by Gudrun Bowers | 16, Jul 2018
On Wednesday 22nd August at 2.30pm we are delighted to welcome back Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet! Sue and Paul are the dynamic duo behind a string of best-selling picture books – from Barry the Fish with Fingers, via Dave the Farting Cat, to the hit Supertato series, their books are full of colourful craziness and are guaranteed to raise a chuckle!
Sue and Paul will entertain children in the bookshop garden marquee with silly stories, awesome activities and maybe a song or two for good measure….suitable for ages 3 – 8, although this is just a guideline.
Advance booking recommended. Tickets £4 per child. Free refreshments included.
by Gudrun Bowers | 4, Jul 2018
ENTRY BY PRE-BOOKING ONLY! Call the bookshop on 01903 812062 to reserve your place.
On Saturday July 21st at 2.30pm Julia Donaldson will join us to celebrate her joyous new picture book ‘The Cook and the King’.
Just out in hardback at £11.99, this hilarious story tells the tale of a very fussy king and his search for a cook who can make just the right dish. With Julia’s signature rollicking, rhyming text and richly detailed illustrations by David Roberts (Tyrannosaurus Drip, The Troll) this is sure to become a firm family favourite!
How does the book signing work?
- Entry will be strictly by prior booking only, and limited to under 100 families.
- You can book your place by calling the shop on 01903 812062 and pre-ordering at least 1 copy of ‘The Cook and the King’ (or other Julia D title). Your pre-order allows entry of 1 family group (1/2 adults and up to 4 children).
- You may purchase additional books on the day – all Julia’s books will be available for purchase and signing.
- There is no way to host a Julia D signing without some queuing, but we will attempt to reduce the queue time by staggering the entry times: 2.30 pm for the first 30 families to book, 3.30 pm for the next, and 4.30 for the final group. You will be advised of your recommended signing time when you book.
- The signing will take place in the bookshop garden. There will be refreshments and activities for children, and as much shade and seating as we can muster.
- Please do not bring ‘books from home’ for signing.
- If you are unable to attend the signing but would like to order and pay for a book to be signed/dedicated by Julia, to pick up in person later, please call in/ phone the shop and we will be happy to arrange this for you.
- Don’t forget – you can get a signed Julia Donaldson book anytime from our website store!
by Gudrun Bowers | 4, May 2018
We are very lucky and super-excited to have bagged a visit from best-selling novelist Robert Goddard!
Robert Goddard, aka ‘The world’s greatest storyteller’ (The Guardian) will be introducing his 27th novel, Panic Room, a contemporary thriller set in Cornwall, which sees him at his nerve-shredding best. Robert will be in conversation with Sussex thriller writer William Shaw.
We are looking forward to hearing about the background to Panic Room, his research and inspiration, his array of past best-sellers, and just how he achieves such mastery in the art of suspense and plotting!
Tickets include a delicious 2 course meal, and a copy of ‘Panic Room’. Robert’s other novels will also be on sale for signing.
Robert Goddard is the author of 27 novels, many of which are Sunday Times Top Ten Best-sellers, including The Wide World Trilogy, Fault Line, and Past Caring.
He was born in Hampshire in 1954. He was educated at Peterhouse, Cambridge where he read History. He unsuccessfully pursued various career options, finally spending ten years as a local government officer. Frustrated with a lot of contemporary fiction, he set out to write a novel that did what he wanted more novels to do: tell a tightly constructed and densely plotted story engrossingly and satisfyingly. The result was Past Caring (1986) and when it became a success he realised that he had, in fact, always been a writer.
‘I was a writer, in the sense of being a storyteller – an avid elaborator and re-fashioner of events for my own and others’ entertainment – from my childhood on. I was also an eager student of history, spending every Saturday I could in the local reference library poring over history books in a bid to understand the world I grew up in. These two impulses – to alter reality and also to master it – are the foundations of my fiction. It’s become an addictive occupation and it’s not an addiction I
have any intention of trying to kick. I’m in it for life.’ – Robert Goddard
‘For 30 years Goddard has been my go-to guy for a certain kind of storytelling, full of
easy charm blended with sinister menace, propulsive pace with twisty plotting,
and likeable characters in bad situations. If you’ve read him, join the discussion: is
this his best yet? If you haven’t read him, start here and work backwards.’
– Lee Child
by Gudrun Bowers | 20, Nov 2017
The Steyning Late Night Christmas Shopping Evening is an event not to be missed! From 6pm onwards, the High St is transformed into a Winter Wonderland of craft/ shopping stalls, delicious food outlets, and entertainments, with a fun-fair in the central car park, too!
Every year we have an author signing in the shop, and this year we are thrilled beyond measure to be graced by TWO stellar authors, Matt Haig and Chris Riddell. They will be in the shop signing from 7pm until 9pm. As always, Rob’s delicious hot mulled wine will be flowing, alongside our scrummy home-made mince pies.
Best-selling writer Matt Haig is perhaps best known for his non-fiction memoir/self help book ‘Reasons to Stay Alive’, but he hit the number 1 spot in the fiction charts this summer with his wonderful new novel ‘How to Stop Time’ – which has just been released in a beautiful new hardback limited edition with illustrations by Chris Riddell! He has also written widely for children and teenagers, and his trilogy of Christmas books which began with ‘A Boy Called Christmas’ is essential reading for the festive season!
Multi-talented illustrator and writer Chris Riddell has recently finished his stint as Children’s Laureate, and is the author of the very popular ‘Goth Girl’ and ‘Ottoline’ series of children’s books, as well as illustrating hundreds of books by other authors. Most recently, he has released ‘Goth Girl and the Sinister Symphony’, as well as the afore-mentioned illustrated edition of Matt Haig’s ‘How to Stop Time’.
We will have a wide selection of all Matt and Chris’s books on sale, and customers will be able to get any books they buy signed and personally dedicated by Matt and Chris.
If you aren’t able to make it to the evening but would like to get a signed book, please drop in or give us a ring, we can take orders and get books signed and dedicated for later pick-up.
by Gudrun Bowers | 8, Aug 2017
SPECIAL PRE-PUBLICATION SIGNING! 5 days ahead of official publication date!
We are thrilled that Julia has agreed to come for another signing, this time to celebrate the release of her brilliant new picture book, ‘The Ugly Five’, illustrated by Axel Scheffler. A great chance to meet Julia, and buy a personally signed and dedicated copy of this funny, heart-warming story about Africa’s ugliest animals, inspired by Julia’s experiences on safari in the African Savannah! A new Julia/Axel picture book is always a treat and this joyous story is another instant classic from the dynamic duo!
The signing will take place in the beautiful back garden of the bookshop, with lots of space to relax as you wait for Julia to sign your book, and shelter in case of rain. As always, there will be plenty of entertainment on offer for those waiting, including sing-alongs with Julia’s husband Malcolm on his guitar, and African animal-themed activities and refreshments for your little ones. It’s sure to be a day to remember!
Julia will be signing from 2.30 pm on Saturday afternoon. This is a free event, no need to book, although for queue management we will issue tickets for timed signing slots at the time of book purchase. ‘Ugly Five’ books will be available for purchase on the day from 9.30 am, it is also possible to pre-order and pay for your book in advance.
11th December, 2024, Steyning Bookshop