Literature

Young writers who were shortlisted for the Anne Frank Awards gather at The Brewhouse in Taunton in 2018 for the award ceremony

Looking Back: Somerset Anne Frank Awards 2018 winners revealed

A Christmas shopping event at Rumwell Farm Shop is among the events taking place across Taunton over the next week

A Christmas shopping event at Rumwell Farm Shop is among the events taking place across Taunton over the next week

What's on in Taunton this week: November 5-11, 2026

Comedian Milton Jones is set to take to the stage in Taunton this week

Comedian Milton Jones is set to take to the stage in Taunton this week

What's on in Taunton this week: October 29-November 3, 2026

Somerset Libraries is offering a programme of free, family-friendly activities at Wellington, Chard, and Priorswood libraries

Somerset Libraries is offering a programme of free, family-friendly activities at Wellington, Chard, and Priorswood libraries

Free family activities launched at three Somerset libraries

Pauline Eyre is bringing her new show to Taunton this week

Pauline Eyre is bringing her new show to Taunton this week

What's on in Taunton this week: October 15-21, 2026

Holly Watt, whose latest novel was inspired by her experience volunteering for the Samaritans, is among the authors set to appear at this year's Yeovil Literary Festival

Holly Watt, whose latest novel was inspired by her experience volunteering for the Samaritans, is among the authors set to appear at this year's Yeovil Literary Festival

Samaritans volunteer-turned-author among 40 events at Yeovil Literary Festival

A performance by The Wurzels is among the events taking place in Taunton over the next week

A performance by The Wurzels is among the events taking place in Taunton over the next week

What's on in Taunton this week: October 8-14, 2026

A variety of events are set to take place in Taunton over the next week

A variety of events are set to take place in Taunton over the next week

What's on in Taunton this week: September 24-30, 2026

Various Taunton Literary Festival events are set to take place over the next week

Various Taunton Literary Festival events are set to take place over the next week

What's on in Taunton this week: September 17-23, 2026

Taunton writer Annie Parker has released her new book, titled All About Me, Fifty Flirty and Frivolous

Taunton writer Annie Parker has released her new book, titled All About Me, Fifty Flirty and Frivolous

Taunton writer pens book on identity and sexuality after years of research

Somerset-born author’s new novel inspired by mysterious manor

Bill Revans column: How Brexit has impacted Somerset and the UK

Beyond the Veil: The Enchanted Archives, an immersive fantasy-themed ball, will be held at The Library bar on Corporation Street, from 7pm on Friday, September 25

Beyond the Veil: The Enchanted Archives, an immersive fantasy-themed ball, will be held at The Library bar on Corporation Street, from 7pm on Friday, September 25

Inaugural fantasy ball event coming to Taunton in September

Dunster-based Dennis Coath is set to publish the final instalment of his novel series based on a geriatric rock band

Dunster-based Dennis Coath is set to publish the final instalment of his novel series based on a geriatric rock band

West Somerset author publishes second instalment of novel trilogy

TGJones previously traded as WHSmith before being bought by Modella Capital in June 2025.

TGJones previously traded as WHSmith before being bought by Modella Capital in June 2025.

Why TGJones stores in Somerset are giving out freebies this week

Bill Revans column: Why your children should pick up a book this summer

Left to right: Hazel Hare, John Nicholson (inset), Jen Fowler

Left to right: Hazel Hare, John Nicholson (inset), Jen Fowler

Poetry competition at Riverain Lodge celebrates winning entry

Derek Sturch has released his first novel, titled In Golden Cap's Shadow

Derek Sturch has released his first novel, titled In Golden Cap's Shadow

First World War

85-year-old author releases first novel set partly in South Somerset

Prue Leith will be one of many famous faces to appear at Big Brue

Prue Leith will be one of many famous faces to appear at Big Brue

Bob Geldof, Prue Leith and George Osborne heading to Somerset for new festival

The contest invites Somerset children aged four to 11 to write a short story on the theme 'The Great Somerset Food Recycling Adventure'

The contest invites Somerset children aged four to 11 to write a short story on the theme 'The Great Somerset Food Recycling Adventure'

Children and young people

New Somerset story competition with planet-saving twist launched

Jasbinder Bilan has been appointed as the young people's patron for this year's Somerset Art Weeks Festival

Jasbinder Bilan has been appointed as the young people's patron for this year's Somerset Art Weeks Festival

Award-winning author named patron of Somerset arts festival

Waterstones in Taunton will host a special reading event for young book lovers on Saturday, June 13, featuring author Erin Allgrove

Waterstones in Taunton will host a special reading event for young book lovers on Saturday, June 13, featuring author Erin Allgrove

Devon children's author to appear at Waterstones Taunton this weekend

An open day at Kingsland is among the events taking place in and around Taunton over the next week

An open day at Kingsland is among the events taking place in and around Taunton over the next week

What's on in Taunton this week: June 4-10, 2026

Susie Dent is set to bring her Word Perfect show to Frome this weekend

Susie Dent is set to bring her Word Perfect show to Frome this weekend

What's on in South and East Somerset: May 15-21, 2026

Various author talks are among the events taking place in Taunton over the next week

Various author talks are among the events taking place in Taunton over the next week

What's on in Taunton this week: May 14-20, 2026

Taunton-born J.H. Mann claimed first place in the ancient history category of the Historical Novel Society’s first chapters competition for his work The Last Light

Taunton-born J.H. Mann claimed first place in the ancient history category of the Historical Novel Society’s first chapters competition for his work The Last Light

Taunton-born author named winner at Historical Novel Society awards

Letter: The closure of Worle Library is a short-sighted decision

Staplehay phone box became a library back in 2011

Staplehay phone box became a library back in 2011

Looking Back: When Staplehay residents upcycled a red telephone box

Taunton is set to host the Waterstones Children’s Book Festival from Friday, May 15 to Sunday, May 17

Taunton is set to host the Waterstones Children’s Book Festival from Friday, May 15 to Sunday, May 17

National Year of Reading

Major children's book festival set to come to Taunton next month

Dave Chapple is set to launch his new book as part of events in the West Country to mark the centenary of the 1926 General Strike

Dave Chapple is set to launch his new book as part of events in the West Country to mark the centenary of the 1926 General Strike

General Strike of 1926

West Country to host events for 1926 General Strike centenary

Among this week's events in Taunton is a performance of General Medical Emergency Ward 10

Among this week's events in Taunton is a performance of General Medical Emergency Ward 10

What's on in Taunton this week: April 16-22, 2026

Students holding their books.

Students holding their books.

Taunton primary school teams up with two local bookshops for pop-up shop

Lionel Ward, who recently enjoyed a double celebration at Brendon Books

Lionel Ward, who recently enjoyed a double celebration at Brendon Books

Interview: Meet the man who runs Brendon Books in Taunton

St Gildas Catholic Primary School in Yeovil celebrated World Book Day with a non-fiction themed event

St Gildas Catholic Primary School in Yeovil celebrated World Book Day with a non-fiction themed event

Joy as Yeovil pupils celebrate World Book Day with creative costumes

Pupils at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Primary School in Wincanton took part in themed activities blending books and sport as part of World Book Day

Pupils at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Primary School in Wincanton took part in themed activities blending books and sport as part of World Book Day

Wincanton pupils celebrate World Book Day with a sporty twist

St John's Church of England Primary School recently marked World Book Day 2026

St John's Church of England Primary School recently marked World Book Day 2026

Primary school in Wellington celebrates World Book Day

Adam Dance column: Dyslexia and ADHD should not be a barrier to enjoy books

Edd King, a Taunton author, has published a total of 14 books spanning crime, law, and climate change

Edd King, a Taunton author, has published a total of 14 books spanning crime, law, and climate change

Taunton author publishes more than a dozen books on varying topics

IKB Primary School in Wellington will soon unveil the outdoor community library, supported by funding from David Wilson Redrow South West

IKB Primary School in Wellington will soon unveil the outdoor community library, supported by funding from David Wilson Redrow South West

New outdoor library at school in Wellington funded by housebuilder

Jo and Lionel Ward and the section of ceiling that collapsed

Jo and Lionel Ward and the section of ceiling that collapsed

Taunton book shop 'blown away' by people's generosity to repair roof

Novel and poetry writing workshops are among the events taking place in Taunton over the next week

Novel and poetry writing workshops are among the events taking place in Taunton over the next week

What's on in Taunton this week: February 26-March 4, 2026

Great Western Railway's new campaign blends myth, nostalgia, and timeless adventure, featuring the enduring characters of the Famous Five as they travel across the railway provider's network in search of a dragon

Great Western Railway's new campaign blends myth, nostalgia, and timeless adventure, featuring the enduring characters of the Famous Five as they travel across the railway provider's network in search of a dragon

Great Western Railway

Great Western Railway launches new campaign featuring the Famous Five

Corinna Sargood, resident at Care UK’s Rossetti House, and Sian Johnson, regional fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Society

Corinna Sargood, resident at Care UK’s Rossetti House, and Sian Johnson, regional fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Society

Frome care home resident's book raises hundreds for Alzheimer's Society

Drawing on author Paul Newson's appreciation for Somerset's landscapes, the story paints a vivid picture of protagonist Dwayne's path of healing in the wake of trauma

Drawing on author Paul Newson's appreciation for Somerset's landscapes, the story paints a vivid picture of protagonist Dwayne's path of healing in the wake of trauma

New novel to explore journey of West Indian mogul living in Somerset

Family-friendly activities at Watchet Boat Museum will kick off the festival on the first day of Words in Watchet for 2026

Family-friendly activities at Watchet Boat Museum will kick off the festival on the first day of Words in Watchet for 2026

Watchet set to host third creative writing festival later this month

Rosalind Freeborn will speak at Shepton Mallet's St Peter's & St Paul’s Church, about her first book Prince George & Master Frederick

Rosalind Freeborn will speak at Shepton Mallet's St Peter's & St Paul’s Church, about her first book Prince George & Master Frederick

Author to discuss debut novel at historic church in Shepton Mallet

Ben Clarke, 21, holding his published books.

Ben Clarke, 21, holding his published books.

Taunton 21-year-old becomes published author and launches new publishing company

Taunton joinery business owner Timothy Spalding has launched his debut novel, Diamonds are not Forever.

Taunton joinery business owner Timothy Spalding has launched his debut novel, Diamonds are not Forever.

Somerset business owner launches debut novel into family's chaotic lives

Wellington-based Michael Pollak's new book, titled PowerPoint and Coffee – The Refill, follows on from his first book

Wellington-based Michael Pollak's new book, titled PowerPoint and Coffee – The Refill, follows on from his first book

Wellington marketing expert pens sequel to his first book

The Words of Watchet literary celebration is set to take place between February 20 and 22, 2026

The Words of Watchet literary celebration is set to take place between February 20 and 22, 2026

Packed programme for spring half-term at Watchet literary festival

Sherbet Gilesy (pictured) is the author behind the book, 'Operation Deewtonk'.

Sherbet Gilesy (pictured) is the author behind the book, 'Operation Deewtonk'.

New book with 'core message' to be released by Taunton author

Arts and Culture

Rachel Gilmour column: Why the arts and culture sector is in difficulty

The Taunton Good Afternoon Choir's Christmas Carol Celebration concert is among the event son in Taunton over the next week

The Taunton Good Afternoon Choir's Christmas Carol Celebration concert is among the event son in Taunton over the next week

What's on in Taunton this week: November 20-26, 2025

Lionel Ward, who runs Brendon Books in Taunton, will release Somerset Odyssey on Thursday, November 27

Lionel Ward, who runs Brendon Books in Taunton, will release Somerset Odyssey on Thursday, November 27

Taunton bookshop owner to publish third novel in mystery series