by Gudrun Bowers | 14, Mar 2017
We are dizzy with excitement at the prospect of having 2 legends of children’s literature in our shop at once!
At 12 midday on Saturday 8th April Julia Donaldson and Helen Oxenbury will be at the shop to sign copies of their beautiful new picture book collaboration, ‘The Giant Jumperee’ (published by Puffin, hardback £12.99).
Helen Oxenbury is the hugely talented illustrator of ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’, but she has a host of other wonderful books to her name, which we will also have on sale, as well as a big selection of Julia’s previous books.
There will be free refreshments and children’s activities for queuing customers in our back garden marquee.
This is a signing event, not a talk or show, so we won’t be selling tickets – just turn up! The shop will be open from 9.30 am for those who wish to beat the ‘buying’ queue, and all early-bird customers who wish to attend the signing later will be given a numbered ticket to help reduce queue time for the signing. Signing will begin at 12 sharp and continue until everyone’s books are signed – barring disaster or repetitive strain injury!
If you are not able to attend you can pre-order a copy of ‘The Giant Jumperee’ via our website shop or by phoning us on 01903 812062.
Helen Oxenbury
by Gudrun Bowers | 13, Mar 2017
We are very excited to welcome novelist, short-story writer and essayist Alison MacLeod to Steyning for the first time. She will speak at The Gluck Studio in Steyning at 7.30 pm on Thursday 30th March.
Alison is Professor of Contemporary Fiction at Chichester University and is a novelist, short story writer and essayist. Her novel The Unexploded was long-listed for the 2013 Man-Booker Prize and selected as one of The Observer’s ‘Books of the Year’. Her latest book is a wonderful short story collection, showing her at the height of her storytelling powers, taking us into history, literature and the hidden lives of iconic figures……In 1920s Nova Scotia, as winter begins to thaw, a woman emerges from mourning and wears a new fur coat to a dance that will change everything. A teenager searches for his lover on a charged summer evening in 2011, as around him London erupts in anger.
A cardiac specialist lingers on the edge of consciousness as he awaits a new heart – and is transported to an attic room half a century ago. In an ancient Yorkshire churchyard, the author visits Sylvia Plath’s grave and makes an unexpected connection across time. On a trip to Brighton, reluctant jihadists face the ultimate spiritual test, and at Charleston, Angelica Garnett, child of the Bloomsbury Group, is overcome by the past, all the beloved ghosts that spring to life before her eyes.
“These exquisitely crafted stories explore memory, the media and mortality, unfolding at the line between reality and fiction. Written with vigorous intelligence and delicate insight, this collection captures the surprising joys, small tragedies and profound truths of existence.” Bloomsbury Publishing
Alison will be interviewed by Zoe Gilbert, who is a perfect choice for this role. Zoe is the winner of the Costa Short Story Award 2014 and her work has appeared in numerous anthologies and journals. She is working on a PhD in Fiction and Creative Writing at the University of Chichester, focusing on the influence of folk tales on contemporary short stories and Bloomsbury will be publishing an anthology of her work in 2018. She chairs the Short Story Critique Group at Waterstones Piccadilly and co-hosts the Short Story Club at the Word Factory. She is also the co-founder of London Lit Lab, providing creative writing courses for Londoners.
Tickets, priced £10, include a glass of wine and a £5 voucher towards any purchase of ‘All the Beloved Ghosts’
Tickets available from the shop!
All the Beloved Ghosts
by Gudrun Bowers | 14, Feb 2017
2.30 pm on Tuesday 21st February.
A fun half-term workshop for budding writers aged 7-12 with brilliant children’s writer Helen Peters.
Helen is the author of 2 of our favourite children’s novels, the charming ‘Secret Henhouse Theatre’ and its exciting follow up ‘The Farm Beneath the Water’, as well as a new series of animal stories for younger readers, beginning with the very sweet story ‘A Piglet called Truffles’ and the soon-to-be-released ‘A Duckling called Button’, all published by Nosy Crow.
Helen will help children to create their own stories providing top tips on creating lovable characters and gripping storylines.
Free refreshments will be provided.
Ticket entitles bearer to money off one of Helen’s great books.
by Gudrun Bowers | 14, Feb 2017
On Wednesday 8th March at 7 for 7.30 pm, we are delighted to present an author supper with award-winning crime writer Mick Herron, and Steyning favourite Elly Griffiths.
Mick Herron is the author of the acclaimed Jackson Lamb series, the first of which, the Steel Dagger-nominated SLOW HORSES, appeared in the Daily Telegraph’s list of “the twenty greatest spy novels of all time”. The second in the series, DEAD LIONS, won the 2013 CWA Goldsboro Gold Dagger, and was picked by the Sunday Times as one of the best 25 crime novels of the past five years. The third novel in the series, REAL TIGERS, garnered rave reviews. Mick was described by the Telegraph as “shaping up to be the great spy novelist of our age”.
He’ll be introducing his newest novel in the series, ‘Spook Street’, an absorbing tale peppered with fascinatingly flawed characters and studded with dark humour. Jackson Lamb is certainly a louche and slightly repellent anti-hero, who specialises in politically incorrect one-liners!
Mick Herron was born in Newcastle but now resides in Oxford.
Elly Griffiths is no stranger to our Sussex Produce author suppers, and readers will be overjoyed to hear there is a new installment (the ninth!) in her series featuring lovable forensic archaeologist Dr Ruth Galloway. ‘The Chalk Pit’, set as always in and around Norwich, sees Ruth investigating some ancient boiled bones found in a mysterious network of underground chalk tunnels….do they have any link to the disappearance of a local rough-sleeper?
Elly Griffiths is the pen name of Domenica de Rosa, who has also written 4 Italian themed novels under her own name, and who lives in Brighton with her husband and kids.
Mick and Elly will be in conversation about their writing after we enjoy the delicious 2 course meal provided as part of the ticket price by our fantastic hosts, the Sussex Produce Café.
Ticket price also includes 1 hardback book (a choice of Spook Street or The Chalk Pit ) …how we spoil you!
by Gudrun Bowers | 12, Jan 2017
‘Bring a Bear’ book signing!
On Saturday 11th February at 11am, we will once again welcome Julia Donaldson to the bookshop to celebrate the launch of her charming new hardback picture book ‘The Everywhere Bear’. Feel free to bring your teddies and favourite soft toys along to meet Julia! We will have free Teddy-themed refreshments and activities for children.
‘The Everywhere Bear’ tells the warm and engaging story of a classroom bear who has an unexpected adventure when he falls unnoticed from a child’s backpack. It is beautifully brought to life with charming illustrations by ‘Paper Dolls’ illustrator Rebecca Cobb.
Julia will be at the shop from 11am, where we will have plenty of copies of ‘Everywhere Bear’ on sale, plus all her other titles. We will do our best to reduce queue time, and will have free Teddy-themed refreshments and activities on hand for children. Julia is generally happy to stay for as long as it takes to sign everyone’s books, but to reduce queuing time we’re afraid we must ask that you do not bring books purchased elsewhere to be signed.
If you can’t make the date, we can reserve copies to be signed, please call into the shop, phone 01903 812062, or email to reserve your copy. Only books paid for in advance can be signed with a named dedication.
We look forward to seeing you ( and your teddies!)
by Gudrun Bowers | 3, Nov 2016
We are delighted to welcome the prize-winning Irish writer Sebastian Barry to our author supper at The Sussex Produce Cafe on Tuesday 22nd November, at 7pm.
Sebastian will be in conversation about his stunning new novel ‘Days Without End’, an astonishing work of beauty and brutality set during the American Civil War, which the Guardian called “experimental, self-renewing, breathtakingly exciting”. Sebastian is also known for his 2008 novel ‘The Secret Scripture’, which won both the Costa and James Tait Black memorial prize, and has recently been adapted into a film. His novels ‘On Canaan’s Side’ and ‘The Temporary Gentleman’ were also critically acclaimed, and he has written more than 15 plays for the theatre, as well as publishing several volumes of poetry.
Sebastian is married to the actor and screen-writer Alison Deegan and has three children.
Tickets for the author supper include a delicious, seasonal 2 course meal, and a copy of ‘Days Without End’. Sebastian’s other novels will be on sale, and he will be happy to sign books.
by Gudrun Bowers | 10, Oct 2016
Fiona Maddocks
On Thursday 13th October at 7.30 pm we welcome the Observer Classical Music Critic, Fiona Maddock, to the lovely Gluck Studios in Elm Grove Lane.
Fiona will be in conversation with former opera singer Sue Churchill, about her new book ‘Music for Life, 100 Works to Carry You Through’.
In the book, Fiona asks ‘ How does music reflect the key moments in our lives? How do we choose the works that inspire, delight, comfort or console?’ and selects 100 classical works from across nine centuries, arguing passionately, persuasively and at times obstinately for their inclusion, putting each work in its cultural and musical context, discussing omissions, suggesting alternatives and always putting the music first.
A fantastic event for classical music fans, the ticket price includes a glass of wine and a lovely hardback copy of ‘Music for Life’.
by Gudrun Bowers | 31, Aug 2016
There has been so much going on that we haven’t updated our news for a year!
Early 2016 saw author events with Catherine Chanter, Emily Gravett and Janet Ellis then in May and June the hustle and bustle of the 2016 Steyning Festival with the likes of Peter James, Frank Gardner, Cressida Cowell, the Hemsley sisters, Alison Weir, Sara Pascoe and Fergus Garrett coming to town! Then we celebrated Independent Booksellers Week in fine style with a talk by Ian Rankin, and a wonderful window display created by children’s illustrator Leigh Hodgkinson.
June also saw the 2nd Steyning Grammar School Brilliant Book Awards, where authors Eve Ainsworth, Sam Hepburn, Ali Sparkes and Matt Whyman were in attendance.
In August the lovely children’s author and illustrator Sam Lloyd came and entertained little ones with stories and buggy crafts, and some of us grabbed the odd weekend away, while others continued their tireless work of event planning and book supply….
Sam Lloyd in the bookshop garden
We had queues up the street for Julia Donaldson’s pre-publication signing for ‘Zog and the Flying Doctors’, thanks to everyone who came for their patience – luckily the sun shone and Malcolm Donaldson entertained the throngs singing all our favourite jolly Julia songs.
Queues for Julia D!
Julia Donaldson meets young fans
by Gudrun Bowers | 31, Aug 2016
Saturday 17th September 2.30 pm at the Steyning Bookshop.
An amazing chance to meet Chris Riddell, the current children’s laureate, author and illustrator extraordinaire, as we celebrate the release of his new collaboration with Neil Gaiman, ‘Odd and the Frost Giants’.
Chris will entertain children aged 7 + with his incredible live drawing skills, play some interactive arty games, and answer questions from the audience.
He will also judge the entries to our DRAWING COMPETITION!
Drawing Competition
Can you imagine what a FROST GIANT might look like? Bring your drawing along to the bookshop on or before 17th September for your chance to win a bundle of signed Chris Riddell books.
ALL ENTRIES WILL RECEIVE A FREE ICECREAM / LOLLY!
Odd and the Frost Giants
by Gudrun Bowers | 5, Aug 2016
A thoughtful, charming and moving children’s novel about friendship, grief, reincarnation and life as a dog.
When 12 year old Daisy is involved in a fatal car crash, she wakes up in a heavenly waiting-room, where she is allocated a new life, and finds herself back on earth…in the body of a dog. After escaping her owners she sets off on a mission to find her real family, pairing up with a friendly human runaway, Pip, who is searching for his father. Daisy’s gradual adjustment to her new canine senses, her fading memories of her old human life and her devotion to Pip are portrayed with gentle humour and sensitivity, and there is plenty of excitement along the way, as she and Pip evade capture and overcome disappointment on their quest.
Perfect for 8-12 year old readers.
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