EVENTS

WED 27 MARCH - ROUGH TRADE BOOKS PRESENTS... OPEN MOUTHS LAUNCH EVENT

We will be celebrating the brand new publication of Open Mouths by poet Sharan Hunjan and providing the chance to hear her perform live at a special night at the best bar in London, The Social, on Wednesday 27th March.

As well as Sharan Hunjan—who will read poems and be in-conversation with Amy Mae Baxter (Bad Form), there will also be a preview from Ella Frears of her forthcoming book Goodlord, poetry readings from Sanah Ahsan and short stories from RTB pamphleteer Cathy Thomas plus DJ Anna Wood playing all the best records, not forgetting special guest MC for the night, Sheena Patel.

WHERE: The Social, Little Portland Street, London
WHEN:
Wednesday 27th March at 7pm
TICKETS & MORE INFO...
HERE

WED 24 JAN - SUN 28 JAN - WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE DOING (BUT WE DO KNOW WHY)... AN EXHIBITION OF PRINTED MATTER FOR THE COUNTER-CULTURE IN PARIS, FRANCE

**EXTENDED UNTIL 4TH FEBRUARY**

With a stated mission to bring the same irreverent, radical, original sensibility to the book publishing world that had long been synonymous with the musical legacy of Rough Trade Records, Rough Trade Books fully fledged five-ish years ago when Nina Hervé, designer Craig Oldham along with founders Geoff Travis and Jeannette Lee decided to embark on a full publishing programme. Starting with a series of pamphlets that covered a range of forms and genres—poetry, photography, fiction, illustration—the backlist has since grown into a who’s-who of UK literary stars as well as providing a home for a plethora of artists’ side interests, collaborations, experiments and all manner of other miscellaneous tidbits. Rough Trade Books has helped unearth brand new literary talent, has given established names a platform for work that didn’t fit elsewhere, has made books that fly in the face of all long-standing publishing rules of thumb. In short, they have said ‘yes’ when almost every other publisher would have said ‘no’ and in the process have created a unique and bold body of work that showcases the originality, diversity and imagination that is to be found on the margins of culture.

This exhibition gives the viewer a thrilling insight into that work, showing the evolution of the list, the connections that exist between artists and collaborators, the process behind the making of a Rough Trade Books book, and the spirit and personality that is the engine of the press. The small presses are the heartbeat of literary culture, and this exhibition lays bare the intricate workings of that heart, with examples of original artwork from the archive as well as exclusive insight from the designers, editors and writers behind one of the most exciting publishers out there (even if we do say so ourselves!)

On display at La Fab. 6-10 Place Jean-Michel Basquait, Paris 75013

THU 1st JUNE - ROUGH TRADE BOOKS PRESENTS... DO YOUR OWN THING LAUNCH EVENT

Join us in celebrating Do Your Own Thing—a wonderful new book by artist and musician Richard Phoenix. This full-length work of non-fiction details the author’s experiences of the 'best underground arts scene you’ve never heard of'—Do Your Own Thing, a project run by learning disability arts organisation Heart n Soul. Richard will be in conversation with author Emma Warren discussing the transformative potential of working supporting creative young people to make the music and art they want to and asking who gives permission to whom to make art, guiding us through the kind of project all too often only spoken about in funding reports and transforming it into a polyphonic collaborative and joyful work of art. There will also be top tunes from Heart n Soul’s mega DJ’s on the night too in The Clore Studio at South London Gallery in Peckham. Flat access and accessible toilets available.

WHERE: The Clore Studio, South London Gallery, Peckham, London
WHEN: Thursday 1st June
TICKETS: FREE ADMISSION WHEN YOU REGISTER ON EVENTBRITE... HERE

FRI 28th APR - ROUGH TRADE BOOKS TRIOS AT UNITOM WITH ALEX ZAWADZKI, BABAK GANJEI & ROY

We’re chuffed to be bringing the Rough Trade Books roadshow to Unitom in Manchester, with three of our esteemed authors talking about, and reading from, their Rough Trade Books publications with our very own Craig Oldham—design guru and all round legend of the Manchester creative sphere. We’ve got Alex Zawadzki talking about the Blackburn raves and the amazing Flashback publication she put together with her creative partner Jamie Holman. Babak Ganjei presents his unique text-based artworks through which he examines and gently mocks our notions of art and culture, and their occasionally ridiculous intersections with ‘real’ life. And Liverpool-based writer Roy will discuss his wholly original approach to literature and the material of his fiction, while reading us a couple of his favourites.

So think story-telling, the tension between high and low culture (whatever that might mean), the transformative impact of the arts and creativity, all with our usual irreverent sense of both occasion and fun.

See you there…

WHERE: Unitom, 1a Stevenson Square, Manchester
WHEN: Friday 28th April at 6pm
TICKETS & MORE INFO... HERE

MON 27th MARCH - ROUGH TRADE BOOKS PRESENTS... THE LANGUAGE SERIES

We know it’s been too long, but we’re chuffed to be able to announce our first Social event of the year.

To celebrate the publication of our new pamphlets—the ‘Language’ series—we’ve got one hell of a party planned...

We’ve got some of the most exciting writers and artists around involved in this one, including Jen Calleja reading from Dust Sucker, her wonderful new book-length poem published by the equally wonderful Makina Books, we’ve got Fernando Sdrigotti reading from his contribution to this new series in both English and Spanish, Russell Weekes will be introducing his charming Nature Spotting pamphlet alongside Rose Blake, and Sára Iványi and Katinka van Gorkum will discuss their thrillingly original Loving Characters Into Gas Station Snacks with Sheena Patel. To round the night off, we’ll have music from Daisy Goodwin aka Heavenly Dais of the legendary Heavenly Recordings.

WHERE: The Social, Little Portland Street, London
WHEN: Monday 27th March at 7pm
TICKETS & MORE INFO... HERE

WED 8TH MARCH - ROUGH TRADE BOOKS PRESENTS... INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY AT FOYLES

Hosted in partnership with Foyles, Charing Cross, a spectacular evening of readings and conversation to celebrate International Women’s Day, headlined by Salena Godden.

Here’s what we’ve got planned:

  • Poetry from Sharan Hunjan and Sunnah Khan, who feature in 4 BROWN GIRLS WHO WRITE (Rough Trade Books)the work of a collective of radical, daring performance poets—alongside Ella Frears, who'll be reading from her haunting and musical collection, I Am The Mother Cat (Rough Trade Books).

  • Conversation with Emma Warren and Anna Wood exploring the culture and history of modern dance. Emma Warren’s Dance Your Way Home (Faber & Faber) is a social history of the dancefloor; Anna Wood’s debut collection of short stories, Yes Yes More More (Indigo) is a whirlwind, surrealist tour of joy, pleasure, and pop music.

  • Salena Godden presents Pessimism is for Lightweights (Rough Trade Books), a work of resistance and protest through beautifully crafted and emotionally complex poetry. Facing sexism, racism, and identity in modern Britain, these are poems for our times.

    The talks will be followed by a book signing. Doors open from 6:45pm.

Tickets: £8 General Admission HERE

Venue: The Auditorium (Level 6) at Foyles, 107 Charing Cross Road*

*Please note that the Auditorium at Foyles is fully accessible from the Ground floor lifts.

SAT 15th OCTOBER - Rough Trade Books presents... The Shining: A Visual and Cultural Haunting. The Shining screening + panel discussion with Craig Oldham, Cosey Fanni Tutti and Gavin Turk hosted by Ella Kemp

We’re hugely excited to announce this incredible event to celebrate the publication of Craig Oldham’s latest masterpiece—The Shining: A Visual and Cultural Haunting. The latest in his Epiphany Editions series, this astounding book takes in contributions from the likes of Shelley Duvall, Jame Lavelle, Cosey Fanni Tutti and Gavin Turk on the social, cultural and cinematic influence of this classic film, presented in an exact replica of the manuscript box as seen on the desk of Jack Nicholson’s character Jack Torrance.

We’re delighted to have Cosey Fanni Tutti (via zoom) and Gavin Turk along for this event, hosted by writer and editor Ella Kemp, who, along with Craig Oldham himself, will take part in a panel discussion prior to a screening of the film.

WHERE: Rio Cinema, 107 Kingsland High Street, London E8 2PB
WHEN: Saturday 15th October at 1.30pm
TICKETS & MORE INFO... HERE

MON 3rd OCTOBER - ROUGH TRADE BOOKS PRESENTS... STRESSED, TESTED (A NOT NATIONAL POETRY DAY EVENT)

Join us to help launch the wonderful new pamphlet from Lily Blacksell, Stressed, Tested. Culled from the poems Blacksell has written when tuning into our very own 'Stress Test' show on Soho Radio, Stressed, Tested brings together twenty-two poems showcasing a remarkable range of tone as well as emotional and conceptual material, all masterfully crafted under the most intense conditions.

As our annual NOT National Poetry Day event, we’ll be re-creating a live version of 'Stress Test' – featuring Blacksell’s poetry, regular hosts Martha Sprackland, Joe Dunthorne and John Osborne, as well as live, improvised music courtesy of Emmy the Great.

WHERE: The Social, Little Portland Street, London
WHEN: Monday 3rd October at 7pm
TICKETS & MORE INFO... HERE

WED 7TH SEPTEMBER - ROUGH TRADE BOOKS PRESENTS... AN EVENING CURATED BY SHEENA PATEL

Get along to the best bar in London to celebrate the best book of the year—we’re throwing a party for the one and only Sheena Patel!

It’s been a whirlwind couple of months since Sheena’s debut novel, I’m A Fan, came and took the literary world by the proverbial storm and we’re thrilled to be able to give the book its own celebration in our favourite drinking hole.We’ve also got a raft of other fantastic writers along too, including Gurnaik Johal and Tabitha Lasley reading from their brilliant fiction works, and poetry from Sharan Hunjan and Shanay Neusum-James.
Finally we’ll have Sheena Patel herself, talking to editor Will Burns.
Music on the night will be provided by the legendary Cornershop, who will be DJing throughout the event.
Come on down…

WHERE: The Social, Little Portland Street, London
WHEN: Wednesday 7th September at 7pm
TICKETS & MORE INFO... HERE

MON 18th JULY - AN EVENING CURATED BY ROSE BLAKE

**PLEASE NOTE THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL 12th SEPTEMBER.
ANY TICKETS BOUGHT FOR THE ORIGINAL DATE WILL REMAIN VALID.


Join us for our monthly Rough Trade Books party, this time curated by the wonderful Rose Blake. And what a cracking line up she’s put together—featuring poetry and short fiction from Ella Frears and Ben Pester, Rose herself in conversation with Sophie Heawood, and an appearance from the one and only Jarvis Cocker. We’ll also have the brilliant Wilfrid Wood providing the music. You know what to do…

WHERE: The Social, Little Portland Street, London
WHEN: Monday 18th July at 7pm
TICKETS & MORE INFO... HERE

SUN 26th JUNE - CLOSING PARTY OF L'ANGLE DU HASARD EXHIBITION WITH ROBERT RUBBISH IN CONVERSATION WITH WILL BURNS

Named after a fictional Paris head shop in Jacques Rivette’s 12 hour film OUT 1, L’Angle du Hasard explores artist Robert Rubbish’s love of French New Wave films, Surrealism and Bohemians relaxing in their sensuous interiors.

L’Angle du Hasard—an exhibition by Robert Rubbish is an exploration of secret histories and the mysterious characters that inhabit them which can often be glimpsed in fleeting snapshots from French films from the 1960s, 70s and 80s. Slipping into this world are figures from across the history of Bohemian Paris (both fictional and non-fictional), from Jean Cocteau to Robert de Montesquiou daydreaming with a baby tiger and the minotaur of Montmartre in a Parisian boudoir.

Also on display is the original artwork from Robert’s pamphlet—The Poetess of the Pyramids: Notes Towards a Fictional Memoir (Rough Trade Books). An event will take place on Sunday 26th June at the exhibition space which will include an in conversation between Robert Rubbish and Will Burns.

WHERE: James Jackson, 279 Lillie Road, London, SW6 7LL
WHEN: Sunday 26th June at 2pm

WED 4TH MAY - A ROUGH TRADE BOOKS BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR GARDEN MUSEUM SERIES...

Join us in the wonderful setting of Arnold Circus’ Bandstand to celebrate the first anniversary of our Garden Museum pamphlets, with each of our brilliant authors Susanna Grant, Claire Ratinon, Sam Ayre, Nat Mady and Zakiya McKenzie in conversation with Maya Thomas (The Modern Herbal). Refreshments on the night provided by local legend Leila’s… so come down and join us for a summer’s evening talking weeds, wildflowers, empire, colony, foraging and much more beside…

WHERE: Arnold Circus Bandstand, Boundary Gardens, London
WHEN: Wednesday 4th May at 6.30pm
TICKETS & MORE INFO... HERE

MON 25th APRIL - ROUGH TRADE BOOKS PRESENTS... AN EVENING CURATED BY ROY AT THE SOCIAL

We’re very excited to be joined by the inimitable Roy for our April literary knees-up at The Social. The man himself will be talking about his work to the wonderful Emma Warren, we’ll have another master of the short story form performing in the shape of Anna Wood, and we’ll also have turns from the brilliant Open Pen author Fernando Sdrigotti as well as a reading by Jem Calder from his hotly anticipated debut short story collection, Reward System.
Tunes courtesy of Heavenly’s own DJ Danno Vision.

So get along and get involved…

WHERE:The Social, Little Portland Street, London
WHEN:Monday 25th April at 7pm
TICKETS & MORE INFO... HERE

MON 28th MARCH - ROUGH TRADE BOOKS PRESENTS... AN EVENING CURATED BY HASEEB IQBAL AT THE SOCIAL

Up next at our monthly Social shindig we’re celebrating the wonderful Haseeb Iqbal and his pamphlet, Noting Voices: Contemplating London's Culture, which explores London’s hugely exciting jazz scene.
On the night, Nadine Smales will be showing artwork, there will be a live set from EDNA who’ll be presenting some new experimental solo work, a reading from author Salvador Joshua and more live music from India Shan.

The evening will culminate with Haseeb himself in conversation with Nick Collee, discussing the pairs' practise and Nick’s sculpture, and finally Haseeb will be interviewed by Matilda Rowe on his work and methods of thinking.

Music throughout will be provided by the brilliant DJs, Bror Havnes and Last Nubian.

WHERE:
The Social, Little Portland Street, London
WHEN: Monday 28th March at 7pm
TICKETS & MORE INFO... HERE

SUN 20th MARCH - ROUGH TRADE BOOKS PRESENTS... IN THE END, IT WAS ALL ABOUT LOVE AUDIOBOOK LAUNCH AT GEIST IM GLAS, BERLIN

Come celebrate the audiobook launch of Musa Okwonga’s In The End, It Was All About Love at Geist im Glas in Berlin!

The evening will feature readings and discussion from Musa Okwonga plus special guest author Paul Scraton.

The 10€ Ticket fee will go to EOTO—a Berlin-based charity helping Africans out of Ukraine, alongside further fundraising for this charity throughout the night.

Come by, have a few cocktails, share your Berlin stories and let's celebrate love.

WHERE:Geist im Glas, Lenaustraße 27, 12047 Berlin, Germany
WHEN:Sunday 20th March at 7pm
TICKETS & MORE INFO... HERE