Lincoln Book Festival starts today

Amy Lilwall will launch her latest novelThe Water That May Comeat this year’s Lincoln 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 theGuardian University Guide 2026, andThe Water That May Comeis her second novel, following her 2017 debutThe 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, October 3 to launchThe 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 Comehas 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 Comeis currently available and tickets for the launch can be booked at the Lincoln Book Festival website.

In addition to launching her new novel, Amy will also leadCharacters in the Cityon Sunday, 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 literary scholars Dr Rebecca Styler, Dr Alice Crossley and Dr Amy Culley from the School of Humanities and Heritage on a panel exploring Jane Austen’s legacy and 19th-century women’s writing, marking the author’s 250th anniversary. 

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.