We are passionate about supporting local authors, encouraging aspiring writers and generating debate about all things books. We welcome everyone, no matter how you identify or how others perceive you.

Most of our events are free to make them as inclusive as possible. But we’re experiencing an increasing number of no-shows which is difficult for us as a bookshop and disappointing for the author. Please only sign up if you intend coming and do let us know if you can’t make it for whatever reason. Thank you.

And if you have any ideas for events you’d like to see, or if you’re a local author keen to speak at a future event, please do get in touch.

10.30am every Saturday

Children’s storytelling

Every Saturday we run a free storytelling session for children up to around the age of eight every Saturday at 10.30am for an hour on our children’s floor. Our storytellers will read from some of the latest children’s books together with old favourites.

Just drop in from 10.15am onwards. There’s no need to book. You can either stay with your child, pop upstairs for a break in the Bookroom Cafe, have a browse around the bookshop or shop locally in Kemptown.

Please share with anyone who might be interested. We’re keen to get as many children into reading as we can.

10.30am every Friday

Children’s craft session

Every Friday morning we run a children’s craft session in our cafe. Paint, make and create using a range of materials. Our drop-in sessions are aimed at pre-schoolers during term-time and children up the age of eight in school holidays.

We ask for a contribution of £3 (payable on the day) which includes all materials and a free babyccino.Just drop in from 10.15am onwards. There’s no need to book.

Last Wednesday of the month and second Thursday of the month

Book groups

Our book groups meet on the last Wednesday of every month from 7.30-9pm, and the second Thursday of every month from 7-8.30pm upstairs at the bookshop. It’s a chance for local people to get together and discuss new and classic fiction. The book club has four membership options:

• A basic subscription to be part of the group with no obligation to buy the book from us: £5
• A subscription which includes the book group monthly membership and the book: £14
• A premium subscription which includes the book group monthly membership, the book and a drink in the Bookroom Café: £16 (not available for the Thursday book group)
• A subsidised place where you can buy/ borrow the book yourself: free

Email cathy@kemptownbookshop.co.uk for more information.

First Wednesday of the month

Twenty-somethings book group

The Twenty-somethings book club meets on the first Wednesday of every month from 7-9pm in The Bookroom Café, upstairs at the bookshop.

It’s a chance for like-minded people to get together, talk about everything from contemporary to queer fiction and to read outside of our typical reading lists and genres. We agree together the books we’ll discuss so there’s also the opportunity to share your favourite books with others.

The book club has four membership options:

o A basic subscription of £5 per month to be part of the book group with no obligation to buy the book from us
o A subscription fee of £13 which includes the book group monthly membership and the book itself
o A premium subscription fee of £15 which includes the book group monthly membership, the book itself and a hot or cold drink in the Bookroom Café at the start of the session
o A free subsidised place where you can buy or borrow the book yourself (please explain briefly why)

The book group is currently closed to new members but email remony@kemptownbookshop.co.uk to be added to the waiting list.

We welcome everyone no matter how you identify or how others perceive you.

First Wednesday of the month

Monthly 5am Writing Club

Where better to write than a bookshop with a cafe? When better than at 5am? Join other local writers from 5am on the first Wednesday of every month to work on your work in progress.

Coffee, tea and pastries available to kickstart your writing morning.
We’ll open the shop at 5am and you’re welcome to join us then, or at anytime after that – and leave whenever you need to. The shop opens to the general public at 9am but if you’re in full flow, you’re free to stay as long as you like.

Tickets are limited to 12 as we only have so many chairs and table space. They cost £5 and include a hot or cold drink. You can buy other drinks to keep you going during the morning. The local bakery usually delivers our pastries at about 7am.

Book your ticket on our Eventbrite page.

Creative writing courses

The Creative Writing Programme holds their daytime and evening courses at the bookshop as well as offering a blended and an online option. Bookings will open next April for courses in creative writing, life writing, poetry and advanced writing starting in October 2024. To find out more and sign up, contact The Creative Writing Programme directly.

Other shorter courses are also based at the shop. Look our for leaflets in the shop or check the news page of the website.

Second Saturday of the month

Gentle songs to a Spanish guitar

Join us on the second Saturday of the month at 11am in the Bookroom Cafe for live music with Brighton singer Tony Graham. Tony will sing covers of songs by everyone from Simon & Garfunkel, Joni Mitchell and the Beatles to Joan Armatrading, Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen as well as a few of his own songs.

It’s the perfect background music to your latest book or catch-up with friends.

Tony will next be performing on Saturday 9th March and Saturday 13th April.

7pm on 29th February 2024

The long history of women’s football with Carrie Dunn

Carrie Dunn talks about the long history of women’s football – including why it was effectively banned in 1921 and called “quite unsuitable for females” – right through to its glorious present, looking to its exciting future and exploring the challenges its players still face, whether that’s pitches, pay or periods.

In Woman Up: Pitches, Pay and Periods – The Progress and Potential of Women’s Football, Carrie shines a light on the evolution of women’s football and the gender gaps that still persist – on issues such as injuries, sportswear, period taboos and diversity. Packed with practical advice and first-hand accounts from leading female players, this is the global story of women’s football.

Book your free ticket on our Eventbrite page.

7pm on Wednesday 20th March 2024

Why is crime writing so popular? An evening with three Brighton crime writers

We talk to three local crime writers – Graham Bartlett, David Fennell and Jo Furniss –about why we we are drawn to dark stories in our books.

Book your free ticket on our Eventbrite page.

7pm on 21st March 2024

Poetry reading: Simon Maddrell and Kostya Tsolakis

Join Kostya Tsolakis to launch his debut collection Greekling and Simon Maddrell for his latest collection A Finger in Derek Jarman’s Mouth, published to mark the 30th anniversary of Jarman’s death.

Book your free ticket on our Eventbrite page.

7pm on 4th April 2024

Book talk: Roy Greenslade on his book The Peer, the Priests and the Press

Local author Roy Greenslade will talk about his new book The Peer, the Priests and the Press: A Story of the Demise of Irish Landlordism

Book your free ticket on our Eventbrite page.

7pm on 18th April

Sussex Art: 2000 Years of Great Art from Bignor to Brighton

Peter Beckingham steers us through 2,000 years of Sussex’s art from the mosaics at Bignor and Fishbourne to church frescoes and the paintings at Charleston.

Book your free ticket on our Eventbrite page.