The star of The Witcher launches his Northumbrian folk horror debut novel, It’s Not A Cult, in an evening of conversation at Foyles.

Callum, Melusine and Al play in a band with no name, baffling audiences in pubs across the north-east of England. Their songs tell the stories of the Solkats: fictional northern gods. However, when an act of violence at a pub gig goes viral they catch the eye of a disillusioned influencer and suddenly go from having a cult following to being followed by a real cult. Darkly comic and imaginatively daring, this is a must-read debut from a star performer.

Joey Batey has worked as an actor, director, musician and playwright, and is best known for his role in flagship Netflix show The Witcher, playing the bard Jaskier. Joey writes and directs music videos, live sessions and short films for his alt-folk group The Amazing Devil, who released their third studio album in 2022, as well occasionally performing stand-up in his spare time. It’s Not A Cult is his debut novel.

Amy Jeffs is a Somerset-based author and artist. Jeffs’ first book, Storyland: A New Mythology of Britain, was a Sunday Times bestseller, shortlisted for Waterstones Book of the Year and named a Times Historical Fiction Book of the Year. Her second book, Wild: Tales from Early Medieval Britain, explores an old idea of the wilderness through medieval stories of outcasts, monsters and the natural world. Saints: Legends of Heroes, Humans and Magic is her third book.

The event will be followed by an audience Q&A. Your ticket includes a complimentary glass of wine.

It's Not A Cult: Joey Batey in Conversation with Amy Jeffs