Indie authors, small-business publishers and avid readers looking to gain insight into the creativity of the self-publishing world are implored to join in the Fringe Fireside Chats book festival to be held in the Somerset West winelands from Friday 11 to Sunday 13 August.
The event is dedicated to independent, unaffiliated writers, and will feature talks on how to become a successful Indie author, with speakers from the service industry for self-publishing as well as chats with self-published authors.
Locals can look forward to the cosy indoor venues, fireside chats or book corners to hear from a great line up of speakers. Soak up the atmosphere as you mingle with like-minded self-starters or explore the accommodation and restaurant specials, which will be posted closer to the event. This is a unique concept and one suited to an August winter market. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to join the Fringe Fireside Chats and be part of a new festival.
On the programme:
Friday 11 August
- Emeritus Professor Harold Herman engages audiences on “Memoirs of a great son of the Helderberg” at Erinvale Golf Club at 12:00 for 12:30. Tickets: R175 (includes a glass or two of Bruce Jack wines and canapés). Bookings: 2 Leigh at functions@erinvale.com; or Felicity at reception@erinvale.com.
- The 2023 Fringe Fireside Chats Short Story competition prize-giving at Somerset West Library, 15:00-15:45.
- Author Jacqui Burnett on “Life’s not yoga…or is it? Finding love in the chaos of life” at the Morgenster tasting room from 16:30 to 17:15. Tickets: R140 (includes Aperitivo light bites, a glass of wine and a gift bag).
Saturday 12 August
- Dorian Haarhof gives insight on “Preparing your book for publication” at The Playhouse Theatre from 09:00 to 09:45. Entry: R60.
- Print on Demand Cape Town engages on “Designing your book cover” and the ISBN application also at The Playhouse Theatre from 10:00 to 10:45. Entry: R60.
- Graham Giles on “Self-publishing rare books: Irma Stern’s painted book covers and bookplates” at the Vergelegen library at 10:30 for 11:00 until 11:45. Tickets: R120 (includes tea/coffee and wine tasting voucher).
- Peter and Pamela Oberem speaks on “Rewilding in Action” at the Helderberg Nature Reserve from 11:00 to 11:45. Donation of R100 to the reserve.
- Rob Caskie discusses “A day on Anglo- Zulu Battlefields with Rob Caskie” at The Playhouse Theatre from 11:00 to 11:45. Tickets: R60.
- Print on Demand Cape Town speaks on “Affordable printing of hard copies (local and international)” at The Playhouse Theatre from 12:00-12:45; and “Uploading your ebook (nationally and internationally)” from 14:00 to 14:45. Cost: R60.
- Dave Henderson, founder of MYebook, on “Building your author website” at The Playhouse between 15:00 and 15:45. R60.
- Bala Kudu’s Francois de Wit shares on “Marketing and Distributing your Book: How Metadata can help your book thrive” at The Playhouse Theatre from 16:00 to 16:45. Ticket fee: R60.
- Cape Talk radio presenter and author Shiloh Noone on “Adventures with Laurens van der Post” at the Lourensford tasting room from 16:30 to 17:15. Ticket fee: R145 (includes a bottle of white or red River Garden Range wine).
Sunday 13 August
- Prof Owen Dean engages the public on “Unleashing your creativity within legal bounds: Navigating copyright for self-published authors” at the Vergelegen library at 10:30 for 11:00 until 11:45. Ticket fee: R120 (includes tea/coffee + a wine tasting voucher).
- Steve Chadwick on “A Guide to the Helderberg Mountain Rim” at the Helderberg Nature Reserve from 11:00 to 11:45. Donation of R60 to the reserve.
- Sylvia Strauss and Mandi Hart chat with Phillipa Geard on “Self publishing as a Christian calling” at The Playhouse Theatre from 12:00 to 12:45. Tickets: R60.
- Poetry and wine pairing with Dorian Haarhoff, Jos Koetsier, Liesl Jobson et al at Lourenford tasting room between 12:00 and 12:45. Cost: R155.
- Angela Rothbart, Jessica Mtswini, Maureen Girdlestone, Alicia English chat with Roger Chennells on “Self publishing in the memoir genre” at The Playhouse Theatre from 14:00 to 14:45. Tickets: R60.
- Tanya Meeson, Beth Hunt, Owen Dean chat with Dave Henderson on “Self publishing in niche genres” at The Playhouse Theatre from 15:00 to 15:45. Ticket fee: R60.
- Daisy Jones, Graham Giles, Mark Miles, Mark Peters and Leslie Downie chat with Rebecca Bellin-Sonnenburg on “Publishing letters” at The Playhouse Theatre from 16:00 to 16:45. Tickets: R60.
- Fringe Fireside Chats co-founder Katherine Gray chats with war photo journalist Mark Peters and human rights lawyer Roger Chennels about their new books at The Playhouse Theatre from 17:00 to 17:45. Ticket fee: R60.
