The inaugural Ticehurst Literary Festival (9/10 Sep 2023)

We were delighted to support (and attend) the inaugural Ticehurst Literary Festival - with authors including Alex Preston (interviewed by Alison!), Rebecca Stott, Jyoti Patel, Marcel Theroux and Gen Stevens. The venue was lovely (and air conditioned) and the event was very well organised by the team at The Bell in Ticehurst, with the pub setting ideal for a drink or lunch. Well done!

Alison live on BBC Radio Sussex (4 Sep 2023)

Did you catch Alison on BBC Radio Sussex on Monday evening (4 Sep), talking with presenter Eliza Philippidis about Winchelsea, The Octopus Man and the Ticehurst Literary Festival? Catch it on BBC Sounds (on the BBC website here) if you missed it - the discussion starts at about 6.13pm!  

Sarah Jane Butler signing Starling at Barnett's (Aug 2023)

Lovely to see Sarah Jane Butler, who popped in to sign copies of her hugely successful eco-fiction novel, Starling, and to talk about books and nature in books. We're looking forward to Sarah's creative writing course in our event room, Upstairs at Barnett's, which starts in October for 10 lucky participants. 

Young authors sign their book at Barnett's (Aug 2023)

We were excited to have Felix and Benji sign a copy of their newly published book, The Adventures of Baby Bear and Hoppity. A great achievement and a lovely, heart-warming story - well done boys! We look forward to the debut novel(s) in a few years time...

Jon Harvey signs A Fan for All Seasons at Barnett's (Aug '23)

Given how much we enjoyed reading the pre-release copy of A Fan for All Seasons, we were delighted that Jon Harvey popped in to Barnett's (on the morning after his London launch party, no less...) to sign copies of his book and help us give it the position it deserves on our "Barnett's suggests..." shelf. We look forward to hearing more from Jon later this year.

Barnett's joins UK launch of Libro.fm (26 July 2023)

Barnett's is pleased to be part of the UK launch of audiobook app, Libro.fm. With a catalogue of over 400,000 audiobooks and an easy-to-use download/app, Libro.fm supports independent bookshops by paying a portion of their sales to the bookshop designated as the "local" shop for their customers. More information here.

Annabel Abbs at Tonbridge School (5 Jun 2023)

Following her fascinating discussion at our Literary Lounge event, we were delighted to help with a book signing when Annabel Abbs gave a talk on her novel, The Language of Food, at Tonbridge School, after the formal naming of the school's "Eliza Acton Cookery Classroom". Annabel's heroine, Eliza Acton, lived and cooked in a house just outside the school gates.

Bobby Palmer signing at Barnett's (Apr 2023)

Ahead of publication of the paperback edition of his highly successful novel, Isaac and the Egg, it was great to welcome Bobby Palmer back to Barnett's to sign a few advanced copies that we have available. The tie-in with Easter timing was surely no coincidence! Look out for Bobby at Literary Lounge in the summer.

Barnett's on Times Radio (24 Mar 2023)

Alison was asked to join Calum Macdonald, of Times Radio, for a (very early - 7.10am!) interview on the day that Wadhurst's award as "Best Place to Live" in the UK for 2023 was announced, with coffee in Piccolo (and Barnett's over her shoulder). And it was great to see Barnett's described as "welcoming and thoughtfully curated" in the Sunday Times report on Wadhurst - we try!

World Book Day (2 Mar 2023)

As ever, World Book Day brought a lot of excited children to the shop, with their vouchers, to pick up one of the lovely free books on offer. Our favourite was the "You Choose" edition - another in the wonderful series that sparks imagination and is such a great book for parents to work through with children.

And we also had a glorious window display from the very talented Clare - a lot to live up to now!

Late night shopping (2 Dec 2022)

Another lovely evening of festivities (and shopping at Barnett's) on Wadhurst's annual late shopping evening.

And Father Christmas was looking hale and hearty on his way north ahead of the big day. Thank you to the Wadhurst Warriors who put in so much effort for a wonderful evening, bringing the village together.

Cookbook demonstration at Barnett's (November 2022)

In a first for Barnett's, we had a wonderful demonstration by Torie True of some of the recipes from her Indian cookbook, Chilli & Mint. From the number of enthusiastic comments we received afterwards (and Instagram proof from some), the evening was truly an inspiration to the cooks of the Wadhurst area!

"Upstairs at Barnett's" launched (October 2022)

After all the building repair work to bring our roof and windows into good repair, we were thrilled to hold our fist event in our lovely event room "Upstairs at Barnett's", over the shop.

The inaugural event saw an intimate discussion of her novel, The Essence of an Hour, with future bestseller, Susan Furber. 

Jasper Gibson at the Groombridge WI (September 2022)

It was fascinating to hear Jasper Gibson speak so eloquently about his wonderfully sensitive novel, The Octopus Man, at an open meeting of Groombridge WI.  Jasper had asked us to support the event with a pop-up book stand, which we were happy to do.

Plans are in the pipeline to have Jasper come to Barnett's for a Literary Lounge in 2023.

Publication day visit for Isaac and the egg (August 2022)

What an honour to be visited by Wadhurst-based Bobby Palmer on the day on which his magical debut novel, Isaac and the egg, was published.

Bobby was kind enough to sign our copies and we highly recommend this wonderfully original story to all our readers.

Barnett's introduction to Jasper Gibson (August 2022)

Heatwaves seem to bring out the local authors!

On another searing day, we were delighted to meet Jasper Gibson and ask him  to sign copies of his magnificent novel - The Octopus Man - a moving and compassionate portrait of mental illness.

Alan Judd signing Queen & Country (July 2022)

Alan Judd defied the temperatures to make time to sign copies of his new book - Queen & Country - which is the latest in the Charles Thoroughgood modern spy series.

We are grateful to Alan for his continued involvement with Barnett's - it is wonderful to have such a widely acclaimed author and expert willing to support us with author events and signings!

Sarah Jane Butler brings Starling to Barnett's (May 2022)

Sarah Jane Butler came by to bring us an advanced copy of her debut novel, Starling, which sounds like it will be a popular choice for our readers when it is released in September - a unique perspective on a young woman finding her place in the world.

It's always lovely to meet local authors!  

Alex Preston signing books at Barnett's (Feb 2022)

Alex Preston found time to drop by and sign a few copies of his latest novel, Winchelsea, which is a gripping smugglers' tale with a collectors' list of local East Sussex locations! 

If early sales are anything to go by, this is going to be a real bestseller. 

Wealden Times Education Supplement (Feb 2022)

Always nice to be asked! The Wealden Times Education Supplement includes our recommendation for a series of well written stories that children will love reading without noticing that they are being educated... The “Adventures in Time” series shows today’s children that the past is full of exciting adventures and gripping stories – including Alexander the Great, Henry the Eighth and the Second World War.

Barnett's embraces "augmented reality"! (Dec 2021)

We were delighted to host one of the checkpoints for Wadhurst's Christmas Trail for children: "Santa Needs You!" - by scanning the QR code in our window and taking a selfie, children could enjoy an augmented reality experience with the very handsome polar bear sitting in our children's window.

Late night shopping (3 Dec 2021)

It was lovely to see so many families and friends at Barnett's on Wadhurst's annual late shopping evening.

And what a treat that Father Christmas found time on his way north to drop by Wadhurst. Thank you to the Wadhurst Warriors who put in so much effort for a wonderful evening, bringing the village together.

Holly Seddon introduced her latest thriller (July 2022)

Bestselling Kent author, Holly Seddon, brought her latest mystery/thriller - The Woman on the Bridge - into Barnett's as the paperback has just been released. 

The Woman on The Bridge is a story of two women, one night and a decision that will change everything. How far would you go to save a perfect stranger?

Frances Quinn visits Barnett's (November 2021)

So kind of Frances Quinn to find time to drop by to sign copies of her latest novel, The Smallest Man, which tells the extraordinary story of "the queen's dwarf", gifted in a pie to the new Queen of England in 1625! 

As the rules required Frances to hide behind a mask in her photo, we very much hope to be able to unmask her at a Literary Lounge in 2022! Watch this space...

Alan Judd visits Barnett's (October 2021)

It was an honour to have Alan Judd come in to Barnett's to sign copies of his latest historical novel: A Fine Madness, which is a remarkable and meticulously researched novel exploring the life of Kit Marlowe, whose violent death remains one of the most fascinating mysteries of Elizabethan England.

We very much hope to have Alan come back to Barnett's in 2022 for another Literary Lounge presentation after his previous enthralling discussion.

Local authors visit Barnett's (October 2021)

We were delighted to welcome James Ward to Barnett's and are excited to be stocking his collection of (fictional!) local ghost stories - see if your house or business is mentioned!

We also had a visit from enthusiastic local cook, Kate Marshall, with her new cookbook: Your Magical Kitchen 

CWP prize winner visits Barnett's (October 2021)

While we were very proud of Jenny's nomination to the shortlist, we were also delighted to have the winner of the 2020 Comedy Women in Print Award, the talented Faye Brann, pop in to sign copies of her prize-winning novel, Tinker, Tailor, Schoolmum

Summer Holidays - 15% off for teachers!

We were pleased to offer teachers a discount over the summer holidays as a small gesture to thank them for all their hard work with the ever-changing Covid environment over the past year.

Hopefully our teachers managed to find some time for themselves over the summer and could enjoy a good book for just a little less.

Matson Taylor dropped by to sign his new novel (July 2021)

Look no further for a funny, perfectly pitched modern fairytale - just what you need for a sunny summer afternoon (assuming we get some sunshine!)

CWP Prize 2021 - Barnett's own Jenny is on the shortlist!

So pleased to see recognition for Barnett's own Jenny (Jen Fraser) on being selected for the longlist for the Comedy Women in Print Prize 2021 - Unpublished novel category.​

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We look forward to launching the published book at Barnett's before too long! Good luck for the final selection...

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