Updated Events Guide

Are you looking for a venue to host your book launch / poetry reading / conversation? 

Welcome to the Burley Fisher Books (updated) guide to events!

It’s been a few years since we last wrote a guide and it’s time for a refresh.

A note on programmed events:

We now only have space for 1 programmed event per month. This will usually be an event that we have intentionally programmed by asking the publisher/writer and collaborating on organising and promoting the event. On occasion, we will programme an event that is pitched to us. You can send your pitch to: events@burleyfisherbooks.com.

Here are some basic details:

• Capacity is 35-40 seated, 50 standing

• We have a fully licensed bar with beer, wine and soft drinks

• Doors will be at 6.30pm for around a 7pm start. We aim to be finished by 9/9.30pm

• We will be setting up from 6-6:30pm so please arrive after 6:30pm. If you need to drop off some things then you can do so before 6pm.

• We cannot host events during opening hours (10am - 6 pm) or on weekends

• We are wheelchair accessible. Unfortunately our toilet is not. 

We hold two types of events:

• Events on a hire basis i.e. launches, publisher showcases etc

• Events which we programme i.e. in conversation events

Conditions for hire-basis events:

• We have a £100 non-refundable hire charge to cover staffing, insurance, depreciation etc. Once the fee is received the date of the booking is confirmed.

• We have a minimum £150 bar spend. Either publishers can put money behind the bar or people can buy their own drinks and, if less that £150 is spent, we recover the difference from the publisher

• We ask that all books sold at events are supplied to us at our standard terms. For small presses see this guide. For larger publishers, we will order with your reps.

• Launches can be either public or private (your choice). For public launches we're happy to list the event on our website and create a free ticketing page.

• You will be responsible for the promotion of your event. We can list it on our website to take bookings and we can circulate it on our mailing list and Instagram stories but it is up to the authors and their publishers to promote the event.

Conditions for programmed events:

• We charge £6 tickets to cover staffing, insurance, depreciation etc

• With programmed events we have to assess whether we think we are able to draw an audience. Please do not be offended if we are unable to accommodate you or, if you are emailing from a publisher, your authors. We have to be realistic about what people in the local area will turn up for!

• Have a look at the events on our website to get an idea of the kinds of thing that we do (or come along to one! ;))

• We will upload events to our calendar, create a ticketing page, and promote the event via our newsletter and socials – we expect that you (publisher, author/s) will also promote the event. We can supply our logo and links as needed.

• We ask that all books sold at events are supplied to us at our standard terms. For small presses see this guide. For larger publishers, we will order with your reps.

• The bar will be open

• Any pitches, please send to events[at]burleyfisherbooks.com