As part of Independent Bookshop Week and in partnership with the wonderful Jaffé & Neale Book Shop and Café, we are delighted to be bringing the legendary Julia Donaldson to Chipping Norton on Tues 18 June from 4 to 6pm. Julia will be signing books that have been bought in the shop on the day. Julia is the outrageously talented, prize-winning author of some of the world’s best-loved picture books including modern classics The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo’s Child, which together have sold over 17 million copies worldwide and have been translated into 75 languages. Other books include Zog, Room on the Broom and Stick Man. She was the 2011-2013 UK Children’s Laureate and has been honoured with an MBE for Services to Literature. Come along and say hello!

ChipLitFest 2019 ran from 25 to 28 April.
We had an amazing lineup of extraordinary authors and our best ever ticket sales. Over 5,000 readers and writers participated in the Festival at events in schools, workshops for the next generation of authors, free lectures, panel events with new and established writers; and some of the biggest names in broadcasting, current affairs and comedy. All against the backdrop of our wonderful town and the support from scores of volunteers, sponsors and Festival friends. Thank you!
The Festival in Numbers:
96 authors/speakers
1 non-fiction writing day
1 short story comp
34 author visits to schools
1 published book of children’s stories
1 children’s poetry comp
57 Festival weekend events inc 15 for kids
6 parties
over 5,000 participants
26 sold out events

Our children's programme goes from strength to strength. We had more events than ever at ChipLitFest 2019 including a number of storytelling sessions for our littlest readers and listeners (above, Chitra Soundar, tells tales of snuggling up with mum and a story at bedtime). By using the ACE Centre as our dedicated venue during the Festival, we really hope to encourage children and their families to feel welcome at a huge range of bookish events. Plus delicious cakes that help raise funds for the ACE!

The results are in! 300 stories submitted from across the world were whittled down to 12 by our dedicated readers and then judged by writer and editor Nicholas Royle. The three winners will enjoy prizes of £500, £100 and £50 as well as the chance to attend an awards ceremony where their work was celebrated and read aloud. The awards event was free and open to all those interested in meeting the latest generation of short story writers. Huge congratulations to Diana Powell, Colin Brezicki and Sam Derby; to read all three truly impressive stories, click here.