A new book festival has launched in South Africa, dedicated exclusively to self-publishing

During the event, service providers will discuss the advancements in self-publishing that allows authors to print one hard copy and upload it for print on demand through platforms like Takealot

on Aug 02, 2023

A new book festival has launched in South Africa, dedicated exclusively to self-publishing

On August 11, this year, Fringe Fireside Chats (FFC) will be launched in the Helderberg region of the Western Cape. This event is set to attract some of the most respected indie authors, self-publishing service providers, and readers who are interested in self-published works from around the country.

From August 11 to 13, a special three-day festival will be held to honor self-expression, self-published authors, and the stunning Helderberg area.

The event will feature 37 authors and speakers who self-publish their work and are not affiliated with any major publishers. Additionally, the event will showcase various self-publishing service providers ranging from large companies to individual freelancers. This ensures that there is an option for everyone's budget when it comes to self-publishing. According to the event organizer, Leslie Downie, self-publishing used to have a negative reputation for being of lower quality than traditionally published works.

According to her, self-publishing is now gaining more prestige in the book world, as evidenced by books like The Cape Town Bibliophile Society's self-published work titled Irma Stern's Bookplates. She believes that the timing of this groundbreaking festival is perfect, as more writers are becoming open and enthusiastic about taking this route.

This year's festival launch has drawn a diverse group of authors, including serious book lovers, poets, eccentrics, and mountaineers. In addition, there will be a range of service providers, including book publishers, printers, editors, ghost writers, illustrators, and book-cover designers. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from self-published authors like Rob Caskie, Jessica Mtsweni, and Shiloh Noone about their experiences moving from an idea to a published book.

During the event, service providers will discuss the advancements in self-publishing that allows authors to print one hard copy and upload it for print on demand through platforms like Takealot. This eliminates the need for costly bulk printing and enables authors to only print copies when they are purchased.

There will be informative discussions covering various topics including copyright laws and the process of obtaining an ISBN number. These events will take place at some of the top wine farms in Helderberg including Lourensford, Morgenster, and Vergelegen, as well as at the Playhouse, Erinvale Golf Club, Somerset West Library, and the Helderberg Nature Reserve.

If you're attending the event and want to extend your stay with a weekend getaway, you'll have access to exclusive accommodation and restaurant deals. Additionally, the highly esteemed Fringe Fireside Chats 2023 short story competition award ceremony will take place on Friday. While the fringe festival is starting small this year, Downie assures us that it will become an annual event, putting Helderberg on the map as a winter destination for both local and international tourism.