Chichester-born author Kate Mosse has released a personal celebration of her home county and the changing seasons in a new non-fiction memoir, as she prepares to bring her regional tour to the Sussex coast.
The book, titled Autumn: The Story of a Season, was officially published on 10 September 2026. It marks a departure into non-fiction for the best-selling novelist, who was born and raised in Fishbourne and currently resides in Chichester. As the President of the Festival of Chichester and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, Mosse has long been a prominent figure in the city’s cultural life.
Described as a “love letter” to the local landscape, the memoir draws heavily on the author’s lifelong connection to the area. Readers will find familiar local landmarks woven into the narrative, including the Fishbourne marshes and the Chichester canal. The book also captures the atmosphere of the city’s historic Sloe Fair, which is traditionally held in October.
The work forms part of a special quartet on the seasons published by the National Trust. Mosse’s contribution follows Spring by Michael Morpurgo and Summer by Bernardine Evaristo, with a final instalment on Winter by Val McDermid expected to complete the series.
Sussex Tour Dates
Following a home launch event held at The Assembly Room in Chichester on the day of publication, Mosse is appearing at several venues across the county this month.
The tour includes a headline appearance at the Hastings Book Festival on Sunday, 20 September 2026. The event is scheduled for 7pm at the Observer Building on Cambridge Road. Tickets for the evening are priced at £15.00, plus a booking fee.
Other regional dates include:
- Steyning: Wednesday, 16 September 2026 at 7:30pm. Hosted by the Steyning Bookshop at the Church of St Andrew & St Cuthman. Tickets range from £8 to £16.
- Brighton: Tuesday, 22 September 2026 at 8pm. Held at the Brighton Unitarian Church. Tickets are £12.00.
Copies of the new book are currently available at local retailers, including Waterstones Chichester. Full details of the remaining tour dates and ticket information can be found on the official Kate Mosse website.
