A successful author of non-fiction books for children will talk about her work and the process of getting a book published in the first of a series of literary talks in Ilkley.

Ilkley-based Mary Colson will discuss the different stages of getting published and provide inspiration for those who want to take up the challenge of writing for publication themselves, in the talk at the Wharfeside Theatre, Ilkley Playhouse, Weston Road.

A teacher and a writer, who works in schools and leads workshops for people of all ages on non-fiction writing, she has written on diverse topics, ranging from countries around the world to history around the world, earthquakes, forest fires, coping with absent parents and coping with unemployment.

The talk, on Sunday, February 23, will be an opportunity to meet a successful and busy local writer, who is more than willing to encourage and inspire those who feel their own writing talents remain unfulfilled – or are in need of an extra push towards publication.

Her current work in progress is a comic novel called Herding Cats.

The talk begins at 3pm. Tickets cost £7 or £5, and are available from Ilkley Playhouse, telephone (01943) 609539, or visit ilkley playhouse.co.uk.