Events

January 15, 2025 [5:30-7:30PM]

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

Calling all you readers! Grab whatever you’re reading however you’re reading it and let’s read silently together. We’ll meet up in the function room at the Cromwell Arms for a little bookish chitchat before we settle into a luxurious hour of reading. Here’s how it works:

+ 5:30 PM – Arrive, settle in, chat with fellow readers

+ 6:00 PM – Start reading silently together

+ 7:00 PM – More chitchat

+ 7:30 PM – Wrap up

All readers are welcome. No need to book in advance or make any purchases. Just come and enjoy the time together. See you there!

January 16, 2025 [5:30-7:30pm]

TQ BeerWorks, 1A Abbey Crescent, Torquay TQ2 5HB

Calling all you readers in Torbay who are looking for dedicated time to read amongst friends. Grab whatever you’re reading, however you’re reading it and join us for some non-book club, pro-silent reading time.

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. See you there & happy reading!

January 22, 2025 [6:30-8:30 PM]

54 Fore Street, Bovey Tracey [In the shop]

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 from 6:30pm 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.

Tea & coffee will be on offer. Parking is free in Bovey after 6pm, either on the street or one of the nearby public parking lots (Abbey Road or Mary Street). Let us know if you’re joining.

This is a “pay what you can” event (suggested: £2, cash or card on the night). No one is required to pay to attend but it helps to offset our costs and keep the group alive. Thanks! See you soon.

January 25, 2025 [11am-12pm]

54 Fore Street, Bovey Tracey TQ13 9AE [In Store]

Pop into the bookshop to meet Nette Hargreaves, Devon-based author of Purposeful Parenting. She’ll be hanging out to chat with you about her latest book and offer a complimentary Human Design chart to get you started on your journey.

Book Corner is a laid-back Saturday morning meet-up, a chance to say hello to a local author and get to know them. No booking required. Just stop in and have a chat.

About the Book

Instead of “one size fits all” solutions, Purposeful Parenting offers you unique insights into your individual child. This practical handbook introduces you to human design as a revolutionary approach to better understanding your child’s specific energetic blueprint so that you can communicate more effectively, foster deeper connection and create a home environment where your child can truly thrive. Purposeful Parenting offers easy-to-implement tools and strategies that take the guesswork out of parenting. Whether you’re navigating toddler tantrums, teen challenges or anything in between, this book empowers you to tailor your parenting to your child’s individual needs. Purposeful Parenting invites you to understand how your energy interacts with that of your child to help you reduce conflict and create greater harmony for everyone in your family.

Nette Hargreaves specialises in using human design as an empowerment tool for you and your family. Her mission is to make your design easy to understand so you can feel empowered as a person and a parent. She translates the gap between what your human design looks like and what it actually means in practical, everyday life terms to help you and your family live a more authentic and richly fulfilled life.

February 5, 2025 [6:30-8:00PM]

54 Fore Street, Bovey Tracey TQ13 9AE [In-Store]

BOOK YOUR TICKET

WINNER 2024 Wainwright Prize & 2023 Richard Jeffries Award for Nature Writing

This is a conversation about falling in love with vanishing things.

Late Light is the story of Michael Malay’s own journey, an Indonesian Australian making a home for himself in England and finding strange parallels between his life and the lives of the animals he examines. Mixing natural history with memoir, this book explores the mystery of our animal neighbours, in all their richness and variety. It is about the wonder these animals inspired in our ancestors, the hope they inspire in us, and the joy they might still hold for our children. Through the close examination of four particular ‘unloved’ animals – eels, moths, crickets and mussels – Michael Malay tells the story of the economic, political and cultural events that have shaped the modern landscape of Britain.

For fans of Robert Macfarlane, Raynor Winn and Helen Macdonald, Late Light is a rich blend of memoir, natural history, nature writing, and a meditation on being and belonging, from a vibrant new voice.

In addition to an engaging conversation, Michael will answer your questions and will hang out after to sign copies of his book (available in the shop now or on the night).

This is a free but ticketed event. Please reserve a ticket to guarantee a seat here.

February 11, 2025 [6:30-8pm]

Bovey Paradiso, Fore Street, Bovey Tracey

BOOK YOUR TICKET

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 crime to fantasy to memoir 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 and save your seat through the above link.

Limited seating is available so please book a free ticket to avoid disappointment.

Late Spring 2025, date tbc

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

Due to unforeseen circumstances, our Book Talk with Talia Hibbert has been postponed until Spring 2025. If you already reserved a ticket, it will be automatically transferred to the new date once confirmed. You can keep an eye on our website or social media accounts for additional updates. Thanks for your support of Talia & First Draft Books. See you soon!

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We are heating up November with a visit from Talia Hibbert, the award-winning, New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Indie, and internationally bestselling author of your next romance obsession.

From raucous romcoms to breathless new adult romance, Talia is known for writing complicated characters who’ll make you feel seen. Since self-publishing her first novella in 2017 at 21 years of age, Talia has written more than fifteen books and is now a hybrid author. Several of her books, including The Brown Sisters, have been optioned for TV and film.

Note: we will be digging into romance book content that might not be suitable for kids.

Talia is one of this bookshop owner’s absolute favourites so do come along to keep her from getting too awkwardly fangirl-ish. This is a free but ticketed event. The ticketing page will be added here once the new date is set. Keep an eye out for announcements! You won’t want to miss it.