In 2017 I was appointed as the first ever Literary Ambassador at the Savoy, one of the world’s most storied hotels –where Oscar Wilde feasted with panthers in a suite upstairs. Working with the Savoy team, I launched a full programme bringing writers and guests together to celebrate books. Our original program had three highly successful strands: Salons, reviving the famous Writer-in-Residence programme and introducing Book Butlers to oversee a seasonal library. I continue in my role as Literary Ambassador at the Savoy while we work out the next chapter in this Covid-world. Our Literary Salons are thriving online and will return in-person again as soon as it is safe!
Salons: The glittering Lancaster Ballroom was the Salon’s home from 2016-2020. It’s where established and emerged stars shared new stories and revealed their own personal tales. Maggie O’Farrell electrified with the premiere of This Must Be The Place, Susan Calman had everyone crying with her as she revealed her memoirs and Yaa Gyasi gripped the room with Homegoing, her novel of slavery and survival. Every Salon added more stories. Our Literary Salons are thriving online and will return in-person again as soon as it is safe!
Writers-in-Residence: Past Writers-in-Residence included Fay Weldon, Kathy Lette and Seamus Heaney. Our revived program brought unique voices to the hotel where they took up residency for three weeks and wrote an exclusive story as well as appearing at events. Our writers in residence were Kate Atkinson, Sarah Perry and Aminatta Forna.
Book Butlers: Our Book Butlers hurried to the rescue of any guest who left home without packing something good to read (the horror!) Each of our specially trained Book Butlers was available to cater to suite guests’ literary needs from the Savoy Library, edited by Damian Barr and featuring favourite titles from some of The Savoy team. The library, supplied by Heywood Hill, was updated seasonally and available to all guests looking for a good read during their stay. Children’s in-room libraries were also be available for younger guests.