Loving the Devon literary scene: book festivals, fairs, local authors and amazing bookshops

Local authors, fun festivals, and brilliant bookshops  - here's a look at Exeter's thriving literary scene 

LOCAL LITERATURE EVENTS THIS SPRING  

17 February, 10.30am-3pm

TOTNES ALTERNATIVE BOOK FAIR 

Head south to the lovely town of Totnes for this inaugural book fair. Expect a large selection of books, pamphlets, zines, comics. One of the UK’s largest dealers of Sci-Fi, fantasy and vintage pulp books will be present as well as makers, local authors, second-hand booksellers, small press publishers and a selection of radical politics posters on display from the Red Shoes Poster archives.

Also check out their monthly poets and pints open mic night. The next one is on 12 February.

The Barrel House Ballroom, Totnes

1 and 2 March

Budleigh Salterton Literature Festival

Famous names heading to the seaside town this March include BBC newsreader and journalist Clive Myrie, Poet Laureate Simon Armitage and mathematician Marcus du Sautoy. The Festival stages two events a year: the two-day spring Weekend, which this year takes place on 1 and 2 March, and the main Festival which takes place between 18 and 22 September.

Tickets are on sale now. All events take place in St Peter's Church, Budleigh Salterton.

www.budlitfest.org.uk

March onwards

Exeter City of Literature 5th anniversary

This year, Exeter celebrates its 5th Anniversary as a UNESCO City of Literature. The team at Exeter City of Literature are planning a project to find Exeter's favourite book, which will launch on 7 March (World Book Day) and will end in September. Stay tuned to find out more!

www.exetercityofliterature.com

LOCAL BOOKSHOPS IN EXETER AND BEYOND

Situated in the Real McCoy Arcade, independent bookshop Bookbag opened in 2020, offering up a fantastic selection of literature, with a strong focus on independent presses, writers of colour, LGBTQ+ stories, art, music, environmental and nature writing. Co-owner Charlie (who also writes our regular book column) hosts regular book events at the store. 

Oxfam Books & Music on South Street sell all kinds of reading matter - fiction and art are their biggest sellers, but they also sell a lot of poetry. Look out for their regular author events. They also have a piano in the window and the team love it when people come in and spontaneously play. 

Book-Cycle on West Street is perhaps the prettiest and cosiest of local bookstores. On sale is an eclectic collection of second-hand books, and there is a comfy sofa upstairs where you can while away the hours diving into a book. 

Astor's Bookshop & Art Materials is a lovely hub in the community of Chagford. Expect amazing interiors, library ladders on the book casing and arts suppliers. It’s located in an old bank building where the safe room has been converted into a reading room, where customers can hunker down with a coffee from The Beehive Farm Shop & Cafe.

The Bookery on Crediton’s High Street is a must-visit bookshop. Last year’s author events saw a stellar line-up, including Adrian Edmondson, Ann Cleeves, and Kate Mosse. The bookstore is also heavily involved in the local community, with outreach programmes and a shared co-working space behind the store.

FANTASTIC BOOKS BY LOCAL AUTHORS (OR ABOUT LOCAL PLACES?) HERE ARE SOME TOP RECOMMENDATIONS...

Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve

“A highly original imaginative whirlwind of an adventure set in a captivating futuristic landscape with moving cities, packed with engaging characters. If you’re struggling to get your teenager off their phone and read then give them a copy of Mortal Engines, but you better be quick and order the second (Predator’s Gold) in the series!.” 

Tarquin Sorrell, owner of Astor’s Bookshop & Art Materials

Where Have you Been Little Cat? by Richard Jones 

“We'd love to give a shout out to Richard Jones, a children's author and illustrator who also lives here in the city and, in fact, used to work at our Library. His latest picture book Where Have You Been Little Cat? is beautifully illustrated and was a Sunday Times Book of the Week.” 

Chris White, Exeter Library 

Sistersong by Lucy Holland

“Local author's latest retells a South West myth with a queer twist; dark, beautiful, and utterly gripping.”

Liv Hooper, public programmes Manager at Exeter City of Literature 

Agatha Christie at Home by Hilary Macaskill

“Agatha Christie at Home explores the houses that meant most to Agatha Christie, including Greenway which, as you'll see, is featured on the jacket. The book also has a foreword by Mathew Prichard, Agatha Christie's grandson.”

Elizabeth of Mar, public relations consultant