Sacrifice, Survival and a Drowning Britain: Lincoln Author to Launch Novel at Book Festival

Described as a “gripping climate drama about survival, sacrifice and the meaning of home”, the novel explores a Britain under threat from rising seas. It follows four characters – Pinko, Jane, Ashleigh, and Gavin – as they confront impossible decisions in a world on the brink. With sanctuary across the Channel their only hope, each must ask: who will they save and what will they sacrifice?

Amy is part of the University of Lincoln’s Creative Writing team, whose undergraduate course was recently ranked first in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2026, and The Water That May Come is her second novel, following her 2017 debut The Biggerers.

She will be joined by fellow Creative Writing lecturer Rob Weston for an in-conversation event at Lark Books on Saltergate, Lincoln, on Friday 3 October to launch The Water That May Come.

Speaking about the book, Amy said: “The hint of magic in this story emphasises the perceived implausibility of a situation where UK citizens are forced to leave their homeland, yet for many, this is a very real scenario.”

The Water That May Come has already attracted praise from fellow authors, with Alison Layland (Riverflow, After the Clearances) calling it: “Warm-hearted yet dark. Amy creates a world that is instantly relatable, populated by eccentric but engaging characters pushed to their limits by an extreme existential threat. It held me rapt from start to finish.”

Published by Fly on the Wall Press, The Water That May Come is available from today, Wednesday 1 October. Tickets for the launch event on Friday 3 October are available via the Lincoln Book Festival website.

In addition to launching her new novel, Amy will also lead Characters in the City on Sunday 5 October – a walking-writing workshop inviting participants to create short fiction inspired by Lincoln’s historic streets.

That same day will also see fellow University of Lincoln academics host a varied programme of events spanning literary heritage and modern media.

Beginning with Austen brings together literary scholars Dr Rebecca Styler, Dr Alice Crossley and Dr Amy Culley from the School of Humanities and Heritage for a panel exploring Jane Austen’s legacy and nineteenth-century women’s writing, marking the author’s 250th anniversary. Meanwhile, Dr Guy Mankowski from the School of Creative Arts will host the now sold-out More Pulp: Unseen Reels, discussing the cinematic world of the band Pulp with their guitarist Mark Webber and filmmaker Paul Burgess.

The wider programme includes appearances by acclaimed authors such as Lemn Sissay, Tristan Gooley, Marcia Hutchinson and Isabel Losada, alongside a host of workshops, open mic performances, competitions and free family-friendly events.

As co-producer of the Lincoln Book Festival, the Lincoln Arts Centre plays a key role in supporting the city-wide celebration of literature and will once again serve as the central hub for the Festival, hosting talks, workshops and performances.

Lincoln Book Festival runs from Thursday 2 to Sunday 5 October, more information is available at lincolnbookfestival.org.