• 2026 National Year of Reading
  • Oxford Indie Book Fair

    Keeping publishing independent

    July 12th 2026

    Proud partner of

    Oxford Festival of the Arts logo white
  • 2026 National Year of Reading
  • Oxford Indie Book Fair

    Keeping publishing independent

    July 12th 2026

    Proud partner of

    Oxford Festival of the Arts logo white
  • 2026 National Year of Reading
  • Oxford Indie Book Fair

    Keeping publishing independent

    July 12th 2026

    Proud partner of

    Oxford Festival of the Arts logo white
  • 2026 National Year of Reading
  • Oxford Indie Book Fair

    Keeping publishing independent

    July 12th 2026

    Proud partner of

    Oxford Festival of the Arts logo white

    What is OXIB?

    The National Independent Publishing Event

    Established 2020

    There are 2 OXiB events for 2026 and they’re both FREE to visitors.

    Both fairs bring together the book-buying public and the burgeoning independent creative community of small publishers & presses, established and un-agented authors, poets, writing groups, and self-published writers. A meeting place as much as a marketplace, OXIB offers a superb space for conversation, collaboration, and inspiration. Visitors can meet authors face-to-face, attend talks and readings, and hear the stories behind the stories – all FOR FREE.

    OXIB offers a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere where independent and alternative voices take centre stage.

    Join us and discover your next favourite book.

    0Exhibitors
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    Who will be there?

    Exhibitors

    view all Exhibitors

    Table 31

    Norman George

    Norman George

    Norman George was born in Bangor, Northern Ireland, where he grew up during the height of the troubles. Although he is a retired IT network manager, his real passion is for natural sciences, having studied Genetics and Cell Biology, Geosciences and Astronomy at Manchester and Open Universities.

    He spent over 20 years living on mainland Europe, and spent several years hosting a ski chalet, where he became chef, driver, tourist guide and barman. His fascination for natural sciences, complemented by observation of humanity’s cultural conflicts, terrorism and the impact of mankind on nature, inspired his first novel.

    ‘Who Writes the Rules?’ published in 2023 presents scientific ideas and the author’s concerns about the impact of human activity. The story of Mosse and Heelia’s relationship examines how of cultural differences conflicts with their instincts, while providing a vehicle for discussing natural science within the context of the plot.

    Norman’s 2nd novel, ‘Divine Intervention’, was inspired by visits to Athens and Delos, where the temples to the Greek gods are now in ruins. How would Athena react if she saw the horde of tourists surrounding the Parthenon?

    A 3rd thought-provoking book is currently being researched, to be published in 2027.

    Table 57

    Steve Sheppard

    Steve Sheppard

    Steve has spent his life trying to discover the secret of how to become a fully-functioning adult. He has so far failed. One thing he has learnt is that he ought to have tried writing a book forty years earlier than he did, although he also now realises that he should have become a celebrity first, as this would have made selling it much easier.

    He currently has three comedy spy thrillers to his name, all published by Claret Press: A Very Important Teapot, set in Australia; Bored to Death in the Baltics, not set in Australia; and Poor Table Manners, which takes place in Cape Town. These feature an initially fairly hapless hero, Dawson, and a considerably less hapless heroine, Lucy, together with varied supporting casts, most of whom are not who they claim to be.

    In 2025, Steve also released into the world a comedy-murder-mystery, Lazytown, set in an eccentric Oxfordshire village. And, in a departure from comedy, a UK based thriller, False Connections, featuring ex-MI5 agent, Mel Milano, may well be out before the summer book fair. This could be the first of a new series, although Dawson and Lucy are also planning another outing at some point.

    Table 4

    Mario Coelho

    Mario Coelho – Illustrator

    ,

    Mario Coelho is a award wining children’s book illustrator based in Oxford with several mainstream picture book publications including with the prestigious Oxford University Press and several independent publications with the very well known and acclaimed children’s poet John foster.

    Very recently I have worked alongside the great illustrator Korky Paul for a publishing project with Epic Tales where we both illustrated several titles.

    Table 1

    Ray and Caroline Foulk

    Ray & Caroline Foulk

    ,

    Father and daughter have written plays, film scripts, and books together, including memoirs documenting Ray Foulk’s life as creator of the original Isle of Wight Rock Festivals: Stealing Dylan from Woodstock and The Last Great Event. They have recently published their long-awaited novel, Picasso’s Revenge, and Caroline has published her illustrated collection of humorous canine poetry.

    Table 50

    Joy Hendry

    Joy Hendry

    I hope to display 3 books this time, one a personal account of living in and visiting Japan entitled ‘An Affair with a Village — the work of social anthropological fieldwork and the long-term relationships built up’. The other two are novels: the first the tale of a 1960s escapee from the expectation that a girl, even with a degree, should quickly settle down, marry and have children.

    The book, ‘Sharing Worlds’, recounts the exciting life she discovers between Mexico and Scotland, a fascinating job she finds, but still the conflict with wanting eventually to fulfil that expectation.

    The second novel, to be launched at the Fair, is a sequel, and recounts the peripatetic life of a young woman whose travels and troubles are symbolised by the book’s title, ‘Born at Sea’. Set in the last three decades of the 20th century, it touches on cultural conflicts, the (recovering) plight of indigenous languages, and the early days of Climate Change, all presented through the eyes of a girl growing up. Spolier alert/ promise: both novels draw on some of my own experience as a social anthropologist, but the second is an entirely invented story.

    Table 33

    EnvelopeBooks

    EnvelopeBooks

    EnvelopeBooks is built on a simple idea: that books are letters from a writer to a reader. With that in mind, we look for works of fiction and non-fiction that had to be written and have to be read. Our covers reinforce the metaphor. Designed as envelopes, they use subtle postal motifs as graphic clues to the content of each book. Now read one. Or write one.

    Oxford Poetry Slam

    What's happening on the day? 

    Event Schedule

    Throughout the day we have a packed schedule full of exciting and informative sessions for all attendees. 

    Join us on Sunday July 12, thanks to The Oxford Festival of the Arts, and discover your next favourite book in the ‘Big School – the main hall of Magdalen College School: entrance Cowley Place just off The Plain.

    But that isn’t all. Off the High Street approaching Magdalen Bridge is an entrance to the Rose Garden Gazebo/Bar where you can listen to poetry organised by The Oxford Poetry Circle.

    In the Junior School Hall, to the left of the Gazebo, there will be speaker events. In the case of bad weather some of the poetry will take place there too.

    Who's Speaking?

    Where to find us

    The Venue

    Contact

    Magdalen College School
    Cowley Place, Oxford, OX4 1DZ

    Directions

    By Car: The M40, M4 and A34 provide easy access to Oxford from London and the south. The M40 links Birmingham to Oxford from the north. The A420 and A40 approach Oxford from the west.

    Parking: We are unable to offer parking for Festival events. Parking in Oxford city centre is limited. Visitors are advised to use one of the five Park & Ride systems, which are all clearly signposted from the Oxford Ring Road. The nearest car park to MCS is at St Clement’s Street, OX4 1AB.

    By Bus: Oxford has an extensive network of local buses, making it easy to visit the town centre from every direction. The main Festival site is a short 5-10 minute walk from central bus stops. The closest bus stops are The Plain (Cowley Road) and St Clement’s. There are also fast and frequent bus services from central London (closest stop St Clement’s).

    By Train: Oxford has a centrally located train station with frequent and direct train services from London and Reading, as well as from Birmingham via Banbury and Coventry. Oxford Parkway station, north of the city, serves London Marylebone. The main Festival site is a 25-minute walk from the station.

    Magdalen College School Map

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    The Oxford Indie Book Fair is proudly funded and supported by: 

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