Named: A Story of Names and Reclaiming Who We Are

What's in a Name? "We all have a first name, perhaps a middle name and a surname, but this seemingly simple part of our self-identity is anything but.” Camilla Balshaw is an award-winning author whose work has been published in numerous journals, including the Guardian, Therapy Today and the Observer. Her writing explores themes of family, identity, and belonging and is recognised for its humour and thought-provoking reflections on the complexities of human relationships. Camilla’s debut memoir, Named: A Story Of Names And Reclaiming Who We Are (Bedford Square Publishers), has been described by the author, Diana Evans, as a ‘valuable meditation on the origins of what we call ourselves, packed full of rich storytelling.’ Through the prism of names, Camilla explores themes of belonging, identity, and family and how our names can shape who we are. In 2025, Named won the best Memoir & Biography category in the prestigious East Anglian Book Awards. Camilla was born in Luton. As a teenager, she worked at Luton Library Theatre. Named is partly set in Luton, and this event will be held in Marsh House, which is close to where Camilla was brought up, on Saturday 24 October at 1 pm. There will be readings and discussions about what our names mean to us, diversity in publishing (championing diverse voices), and the power of telling stories. Tickets are availlable for donation of your choice to support Brown Books Community Bookshop and the work of Luton Literature CIC to make these events possible, and to secure your place. This event is part of Luton Literature's Author and Illustrator Fair, which includes the bi-annual SI Leeds Panel Discussion, showcasing the 6 finalists in the SI Leeds Literary Prize and will be held on Saturday 7 November at Luton Central Library.