A bestselling author, who draws inspiration from the heritage of Sunderland and the surrounding areas, has added another talk at a local landmark to meet demand.

Glenda Young recently released the third and final book in her Toffee Girls trilogy, which were inspired by Horner's toffee factory and Dainty Dinah toffee of Chester-le-Street.

Ryhope-born Glenda Young whose books link to the old factories of the North East, and the characters who worked in them. | Sunderland Echo

placeholder image — Ryhope-born Glenda Young whose books link to the old factories of the North East, and the characters who worked in them. | Sunderland Echo

The latest release, Celebrations at the Toffee Factory, is out now in hardback, audiobook, large print, libraries and ebook, with a paperback release coming in May.

Lumley Castle, in Chester-le-Street, features in the book as its characters rejoice in WW1 peace celebrations and Glenda’s initial author talk at the venue, entitled Sweet Stories of Chester-le-Street, has already sold out.

Now, she is staging a second talk on June 28 to meet demand, with tickets available here.

Glenda made her name in publishing with historical sagas such as The Tuppenny Child, The Paper Mill Girl and Belle of the Back Streets.

As well as releasing her third in the Toffee Girls trilogy, Glenda is also working on a new book about Sunderland’s signature pink slices.

As well as writing sagas, Glenda is also the author of the Scarborough-based Helen Dexter mystery series, which was shortlisted for the New Kid on the Block Award for Best New Series in the Dead Good Reader Awards.

She has also written official TV tie-in books for ITV’s Coronation Street and runs two international fan websites for the show.

In 2026, the author will celebrate 10 years writing a weekly soap opera called Riverside for The People’s Friend magazine.

She also sponsors a creative writing student at the University of Sunderland and her donation to Sunderland Women’s Centre will launch a new creative writing class there in 2026.