Mostly Books bookshop in Abingdon : Books Are My Bag Bookshop Party! with Alison Mercer, Tom Moorhouse, Neill Cameron and David Melling

We're having a party - and we'd love you to come.

On Saturday, 11 October we are delighted to be welcoming local authors Alison Mercer, Tom Moorhouse, Neill Cameron and David Melling.

Throughout the day, they will be sitting in a special 'live window', drawing, writing, creating something special - and of course meeting readers and signing books.

It's all happening as part of a national celebration of bookshops called ‘Books Are My Bag’. And we are challenging you to be creative too and become part of our live window throughout the day. We are challenging everyone to come in, sit down, and get creative too with our authors: write a short story or poem, draw a cartoon or picture.

Everyone entering the shop can take part - and you'll be given a sheet starting "Suddenly at Mostly Books...". What happens next is up to you!

And if that isn’t enough to tempt you, there will be champagne, cake, and a few other surprises as well. You'll also be able to get hold of a limited edition 'Book Are My Bag' bag designed by artist Tracey Emin, available exclusively at High Street Bookshops.

We are very lucky at Mostly Books to have so many supportive readers (and writers) who help us continue to thrive. But as the number of bookshops around the country dwindles, there is growing support for those of us who are still passionate about a place for books on the high street. 'Books Are My Bag' is an opportunity for people to celebrate what makes bookshops so special, as hubs of culture and community and a place where literacy can be fostered.

So what's happening on the day?

From 11am, Alison Mercer will be in the window, talking and signing books, creating a piece of writing, and on hand to answer questions about the path to becoming a published author.

Her latest book 'After I Left You' was launched at Mostly Books earlier this Summer - learn more about the author and the book here.

Then from midday, we have wonderful children's author (and ecologist) Tom Moorhouse, author of 'The River Singers' and its follow-up 'The Rising' (just out). This captivating tale of daring, loyalty and adventure involving water voles - based on the author's own conservation experiences - has already been hailed as a classic animal adventure, and Tom will be 'in the window' talking about his experiences, and showing videos of his work with water voles!

Then at 1.30pm we have the awesomely talented Neill Cameron in the window, showing you 'How To Make Awesome Comics'. A regular contributor to legendary comic The Phoenix, and author of YA graphic novel 'Mo-Bot High', Neill will be inspiring comic talent, and creating something special for the Mostly Books window! Everyone shout 'Aaaaiiieee!'...

Finally, at 2.30pm we welcome Abingdon's very own David Melling, creator of the bear that has taken the world by storm, 'Hugless Douglas' (don't believe us? just take a look at the different language versions below). David's going to be creating something extremely special in the window, answering questions about his illustrator life, and signing copies of his books.

Wherever you are in the country, if you are lucky enough to have a great bookshop nearby, we hope as many people as possible will take the opportunity go visit, meet an author, be inspired, and browse some of the brilliant new titles being published.