by Gudrun Bowers | 24, Mar 2017
On Tuesday 11th April at 2.30 come and meet author and actress Susan Jameson for pony stories and horsey fun!
Susan is very well known as an actress, and has starred in many popular TV programmes, including the BBC crime drama ‘New Tricks’, ‘Midsommer Murders’, ‘Coronation Street’ and ‘When the Boat Comes In’. She is more familiar to younger viewers for her role as Great Aunt Loretta in the children’s BBC TV show ‘Grandpa In My Pocket’. She has also dabbled in screen writing, including writing three episodes for the famed children’s series The Hoobs.
Now Susan has written her first novel for children, ‘Pony Tails’, the story of 4 amazing ponies; A Connemara, a Shetland, a Welsh Cob, and an Exmoor, and the people whose lives they changed. The book is loosely based on ponies that Susan and her husband, the actor James Bolam, have rescued over the years. ‘Pony Tails’ is published by Forelock Books, a new publisher dedicated to publishing equestrian titles.
Susan will share her pony stories, and talk to children about animals, acting and writing.
Suitable for ages 8-11 years.
Free refreshments will be served, ticket price gives the bearer £3 off a Forelocks Books pony book.
Pony Tails
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
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
We are very excited about our next author supper, to be held on Tuesday 20th September, 7 for 7.30 pm, – a talk by best-selling author and actress Carol Drinkwater!
Carol will join us at The Sussex Produce Cafe to talk about her new novel ‘The Forgotten Summer’, just out in paperback. Tickets are priced £25 and include a delicious two course meal, and a copy of ‘The Forgotten Summer’.
Carol Drinkwater is an actress, writer and film-maker, perhaps best known for her award-winning portrayal of Helen Herriot in the TV adaptation of James Herriot’s ‘All Creatures Great and Small’. She was a member of the National Theatre Company under the leadership of Laurence Olivier and has acted in numerous television series and films including the highly successful ‘Chocky’, ‘Bouquet of Barbed Wire’, and ‘Golden Pennies’. Amongst many other film and television credits, she has appeared in Stanley Kubrick’s ‘A Clockwork Orange’, ‘Queen Kong’, ‘Father’, and the film adaptation of Beryl Bainbridge’s novel ‘An Awfully Big Adventure’.
In recent years Carol has become better known for her best-selling memoirs about her life on an olive farm in Provence, in particular for ‘The Olive Tree’ and ‘The Olive Route’, which she also turned into a short series of documentary films. She has also written novels for children and young adults.
Carol Drinkwater
by Gudrun Bowers | 5, Aug 2016
Saturday 3rd September 11 am
‘Zog’ is one of our favourite picture books, and we are delighted to announce that Julia Donaldson will be coming to the bookshop to sign copies of her fantastic follow-up, ‘Zog and the Flying Doctors’!
‘Zog and the Flying Doctors’ is officially released on the 8th September, so we are very fortunate to have this special pre-publication appearance by Julia.
This is not a ticketed event, just a book-signing, but we hope Malcolm Donaldson will be on hand with his trusty guitar to entertain the queues with some of Julia’s jolly songs.
If you are unable to attend but would like to get a copy signed and dedicated by Julia, we can take pre-orders so give us a ring.
Julia Donaldson
by Gudrun Bowers | 5, Aug 2016
On Wednesday 24th August at 2.30 pm we are delighted to welcome back talented Brighton-based picture-book author and illustrator, Sam Lloyd.
Sam will share her latest book ‘First Day at Bug School’, and hopefully some of her other colourful picture-books – Dino-Baby is one of our favourites – as well as helping children with some bug-based-crafts!
Tickets are only £2, please book ahead so we have an idea of how many craft materials Sam needs to bring! Ticket entitles bearer to £2 off one of Sam’s fab books.
Sam Lloyd
by Gudrun Bowers | 30, Jun 2016
To celebrate the publication of his book ‘Death Comes Knocking; Policing Roy Grace’s Brighton’, co-written with Peter James, we are delighted to welcome Graham Bartlett to the bookshop, on Thursday 28th July at 7.30 pm.
Fans of Peter James will know that Graham Bartlett is an advisor for Peter’s most well-loved character, Inspector Roy Grace. Graham was a long-serving detective in the city once described as Britain’s ‘crime capital’, and will be sharing stories from his years on the force, looking behind the scenes at some of the city’s most gripping and challenging cases.
Tickets are £10 to include the book, wine/soft drinks and nibbles.
Ticket are available from the bookshop on 01903 812062.
Graham Bartlett
by Gudrun Bowers | 17, Jun 2016
As part of our celebrations for Independent Bookshop Week 2016, multi-talented illustrator and author Leigh Hodgkinson is paying us a return visit. Some of you may recall Leigh’s bag-monster making session which was so much fun last summer!
She will be creating a wondrous, artistic window display in our children’s window during the morning, then, at 3pm she will lead a simple print-making workshop for children aged 4-8 (ish!) and share some of her funny, colourful picture books.
Tickets are a mere £2, including refreshments, and can be used to get money off one of Leigh’s lovely picture books.
by Gudrun Bowers | 13, Jun 2016
SATURDAY 18th JUNE 2.30-4pm.
Prior to his talk at The Steyning Centre on the evening of Sat 18th June, we are offering this exciting opportunity for a few lucky fans to join Scotland’s finest crime writer, Ian Rankin, on a tour of The Riverside Brewery, Upper Beeding’s finest micro-brewery, which was established in 2015. Ian, like his most well-known character Inspector Rebus, is fond of a brew, so come along and see what he makes of our fine Sussex ales! Ticket price includes bottle of beer.
Riverside Breweries finest ales
by Gudrun Bowers | 31, May 2016
To kick off our celebrations for Independent Bookseller’s Week in very fine style, we are thrilled to announce that Ian Rankin will be paying Steyning a visit on Saturday 18th June. This is an absolutely unmissable chance to hear the Scottish Master of Noir talk about his life and work, upon the paperback publication of ‘Even Dogs in the Wild’ his latest John Rebus thriller. He will be appearing at the Steyning Centre at 7.30 pm on Saturday 18th June. Tickets for this event are £12, to include a paperback book.
Also, during the afternoon, he will be touring Upper Beeding’s own Riverside Brewery, and a VERY limited number of tickets will be on sale to join him on this tour.
Please contact the bookshop on 01903 812062 for tickets or for further information on either of these two events.
by Gudrun Bowers | 19, May 2016
“To see a meadow in bloom is a great delight – it’s alive and teeming with life, mysterious, dynamic . . .” To celebrate the publication of a new edition of Meadows At Great Dixter and Beyond by Christopher Lloyd, one of the greatest gardeners of the twentieth century, Fergus Garrett, head gardener at Great Dixter, near Northiam, and author of a new introduction to the book, will give an illustrated talk both about the gardens and the meadows there.
A Steyning Festival event.
Copies of this beautiful and informative book will be available for purchase (at a special festival price) and signing at the event.
Friday 27th May 11 am Festival Big Top, opposite the church.
by Gudrun Bowers | 19, May 2016
On Monday 23rd May at 7.30 pm, Steyning’s newest arts venue, the atmospheric Gluck Studio, will host a very special literary event, as part of the Steyning Festival.
Enjoy a glass of wine as you hear a trio of fine novelists all published by Bloomsbury Publishing; Suzanne Joinson, Polly Samson and Helen Simonson.
Suzanne Joinson’s first novel A Lady Cyclist’s Guide to Kashgar was Guardian/Observer Book of the Year 2012. Her latest, The Photographer’s Wife is a beautiful and gripping story set in 1930’s Jerusalem and Sussex.
Author Suzanne Joinson
Polly Samson is an acclaimed writer and Costa Award judge whose brilliant novel The Kindness, was chosen as a 2015 Book of the Year by the Times and Observer.
Bloomsbury author Polly Samson
Helen Simonson is the author of international bestselling Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand which was a Richard and Judy Book Club pick. Her stunning new novel The Summer Before the War is set in Rye in the summer of 1914.
Bloomsbury author Helen Simonson
All the author’s books will be on sale at the event, and they will be happy to personally sign and dedicate copies at the conclusion of the evening.
by Gudrun Bowers | 9, May 2016
An amazing chance to join best-selling children’s author Cressida Cowell to hear about her wonderful Hiccup the Horrendous series and the twelfth and final novel (sob) How to Fight a Dragon’s Fury, just out in paperback. Cressida spent her childhood summers on an uninhabited Hebridean island with no electricity. In the evenings her father would tell tales of the Vikings who invaded the islands a millennium ago. This inspired her to use these stories, and her beloved island, as the basis for her wildly popular and very funny Viking series, starting with How to Train your Dragon, which has enchanted a generation of 6-11 year olds with its wit, inventiveness and hilarious illustrations, and inspired two (soon to be three!) DreamWorks films. Just like her books, Cressida is great fun!
Ticket includes £2 voucher towards a book.
Tickets available from the bookshop, and from http://www.steyningfestival.co.uk/whats-on/meet-cressida-cowell-94
by Gudrun Bowers | 9, May 2016
A very special opportunity to meet Sir Vince Cable who joins Guardian columnist and economist David Boyle to discuss a new revised and updated paperback edition of After the Storm. This provides fascinating insights into the global economy – and Britain’s place in it – from his unique vantage point as a former senior member of the coalition and offers a carefully considered perspective on how the British economy should be managed in the future. “Lucid, intelligent – and damning” — The Guardian. “Vince Cable is the parliamentarian who has been consistently the most prescient and thoughtful in his analysis of the credit crunch.” John Kay, Financial Times.
7.30 – 10 pm Tuesday 24th May, Festival Big Top.
Copies of ‘After the Storm’ will be on sale for Vince to sign after his talk.
Tickets from http://www.steyningfestival.co.uk/
or direct from The Steyning Bookshop.
by Gudrun Bowers | 9, May 2016
We are delighted to announce that Peter James is back in Steyning to introduce the 12th novel in his addictive Roy Grace series – ‘Love You Dead’.
Peter James is a one of the nation’s most treasured thriller writers – recently voted ‘The Best Crime Author of All Time’ by WH Smith readers. The Roy Grace series of novels have sold more than 17 million copies and been translated into over 36 languages, bringing the seamy underbelly of Brighton alive to a worldwide audience!
Peter is always a very entertaining speaker, having a wealth of fascinating stories that he has picked up while researching with the Sussex Police, so we can promise an evening of thrills, spills, and the occasional raised eyebrow!
Ticket price includes a hot-off-the-press hardback copy of ‘Love You Dead’, which Peter will, as always, be happy to sign for you after his talk.
7.30 -10 pm Tuesday 24th May.
Tickets available from http://www.steyningfestival.co.uk/
or from The Steyning Bookshop, festival box office.
by Gudrun Bowers | 18, Mar 2016
On Thursday April 7th at 2.30pm, come and join Emily Gravett in the bookshop garden marquee as we celebrate the release of her charming new picture book ‘Tidy’ – a very funny rhyming woodland tale about the perils of being too tidy.
Pete the badger likes everything to be neat and tidy at all times, but what starts as the collection of one fallen leaf escalates quickly and ends with the complete destruction of the forest! Will Pete realise the error of his ways and set things right? ‘Tidy’ delivers a timely environmental message which children will appreciate, with subtlety and humour, and is sumptuously illustrated in Emily’s unique style.
Emily will share stories and badger-y craft activities with children aged 3-8 (suggested age only)
Tickets just £2 entitle the bearer to £2 off one of Emily’s books.
Includes free refreshments.
Emily has visited our bookshop many times before so should need no introduction – but just to remind you – she is an author/illustrator of unique talent and tremendous skill who has a host of critically acclaimed books to her name, including Wolves, Meerkat Mail and Again! She is also twice winner of the prestigious Kate Greenaway Medal and the Nestlé Children’s Book Prize Bronze Award for Wolves and Little Mouse’s Big Book of Fears.
Tidy by Emily Gravett
by Gudrun Bowers | 17, Mar 2016
On Thursday 21st April at 7pm join TV presenter and novelist Janet Ellis for supper at The Sussex Produce Cafe. Janet will be talking about her hotly tipped debut novel The Butcher’s Hook – a dark and bewitching historical novel with a truly unforgettable heroine.
Janet Ellis is a broadcaster, an agony aunt for a national newspaper, and now a novelist. She lives in west London with her husband, and has three children, among them the singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor.
‘The Butcher’s Hook doesn’t read like a first novel – it is a high-finish performance… You need to be braced for violence to rival any Jacobean tragedy: The Butcher’s Hook will hook you’
Observer (New Faces of Fiction 2016)
Tickets priced at £27.50 include a delicious 2 course meal and a copy of The Butcher’s Hook.
Book in advance from The Steyning Bookshop.
The Butcher’s Hook
by Gudrun Bowers | 11, Feb 2016
Local writer and illustrator Sam Watkins, author of the very funny and popular ‘Creature Teacher’ series, published by Oxford University Press, will join us on Friday 19th February at 11 am to help kids create their own comic-strips, and offer general story-writing advice, too.
£2 per ticket, advance booking essential as places for this workshop are limited to 15.
Ideal for ages 7-11, ticket entitles the bearer to £2 off one of Sam Watkins’ books.
Free Refreshments will be served.
creature teacher
creature teacher science shocker
creature teacher goes wild
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