by Gudrun Bowers | 1, Apr 2020
The eagerly awaited sequel to the Costa Award winning Days Without End by one of Ireland’s greatest writers and current Irish Laureate.
A Thousand Moons extends the sequence of Barry’s eight novels, which touch each time on the worlds of two families – the Dunnes and the McNultys. In this novel, as in Days Without End, we meet with Thomas McNulty and John Cole, American Civil War soldiers, now a couple, living on a tobacco farm in Tennessee. Their adopted Sioux daughter Winona is the narrator this time, and we follow her journey as she deals with the consequences of a violent act against her. Full of memorable characters and written in Barry’s gorgeous lyrical prose, dreamy yet unflinching when confronted by the darker side of humanity, this is a wonderful book.
by Gudrun Bowers | 12, Nov 2018
Lucia Berlin’s collection of short stories, A Manual for Cleaning Women was published posthumously to great acclaim, and Evening in Paradise is a follow-up selection from Berlin’s remaining stories.
The stories are loosely autobiographical, arranged chronologically to follow the arc of Berlin’s life, and take us from a pair of seven year olds running a scam in El Paso, through the beauty and disillusionment of a young girl’s first romantic liaison, to young wives coping with kids, their husband’s addiction, abandonment, to a furious old woman on the roof of her own house while her family try to celebrate Christmas. Savage, funny, shocking and beautiful, they present some unforgettable images – the iridescent, sulphurous smoke of the smelter in a mining town, the yellow aromo blossom sticking to a couple’s skin – in concise writing that brings the reader up short with its power. The dark thread of alcoholism runs through many of the stories as well as the brighter threads of love, romantic and maternal, and of beauty found in the most unlikely places. Outstanding.
by Gudrun Bowers | 21, Aug 2017
We are thrilled to present a fantastic science event with science writer Dr Michael Brooks and TV presenter/writer Rick Edwards. This entertaining and informative show, based on their hit podcast and upcoming book Science(ish) examines the science behind the movies. Illustrating their theories with film clips from iconic movies, Michael and Rick will ponder whether it’s really possible to bring back an extinct species (Jurassic Park), whether we will ever be able to travel back in time and meet our parents (Back to the Future) and if it is possible that we are, in fact, already living in a computer simulation (The Matrix).
Dr Michael Brooks is an author, journalist and broadcaster, holds a PHD in Quantum Physics and is editor-at-large of the New Scientist, as well as writing a weekly column for the New Statesman. He is the author of At The Edge of Uncertainty, The Secret Anarchy of Science and the bestselling 13 Things That Don’t Make Sense.
Rick Edwards is a TV presenter and writer with a particular interest in mathematics and the natural sciences. As a broadcaster Rick has most recently made a foray in to the world of quizzing as the host of BBC1’s daytime show !mpossible which aired in January 2017 and will return for an extended second run in May this year. Amongst his other numerous presenting credits are: ITV2’s comedy roast Safeword, BBC Three’s live current affairs debate show Free Speech and Channel 4’s Paralympic Breakfast Show. He also writes a monthly fashion column for The Observer, and has made forays into stand-up comedy.
Advance booking highly recommended for this event, as it promises to be fantastic fun and very popular!
Start time is 7.30pm, wine and soft drinks will be on sale, and a reduced price of £7 is available for under 18’s.
Booking is available online at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/event/FDFIGM
or by phoning us on 01903 812062.
by Gudrun Bowers | 26, May 2017
by Gudrun Bowers | 24, Oct 2025
Ring the bells and round up the reindeer… It’s the return of our FESTIVE DRAW-OFF DING DONG, a fun family event which sees our star cast of authors & illustrators SOPHY HENN, STEVEN LENTON, NICK SHARRATT and ADAM STOWER pitting their wits and their pencils against the fiendish drawing challenges dished up by our M.C, children’s author JIM BECKETT (and YOU, the audience!)
This is a HILARIOUS illustration show for kids age 5-11 and their parents, watch as our 4 celebrated children’s book illustrators sharpen their pencils and their wits to sketch a succession of festive-themed CRAZY drawing challenges, with LOTS of audience participation! WHO will our our DING DONG winner?
We have a bit more space this year as the event venue is THE PENFOLD HALL in Church Street, Steyning. All of the authors books will be on sale and you’ll have the chance to buy books and get them signed at the end.
Child ticket £5, Accompanying Adult ticket £3, Extra sibling Tickets £3.
This event is aimed at families with children aged 5-11. If you have little babies and toddlers it’s fine to bring them, they don’t need a ticket if they are sitting on an adult’s lap, but please take them outside if they are disrupting things!
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATORS
SOPHY HENN is the incredibly talented author AND illustrator behind the new HAPPY HILLS series of graphic novels, the PIZAZZ series, the BAD NANA series, and also has heaps of gorgeous picture books to her name.
STEVEN LENTON is the wonderful illustrator behind the festive new picture book HOW TO GROW A REINDEER, and illustrated the other lovely books in this lovely series by Rachel Morrisoe. Steven also illustrates the Dino-Dad series, by Andy Day, the Shifty McGifty serie, by Tracey Corderoy, and has also written his own cute chapter book series.
NICK SHARRATT is the beloved illustrator of Jacqueline Wilson’s Tracy Beaker series, and has written / illustrated countless bright, colourful, jolly picture books, including the best-selling YOU CHOOSE series. His latest book MULLETS is a hilarious celebration of the iconic MULLET hairstyle!
ADAM STOWER is best known for creating the vibrant, lively illustrations for David Walliams’ recent books, including SANTA AND SON, a funny festive chapter book, just out in hardback. Adam has also written and illustrated his own adorable chapter book series MURRAY AND BUN – the latest book is Murray the Ghosthunter, and KING COO – the latest book is King Coo: The Secret in the Woods.
Our M.C JIM BECKETT is the author of the hilarious BUZZ SAUSAGE WOLF, a cute illustrated chapter book, as well as the fast-p[aced middle-grade novels THE CARAVAN AT THE EDGE OF DOOM, and FOUL PROPHECY.
TICKETS ONLINE VIA LINK BELOW OR DIRECT FROM THE BOOKSHOP ON 01903 812062
by Gudrun Bowers | 6, Oct 2025
We are super-stoked to be teaming up with the good folk at Chanctonbury Wines for an evening with cheese expert & food writer PATRICK MCGUIGAN. Patrick will be sharing highlights from his epic hunt to identify the World’s Best Cheeses, celebrating the launch of his new book ‘One Cheese to Rule Them All’, and giving us a guided tasting of a few of the (more accessible!) cheeses he encountered. This boutique evening will take place at Chanctonbury Wines in Steyning, and will include a fascinating talk, cheese and wine tasting, and a copy of this splendid new book!
ABOUT THE BOOK
100 cheeses from around the world. Decades of prize-winners. Two World Cheese Awards judges to guide you. Which is the ONE CHEESE TO RULE THEM ALL? You decide…. Are you a Comté connoisseur or does your heart belong to Rogue River Blue? Can you tell your Brie from your Camembert? Can you name an award-winning Indian cheese and would you recognise a cheese iron? Expect fascinating stories and stats, and an odyssey through the delicious world of cheese to discover the ONE cheese to rule them all. A wonderful gift for the turophiles (cheese lovers!) in your life!
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
World Cheese Awards judges Patrick McGuigan and Carlos Yescas have a wealth of knowledge garnered from years of travelling and tasting. Patrick McGuigan is a UK-based cheese writer and teacher, who has travelled from the Swiss Alps to the pastures of Vermont to interview the world’s best cheesemakers, maturers and cheesemongers. He writes extensively on the subject for national newspapers and magazines, such as The Telegraph and delicious, and has appeared on BBC Radio 4’s The Food Programme. Carlos Yescas is a cheese scholar and author. For the past 10 years, he has worked promoting artisanal and raw milk cheeses and protecting traditional cheesemaking practices. He is a judge in various international cheese competitions, including the World Cheese Awards.
ABOUT THE EVENT
This boutique event will take place at Chanctonbury Wines. Your ticket includes a tasting plate of 4/5 cheeses and a wine to match each – carefully selected by Rob at Chanctonbury Wines, AND a copy of ‘One Cheese To Rule Them All’ (hardback, RRP £20) as well as the fascinating talk -all for the amazing price of £30!
Additional drinks & books can of course be purchased on the night.
Doors Open at 6:40PM, Starts at 7:00PM, Finish time…. 9pm ish??
by Gudrun Bowers | 29, Sep 2025
Join author / illustrator STUART DOUCH for a fun history event celebrating the launch of his graphic novel 1066 The Battle of Hastings.
This is a 2 hour interactive event packed with interesting activities, perfect for kids aged 9+, teenagers, families and history / comic book fans!
ABOUT THE EVENT
Learn about the history behind the Battle of Hastings with Stuart Douch, writer and artist of 1066 The Battle of Hastings- the Graphic Novel
Discover the armour and weapons used in the Battle of Hastings, including an amazing interactive demo from fully qualified re-enactor Mike Everest from Portals to the Past
Join a comic drawing workshop with Stuart
‘TASTE-OFF’ Sample some authentic Norman and Anglo-Saxon recipes!
Audience Q and A
Book-signing – get your copy of 1066 signed by Stuart!
VENUE: THE PENFOLD HALL, CHURCH STREET, STEYNING
DATE/TIME: 1.30pm to 3.30pm, Saturday 8th November
TICKETS: £4 child / £5 adult £16 Family: 2 adults 2 child or 1 adult 3 children – Purchase via button below (small booking fee applies) or in person at the Steyning Bookshop
ABOUT 1066 The Graphic Novel
1066 is one of the most famous dates in the history of the nation: the year of the Battle of Hastings. It was a key turning point in the nation’s history, marking the end of the Anglo-Saxon era and the start of the Norman period. This graphic novel tells the story of what happened before, during and after this iconic battle.
Discover all the details surrounding the story, from the mistakes and decisions that meant William of Normandy became the first Norman king of England to how Harold was killed – was it REALLY by an arrow in the eye? See the action as it unfolds, in exciting comic-strip panels, and learn not only about the events and the key participants on both sides, but also the tactics and weapons the armies employed, and some of the different languages of the time.
ABOUT STUART DOUCH
Stuart Douch is a well-known and well-loved local educator, teacher and historian who also happens to be an artist, cartoonist, caricaturist, and illustrator of historical graphic novels! His graphic novel, 1066: The Battle of Hastings, is published by GMC Publications in October 2025. Stuart served as Headmaster of Sompting Abbotts Preparatory School from 2013 to 2023. He is also a private tutor of English and History for students from Year 5 to Year 13. 1066 is his first published book and we are delighted to help launch it!
Stuart Douch
by Gudrun Bowers | 19, Sep 2025
Don your cloaks and sharpen your fangs as we welcome talented author /illustrator HOLLY SWAIN to the bookshop for a fun Hallowe’eny kids event!
Holly Swain will be introducing her 2 hilarious picture books COLIN’S CASTLE and COLIN’S GRANDMA, starring Colin the Vegetarian Vampire (and his friend Duck) There will be stories, drawing and a ‘Colin the Vampire’ – themed craft activity.
Also we’ll be giving out sweet treat rewards for anyone who dresses up – think CLOAKS, vampires, ghosts, monsters, witches and more!
Tickets
Child tickets are £4 – fully redeemable against the purchase of one of Holly’s books. Extra siblings are just £2. Accompanying adults do not need to pay!
Age guide: This event is suitable for children aged 3-8.
WEDNESDAY 29th OCTOBER at 11am at the STEYNING BOOKSHOP
Tickets Available via link below or direct from the bookshop
ABOUT HOLLY SWAIN
Holly Swain is a children’s book illustrator, living in Hove with her husband Matt and their two daughters. As a kid she always loved to draw, making up characters and their worlds. She used to have a huge roll of paper under her bed that she constantly drew on which gradually got smaller and smaller, by which time she was big enough to go to college. She studied Illustration at UWE Bristol and then did an MA in Brighton. She is the author of Colin’s Castle and Colin’s Grandma, both published by Harper Farshore.
by Gudrun Bowers | 30, Jul 2025
Teetering on the outer reaches of late capitalism, we have a tendency to look at the past with a romantic lens. But could some of the structures that organised society have useful lessons for us? This is Annette Kehnel’s premise, and her book delves into medieval social structures such as Beguinages – almost monastic, women only communities; the principles of make do and mend (which occur in all cultures in all times except the last few decades in industrialised society); the poverty of Franciscan monks; the organisation of Alpine pastures and Alsatian forests, focussing on their long term conservancy of natural resources and community living.
While it would be impossible to return to medieval living in many ways, there are certainly lessons we can learn in long term planning and careful husbandry of resources that we would do well to learn. A fascinating read.
by Gudrun Bowers | 25, Jul 2025
Join best-selling thriller writer PETER JAMES as he introduces THE HAWK IS DEAD: A KILLER IN THE PALACE, which sees Roy Grace gain access to the heart of Buckingham Palace, when he is called upon to solve a murder and what looks to be a royal assassination attempt.
Roy Grace is Queen Camilla’s favourite fictional detective and now she plays a leading role in his latest thriller The Hawk is Dead! Combining Peter’s classic fast-paced action with extensive behind-the-scenes research at Buckingham Palace, The Hawk is Dead is the not-to-be-missed publishing event of the autumn and the perfect entry point into the world of Roy Grace for anyone yet to meet him.
We are delighted to welcome Peter back to Steyning on Wednesday 22nd October – the day after publication – for what is sure to be a highly entertaining evening! Peter will discuss how Queen Camilla and King Charles came to feature in the book and share his fascinating research into the inner workings of the Royal Household and Buckingham Palace.
Peter will be in conversation with fellow thriller writer GRAHAM BARTLETT
Graham is a former detective and now a crime fiction and police advisor to authors and TV writers as well as being the best selling author of the Brighton-set crime novels Bad for Good, Force of Hate and City of Fire. Graham’s excellent novels will be available to purchase at the event.
EVENT FORMAT
Doors open 7pm, Author interview starts at 7.30pm followed by audience Q and A and then book-signing / meet and greet.
There will be a licensed bar selling alcoholic and soft drinks.
Tickets: Single ticket: £22 INCLUDING a copy of The Hawk is Dead / Couples Ticket: £32 Admits 2 people with just 1 copy of the book included
Tickets available online via button below (small booking fee applies) or in person from the shop / by phone on 01903 812062
ABOUT PETER JAMES
Peter James is a New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author best known for his crime thrillers featuring Detective Superintendent Roy Grace, who Queen Camilla recently named as her favourite fictional
detective. Praised by critics and much-loved by crime and thriller fans for his fast-paced page-turners full of unexpected plot twists, sinister characters, and accurate portrayal of modern-day policing, he has won more than 40 awards for his work, including the WHSmith Best Crime Author of All Time Award and the Crime Writers’ Association Diamond Dagger. His books have sold over 23 million copies worldwide, achieved
21 Sunday Times No.1s, and have been translated into 38 languages.
His Roy Grace novels are currently filming their 6th season for the hit ITV drama, Grace, starring John Simm as the troubled Brighton copper and available to view on ITVX and on Britbox. Seven of his novels have been adapted into phenomenally successful stage plays, with his most recent, Picture You Dead, now on national tour in the UK. His plays have been named as the most successful stage franchise since Agatha Christie.
by Gudrun Bowers | 25, Jul 2025
Discover the Secrets of the Seasons with Tristan Gooley
Explore the seasons through the prism of nature’s clues and signs with the help of natural navigator and ‘Sherlock Holmes of Nature’, Tristan Gooley. The bestselling author of How to Read a Tree and The Walker’s Guide will reveal the little-known gems to look for each month in this richly illustrated talk.
The Hidden Seasons shows us how to read the clues most miss and inspires us to explore nature’s signs for ourselves, giving fascinating insights into our turning year.
🌸 Spring unveils a vibrant world of wildflower signs, unique cloud formations, and quirky animal behaviour.
🌞 Summer offers coastal secrets, astronomical marvels, and mysterious patterns in the grass.
🍂 Autumn invites us to interpret leaf changes, scent trails, and the fascinating language of fungi.
❄️ Winter deepens our understanding of snow, starlore, and unveils surprising clues – even indoors. The seasons will never look, sound or smell the same again!
The Hidden Seasons is published by Hodder & Stoughton in hardback on 18th September, so our event is extra special, marking publication day!
About Tristan Gooley
TRISTAN GOOLEY is the award-winning author of many best-selling books on natural navigation and the natural world, including The Natural Navigator, How to Read Water and How to Read a Tree. Through his journeys, teaching and writing, he has pioneered a renaissance in the art of natural navigation. Tristan is the only living person to have both flown solo and sailed singlehanded across the Atlantic.
Event Format:
Illustrated author talk followed by audience Q&A and book signing /meet and greet
Doors open 7pm, Talk begins 7.30pm, Unreserved seating. Teas & Coffees served by church volunteers
Tickets:
£6 Ticket Only (without book – entitles bearer to £5 off a purchase of The Hidden Seasons on the night – while stocks last!)
£20 (includes signed copy of The Hidden Seasons RRP £22)
Tickets available online via link below (small booking fee applies) or in person from the bookshop (no booking fee)
by Gudrun Bowers | 25, Jul 2025
Meet Helen Goh, who for 10 years developed the recipes at Ottolenghi, as she explores the ways baking brings meaning and joy to our lives. This will be a new format for us, taking place in the bookshop kitchen – with a cookery demo and a chance to sample some baked goodies!
When you roll up your sleeves and get out the mixing bowl, you do it for reasons far beyond the mere production of a piece of food. Few know this better than Helen Goh, who – alongside being a recipe developer with Ottolenghi for more than a decade, is, uniquely, a practising psychologist.
Helen will be discussing her first solo cookbook, Baking & the Meaning of Life, which draws on her upbringing in Malaysia and Australia, her acclaimed work with Ottolenghi and her psychology training to share her distinctive approach to baking with 100 delicious sweet and savoury bakes.
Helen has been a recipe developer with Yotam Ottolenghi for more than a decade, and is a food columnist for the Good Weekend, The Guardian and The Observer. A trained psychologist, she combines psychology practice with a cooking career. She was head pastry chef at a landmark restaurant in Melbourne, Australia, before moving to London to work with Ottolenghi.
EVENT FORMAT:
Author talk with cookery demo, nibbles & a complimentary drink upon entry, plus book signing.
£25 Ticket price includes a SIGNED copy of Baking & The Meaning of Life. Book tickets via the link below or in person from the bookshop, or by phone on 01903 812062.
Event starts at 7pm.
by Gudrun Bowers | 24, Jul 2025
The Steyning Bookshop is joining Julia Donaldson and Victoria Sandøy’s paper chase around independent bookshops to celebrate the launch of her new book PAPER CHASE. An amazing chance to meet the nation’s favourite children’s author JULIA DONALDSON along with the book’s illustrator, Victoria Sandoy, and be the first to get a collectable, double-signed first edition of PAPER CHASE, 3 days before its official publication date!
This tour will also feature twenty of Julia Donaldson’s favourite titles from across her career.
Julia and Victoria will be signing PAPER CHASE (with any of her other Top Twenty books) between 3.30 and 5.30pm on Monday 8th September, at the Steyning Bookshop.
We will provide free activities and refreshments to keep children occupied while you wait, and if the weather is fine we will hold the signing in the beautiful bookshop back garden.
To reduce queue times, the signing will be ticketed with four available time slots at 3.30pm, 4pm, 4.30pm or 5pm, with 20 families in each slot. Your ‘ticket’ for the signing costs £12.99 which pays for your copy of Paper Chase, and entitles the ticket bearer, plus up to 5 additional family members, entry to the signing.
Julia will be happy to sign any number of books that are bought from The Steyning Bookshop on the day only. We request that each family party be limited to 6 family members. The person booking the ticket is required to attend for the book signing. If you require multiple copies of Paper Chase please do NOT book multiple tickets – we will have PLENTY of extra copies for you to purchase on the day!
ABOUT PAPER CHASE
A captivating paper chase, and an unforgettable adventure . . .Two children meet under a tall tree. James has a book. Ginger has a paper plane. They become friends . . .but then they are parted. Will they ever meet again? But this isn’t just James and Ginger’s story: it’s a paper chase, in which Julia Donaldson cleverly weaves the children’s tale of friendship into the amazing story of how paper is made. Children will be fascinated to see the remarkable journey of one tall tree, as it’s turned into paper, and becomes all sorts of things that we use, from bags and boxes to letters, cards and books.
Julia Donaldson’s perfect, read-aloud rhymes are brought gorgeously to life with warm, richly atmospheric illustrations by acclaimed illustrator, Victoria Sandøy.
Paper Chase is published by Scholastic in hardback at £12.99. Julia Donaldson and Victoria Sandoy’s previous books together are The Christmas Pine and The Oak Tree.
Purchase your Family Entry Ticket via the link below which leads to ALL available ime slots (small booking fee applies) alternatively call the bookshop on 01903 812062 or purchase in store.
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