Holland Park Press arrived early on the cold and wet morning of 8 June to take up prime position between a warming hamburger and sausage food stall and the performance area.

Our stall is ready and we’re looking forward to chatting with customers

The first day got on to a good start and Arnold’s reading around noon was very well received: a loud bravo! sounded over the market. It certainly must have been the first time that Manchester’s citizens were treated to a poem in Dutch and English. Just judge for yourselves and read Girls of Sarajevo.

Arnold Jansen op de Haar enjoying performing

On Saturday afternoon Rosie Garland was a star turn, part of a strong line-up including Dean Atta. She actually made people smile and reduced one member of the audience to tears while performing Dignity, the poem that sums up her forthcoming collection Everything Must Go about battling with cancer.

Rosie Garland in full flow.

We’re delighted that Rosie found time in her very busy Rosie Lugosi performance schedule to attend Manchester Independent Book Market.

We’re grateful to Comma Press and Manchester Council for doing a sterling job in running the market.

In spite of the ‘adverse weather’ conditions, we enjoyed the market, made lots of contacts, advertised our books to our readers in the North West and most importantly sold quite a few of our books.