Freshwater Book Fair to debut this September

The rich literary tradition of the West Wight’s largest village is to be
celebrated in a new event taking place on the first full weekend in
September. Freshwater Parish Council, which has taken over the freehold
of the village’s library from the Isle of Wight Council, is hosting a
book fair which will include live readings, a book sale, a publishing
workshop for both established and aspiring authors, and a themed film night.

Since Robert Hooke published ‘Micrographia’ in 1665, authors connected
with Freshwater have included Alfred Tennyson, Edward Lear, Lewis
Carroll, William Allingham, George Bernard Shaw, Virginia Woolf and
Lynne Truss. The West Wight is home to many authors and aspiring writers
today, who frequently cite the area as an inspiration for their work, or
simply as a great place to live and write.

On the evening of Friday the 6th of September, the Friends of Freshwater
Library will be showing the film ‘The Bookshop’, starring Emily Mortimer
and Bill Nighy. The library doors in School Green Road will open at 7pm
for the film starting at 7:30pm. Tickets will be £3 on the door, or
available two weeks in advance from the https://www.fofl.co.uk/shop/
website.

The book fair will see the launch of a new ‘Write Club’ for authors at
Freshwater Library, with an inaugural workshop from 10am to 12 noon on
Saturday the 7th of September. Entitled “How to get published”, this
workshop is aimed at both new authors, and those experienced writers and
publishers looking for better ways to produce and sell their books. The
workshop is free of charge for participants, but places are limited to
twelve and must be booked in advance by phoning library supervisor Anna
Britton on (01983) 752 377.

A book sale will open at the Freshwater Memorial Hall in Avenue Road at
12 noon for sellers and 1pm for buyers, ending at 5:30pm. All sellers
are welcome, from professional dealers, to local publishers and
charities, to book lovers and parents in need of a de-clutter. The cost
to sellers is £5 per table, with advance booking recommended via
independent bookseller Gail Middleton on (07973) 212 723. Folding tables
will be provided if required.

There will also be author readings at The Freshwater Coffee House in
School Green Road on the 7th September. From 2pm, award-winning
children’s author Kieran Larwood will read for children eight years old
and up, while author and illustrator Jules Marriner will read from her
books for children aged three to eight years.

In the evening, from 7pm, author and screenwriter Felicity Fair Thompson
and guests will present their work for adult readers. Authors, both
published and unpublished, who wish to read at the evening event should
contact Stefan Powell on (01983) 754 095 to reserve a place. Baristas
will be on hand to serve speciality coffee, tea and light refreshments.

Parish Councillor Daniel James commented “If the first Freshwater Book
Fair proves popular with local residents, Island authors and the book
trade, it could become an annual event. Our aim is to provide a
low-cost, accessible event that promotes both local writers and our
amazing public library, offering something for people of all ages.”