Louise Kennedy in conversation on her novel Trespasses

Tender and shocking, Trespasses is an unforgettable debut of people trying to live ordinary lives in extraordinary times.  

An Observer  Debut  Novelist for 2022, Louise Kennedy will be in conversation on her debut novel, Trespasses (Bloomsbury, April 2022). The acclaimed short-story writer draws on the Northern Ireland of her childhood, merging unspeakable times with tough humour and romance.  

Join Louise who will be joined in conversation by Rachel Hooper. 

Louise Kennedy grew up in Holywood, Co. Down. Her short stories have appeared in journals including The Stinging Fly, The Tangerine, Banshee, Wasifiri and Ambit and she has written for the Guardian, Irish Times, BBC Radio 4 and RTE Radio 1. Her work has won prizes and she was shortlisted for the Sunday Times Audible Short Story Award in both 2019 and 2020. Before starting her writing career, she spent nearly thirty years working as a chef. She lives in Sligo with her husband and two children.

Rachel Hooper is the Creative Director of Walk on Air films, a Belfast production company making films and audio for local, national and international audiences. She has a track record in collaborative filmmaking and has worked with the BBC at local and network level, RTE, Channel 4, Netflix, HBO, Arte and other major European broadcasters. Her films have gone on to win BAFTA, Grierson and RTSNI awards. The company are currently in co-production with KEO films making Once Upon a Time in Belfast for the BBC.