Sarah Waters in conversation with John O'Connell, Dulwich Books

Sarah Waters's literary success shows no sign of slowing down. She's been Booker shortlisted three times, named Young Writer of the Year by The Sunday Times, amongst the Best of Young British Novelists of 2003' by Granta and was voted Author of the Year by both Waterstones and a panel of judges at the British Book Awards.

Her novels deftly recreate the Victorian era that inspires her within a strikingly creative structure, which has garnered comparisons with A.S Byatt and Angela Carter. Though hailed as a feminist icon and gay rights spokesperson because of the inclusion of lesbian love affairs in four of her five published novels, Waters describes that the sexuality of her heroines is more of an 'incidental' result of her own orientation than a political statement. And indeed all readers who've lost themselves in the passionate intensity of her novels will attest that the romances Waters writes are powerful love stories regardless of their political significance.

Her hotly-anticipated new novel The Paying Guest again reflects the Waters's passion for the past, but this time Victoriana is forgone in favour of more recent WWI history. The novel portrays the dithering uncertainty and mild disappointment that shaped post-war London as the plot is propelled by a powerful love story that affects the four main characters in surprising ways.

Waters will discuss this latest novel and the eras and ideas that inspire her to write with journalist and literary critic John O'Connell.