Author event at auction house TW Gaze, which inspired romance novel

An acclaimed women’s commercial fiction author is to visit the auction house which inspired her latest book’s setting.

Jenni Keer’s second novel with One More Chapter, a HarperCollins imprint, was based on auction house TW Gaze in Diss.

After the success of her Amazon bestseller The Hopes and Dreams of Lucy Baker earlier this year, the Stoke-Ash mum-of-four published The Unlikely Life of Maisie Meadows.

While her first novel looked at two friends dealing with a dementia diagnosis, this one follows Maisie as she struggles to reunite both her scattered family and a mysterious tea set that comes up for sale at fictional auction house Gildersleeve’s.

“My husband, an antique furniture restorer, and I have been visiting TW Gaze for over 20 years and, in that time, I have witnessed it evolve and grow,” said Jenni.

“When it came to writing my second novel, I thought a fictional auction house would make the perfect backdrop.

“I contacted TW Gaze for help and Elizabeth Talbot and James Bassam generously gave up their time to show me around and answer my questions.”

TW Gaze and Jenni have now teamed up to host an event at the Waveney Room at Diss Auction Rooms on October 10.

“I’m delighted that Jenni felt she could approach us and so achieved helpful insight for the backdrop to her storyline for Maisie,” said BBC antiques valuer and auctioneer Elizabeth Talbot.

“The whole experience is an extension of our continued association with the arts in all their forms and we are thrilled to be able to support Jenni in her work.”

An Audience with Jenni Keer, will allow a chance to meet the author and ask questions from 6pm.

The event is free but donations for East Anglian Air Ambulance will be welcome.