Events

10 June 2026 [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 June 2026 [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 June 2026 [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!

20 June 2026 [11:00AM-12:00PM]

First & Favour, 9A West Street, Ashburton TQ13 7DT

SAVE YOUR SEAT // Free, ticketed event

Our favourite duo are heading to Ashburton. Join us for this high-energy, interactive session with the legendary (and Devon-based!) author-illustrator duo Reeve & McIntyre. Together, we will get to know the Adventuremice books & characters, draw and maybe even play a little game. After the session, Reeve & McIntyre will stick around to sign copies of their books, available for purchase in the shop, including the latest in the series: Adventuremice: Of Mice & Mummies.

This is a free, ticketed event. Recommended for ages 5+. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

30 June 2026 [7:00-8:30PM]

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

BOOK YOUR SEAT // £5 to join, plus 10% off the book in-store

The next Curious Readers Club will be diving into Camilla Barnes’ The Usual Desire to Kill from 7:00-8:30pm. We will dig into all the big ideas and small moments that made us feel the feelings. Listen to a snippet of the book here. Camilla will join us virtually from France to answer our questions. Plus, when you register for this event, you get 10% off the book when you buy it from the shop (£9.99 RRP).

What to expect:

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 (and often debut) titles. Always in paperback. Always discussion-worthy. Join us!

About the book

‘Witty, moving’ Ann Napolitano ‘Hilarious and heartbreaking’ Monica Ali ‘Made me hoot with laughter’ TLS ‘Reminds me of Nancy Mitford’ Telegraph

Miranda’s parents live in a dilapidated house in rural France that they share with two llamas, eight ducks, five chickens, two cats, and a freezer full of food dating back to 1983. Miranda’s father is a retired professor of philosophy who never loses an argument. Her mother likes to bring all conversation back to the War, although she was born after it ended. Married for fifty years, they are uncommonly set in their ways.

Miranda plays the role of translator when she visits, communicating the desires or complaints of one parent to the other and then venting her frustration to her sister and her daughter. This wry, moving, exquisitely observed novel introduces a singularly eccentric family and the long-buried secrets that have shaped them. 

3 July 2026 [7:30-9:00PM]

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

BOOK HERE // Tickets are £7.50 each

Sarah Turner, the delightfully funny & honest bestselling author, will be back in Bovey Tracey to celebrate the release of her brand-new book, Well, That Escalated Quickly. We will get to know her relatable heroine Fran and chat about Sarah’s life post-The Unmumsy Mum. You will be able to ask all of your burning questions and hang out afterwards to pick up a signed copy of her book, which will be available to purchase on the night (also available to reserve now through Bovey Tracey Library).

This event is co-hosted by Friends of Bovey Library and First Draft Books, Bovey’s independent bookshop. Tickets are £7.50 each with all proceeds going to support the wonderful community work of Bovey Tracey Library. Your ticket also includes a glass of wine or soft drink on the night. Thank you for your support!

11 July 2026 [11:00AM-12:00PM]

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

BOOK YOUR SEAT // Tickets are £2.00 each

Meet author & illustrator Jess Bradley and her brand-new graphic novel, Squid Bits: That’s a Nice Hat (as seen in The Phoenix Comic) as we kick off the start of Summer Book Quest 2026. 

Bursting with laugh-out-loud, quick-fire fun, you’ll meet Red Panda, Art Shark, Business Bee, and discover the mystery behind The Squid. We’ll even do a very awesome and silly draw-along with Jess. She will also sign her books just for you, which you’ll be able to buy on the day or check out through the library.

This event is a collaboration between Bovey Tracey Library & First Draft Books, Bovey’s independent bookshop. Tickets are £2 per person and all proceeds go to support the work of our wonderful library. Thanks for your support.

Note: All children must be accompanied by an adult. Please reserve one ticket for each child and adult joining the event. Recommended for ages 7+.

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, From Page to Plate.

How does it work?

Our next literary supper club will be inspired by The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatilaka. A magical realism whodunnit set amid the Sri Lankan civil war, this book will be the inspiration for a delightful conversation and delicious meal.

Copies of the book are available in store. Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated when noted during registration. Tickets are transferrable until one week before the event.

Bon appétit and happy reading!

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ABOUT THE BOOK

WINNER OF THE BOOKER PRIZE 2022 & SHORTLISTED FOR THE RSL ONDAATJE PRIZE 2023

A magical realism whodunnit set amid Sri Lanka’s civil war. Colombo, 1990. Maali Almeida, war photographer, gambler and closet gay, has woken up dead in what seems like a celestial visa office. His dismembered body is sinking in the serene Beira lake and he has no idea who killed him. At a time where scores are settled by death squads, suicide bombers and hired goons, the list of suspects is depressingly long, as the ghouls and ghosts with grudges who cluster round can attest. But even in the afterlife, time is running out for Maali. He has seven moons to try and contact the man and woman he loves most and lead them to a hidden cache of photos that will rock Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka’s foremost author delivers a rip-roaring epic, full of mordant wit and disturbing truths.