Adrian Phillips and Winston's Bandits at Barnett's (Aug 2024)

Adrian Phillips' latest work, recently published, is Winston's Bandits, which explores the mavericks and risk-takers who surrounded Winston Churchill and forged his persona - and is described by Andrew Roberts as "an important addition to the Churchillian canon" - so we were delighted that Adrian found time ahead of publication to sign our copies in Barnett's!

Welcome Librarians! (July 2024)

It was lovely to meet the wonderful Book Guru Librarians from Saint Ronan's School, who ended their year of duty with a visit to Barnett's to pick out books for their library (and one for themselves!). We were very impressed with their enthusiasm and the range of their reading interests... 

Lord Charles Moore at Tonbridge School (Apr 2024)

We were pleased to support the Tonbridge Parents Arts Society again with a book signing, alongside their very successful "evening with Lord Moore" - in which he brought to life the final days of the premiership of Margaret Thatcher (and Volume 3 of his magnum opus on Thatcher). 

Bobby Palmer signs Small Hours at Barnett's (Mar 2024)

Released just last week, Bobby Palmer's latest novel, Small Hours, is another wonderful story that defies definition, touching on families and the loss of innocence and nature. His first novel, Isaac and the Egg, was highly acclaimed, and we were delighted to welcome Bobby to Barnett's to sign his new book. 

Children's poet Brian Moses drops in (Feb 2024)

It was a pleasure to meet the enthusiastic poet and performer, Brian Moses, who came into Barnett's to sign copies of his latest wonderful novels for children, including The Incredible Shrinking Ghost and Snake in the Loft. 

Late night Christmas shopping (1 Dec 2023)

​We so love the festive atmosphere when Wadhurst launches Christmas with the late night shopping extravaganza - with a children's trail round the village shops, the sounds of Christmas music from the Wadhurst Brass Band, a beautiful tree and the village all lit up for Santa's visit, and tasty treats and (local) drinks to get everybody into the spirit.

The inaugural Ticehurst Literary Festival (9/10 Sep 2023)

We were delighted to support (and attend) the inaugural Ticehurst Literary Festival - with authors including Alex Preston (interviewed by Alison!), Rebecca Stott, Jyoti Patel, Marcel Theroux and Gen Stevens. The venue was lovely (and air conditioned) and the event was very well organised by the team at The Bell in Ticehurst, with the pub setting ideal for a drink or lunch. Well done!

Alison live on BBC Radio Sussex (4 Sep 2023)

Did you catch Alison on BBC Radio Sussex on Monday evening (4 Sep), talking with presenter Eliza Philippidis about Winchelsea, The Octopus Man and the Ticehurst Literary Festival? Catch it on BBC Sounds (on the BBC website here) if you missed it - the discussion starts at about 6.13pm!  

Sarah Jane Butler signing Starling at Barnett's (Aug 2023)

Lovely to see Sarah Jane Butler, who popped in to sign copies of her hugely successful eco-fiction novel, Starling, and to talk about books and nature in books. We're looking forward to Sarah's creative writing course in our event room, Upstairs at Barnett's, which starts in October for 10 lucky participants. 

Young authors sign their book at Barnett's (Aug 2023)

We were excited to have Felix and Benji sign a copy of their newly published book, The Adventures of Baby Bear and Hoppity. A great achievement and a lovely, heart-warming story - well done boys! We look forward to the debut novel(s) in a few years time...

Jon Harvey signs A Fan for All Seasons at Barnett's (Aug '23)

Given how much we enjoyed reading the pre-release copy of A Fan for All Seasons, we were delighted that Jon Harvey popped in to Barnett's (on the morning after his London launch party, no less...) to sign copies of his book and help us give it the position it deserves on our "Barnett's suggests..." shelf. We look forward to hearing more from Jon later this year.

Annabel Abbs at Tonbridge School (Jun 2023)

Following her fascinating discussion at our Literary Lounge event, we were delighted to help with a book signing when Annabel Abbs gave a talk on her novel, The Language of Food, at Tonbridge School, after the formal naming of the school's "Eliza Acton Cookery Classroom". Annabel's heroine, Eliza Acton, lived and cooked in a house just outside the school gates.

Bobby Palmer signing at Barnett's (Apr 2023)

Ahead of publication of the paperback edition of his highly successful novel, Isaac and the Egg, it was great to welcome Bobby Palmer back to Barnett's to sign a few advanced copies that we have available. The tie-in with Easter timing was surely no coincidence! Look out for Bobby at Literary Lounge in the summer.

Barnett's on Times Radio (24 Mar 2023)

Alison was asked to join Calum Macdonald, of Times Radio, for a (very early - 7.10am!) interview on the day that Wadhurst's award as "Best Place to Live" in the UK for 2023 was announced, with coffee in Piccolo (and Barnett's over her shoulder). And it was great to see Barnett's described as "welcoming and thoughtfully curated" in the Sunday Times report on Wadhurst - we try!

Cookbook demonstration at Barnett's (November 2022)

In a first for Barnett's, we had a wonderful demonstration by Torie True of some of the recipes from her Indian cookbook, Chilli & Mint. From the number of enthusiastic comments we received afterwards (and Instagram proof from some), the evening was truly an inspiration to the cooks of the Wadhurst area!

Jasper Gibson at the Groombridge WI (September 2022)

It was fascinating to hear Jasper Gibson speak so eloquently about his wonderfully sensitive novel, The Octopus Man, at an open meeting of Groombridge WI.  Jasper had asked us to support the event with a pop-up book stand, which we were happy to do.

Plans are in the pipeline to have Jasper come to Barnett's for a Literary Lounge in 2023.

Publication day visit for Isaac and the egg (August 2022)

What an honour to be visited by Wadhurst-based Bobby Palmer on the day on which his magical debut novel, Isaac and the egg, was published.

Bobby was kind enough to sign our copies and we highly recommend this wonderfully original story to all our readers.

Barnett's introduction to Jasper Gibson (August 2022)

Heatwaves seem to bring out the local authors!

On another searing day, we were delighted to meet Jasper Gibson and ask him  to sign copies of his magnificent novel - The Octopus Man - a moving and compassionate portrait of mental illness.

Alan Judd signing Queen & Country (July 2022)

Alan Judd defied the temperatures to make time to sign copies of his new book - Queen & Country - which is the latest in the Charles Thoroughgood modern spy series.

We are grateful to Alan for his continued involvement with Barnett's - it is wonderful to have such a widely acclaimed author and expert willing to support us with author events and signings!

Sarah Jane Butler brings Starling to Barnett's (May 2022)

Sarah Jane Butler came by to bring us an advanced copy of her debut novel, Starling, which sounds like it will be a popular choice for our readers when it is released in September - a unique perspective on a young woman finding her place in the world.

It's always lovely to meet local authors!  

Alex Preston signing books at Barnett's (Feb 2022)

Alex Preston found time to drop by and sign a few copies of his latest novel, Winchelsea, which is a gripping smugglers' tale with a collectors' list of local East Sussex locations! 

If early sales are anything to go by, this is going to be a real bestseller. 

Wealden Times Education Supplement (Feb 2022)

Always nice to be asked! The Wealden Times Education Supplement includes our recommendation for a series of well written stories that children will love reading without noticing that they are being educated... The “Adventures in Time” series shows today’s children that the past is full of exciting adventures and gripping stories – including Alexander the Great, Henry the Eighth and the Second World War.

Barnett's embraces "augmented reality"! (Dec 2021)

We were delighted to host one of the checkpoints for Wadhurst's Christmas Trail for children: "Santa Needs You!" - by scanning the QR code in our window and taking a selfie, children could enjoy an augmented reality experience with the very handsome polar bear sitting in our children's window.