Clifton Book Launch
Author Martin J. Powell will be talking about “Maid of the Haystack” at Heron Books in The Clifton Arcade on Saturday May 20.
Author Martin J. Powell will be talking about Maid of the Haystack at Heron Books in The Clifton Arcade on Saturday May 20.
The book tells the story of Louisa, who sat in a haystack near Bristol for four years from 1776 becoming something of a celebrity among the fashionable folk of Clifton and Hotwells, who used to take trips to visit her.
Her story went viral sparking an 18th Century conspiracy theory touching on the most powerful people in Europe. Martin J. Powell a Bristol journalist and writer, first heard about the Maid of the Haystack in the 1980s and since then has researched her history and the novel bringing her story alive.
The cast of characters include Hannah More, John Wesley, David Garrick , Joshua Reynolds and the crowned heads of Europe. The book’s themes include 18th Century attitudes to mental health the treatment of women and acts of charity by the rich and famous.
The event will be at Heron Books at 5pm on Saturday May 20. Entry is free. RSVP to read@heronbooks.co.uk so the bookshop can keep track of audience numbers.
Poetry on board
The archive room of the ss Great Britain was packed for the launch of our latest publication Ship’s Log, a collection of poems by David Punter.
David Punter’s Ship’s Log is a collection of poems for the SS Great Britain which is, after a long and varied life, now a museum in Bristol harbour. The museum has an archive attached, which holds a mass of passenger letters and diaries. In this book, David has taken extracts for these materials, and written his own poems in response to them.
The archive room of the ss Great Britain was packed for the launch of our latest publication Ship’s Log, a collection of poems by David Punter.
The poems were inspired by diaries, letters and other accounts by passengers and crew of the ship over 150 years ago as they set out on voyages across the ocean.
David Punter read a selection of the poems with his wife Caroline reading the extracts which had inspired the poetry and which also form part of the book.
The readings brought the work to life for the audience, who also enjoyed a behind-the-scenes look at the ss Great Britain archive, part of the museum in Bristol’s historic harbour and the room where David Punter researched his work. Ship’s Log is available for £8.
Launch of Ship’s Log by David Punter: Poems for the SS Great Britain
You’re invited to the launch of Ship's Log, a book of poetry by David Punter, inspired by the 19th-century steamship SS Great Britain. Thursday, 19 January 2023, 18:00 – 20:00, Brunel's SS Great Britain
Thursday, 19 January 2023, 18:00 – 20:00, Brunel's SS Great Britain
You’re invited to the launch of Ship's Log, a book of poetry by David Punter, inspired by the 19th-century steamship SS Great Britain. The evening will celebrate the publication of David's new book at this fitting venue in Bristol. Enjoy a drink before hearing David read from his book in the very space where he spent many hours researching and gathering inspiration for his poems.
The event is free to attend but please RSVP using the eventbrite link below to reserve your spot.
Christmas Delivery Update
Most of our books are despatched by Royal Mail. We are currently receiving reports from customers that books are taking between 10 and 15 days to arrive. There is a dispute within the Royal Mail service. We ask for your patience at this time. We can not guarantee a delivery before Christmas. Orders made up to December 8 are in the postal system. Our own elves will attempt to deliver to BS postcodes in the next two weeks. Other areas will continue to be put into the Royal Mail system.
Most of our books are despatched by Royal Mail. We are currently receiving reports from customers that books are taking between 10 and 15 days to arrive. There is a dispute within the Royal Mail service. We ask for your patience at this time. We can not guarantee a delivery before Christmas. Orders made up to December 8 are in the postal system. Our own elves will attempt to deliver to BS postcodes in the next two weeks. Other areas will continue to be put into the Royal Mail system.
Local book event in Backwell
Local authors will be signing copies of their books at a special pre-Christmas event in Backwell, following a linkup between independent North Somerset publishers Bristol Books with property agents Parker’s.
Local authors will be signing copies of their books at a special pre-Christmas event in Backwell, following a linkup between independent North Somerset publishers Bristol Books with property agents Parker’s.
From 2pm to 4pm on Friday December 16 a selection of books produced by the Wraxall-based publisher will be on sale at Parker’s offices on the traffic lights at Station Road, Backwell.
Three local authors will be on hand to sign their books, giving people an opportunity to snap up a local Christmas gift.
Martin J. Powell, who lives in Backwell will be selling and signing copies of his new historical novel Maid of the Haystack and Backwell-based poet David Punter will be there to sign copies of his new collection inspired by the SS Great Britain called Ship’s Log. Clive Burlton, who lives in Congresbury, will be signing copies of his books on aspects of local history.
Parker’s Director Andrew Simmonds said: “We are committed to Backwell and want to support local authors and this Community Interest Company that produces some great local books. It is a chance for people to pop in, meet the authors and buy a book for Christmas.
“Of course if anyone wants to buy a house while they are here – or talk about putting their property on the market in the New Year we will be happy to oblige! We have a great local community here and we want to work together with other local businesses to make the most of our prominent location.”