The Book Market
Since 2021, Exeter City of Literature have hosted a yearly Book Market, working with independent bookshops across Devon to bring Exeter an exciting afternoon of bookish activities.
The Book Market has previously taken place at Powderham Castle and Positive Light Projects, but we now have a permanent home on Exeter Cathedral Green every summer.
The Book Market 2025 takes place on Sunday 8th June from 11am - 4pm.
The Book Market 2025
The fifth annual Book Market - Exeter City of Literature’s celebration of Devon’s thriving literary scene - took place on Sunday 8th June 2025!
Bookshops and Vendors
Bookbag (Exeter) | Design For Today (Topsham) | First Draft Books (Bovey Tracey) | Gnash Comics (Ashburton) | Graham York Rare Books (Honiton) | Maria’s Books (Exeter) | Liznojan (Tiverton) | Seven Fables (Dulverton) | The Bookery (Crediton) | The Ivybridge Bookshop (Ivybridge) | The Mint Press (Exeter) | The Old Queeriosity Shop (Plymouth) | Book on a Hook (Exeter) | Celandine Books (Wiveliscombe) | Inky Fingers (Exeter) | EmmaHen Designs (Exeter)
Food and Drink
Cake or Death | Sloe Bakery | Naturally Bread | Pesto | Taste of the Wild Pizza
The Author Tent
11:30am - 12:15pm | Sophie Pavelle & Fiona Williams
Symbiosis and Story: Sophie Pavelle and Fiona Williams discuss how place and landscape shapes their writing in very different ways, and the power it has on both fact and fiction.
12:30pm - 1:15pm | Jo Neary & Rosalie Minnitt
It's A Funny Story: Join comedians Jo Neary and Rosalie Minnitt as they explore the relationship between stand-up and storytelling, and how comedy helps us create characters and connect.
1:30pm - 2:15pm | Sarah Underwood & Morgan Greensmith
The Path to the Page - Mythos and Identity: TBA
2:30pm - 3:15pm | Aaliyah Kara & Arun Sood
Verse and Vision: Arun Sood and Aaliyah Kara share their perspectives on poetry, place, and multidisciplinary practice, exploring how the form of creative work is shaped by experience.
3:30pm - 4pm | Leslie Leggett & Erin Allgrove
Books to Bookshops – New Adventures in Devon: Leslie Leggett (First Draft Books) and Erin Allgrove (Langrove Publishing) discuss the joys and challenges of starting new bookshops and publishing projects rooted in community, creativity, and the South West.
Also at The Book Market
11am - 4pm | Jackie Morris - Seven Fables Stall
Beloved artist, writer, and picture book creator Jackie Morris joins Seven Fables Dulverton at their bookshop stall at the Book Market all day!
Free Literary Activities
When you’re not busy in the Author Tent or browsing the independent bookshops, why not take part in one of the many free activities that are taking place at The Book Market! Highlights of the free activities on offer are:
VR Story Swing Sets - Climb aboard a playground swing or a wheelchair accessible swing, don a VR headset, and take flight in one of four award-winning Leonardo da Vinci virtual flying machines.
Bibliotherapy Taster Sessions - A chance to chat about your reading and wellbeing journey whilst receiving tailormade reading recommendations.
The Pelican Press Wheelchair Printing Press - This beautiful handmade printing press incorporates the weight of a wheelchair as the main printing element, making creativity accessible.
Additional activities include: The chance to get creative with Exeter Cathedral’s Riddler in Residence Bernadette Russell, try out a typewriter courtesy of Francis Kay Vintage, wordy-themed face & body paint from Sparkly Sonia, memoir writing drop in sessions with Raw Writing and a unique short story dispensing Literary Dream Machine.
The historic Devon and Exeter Institution library will also be hosting an array of activities during The Book Market. They’ll be hosting a second hand book sale in their beautiful library space and a quiet reading zone in their conservatory and garden, the Devonshire Association will be in Green Room to share a mystery book and tell you about their work, and our Bibliotherapy Taster Sessions will be taking place in the Blue Room at this beautiful historic site!
Read The Book Market volunteer Catherine Hurcombe’s perspective of the day in this blog for Exeter Culture!
Ysella Sims takes Exeter Culture on a tour of the Exeter City of Literature Book Market as part of June Boom.
Exeter City of Literature is part of June Boom! A month long celebration of the city's brilliant festivals, creative workshops, live events, and cultural activity happening across Exeter.
See all that’s happening across the city in June 2025 here >>