More than 1,500 visitors enjoyed meeting authors at the Oxford Indie Book Fair.

The event took place on Sunday at Oxford University's Examination Schools in High Street.

Organisers including local authors Sylvia Vetta and Ray Foulk welcomed 150 exhibitors to talk about their latest books and sell copies.

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Students from Oxford Brookes University volunteered to help run the event, and Chancellor Paterson Joseph - who was in the TV comedy Peep Show - officially opened the book fair.

(Image: Edmund Blok) He said: "I loved it more than I could have imagined!

"The welcome, the care taken of me, the infectious atmosphere of exhibitors, visitors and writers - inspiring is the perfect word. A great day all round.

"If you ever invite me again, I'll make sure to stay longer and chat to more folks - - and bring a bigger bag for the books I buy! Every member of your team is a star."

Moving the venue to the iconic examination building last year, and the doubling in size this year, was only possible with the support of local sponsors, in particular the Lucy Group.

(Image: Edmund Blok) The organising committee, chairwoman Felicity Dick, Andy Severn of Oxford eBooks, James Harrison of Oxfordfolio and authors Ray Foulk and Sylvia Vetta and experienced event organiser, Shona Nicolsen, are hoping to build on the continuing success.

Mrs Vetta said: "We have tapped into a need. The oxygen of publicity goes to those books published by the big five.

"Traditional but small publishers like Claret Press who publish me and self-published authors struggle to be seen. Yet often they tell stories that need to be told."

Telling the Whole Story was the title of the talk she gave with Pen Farthing, whose reputation suffered at the time of the chaotic British evacuation from Afghanistan in 2021.

(Image: Edmund Blok) Operation Ark, his side of the story is published by Claret Press.

Other speakers included the historian and TV presenter, Janina Ramirez interviewed by James Harrison, and Hugh Warwick, who was in discussion with Rev Canon Charlotte Bannister Parker.

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Paterson Joseph told how he would not have had the career he has had without access to a public library.

So he was delighted that the county library service had a stand at the event, as did the Abingdon-based charity, the Nasio Trust, which is building the first community library in west  Kenya.

Korky Paul, Mario Cuelho and Dice Comics entertained young readers at the book fair.

Another big supporter of the fair was Michelle Casteletti of the Oxford Festival of the Arts.

She announced the date of the summer oxib fair.  In 2025 it will take place on Saturday July 5 at Magdalen College School in east Oxford.

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

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