Long Going Launch: Sophie Calon in conversation with Dr Piers Henriques

“A moving and thought-provoking account of an impossible situation.”
— Louis de Bernières, author of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin

House of Books & Friends, King Street, Manchester invites you to join Sophie Calon for the launch of her debut memoir Long Going (Honno, £12.99 June 2025). A story of breaking destructive cycles, Long Going is an unflinching memoir of alcoholism, family, and resilience. The launch will take place on Thursday 26 June, shortly after Father’s Day.

Sophie will be joined by Dr Piers Henriques, director of communications at Nacoa – a charity that works to address the needs of children affected by a parent’s drinking. They will discuss the challenges for children of alcoholics, the potential long-term effects, and what it means to survive.

Tickets

Tickets for this event are free and available here

About Long Going

At 50, Sophie Calon’s father was a high-flying lawyer. At 55, he was found dead in Cardiff city centre at Christmas. Meanwhile he had pinballed between tents, homeless shelters, and prison cells. His story is a lesson in how alcoholism can consume a person and a family. Long Going is a powerful memoir that sings with Sophie’s love for her eccentric, witty father while recounting his drink-fuelled disintegration. In telling his story, Sophie explores her family’s instability and pain as well as her own survival.

“Throughout my childhood, our family’s struggles went unsaid. We kept our problems to ourselves. I hope that Long Going will help to open up conversations about alcoholism, particularly the impacts that addiction can have on loved ones. My dad died from drinking, but I hope this story can ensure his legacy will live on and support others to deal with similar situations.” — Sophie Calon.

Sophie Calon

Sophie Calon was born and raised in Cardiff. State-educated, Sophie studied Classics at Oxford University then trained as a journalist in her hometown. Her writing has been published in The Guardian, The TLS, Literary Review, and the anthology Tales of Two Londons. Her story ‘Cantlos’ was runner-up for the 2021 Wild Writing Prize and published by Short Fiction. Sophie lives with her husband, daughter, cats, and cows on a hilltop near Hay-on-Wye, where they are returning nature to their surroundings.

Dr Piers Henriques

Dr Piers Henriques is director of communications at Nacoa (The National Association for Children of Alcoholics), a UK charity dedicated to supporting those affected by a parent’s drinking. Nacoa   provides free, confidential helplines, resources, and advocacy to raise awareness of the often-invisible impact of alcoholism on families. Nacoa was originally set up by Hilary Henriques MBE in 1990.