Upcoming Events at books on the walls (May)
Local Author Event
Die Booth will be reading from his prize-winning work.
Saturday 17 May 2025
2-2.30pm
Free entrance
Die Booth lives in Chester and likes wild beaches and exploring dark places. His prize-winning work has featured in publications including The Fiction Desk, Firewords, Shoreline of Infinity and anthologies from Egaeus Press, Flame Tree Press, Neon Hemlock and many more. ‘Cool S’ a cursed novella, is out now.
‘365 Lies’ a collection of one flash fiction for every day of the year with all proceeds going to the MNDA, and short story collections ‘My Glass is Runn’ and ‘Making Friends (and other fictions)’ are also available online, along with his novel ‘Spirit Houses’. His latest project is a queer coming-of-age folk-horror novella. When not writing, he co-runs Chester's best (and only!) goth night, Last Rites, with his partner.
You can find out more about his writing at http://diebooth.wordpress.com/ or say hi on Bluesky @diebooth.bsky.social
This event will be followed by an hour of vinyl tunes played by Mark from Last Rites.
“Magazine The Band: A Biography” with Helen Chase
Saturday 31 May 2025
2pm to 2.30pm
Free Entrance
Helen will be talking about her recently published (16 May 2025) book which tells the story of the iconic band formed by Howard Devoto when he left the Buzzcocks. This revised and updated edition brings the story bang up-to-date. Already tired of the thrash and unrelenting nature of punk rock, Devoto wanted to combine the elements of avant-garde and pop. This he did with ‘Shot by Both Sides’, ‘the best rock & roll record of 1978, punk or otherwise’ (Rolling Stone) followed by their first album Real Life.
Three more equally acclaimed albums followed before Magazine disbanded. With unique access to the band and interviews with the great and the good of the 1980s and iconic musicians of today, Helen presents a riveting insight into the world of punk and beyond. Placing the band in the context of the Manchester music scene she explains why the band has such a solid fan-base and why Magazine had decided to re-form for live gigs some 30 years since they first took to the stage.
Helen Chase is an author and biographer. A key element of Helen’s writing is based on her in-depth and personal interviews with band members, managers, record company execs, producers, designers and fans. Helen remains a devoted fan.
Upcoming Events at books on the walls (June)
Poetry with Oliver James Lomax
Saturday 7 June 2025
2pm to 2.30pm
Free entrance
Oliver James Lomax is a poet, educator, and trustee of the Working Class Movement Library in Salford. He passionately believes in cultural equality and the power of the arts to enable everyone in society to have a voice.
He has published 5 collections of poetry including ‘The Dandelion Clock’ (2020) and ‘Burial of the Cameo’ (2023) – ‘Dammed fine poems, full of emotional resonance and vivid imagery; the world made fresh to the eye and ear.’ – Ian Rankin
Oliver has written poetry for film and television and in 2019 released his first spoken word single described by Tom Robinson (BBC 6 Music) as ‘An unholy hybrid of John Cooper Clarke and Mark E Smith.’ He released his debut album Working-Class Love Poem (Shadrack and Duxbury 2023) which he toured extensively across the UK. More recently Oliver was shortlisted for the Los Angles International Poetry Film Prize. His poems are now taught in schools and colleges.
‘Poems that dance with originality and are tenderly unafraid of love and belonging.’ – Mark Thomas
“Books + Poscas = Murals” with Nikki Pinder
Saturday 14 June 2025
2pm to 2.30pm
Free Entrance
Nikki Pinder is a mural artist and illustrator who creates vibrant nature inspired artworks, fun sticker characters, prints and Posca window drawings including for Brow HQ, Death By Tacos, Ropewalks hotel, Cow in Liverpool, and chalk board drawings for The Storyhouse and Theatre Porto. A career highlight creating illustrated canvases for Lush to be displayed alongside Peter Tatchell speaking in London for Pride.
You can find her paintings at Chester Zoo, Sandy Lane river steps, Caldy Valley bollards, BT cabinets, Shuttle bus SEND classroom, shutters in Ellesmere Port market, and at Good Catch in Crosby.
Her designs have featured on iPhone cases in Harvey Nichols stores, Ed Harcourt records, on River Island clothing, bags, Acupuncture high-top shoes and t-shirts in Japan, in Bido Lito publications, CALM, Qatar Airways, American Greetings, Singletrack, Tortoise and GQ magazines.
Sunday tunes on the walls
World music showcase by Dave Sheekey from Circl8 Radio
Sunday 15 June 2025
3-4pm
Free Entrance
Dave will be playing a curated collection of CDs
Local Author Event
WriteHereWriteNow will be reading from their debut anthology of short stories
Saturday 28 June 2025
2 – 2.30pm
free, drop-in
WriteHereWriteNow relaunched in January 2023. They are an adult community writing group for people passionate about writing, be it writing for pleasure, penning novels, poems or short stories.
From creative writing prompts to blogging workshops, they all work together to learn and motivate. The group meets once a month at Storyhouse. Writers of all abilities and levels of experience are always welcome to join.
The group proudly released their first anthology of short stories in April 2025, with a follow-up planned for later in 2025.
For more information please contact writeherewritenowgroup@yahoo.com
Previous Events at books on the walls
Poetry and Storytelling with Anita Howard
Saturday 1st March 2025
2pm – 2.30pm
Anita Howard is a writer, storyteller and actor who lives in Passage West, Co. Cork, Ireland.
Her work features in many publications including HeadStuff, Poetica Review, the Querencia Press Autumn 22 Anthology, the December 2022 Mslexia Moth, Literature Today, and the Boundless 2023 Anthology of the Rio Grande Valley International Poetry Festival.
Anita is a member of the Cork Yarnspinners storytelling group, the Hunter’s Moon Theatre Company and Inkwell Theatre Drama Group in Cork.
She is on X as @AnitaHowardSto1
Local Cestrian Author Event
Olivia Merrydale will be reading from her debut book Rosie and the Secret of the Snogard
Saturday 22nd March 2025
2pm – 2.30pm
Olivia Merrydale is an avid reader, who loves nature and storytelling. She has lived in the northwest of England for almost two decades.
Her first novel Rosie and the Secret of the Snogard is part traditional story, part mystery and part a comfy-sort-of-book, which can be enjoyed by children and adults. It was strongly influenced by the coastal landscapes and gardens of the British Isles.
Olivia is also an enthusiastic tea drinker and likes taking photos.
You can find out more about her on her website www.oliviamerrydale.com or on Instagram @oliviamerrydale
“The I Ching - Ancient Oracle of the East” with Terence Moore
Saturday 5 April 2025
2pm to 2.30pm
All welcome, free entrance
Terence Moore is an author, who lives in Chester. He has previously co-authored a book on Tibetan Medicine (with a forward by His Holiness The Dalai Lama) – “Heal Your Spirit, Heal Yourself” - and is currently working on a new book, linked to health.
Terence is an acupuncturist and herbalist who has been trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine. He has previously run various courses on a wide range of topics, which has included sessions on how to read the Ancient Chinese Classic – “The I Ching”. On this occasion, he will be presenting a half an hour introduction, with reference to specially recommended books on the topic.
In brief, the I Ching offers us all a simple way to understand how best to navigate the constant changes around us. It is over five thousand years old; in fact, it is the oldest book in the world, and is said to contain within it the reasons for everything.
In our modern world, where we are faced with so many uncertainties, anxieties and concerns, an informed reading of the I Ching can be enormously helpful, inspirational and can potentially offer us a way forward through these troubled times.
Profoundly Mundane with Cameron Elms
Saturday 12 April 2025
2-2.30pm
All welcome, free entrance
Cameron Elms is a Wales born poet currently living in Chester. He has worked in mental health hospitals for the last 5 years and is currently studying a master’s degree in mental health nursing. He has written a collection of poetry entitled “Profoundly Mundane”
Profoundly Mundane attempts to capture the absurdity of hope in a sometimes seemingly hopeless world. Colloquial prose meet unexpected beauty in the every day life, in a journey of healing through broadly observational poetry.
There are currently 3 zines, and a book which is in it’s final stages of development.
Reboot Your Soul with Angela Hassall
Saturday 19 April 2025
2pm-2.30pm
All welcome, free entrance
For over 40 years, Angela has been a life, soul and business coach. Her path has been rich and diverse which led her deeper into understanding the journey of the soul. She has been a trusted coach to individuals and businesses, bringing light and clarity to their paths. Her methods are unique, blending sound vibration, energy healing, and a deep intuitive understanding of the soul’s journey.
“Reboot Your Soul” is more than just words on paper. It reflects Angela’s personal journey and is a guide for you to rediscover your own. Born from her experiences and insights, this book is for those people who feel they are more than just their earthly presence.
Imagine stepping into the ancient and mystical energy of Chester Cathedral, feeling the vibration of its storied walls, and embarking on a sound healing ceremony that marks the beginning of your soul’s reboot. This book captures that essence, that starting point where we begin to remember our celestial origins.
Local Author Event
Louise Foster will be reading from her debut book The Last Little Pumpkin
Saturday 26 April 2025
2-2.30pm
All welcome, free entrance
Having lived in Cumbria and now Chester, Louise has constantly been inspired by her surroundings. Her first children's book, 'The Last Little Pumpkin', features the famous Shot Tower in Great Boughton. With the help of her young daughter's imagination, she has brought to life a charming autumnal tale.
@L.FILLUSTRATION
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