For the first time, I had a stand at the Oxford Indie Book Fair https://www.oxfordindiebookfair.co.uk/on Sunday 13th July, one of 60 exhibitors at this event, held at the Magdalen College School in Oxford. Hosted by the Oxford Festival of the Arts, the fair is a beacon for writers and readers of all ages. Many exhibitors were local – from Oxford and Oxfordshire, of course – but a number came from other parts of the country, as the fair establishes a national reputation. An amazing array of indie authors, both new writers and veterans with several books published, were present, with book subjects that were highly varied, including crime thrillers, war stories, travel, fantasy, poetry, and children’s books. Hopefully, many books were sold – I bought five! Also represented were some small publishers, and a few professionals providing authors with editorial and publishing-related services, such as myself.
Although it was a hot day, there was a steady stream of visitors looking round the fair – entry to the public is free – and the atmosphere was vibrant, with lots of conversation going on around the large room. All in all, it was a day well spent, and so I will be taking a stand at ‘big brother’, the Oxford Indie Book Fair on 23rd November, which will host around 150 exhibitors at the Oxford Examination Schools. See you there!