On Saturday I attended the official opening and launch of Octavo's Book Cafe and Wine Bar in Cardiff Bay. Independent publisher, Accent Press has opened the book cafe on the ground floor of an old Victorian hotel on West Bute Street where Accent Press's new self-publishing company, Octavo, is located. I arrived in good time to see best selling author, Katie Fforde to do the honours and cut the ribbon.
The occasion was well attended and the buzz seemed to last all day. Chatting to writer friends, we were all in agreement that the cafe would be an ideal meeting place where we'd be surrounded by books. Some of the walls were covered in 'book' wallpaper and displayed literary quotations such as 'Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.' The book shop is well stocked with a wide range of genres including plenty of titles for the younger readers.
Hazel Cushion, founder and managing director of Accent Press, has said she was inspired to create a place where people can 'relax, browse and shop' that offers 'good food, coffee, wine and books.' From what I saw on Saturday, it certainly does that. The coffee was excellent and the food delicious. Once we'd ordered at the bar, even the table numbers came in the form of 'books'! 
The book shop will promote and sell Accent Press authors' work and it was good to meet some of these writers on Saturday. There will be writing workshops and book groups as well as attracting new custom for the Octavo publishing service. It is intended to host a range of events including 'writer-in-residence' days.
Before she left, Katie held an interesting and informative Question and Answer session where she was asked about her prolific writing career.
I would definitely recommend a visit to Octavo's Book shop. Do you have something similar where you live? Where do you meet up with writer friends?
Thank you for reading. You may also follow me on Twitter @Jan BayLit and on my Jan Baynham Writer Facebook page.
This is such a brilliant idea! Glad you had a great time at the opening Jan :)
ReplyDeleteYes, it was good, Sam. I shall definitely visit again. Thanks for commenting.
DeleteSounds like a great place.
ReplyDeleteYes, I was very impressed, Patsy. Thanks for popping by.
DeleteWhat a great place! And opened by the lovely Katie - now that was the cherry on the top. She is lovely and holds a special place in my heart. So pleased you enjoyed your day. Whenever I'm next in Cardiff Bay, I'll be sure to pay a visit.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nicola. I hadn't met Katie before and as you say, she was lovely. I hope you manage to visit some day soon. Thank you for commenting.
DeleteGreat to hear about a new bookshop opening after we've lost so many. Hope it thrives and the cafe/wine bar side will tempt in people who might otherwise walk past an 'ordinary' bookshop.
ReplyDeleteYes, Linda. It's good to see a new venture like this opening. Thanks for popping by to leave a comment.
DeleteHow uplifting to hear of a bookshop opening when we have lost so many of them in recent years. It sounds like a wonderful place that should tempt in lots of people. I wish it every success.
ReplyDeleteMy RNA chapter meets at Gladstone's Library in Hawarden in Flintshire, which is a beautiful old building. On a local level, I often meet a writing friend in a delightful little cafe which also hosts a book group and a book exchange.