Events, Media & Author Talks
Real places. Real experiences. Real stories
Every DI Matthew Goodwin novel is inspired by places Helen Taylor has lived in, travelled through or explored first-hand.
Alongside the crime fiction series, Helen writes The Story Behind My Stories, revealing the real locations, adventures and experiences that inspired the novels.
Through author talks, radio interviews and reader events, Helen shares how real life becomes fiction and why every setting in her books has a story of its own.
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Upcoming Events I Media Appearances I Author Talks I Community Events I Book Helen
Upcoming Events
Come and meet Helen at upcoming author events, talks and reader gatherings. Details will be updated as new appearances are confirmed.
November 2026
Meet the Author: Helen Taylor
Date: 25th November 2026
Location: Charrington Manor, West Byfleet
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Local author Helen Taylor will be discussing the inspiration behind her books, including the Surrey locations that feature throughout the DI Matthew Goodwin Detective Series. Drawing on real experiences, travel and local knowledge, Helen will share how places and adventures can become the foundation for compelling stories.
Guest Speaker: Helen Taylor
Date: 30th November 2026
Location: Woking Rotary Club, Woking
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Helen will be discussing her writing journey and the inspiration behind her books, sharing how real experiences, travel and local knowledge influence both the DI Matthew Goodwin Detective Series and The Story Behind My Stories.
December 2026
West Hall Christmas Fayre
Date: 4th December 2026
Location: West Hall, Parvis Road, West Byfleet.
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Local author Helen Taylor will be attending with signed copies of the DI Matthew Goodwin Detective Series and The Story Behind My Stories. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet the author, discover the real-life inspirations behind the books and purchase signed copies.
Horsell Christmas Market
Date: 5th December 2026
Location: Horsell, Woking.
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Local author Helen Taylor will be attending with signed copies of the DI Matthew Goodwin Detective Series and The Story Behind My Stories. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet the author, discover the real-life inspirations behind the books and purchase signed copies.
Media Appearances
Interviews, articles and author features exploring the real-life experiences behind Helen's books.
Surrey Hills Radio
Helen has appeared on Elaine Blackmore's show on Surrey Hills Radio to discuss her writing and the stories behind her books. Topics have included the two rules she writes by, the inspiration behind Lethal Leith Hill, and why the Surrey Hills play such an important role in both her life and her work. As a cyclist, triathlete and endurance event participant, Helen regularly uses the Surrey Hills as a training ground, with some of those experiences finding their way into her books.
Listen to the show from the 17th September 2025.
Starts at 1.07 in.
Listen to the show from the 19th February 2025.
Starts at 1 hour in.
Women's Insider
In a feature for Women's Insider, Helen discussed her approach to authentic storytelling, drawing on places she has lived, travelled through and explored first-hand. The article examined the relationship between her fiction and non-fiction writing, and the real experiences that inspire both series.
C. M. Rosens Author Spotlight
In an Author Spotlight feature with C. M. Rosens, Helen discussed the connection between real life and fiction, the experiences that inspire her books, and how locations she has lived in, travelled through and explored first-hand become the settings for her stories.
The interview also explores Helen's journey to becoming an author and the thinking behind both the DI Matthew Goodwin Detective Series and The Story Behind My Stories.
Author Talks
Woking Library
Helen was delighted to speak at Woking Library, sharing her journey from corporate leadership to becoming a full-time author. The talk explored the inspiration behind the DI Matthew Goodwin Detective Series, the real-life experiences that influence her writing, and the process of turning those experiences into both fiction and non-fiction books.
The session included audience questions, discussion about independent publishing, and an insight into the stories behind the stories.
Event poster for Helen Taylor author talk at Woking Library
Helen Taylor speaking at the front with table of books and the back of a reader listening
Helen Taylor holding Thai Die her debut book at Woking author event
Event poster for Helen Taylor author talk at Woking Library
Reader & Community Events
Surrey Village Fetes
Throughout the summer, Helen attended a number of village fetes across Surrey, meeting readers, signing books and introducing new audiences to both the DI Matthew Goodwin Detective Series and The Story Behind My Stories.
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These events provided an opportunity to share the inspiration behind the books, discuss the real-life experiences behind the stories, and connect directly with readers from the local community.
Me and my stall at Pyrford Summer Fete.
Horsell Village show poster
Pyrford and Wisley Village show logo
Me and my stall at Pyrford Summer Fete.
Book Helen for Your Event
Helen is available for author talks, libraries, book clubs, literary festivals, community groups, podcasts and media interviews.
Drawing on real experiences from around the world, Helen shares the stories behind both the DI Matthew Goodwin Detective Series and The Story Behind My Stories, revealing how travel, adventure and everyday life can inspire compelling fiction.
Talks can be tailored to suit your audience, with topics including:
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The real stories behind the books
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Turning life experiences into fiction
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Independent publishing
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Travel, adventure and storytelling
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The journey from corporate leadership to full-time author
Events typically include audience questions, with book signing opportunities available afterwards.
Download Speaker Information
Enquire About a Talk or Interview
Also Available For
✓ Podcast interviews
✓ Radio interviews
✓ Literary festivals
✓ Book clubs
✓ Community events
✓ Reader Q&A sessions