I will be in the UK this November from the 15th to the 24th. My plans are not yet solid, but I have gigs brewing in London and possibly Oxford and/or Cambridge, I will be in St. Ives at one point, and am considering the possibility of visiting Hadrian’s wall. Other destinations are a possibility. To help me plan my trip, I’m looking for UK fans who are connected to atheist or skeptic’s groups there (college groups or community groups) who would like me to stop by and speak. I won’t be able to do most, but I’d like to see how many I can fit in, so I have to start somewhere, by collecting the possibilities.
So in comments here let me know if you are interested, who you are with, what you have in mind, when and where, and what other attractions there are in your town or local area that could tempt me. I’m most keen on nature’s beauty and Roman-era antiquities; and weird things, especially if they are sci-fi or fantasy genre related somehow, or connected to any Jane Austen film. For example, I’ve already been to Bath, but this time I will definitely be touring “Hogwarts” in Leavesden.
Other ways to tempt me are to suggest good, inexpensive bed & breakfasts to crash at locally, or other nice accommodations on the cheap end. Another is to offer me an opportunity to give a special lecture for the history or philosophy department of your college (you can find a brief list of topics at my website, but obviously I’m most ready to lecture on my latest book, although I can speak on anything I’ve published or spoken on in the past). Another is to offer me an honorarium (I am otherwise expecting to do all gigs for free, but obviously money would attractively defray the cost of the trip).
If you own a bookstore or know anyone who does, and you/they would like me to do a book signing of Proving History in coordination with Prometheus Book’s UK affiliate, definitely mention that, too. Because that stands a good chance of fitting your town on my itinerary.
If you don’t want to discuss any of this publicly in the comments section, or at least want to discuss particulars privately (the advantage of at least mentioning some general details in comments here is that other UK groups will see who else is competing for me or may already be nearby, plus you might give other atheist tourists some neat travel ideas), then contact me by email. Please note that I can take a week or two to reply (I get hundreds of emails a week).
I’m looking forward to being back in England again!
21 comments
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Tim Milburn
August 7, 2012 at 10:29 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Hi Richard,
I’m in Kent in the UK. I’ve read a few of your books and really liked them – Sense and Goodness, Not the Impossible Faith, and that essay On Defining Naturalism. I’m not connected with any atheist/sceptic group at the moment, but I would like to see you give a talk if you are in Kent or London.
Keep up the good work!
Richard Carrier
August 8, 2012 at 10:07 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
My speaking for CFI London is about 80% likely at this point. I’ll blog the details if finalized.
Hairy Chris, blah blah blah etc
August 7, 2012 at 12:58 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Will keep an eye out for London dates. I’m not associated with anyone/thing/etc though.
Steven Carr
August 8, 2012 at 4:59 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I used to live virtually beside Hadrian’s Wall. A bit of it was 200 yards from my house.
There’s not a lot of it left!
Orion3T
August 8, 2012 at 7:14 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I’m glad to hear you’re heading over to the UK and hope you have a good time over here.
Is Scotland on your agenda? I’m not sure I can help much in planning your tour (though I will email you further details if it’s a possibility) but if you were doing any book signings or lectures in the area I’d certainly be interested.
Richard Carrier
August 8, 2012 at 10:10 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Scotland is a possibility. What cities/towns would be nearest you?
Orion3T
August 8, 2012 at 1:32 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I live in Fife – St Andrews (of golf and University fame) is the closest town. Dundee and Edinburgh are within an hour’s travel.
If you think a visit to the area is possible then I’m happy to try to help you out with information on visitor attractions, venues etc. I think that would be better done by email though.
Tris Stock
August 8, 2012 at 10:00 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Would that be St Ives in Cornwall or Cambridgeshire?
Richard Carrier
August 8, 2012 at 10:12 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Cornwall.
Felix
August 8, 2012 at 4:38 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Hi,
I am sure that Bath Skeptics would be thrilled to have you.
https://bathskeptics.wordpress.com
I am not a member, but I will alert them on Twitter to your post.
Felix
August 8, 2012 at 4:44 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I gave you the wrong link above: http://bath.skepticsinthepub.org
There are also numerous different groups at the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institute (http://brlsi.org/) who may like to invite you.
i.e. Philosophy group, antiquities, literature & humanities, history & culture.
Stephen Beesley
August 9, 2012 at 1:11 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
When you’re in St. Ives don’t forget to visit the Barbara Hepworth sculpture garden! (Official site which gives you no idea at all how magical the place is.)
Richard Carrier
August 9, 2012 at 3:20 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Thanks. I’ve actually been. (This won’t be my first trip to St. Ives.)
Ginny
August 17, 2012 at 1:28 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Hi Richard,
We’re an atheist rationalist group based in London, and we’d be happy to work around virtually any date you might be able to do -i.e we’d set up a special meetup in a central London location to suit your schedule. The more notice the better obviously, but we could also do it at short notice.
http://www.meetup.com/London-Atheist-Activist-Group-informal-friendly/
The group (LAAGer as we affectionately call it!), is a (non-stuffy, friendly & positive!) non-believers’ meetup & forum. Growing fast, we will be featuring at the upcoming Nation Secular Society secular fair in September, with Richard Dawkins as key speaker.
Our social and supportive community celebrates diversity and the joy of reason, explores the serious issues, yet is not afraid of a little playful side! No censorship, and an activist platform for those who want it.
We’d be delighted to hear from you!
Richard Carrier
August 17, 2012 at 3:59 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Cool. I’ll get in touch.
Brian Livingston
August 23, 2012 at 1:07 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Chepstow!
J.K. Rowling’s old house & school
The castle where Dennis Cooper dropped his hose – Beware!
Offa’s Dyke – say no more.
Dominik Miketa
August 30, 2012 at 8:21 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Hi Richard, are you in touch with OxASH yet?
Richard Carrier
August 30, 2012 at 1:15 pm (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I sent a contact request via their webpage, but have not received a reply. If you have any pull there, you might ask about it. I’d love to appear and speak there.
Richard Carrier
August 31, 2012 at 11:54 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Note to All UK Fans: Plans have coalesced and alas I won’t be going north this trip. Everything we have scheduled will be in London, Wiltshire, and Cornwall, and almost all of it personal fun, not public events. The only events so far certain (or nearly so) will be in London. I’ll announce details once they are finalized. Anyone in or around London can catch those.
However, if anyone or any group is in the other counties (Wiltshire or Cornwall) and/or wants to visit them while I’m there, let me know (here or by email). I’d love to have a drink with you in a pub or something in some town therein, if I can fit it in. Even better if it’s a group or a bunch of friends willing to get together for a pubmeet.
I probably can’t make it to Bath, though (I’ve been before, so we want to hit other areas in the county this time), but that’s not finalized. People might have to come to me somewhere in the county, depending on where I end up. Which may be too much of a hardship for you, I know. So I mention all this only just in case anyone is still keen.
trisstock
September 16, 2012 at 5:46 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I am in Penzance if you fancy meeting up for a pint.
Richard Carrier
September 17, 2012 at 10:39 am (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Thanks for the offer! I’ll definitely be hitting sites near there, but probably won’t be able to make it into that town specifically.