Authors and Publicists

We combine professional bookselling with the personal touch of a great indie bookshop. We really care about making authors, customers and publishers happy with our events.
Recent guests have included: Judy Murray, Rachel Joyce & Sarah Winman, Yotam Ottolenghi & Helen Goh, Alexander McCall Smith, Judith Kerr, Robert Harris, Adam Kay & Hardeep Singh Kohli, Salley Vickers & Joy Rhoades, Evan Davis, Alison Weir and Tom Kerridge.

Children’s events have featured: Philip Pullman, Derek Landy, Chris Riddell, Lauren Child, Michael Morpurgo, Michael Foreman and Morris Gleitzman.

Want to introduce your author to the book lovers of Dulwich? Contact Events Manager, Lyndsey Ng with all the details.

Our Event Formats

We’ve honed a number of formats that we’ve found successful for different types of authors – we’re also happy to work with publicists to achieve the best format for both established and new writers. We take on events when we’re confident we can add to sales of the book.

Formal lecture style – for illustrated talks, ideal for non-fiction. Great for writers who will attract large audiences.

In Conversation – works very well for authors in the public eye and high profile novelists.

Boutique events – perfect for introducing new writers or for small fan events for established writers.

Cookery Demonstrations – we can organize talks and demonstrations for any number from 40 – 300.

In-store – we hold signing sessions in the shop, especially good for children’s writers.

Local Author private book launches – we’ve held many successful parties in the shop, for numbers from 25 – 70.

Fan events – we hold these in our larger venues, for audiences of 220 or more. We’ve run sold out events for: Michael Morpurgo, Darren Shan, Anthony Horowitz, Lauren Child, Robert Muchamore, Louise Rennison, Andy Stanton and many more.

Our Venues

We have worked in partnership with the following venues over a number of years to produce highly successful events.

JAGS Community Hall 500 seats.

The MCT at Alleyn’s, Alleyn’s School 350 seats

The Great Hall, Alleyn’s School 280 seats

The Dulwich Picture Gallery Linbury Room 115 seats; Main Gallery 150 seats

All Saints Church Church 230 seats; Crypt 220 seats

St Barnabas Parish Hall Main Hall 220 seats; Small Hall 30-75 seats

Bell House A stunning Georgian house with elegant rooms and beautiful gardens. 60 seats

How we promote

First & foremost, we talk to our customers!
Bold window and instore displays
Our extensive mailing list
Social media – Facebook & Twitter
Local press and magazines
Local forums, resident groups & on-line communities
Targeted leaflet distribution
We work in partnership with the MCT at Alleyns School- our events are circulated through the extensive mailing lists of the theatre, the school and the Edward Alleyn Club. We also work extensively with other schools in the area.

What people think

We get great feedback, not just because of sales achieved, but for how we look after our guest writers. Here’s what’s been said about a few of our recent events.

“If you are invited to Village Books Dulwich, seize the opportunity with both hands. They will give you a wonderful welcome, their organization is impeccable and the audience is packed with serious readers.” Mary Lawson, Author

“Hazel and the team at Village Books organised a brilliant event with Mary Berry in March. Everything went like clockwork – a lovely venue, good AV equipment and backup, lots of books (and sales), attention to detail of all those little things that make a big difference to the author. Thank you!” Claire Scott, Head of BBC Books

“Village Books are excellent partners for effective events, their energy and enthusiasm are second to none, along with their top author care.” Sarah Bennie, Director of Publicity, Ebury Publishing

“Hazel and Tracey work tirelessly to promote events to their loyal book-loving community. It’s so refreshing to work with a team who are prepared to be flexible to work around an author’s itinerary to accommodate and deliver successful and sales-driven events. They are absolutely a key go-to place on our key author schedules.” Alison Barrow, Director of Media Relations, Transworld Publishers