Events

17 September 2025 [5:30-7:30PM]

The Cromwell Arms, Fore Street, Bovey Tracey TQ13 9AE

Calling all you readers in Bovey Tracey who are looking for dedicated time each month to read amongst friends. Grab whatever you’re reading, however you’re reading it and join us in the Cromwell Arms for a bit of friendly, bookish chitchat and silent reading.

How it works:

+ 5:30pm – arrive, get settled, chitchat
+ 6:00pm – the silent reading hour
+ 7:00pm – more chitchat about what we read
+ 7:30pm – wrap up

All readers welcome, no purchase necessary! No need to register – just pop in. See you there & happy reading!

18 September 2025 [5:30-7:30PM]

Upstairs @ TQ BeerWorks, 1A Abbey Crescent, Torquay

Calling all you readers in Torbay who are looking for dedicated time each month to read amongst friends. Grab whatever you’re reading, however you’re reading it and join us upstairs at TQ BeerWorks for a bit of friendly, bookish chitchat and silent reading.

How it works:

+ 5:30pm – arrive, get settled, chitchat
+ 6:00pm – the silent reading hour
+ 7:00pm – more chitchat about what we read
+ 7:30pm – wrap up

All readers welcome, no purchase necessary. And no need to register in advance – just pop in. See you there & happy reading!

18 September 2025 [6:30-8:00PM]

In the Shop, 54 Fore Street, Bovey Tracey TQ13 9AE

SAVE YOUR SEAT // Free, ticketed event

Come celebrate the launch of How to Get Murdered in Devon, the ninth exciting mystery by Stephanie Austin. Juno Browne is back on the case after things once again get messy in Ashburton.

We love Stephanie’s mysteries. And we’re especially excited about hosting Stephanie on the actual day her brand-new book publishes! Be among the very first to get your hands on the latest Juno Browne story.

On the night, we will have a conversation with Stephanie about the new book and her life as a writer. She might even read a little from the book for us! She’ll answer all the questions on your mind and stick around to sign your books. You may pre-order books through the registration process to be collected on the night.

This is a free but ticketed event. Please save your seat early to avoid disappointment. We will activate a waitlist once we hit capacity.

25 September 2025 [6:30-8:00PM]

The White Hart Hotel, The Square, Moretonhampstead TQ13 8NF

SAVE YOUR SEAT // Free

Join us in Moretonhampstead for a very special book talk with Sophie Pierce & Alex Murdin, authors & illustrators of Rock Idols: A Guide to Dartmoor in 28 Tors .

With captivating original artwork, personal stories and practical information, Sophie & Alex gift us with fresh eyes through which to explore the ancient stones that have always fascinated us. They will share some of the artwork, a few stories and, of course, answer your questions. Plus, copies of their book will be available to purchase on the night to be signed.

This is a free but ticketed event. Please save a seat to guarantee a spot on the night. If we reach capacity, we will activate a waitlist.

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About the book

Rock Idols tells the story of Dartmoor through the lens of its tors. Fantastical yet natural, Dartmoor’s 280-million-year-old tors are among the most iconic landmarks in Southern Britain. Victorian antiquarians described them as ‘rock idols’, believing them to be stone deities worshipped by the Druids. Thousands of years before that, they inspired our ancestors who built ceremonial stone rows and circles aligned with them. Today, the tors are loved by walkers, climbers and locals, who visit in their thousands every year. Rock Idols is a hymn to these mysterious monoliths, in which the authors share tales of their trips to 28 of the tors. With stunning original drawings, the book delves into the moor’s archaeology, folklore and geology. It is a meditation on the human relationship with ancient stones and wild places, and the hold they have over our imagination.

1 October 2025 [7:00-9:00PM]

Moretonhampstead Community Club, 17 Court Street, Moretonhampstead TQ13 8NE

SOLD OUT // To join the wait list, email Leslie at [email protected]. Most people on the wait list have been offered a seat at past Supper Club event so it is worth adding your name, reading the book and holding the date.

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Good food, good books, good company. The perfect trio! The Van du Pain and First Draft Books invite you to join us for our literary supper club.

How does it work? Once a quarter(ish), Liz cooks up a delicious two-course meal inspired by a great book. And it’s BOYB – we’ll have water but you can bring anything else you might enjoy. Leslie provides prompts throughout the evening to support an engaging conversation about the book. You enjoy a wonderful evening of delicious food and rich discussion at your table.

Our October meal will be Indian-inspired to match our chosen book: Rosarita, Anita Desai’s haunting tale of mothers & daughters and legacies set in Mexico and India.

Request a copy through your registration form or pop into the shop to pick one up. You can also get the audiobook here or order for home delivery here – both of which support our independent bookshop. Thank you!

Space is limited so book early. Bon appétit & happy reading!

7 October 2025 [6:30-8:00 PM]

Bovey Paradiso, Fore Street, Bovey Tracey TQ13 9AB

SAVE YOUR SEAT // Free

There’s something about Devon that brings out the author in us. Or something about authors that are drawn to Devon. Either way, we are a county full of storytellers, writers & poets. Let’s get to know a few of them.

Join five Devon-based authors as they read for five minutes each from one of their recent books. From romance to memoir to historical fiction and more, you’re bound to discover something new & unexpected. Mingle with the authors afterwards and pick up a book or two if inspired.

Check out the full line-up here.

This event is held at Bovey Paradiso, a lively community arts and entertainment centre in Bovey Tracey. We hope you’ll have a look around the latest exhibition and consider supporting their work while you’re there.

8 October 2025 [6:30-8:30 PM]

The Cromwell Arms, Fore Street, Bovey Tracey TQ13 9AE

The Writing Social is a monthly gathering to work on whatever you’re working on among fellow writers. All abilities welcome – just bring yourself and whatever you’re currently writing on whatever form you prefer (laptops, notebooks, phones, post-its, etc).

We meet on the second Wednesday of each month to write silently together. Here’s how it runs.

6:30PM – Doors open, get settled, say hello
6:45PM – Silent Writing Block #1 Begins
7:30PM – Break, chat about the work; option to head off
7:45PM – Silent Writing Block #2 Begins
8:30PM – Social Ends

It’s a great mix of people at all points in their writing journey. At recent Writing Socials, people were editing articles, starting new stories, and refining novel drafts. So bring whatever you’re working on – or hoping to start – and let’s write together.

This event is free.

17 October 2025 [4:00-5:30PM]

First Draft Books, 54 Fore Street, Bovey Tracey TQ13 9AE

SAVE YOUR SPOT // Free

Join authors Philip Reeve & Sarah McIntyre to celebrate the launch of the seventh book in their exciting series, Adventuremice: Mousehole to the Centre of the Earth! In collaboration with First Draft Books and Pom Stitch Tassel

Craft your own pom-pom version of Pedro, the youngest of the Adventuremice characters, in a workshop led by Emma Rendell from Pom Stitch Tassel.

At First Draft Books, learn how to draw the not-quite-terrifying Hamstersaurus Rex, nibble treats, and get your copy of the book specially signed, doodled and dedicated by the authors!

Please note: all children must be accompanied by an adult during this event.

Places are limited, so reserve your free ticket here to guarantee a seat. And why not pre-order a copy of the book to be signed & dedicated while you’re at it. See you there!

20 October 2025 [7:00-8:30PM]

In the Shop, 54 Fore Street, Bovey Tracey TQ13 9AE

JOIN THE CLUB // £5. Please reserve your spot in advance.

The Curious Readers Club is getting spooky (in name only) with Ananda Lima’s sparkling short story collection, Craft: Stories I Wrote for the Devil. Exploring the modern immigrant experience through slightly surreal, often funny, and occasionally bittersweet stories, Lima builds a unique world that straddles Brazil & the US.

We will dig into all the big ideas and small moments that made us feel the feelings. Ananda will join us virtually from New York to answer our questions. Plus, when you register for this event, your £5 will go towards the price of the book (out now in paperback, £15.99).

What to expect:

+ 7:00pm – Settle in with a drink & a biscuit

+ 7:15pm – Book club chat commences

+ 8:00pm – Q&A with Ananda Lima

+ 8:30pm – The end

The Curious Readers Club is a book club for, you guessed it, curious readers. Books are selected by Leslie at First Draft Books with an eye towards unique, thought-provoking debut titles. Always in paperback. Always discussion-worthy. Join us!

28 October 2025 [1:00-2:00PM]

Riverside Community Centre, Station Road, Bovey Tracey TQ13 9AW

SAVE YOUR SEAT // £2 per person (children & adults)

Join Claire Barker for an enchanting half-term event at Bovey Tracey Library, in collaboration with First Draft Books.

In her new book, Hettie Nettle’s Handbook for Hedgewitches, Hettie empowers children to become guardians of the Wild Wood in this magical guide to being a hedgewitch. Month-by-month she reveals the hidden magical world that surrounds us but only children can see.

Claire will read from her book and lead us through an activity to create our own “wishing sticks.” All materials will be provided. Suitable for ages 5+; all children must be accompanied by an adult throughout the event. Copies of Hettie Nettle’s Handbook for Hedgewitches will be available to purchase (hardback, £14.99) and be signed on the day.

Tickets are £2 per person (children & adults). All proceeds will go to support the work of Bovey Tracey Library. Thanks for your support & we hope you enjoy the event.