Image by congerdesign from Pixabay
Join us for fireside chats from 14 to 23 August at the Helderberg’s Indie Authors Rise Up® book festival. Expect powerful local narratives and cozy chats that will stay with you long after the last page. There will be enriching sessions with seasoned writing mentors, candid insights from experienced authors, essential legal guidance from Spoor & Fisher for writers, artists and other creatives, and workshops unpacking AI’s role in writing.
We have partnered with 70+ talented independent authors and self-publishing service providers, including marketers, cover designers, printers, book distributors, layout specialists and more. There are 26 events at venues ranging from Flagstone and Morgenster wineries, the Imibala Cafe, Sage & Thyme, Cafe 1865 and the Somerset West library in Somerset West and Strand. Whether you’re a fan of fiction, poetry, or non-fiction, there’s something for everyone. Tickets are still only R75, including a glass of wine, from 1 August. It’s a steal!
Indie Authors Rise Up® started out as Fringe Fireside Chats™ in 2023. Our groundbreaking festival was inspired by the first fringe festival in Edinburgh, and is now in its fourth year of celebrating indie self-expression. Unlike formally organised festivals, fringe festivals are open access and accommodate all creatives looking for a platform to launch their own events. We are very excited this year to have the Imibala Trust and the Imibala Cafe participating. Imibala is a non-profit organisation founded in Somerset West that runs skills development programmes for young people who face barriers to employment. The Imibala Cafe is a live hospitality training space where trainees learn front-of-house and kitchen skills under professional mentorship, gaining the experience they need to build careers in the hospitality industry. Hard copy tickets can be bought at the Cafe and every Imibala meal you buy at the festival directly supports a young person's training journey.
Save the dates to hear first-hand from authors about their journey from story idea to published book, or to see what it would take to have your own debut book at the 2027 festival! You can go to https://indieauthorsriseup.co.za for the fulll festival programme and view the books showcased on the Clowder bookstore. Tickets are available online through Quicket or direct from the Imibala Cafe at 16 Bright Street. Don’t miss this chance to discover your next favourite read while supporting indie authors, local venues and the publishing industry!
https://indieauthorsriseup.co.za
https://www.quicket.co.za/organisers/92953-2026-indie-authors-rise-up/