Mo Fanning 'Rainbows and Lollipops' & Megan Leyman 'The Trip Between the Two'

We are delighted to announce that we have two brilliant authors, Mo Fanning and Megan Leyman joining us here at The Heath Bookshop to discuss their books, 'Rainbows and Lollipops' and 'The Trip Between the Two'. 

They will be in discussion for around an hour. There will then be a book signing afterwards. 

IndieReader Discovery Award winner and Page Turner finalist Mo Fanning is a Birmingham-based novelist who blends darkness and light in character-driven fiction exploring the complexities of love, identity, and human connection. Drawing inspiration from his Midlands roots, Fanning infuses his writing with authentic voices and settings that resonate with readers seeking stories celebrating the beauty of imperfection and the transformative power of resilience.

His latest novel, Rainbows and Lollipops, is a moving, sharply observed story about grief, chosen family, and the search for hope in unexpected places. Set in the heart of Birmingham, it captures both the grit and warmth of the city while shining a light on LGBTQ+ lives and friendships. Fanning’s work invites readers to laugh, ache, and ultimately believe in the messy, stubborn brilliance of the human spirit.

Rainbows and Lollipops:

THREE FRIENDS. ONE UNFORGETTABLE SUMMER.

When Jake met Tom, he thought he'd left Birmingham's gay bars behind forever-until a twist of fate lands him back in his childhood bedroom, sleeping under glow-in-the-dark stars.

Vicky, an ambitious lawyer and lifelong loner, has her life meticulously planned-until threats emerge that no power suit or clever argument can fix.

Lucy has planned every detail of her wedding down to the perfect petals-but "happily ever after" comes with a question mark.

Set against the backdrop of the troubled British summer of 2024, Rainbows and Lollipops weaves together three lives in a warm, witty, and unflinching story about love, loss, and the families we choose.

Perfect for fans of Beth O'Leary, Mhairi McFarlane, and Dolly Alderton, this binge-worthy novel explores friendship as the new family in a world where connection is everything.

There is a scene in the book set in The Heath Bookshop!

Megan Leyman is the author of The Trip Between the Two. She is interested in art, manga, fantasy games, writing and Japan.

For a decade, she ran a small print business called Bonfire Cherry producing and selling handcraft lino cut prints and tote bags. Around the same time, she was a co-host on a podcast that focused on business & art called Bonfire Banter with one of her closest friends.

She has been blogging about different aspects of her life since 2009 such as her transition a few years ago, which she decided to use as inspiration for her first ever book.

The Trip Between the Two:

In The Trip Between the Two, Megan Leyman delves into the dual existence of Max, a man who works in sales. He mentally feels like a woman trapped in a man's body, both personas constantly at loggerheads. His ulterior self is Luna, a talented graphic designer. Max leads an ordinary life, constrained by societal expectations and his insecurities. When he transforms into Luna, he embraces a fulfilling world of graphic design and creativity he has always yearned for, but as a woman. This mental switch plunges him into a gender crisis that blurs the lines between reality and fantasy. The book presents profound questions about identity, gender, and the essence of oneself.

The two realities, often intercepting the present, create a very confusing state that the persona of Luna, shifting between the realities, must navigate. With the toll of such a fragmented reality on the psyche, having its consequences, it remains to be seen what Max or Luna finally end up being. The Trip Between the Two is a poignant exploration of the human psyche, identity, and the courage it takes to embrace one's true self.

We now have a hearing loop at the bookshop. Please get in touch if you would like to use it and have front seats reserved.

See you there,

Catherine & Claire