Author S J Bradley will be appearing at The Grove Bookshop in Ilkley at 7pm on Wednesday, November 6.

The Leeds-based novelist, short story and audio script writer will be in conversation about her debut short story collection, 'Maps of Imaginary Towns'.

"We're thrilled to be welcoming S J Bradley to the shop," said Grove bookseller and writer, Emily Devane. "I've long been an admire of S J's writing, and I'm looking forward to finding out more about the inspiration behind this wonderfully inventive collection of stories."

In 'Maps of Imaginary Towns', Bradley illuminates the quiet heroism pulsing through seemingly ordinary lives. Social workers battle towering workloads; a harassed elderly childminder collapses under the strain; a victim of domestic abuse strikes out for freedom, and disgruntled workers in dead-end jobs dream of a brighter future. These vivid tales celebrate the resilience of the human spirit.

S J Bradley is the author of two novels, Brick Mother and Guest (both published by Dead Ink). She is the editor of Saboteur-winning anthology 'Remembering Oluwale' (Valley Press). She has worked as an arts organiser, including the Walter Scott Short Story Prize and The Northern Short Story Festival. S J also teaches creative writing courses for First Story and Comma Press in Leeds and Bradford.

Tickets are £7. To reserve your place, call into the shop or book via the events page: www.grovebookshop.com/events.