop for writers, giving practical help in crafting the most vital tool for selling books: the elevator pitch. Whether you’re talking to agents, publishers, booksellers or direct to potential readers, a well-crafted pitch can be the difference between a polite brush-off or genuine interest leading to sales and new readers. This workshop debuted at the 2026 Bournemouth Writing Festival and is now available to be booked elsewhere.
The Mysterious Bookcase, 6 Westbourne Arcade, Poole Road, Westbourne, Bournemouth BH4 9AY, Friday 7th August
I will be selling and signing books outside The Mysterious Bookcase bookshop from 12-2pm.
Price: Free
Westbourne Bookshop, 65 Poole Road, Westbourne, Bournemouth BH4 9BA, Saturday 26th September 2026
A reading from the new book, plus a Q&A with me, as well as a performance of the song Imogen Imagine from Olly Hopper-Pay. Starts at 7pm.
Price: Free
Chaplin's and the Cellar Bar. 529 Christchurch Road, Boscombe, Bournemouth BH1 4AG, Monday 5th October 2026
Readings from Imogen Imagine, plus live music including performances from Olly Hopper-Pay, Lee Radsall-Dove and Hannah Gadsby. I promise that I won't be doing any singing.
Price: Free.