Book Launch Event: Down to Earth by Andrew Crowther

Join us for a glass of something cold to celebrate the publication of Down to Earth by Bradford born author Andrew Crowther. Andrew will be talking about and reading from his debut novel, answering questions, and signing copies.

Andrew has been making up stories ever since he was a child, forever dreaming of fantastic events, miraculous escapes and happy endings. He is fascinated by the power of the imagination to transform this crazy life of ours into something that has shape and meaning.

New school teacher Jenny Threadneedle has lived for almost as long as she can remember in High Hants, an enclosed idealised Little Britain located in a very, very remote region. Founded by wealthy white English businessmen and Red Top journalists, aghast by immigration and climate catastrophe, life in High Hants is just perfect – unless you ask questions, or begin to doubt this “1950s paradise” is as wonderful as claimed. A dystopian satire of tiny minds and limited outlook. Is it possible to escape and live a life more Down to Earth?

Down to Earth is a cautionary tale about building a castle and pulling up the drawbridge behind you.

Andrew has also written several plays which have been performed around Yorkshire, including Welcome to Paradise (2003), Funny Men (2008), Working Lives (2011) and Night Secrets (2022).

In another part of his life, he is the Secretary of the W.S. Gilbert Society. He has written extensively about the dramatist of the Gilbert and Sullivan operas, most notably in a well-regarded 2011 biography entitled Gilbert of Gilbert and Sullivan.

Down to Earth is Crowther’s first novel. He says he doesn’t write about the real world because he’s never been there.