Bookseller Crow team🐦‍⬛

Dear all our loyal customers, authors and friends, It is with a deep profound sadness that we bring you the news about the death of Jon, our bookseller at the beloved Bookseller Crow on the Hill in Crystal Palace. On the 2nd September 2025 he died at Kings ICU following a sudden illness. He has left behind a mighty big Jon-shaped hole at the bookshop. As you can imagine we miss him, and still can’t believe he isn’t here, just as he has been for the last twenty-eight years. Many of you have asked how you can support us at this difficult time, so we have decided to start this fundraiser in order to raise funds for the future of the Bookseller Crow and ensure support towards Jon’s Legacy. Thank you x Bookseller Crow team and family [edit: our fundraiser is now paused, thank you to everyone who contributed so generously]

[edit April] The pesky old website is 𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙡 being troublesome - while we crank it up please email your orders through to crowbookseller[at]gmail.com or swing by the shop in person! . Keep fighting evil, buy a book 📕 #BooksellerCrow #bookstagram #SouthLondonWritingSchool #creativewriting #CrystalPalace

𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 Dearest Friends of the Bookseller Crow, These last six months have been bewildering, affecting and very hard work but we like to think we have done our late beloved bookseller-in-chief, Jonathan, proud. You lot certainly have, and he would be truly touched by the support you have shown the shop and the family he left behind. As are we - the lights would be off and the door swiftly locked had it not been for your generosity. . There is still a way to go to fully ensure the future of Jon’s legacy but for now, we feel we have steadied the ship and secured his vision of a vibrant yet literary community bookshop that people want to hang out in. . Someone exclaimed recently that it was like being inside a giant record sleeve, full of details you want to devour, a description Jon would have relished. . So, it has been decided to pause the Go-Fund-Me fundraiser, in the hope that the toughest days are behind us. There will be other fun initiatives plus the usual author events and book-groups for you to get involved with, as well as the newly established South London Writing School, but today we remain humbled and grateful, sad but positive, and full of zest for the challenge of being cut loose. Thankyou for everything, Keep fighting evil - read books! Justine, Connie, Willa, Fred, Karen and Minnie x

Upcoming Bookseller Crow book group choices: • Book Group: The Benefactors by Wendy Erskine ‘A blistering debut… vital reading’ 🗓️ 03 June ⏰ 7.30pm 📍here in the shop • Crime Book Group: An Island Burning by Colin MacIntyre ‘Vivid and exciting … a gripping read’ 🗓️ 10 June ⏰ 7.30pm 📍online, ask in the shop for details • Big Fat Book Group: A Perfect Spy by John le Carré ‘A perfect work of fiction’ 🗓️ 24 June ⏰ 7.30pm 📍here in the shop Everyone is welcome, get your copies here in the shop and join us! #BooksellerCrow #bookstagram #bookgroup #writing #CrystalPalace

We were thrilled to welcome back Melissa Harrison on the publication day of her splendid new novel ‘The Given World’. Thank you to Lev Parikian for chairing the event superbly, a moving and inspiring night was had by all. . Melissa talked about the fleeting beauty outside our windows, how the seasons and weather are temporary and how to appreciate the moment, so, that’s your homework for the day! . We wish the ‘The Given World’ well, signed copies available up here at the shop📘🌍 #BooksellerCrow #bookstagram #MelissaHarrison #nature #CrystalPalace

Next up is the sixth of our 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀 at the 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹, tutored by London based published writers and industry professionals. . Hosted by prolific Penge-based zinesters, Colossive Press, this Masterclass Sunday will suit anyone with a point to make or a story to tell. . A mainstay of DIY culture, zines are tiny, home-made booklets featuring words, pictures or a combination of the two. The world of zines has no rules, no gatekeepers and no limits. . Using their Colossive Manifesto as guidance, Jane and Tom will explain why zines are the perfect way to get your message out there. You’ll also learn how to turn a blank sheet of A4 into a tiny work of wonder – from a simple eight-pager to a pop-up Turkish map-fold. . Come away enthused, inspired and with a zine or two of your own already in the bag! Suitable for age group 14 - 104, we look forward to seeing you here at the Crow on 05 July 😎

Here we go with the fifth of our 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀 at the 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹, tutored by London based published writers and industry professionals. . Sign up today for Story Surgery with prize-winning author Evie Wyld. This masterclass will suit writers of all abilites who would like to have the chance to ask questions and learn from one of Britain’s leading contemporary novelists. . Evie will talk about her writing practice, diagnose your writing ailments and give practical advice on how to tackle the most thorniest of your concerns, however big or small. . This is an exciting chance to get a unique prescription towards a healthier writing practice. We will contact you nearer the time to ask you to submit your questions or writing exerpt. Places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment - link in bio👆🏼 #BooksellerCrow #bookstagram #SouthLondonWritingSchool #creativewriting #CrystalPalace

A huge thank you to Blake Morrison, in conversation here with our Karen up at the Crow. We had a rapt crowd who got to hear some extraordinary, candid and intimate stories from Blake’s new book 𝗢𝗡 𝗠𝗘𝗠𝗢𝗜𝗥 𝗔𝗻 𝗔-𝗭 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴. . Blake was Karen’s tutor at Goldsmiths University and they touched on Karen’s own memoir, 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝗳𝗳, 𝗔 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗳𝗮𝗹𝗹 which she wrote under Blake. . We had other ex-pupils in the audience, as well as our dedicated regular event attendees and welcomed some new faces too! Thanks to Jackie on the bar, and Minnie assisting Justine on the till. Signed copies of Blake’s and Karen’s books available here - get your copies! #BlakeMorrison #Memoir #bookstagram #writing #books

🚀 IT’S TAKE OFF… ADVENTURES OF YOUNG H. G. WELLS - BERTIE & THE WAR AMONG THE STARS 🌕 I love visiting our fantastic local bookshops we’re lucky to have in our corner of South London and signing copies of my books. A huge shout-out to: • The Bookseller Crow on the hill • dulwichbooksofficial • Kirkdale Bookshop • Beckenham Bookshop Get your copy and join the Godfather of Science Fiction in his thrilling new adventure to save the world! With best Bertie wishes Graham 🌐 A FALLING STAR. A SECRET MISSION. A WORLD TO SAVE. High above Victorian London, teenage H. G. ‘Bertie’ Wells watches the stars fall—and a mysterious object crash near the Crystal Palace. But he isn’t the only one searching for it… Bertie is caught in a deadly cosmic race involving spies, secret societies, and something not of this Earth. To stop a catastrophe, he must join forces with daredevil Leona Dare, trailblazing actor Ira Aldridge, and dazzling socialite Lily Langtree. But can he trust them? And can he stop humanity from making an intergalactic enemy? If Bertie fails, Earth won’t get a second chance. An exhilarating adventure that might just prevent a real-life War of the Worlds. ⭐️ “FANTASTIC!” – Waterstones ⭐️ “A CLASSIC!” – Goodreads ⭐️ “I ADORE THESE BOOKS—BERTIE’S ADVENTURES ARE FULL OF HEART, HUMOUR AND IMAGINATION!” – Carrie Jones, New York Times Bestselling Author #CrystalPalace #LocalHistory #crystalpalacepark #Bromely #SouthLondon #Croydon #SELondon #BertieBooks #YoungHGWells #historycomesalive

Biggest book group ever tonight! You’re going to have to tag yourselves… . We read ‘Eurotrash’ by Swiss writer Christian Kracht, translated by Daniel Bowles. Get your copy here at the shop. #BooksellerCrow #bookstagram #bookgroup #eurotrash #CrystalPalace

This morning when the world was waking up, we all took time to invest in ourselves and in the creative process here amongst the wealth of words at the Bookseller Crow. . Thanks to everyone who booked a place and joined us, and especially to Sophia Blackwell for a superb twirl around poetry writing. Within two hours each one of our participants had composed new material and even a ‘villanelle’ or two… 👉🏼 . Look out for future 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 Masterclass Sundays, next up we have Story Surgery with @eviewyld on 31 May and don’t forget we offer one free place per course, don’t be shy to apply! #BooksellerCrow #bookstagram #SouthLondonWritingSchool #creativewriting #CrystalPalace

Cue best Chappell Roan voice - “𝘗𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘗𝘰𝘴𝘵-𝘪𝘵 𝘕𝘰𝘵𝘦…!” . We are open this bank holiday, so swing by and pick up something to read while you enjoy a well earned day off 📚 • Bank Holiday Monday 11am - 4pm #BooksellerCrow #bookstagram #BankHoliday #creativewriting #CrystalPalace