It’s half term soon, and other great news in our February 2025 newsletter
Half term creative writing course
She’s at it again, Sarah is back from her travels and will be running a half term creative writing course.
The February half term session will be from 17th- 21st February from 10:30am-12:30pm and you can see all the details on the Eventbrite here: Writing Course: Believable Fiction Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite
Please let Sarah know if you want to book on and she can send you the invoice!
We are also considering offering a code-breaking class after the sessions on Monday and Tuesday of Feb half-term. This would be with me (Sarah) and my partner, Jack, who you might remember from the puppet show, and would be £25 per session. Jack is an experienced teacher and expert language-puzzle solver and setter (he may deny being an expert but he certainly is in most people's opinion) and a fully DBS-checked experienced teacher of Maths and English. We are considering doing this from 1:30-3:30pm and would ask that if the kids come to both session (writing and code-breaking) they bring a packed lunch for the break in the middle.
In regards to later courses this year please fill this very short survey in to let us know when you're around so far. I will be organising the next sessions in advance so you can plan around them! Dates for the rest of the year! Survey
Any questions, contact Sarah at sbewilliams95@gmail.com
New website launched
We have launched a new website, which we will develop through 2025. We already trade via bookshop.org a company set up to challenge A****N, and to provide additional income for independent bookshops. There’s a link to our page on our website where you can buy books online or what about a subscription for three or six months worth of brand new published books, one each month delivered to your door? We will have details of forthcoming events as well as regular blogs and author interviews on the website and of course ways to contact us.
If you’re reading this now, you have found the website - well done you! x
Get the branding
We have special editions exclusively designed for us of new quality tote bags with the above design. Cartoon drawings of the main sites of interest in York, including US! We have the same design as a print, on a coaster and on a mug. If you’ve bought the book, received a bookmark, complete your Blue House Bookshop set with mug, coaster and tote bag! Pop in and see the designs, feel the quality and also our literary tea towels, pens and typewriter tote bags too.
A chance to take a breath
Each month we host monthly moments for business women run by Sarah Hartley, Mindful Meet-ups with Blossom Tree Social. The idea is to connect with female solo entrepreneurs to chat, have a coffee and complete some mindful activities such as colouring, creating or crafting. Each month’s activity will be different. Sarah will share top tips to become more mindful within your day to day life. Plus, you get to connect with other female entrepreneurs in York. Price is £8 but can vary depending on the activity.
Future meet-up dates:
Wednesday February 12th at 10-11 am
Thursday March 20th at 10-11 am
For more information visit - subscribepage.io/wellnessworkshopyork or you can follow Sarah on social media @blossomtreesocial
Bookshop pop ups
We enjoy getting out - who doesn’t - and before Christmas we have been to Knavesmire Primary school, Bootham School, The Mount School and Badger Hill Primary. We support the Reading For Pleasure initiative by the Open University and we are happy to come along and run a pop up shop alongside parents’ evenings in schools this term or next - email to book in a date and we can tell you how we make it work for both schools and ourselves. Lord Deramore Primary ran a reading for pleasure session for parents last month which went really well and had a lot of interest from parents.
Shop York Passport for February
We are part of a new loyalty scheme across York for the month of February. Every time you spend more than £5 in a participating shop or business you get a sticker. Collect five stickers from five different places and you are entered into a draw to win a £500 York Gift Card. Full details of others in the scheme at yorkgiftcard.com
This year we have been asked to support the childrens’ day of the York Literature Festival. Two events happen on Saturday March 22nd with talks from friends of the bookshop writer Catherine Jacob and poet Olivia Mulligan, both doing readings from their latest books at Explore in York. We will be there with copies of the books and their back catalogue! Do come along and see us all. Other notable appearances at the month-long festival include Sophie Hannah, Matt Haig and Susie Dent.