With the pop and excitement of festive fizz, leading Welsh indie publishers Parthian and Seren have joined forces for the Christmas pop-up bookshop downstairs in National Theatre Wales’ HQ at 30 Castle Arcade in Cardiff.

Already open for over a week, our splendid shop has been attracting lots of interest and visitors. Gruff Rhys popped in and bought the boxset of Mabinogion retellings by top contemporary authors – available in its boxed set form only from the pop-up shop and Seren’s online bookshop. Winner of this year’s Wales Writer of the Year Award, Rhian Edwards crept out of maternity leave to read poems old and new, show off her delightful daughter Megan and pick up her hot-off-the-press copy of Rarebit, an anthology of short stories (including one by Rhian) edited by yours truly for Parthian and beautifully illustrated by winner of the Print Prize at this year’s Welsh Artist of the Year Award (and runner-up overall) John Abell. Rarebit is available from the pop-up and our website only currently, but will be reaching all good bookshops soon, and will also be Waterstones Book of the Month across Wales in January 2014, when Parthian will begin celebrating our 21st birthday year. It looks so pretty.

As well as exclusive books, both publishers have a number of special offers on, including 3 for 2 on selected Seren titles and also a 3 for 2 on the Library of Wales series (currently at 36 titles). Seren are offering £5 off their lovely artbooks, and Parthian have a half-price bargain selection of books in front of the shop.

We’ve lots of brilliant Meet The Author events and readings coming up including poet Ivy Alvarez (2pm, Friday 13th), author and playwright Rachel Trezise (1.30pm, Thursday 19th), poet Dai George (2pm, Saturday 21st) and a drop in from the Rarebit Book Launch Tour (after Dai, Saturday 21st). More excitement TBA soon!

Drop in and see us, some days we’re even offering gingerbread or mince pies and mulled wine. We’re always offering smiles and advice on presents to buy for booklovers in your lives.

We are open daily 10am - 5pm up to and including Christmas Eve

Susie x

(Editor, Parthian Books) 

@soozerama

@parthianbooks

@serenbooks