Curtis Garner and James Cahill in Conversation

The author of Isaac discusses his much-anticipated second novel with James Cahill, whose sensuous The Violet Hour is out in paperback

The author of Isaac discusses his much-anticipated second novel, Orange, a candid and atmospheric portrayal of first love and self-discovery, with novelist James Cahill, whose sensuous novel The Violet Hour is out in paperback.

A masterfully rendered portrait of young love set in rural Cornwall, Orange follows Daniel and Jago on a journey of self-discovery and transformative connection. The Violet Hour is an expertly-rendered story of deception, power play and longing, exposing the unsettling underbelly of the art world.

Curtis Garner is the author of Isaac was published in 2024 to critical acclaim. He was born in Cornwall in 1996 and moved to London when he was eighteen to study Creative Writing and English Literature. He graduated in 2017 and has been working in publishing since. In 2020 he also received an MA with Distinction from Manchester Writing School, where much of Isaac was written. In his spare time he reviews novels on Instagram (@queer_novels). Orange is his second novel.

James Cahill has worked in the art world and academia for fifteen years. His debut novel, Tiepolo Blue, was shortlisted for the Authors’ Club Best First Novel Award. His second novel, The Violet Hour, was published in 2025. His writing has been published in Artforum, the Los Angeles Review of Books, the London Review of Books, the Spectator, the Times Literary Supplement and the Daily Telegraph, among others. James divides his time between London and Los Angeles.

A chair for this event will be announced shortly. The discussion will be followed by an audience Q&A and book signing. Your ticket includes a complimentary glass of wine.