Stourbridge author launching immersive literary event
Stourbridge author Katie Victoria is launching an immersive literary event this month, inviting the public to step inside the fictional city at the heart of her debut novel.
Step Into Harroway, taking place on Saturday, February 14 at Script Haven in Worcester, brings to life the city of Harroway, a fully realised setting that underpins Victoria’s upcoming novel, The Second Self, due to be released later this year. The event also draws on material from Harroway: A History, Victoria’s companion work exploring the city’s past, myths, and internal logic.
Rather than a conventional book launch, Step Into Harroway is designed as an open, exploratory experience. Visitors can drop in at any point throughout the day to encounter fragments of story, folklore, and place, piecing together the city for themselves through interactive displays and narrative details.
Victoria’s work centres on Harroway as more than a backdrop. The city functions as a character in its own right, shaped by memory, secrecy, and the blurred boundary between reality and imagination. The Second Self uses Harroway as the setting for a psychological and literary mystery, while Harroway: A History presents the city as if it were real, complete with traditions, landmarks, and layered histories.
"Harroway exists across books, stories, and now physical space," Victoria says. "This event lets people encounter the city before or even without reading the novel. You don’t need prior knowledge. Curiosity is enough."
The event is deliberately unstructured. Attendees are encouraged to explore at their own pace, whether that means staying briefly or spending hours immersed in the world. A dedicated Kids Hour runs from 12pm to 1pm, offering age-appropriate stories, games, and mystery designed to engage younger visitors without overwhelming adults.
Hosted at Script Haven on Worcester High Street, the venue provides a fitting setting for an event that blends literature, play, and atmosphere. The emphasis is on experience rather than performance, with no scheduled readings or formal talks.
Step Into Harroway reflects a growing appetite for immersive storytelling that invites audiences to participate rather than observe. For Victoria, it marks the beginning of a wider public life for Harroway, ahead of the release of The Second Self.
Step Into Harroway takes place on Saturday 14 February at Script Haven, 104 High Street, Worcester, WR1 2HW. The event is family-friendly and runs all day.
