Frontline Books was an independent bookseller that operated from Humberstone Gate, Leicester from 2003 until 2007. We specialised in radical fiction, politics, current affairs, black history and black & asian writers.
As well as the bookshop which provided a hub for groups in Leicester, we ran live literature events, book groups and workshops. We had an outreach programme, working with festivals, schools and community groups in and around Leicester. The directory and blogs are still available for you to use.
We were special in the way that bookshops can be and many people said nice things about us. The press was kind, too, and BBC Radio Leicester supported us with interviews. Our innovations included an Xmas Writers Market and Professional Bloggers.
Frontline Books was housed in the first free-thought bookshop in England. It worked with Leicester Secular Society on plans for the regeneration of Leicester Secular Hall and was developing ideas for the Bookshop of the Future.
It was a great time. We met lots of people and had a lot of fun. We're continuing to develop our ideas for the Bookshop of the Future and lots of new opportunities have come our way, many of them directly from our work in the bookshop.
Friday, October 01, 2004 - Sunday, October 31, 2004
Frontline Books has a range of events this year for Black History Season including creative writing workshops for Black writers, performance poets, Karen McCarthy and Urbanspirit, and featured books from publishers Black Amber and Tindall Street Press.... read
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Saturday, October 02, 2004 - Saturday, October 09, 2004
Everybodys Reading started in 2002 as new literature festival for the city of Leicester. The aim of Everybody's Reading has and continues to be to get every person in Leicester to pick up a book and read it, or perhaps even try writing... read
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Sunday, October 24, 2004 - Friday, October 29, 2004
In 1884, William Morris' address on Art & Socialism to the Leicester Secular Society inspired the beginnings of the modern labour movement in Leicester. This exhibition traces it's development in photographs of the first 60 years. The Exhibition has b... read
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Friday, December 03, 2004 at Frontline Books, Humberstone Gate, Leicester, LE1 1WB from 19:30
Frontline Books, Leicester Social Forum and the Secular Hall Writers invite you to a Not the Xmas Party extravaganza. If you've been to a previous event involving any of these organisations you'll know that you can be assured of excellent hospital... read
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Tuesday, January 18, 2005 at Frontline Books, 73 Humberstone Gate, LE1 1WB from 10:30
IDEASPARK BUSINESS START-UP TRAININGFrom Tuesday 18 January 10.30-1.30pm for five weeks.Training is completely free and covers finance, funding to start your business, marketing and business planning. Small, friendly g... read
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Thursday, February 10, 2005 at Frontline Books, 73 Humberstone Gate, Leicester, LE1 1WB from 19:30
Do the sexes ever inhabit the same planet? Do they speak the same language? Did they ever? Eight poets explore different ways of being male and female in the 21st Century.
"Funny, erotic and very, very moving ..."
A candle-lit ... read
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Thursday, February 24, 2005 at Frontline Books, 73 Humberstone Gate, Leicester, LE1 1WB from 10:30
NEW COURSE: EMPLOYING STAFF Thursday 24th February 10.30-1.30pm for 4 weeks - FREE An introduction to the basics about employing staff. We'll look at whether you need to employ staff and if so, what's the best arrangement for your... read
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Thursday, March 03, 2005 at Calma Project, Unit A, Vulcan Business Centre, Leicester, LE5 3ED from 10:30
The next course starts Thursday 3rd March 10.30-1.30pm for 5 weeks. It covers all the key things you need to know about starting a business including developing your idea, getting finance, business planning, getting and keeping custome... read
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Friday, June 17, 2005 at Home Farm Neighbourhood Centre from 10
The next course starts Friday 17th June from 10.00am until 12.00am for six weeks at Home Farm Neighbourhood Centre, Home Farm Close, Strasbourg Drive, Beaumont Leys, LE4 0SG. The course covers business planning, marketing and finance, as well as the le... read
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Friday, October 07, 2005 at Leicester Secular Hall Humberstone Gate LE1 1WB from 19:30
One of three events to celebrate our second anniversary. Alex Wheatle, acclaimed author of Brixton Rock and East of Acre Lane, will be talking about his life, his writing and his latest book, Island Songs. The evening will incl... read
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Friday, October 07, 2005 - Saturday, October 15, 2005
Three special events to showcase Frontline Books. We bring you high-quality writing, provocative commentary and excellent parties. Frontline Books is more than a bookshop - we work with cultural, political and community groups across the City to... read
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Saturday, October 15, 2005 at Leicester Secular Hall, Humberstone Gate, Leicester, LE1 1WB from 12
WORDS & PICTURES WORKSHOP. Leicester based small press publisher Factor Fiction introduce you to the world of creating your own comics. Come along if you're a budding writer, artist, or just curious about this hybrid artform.... read
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Monday, January 09, 2006 at Frontline Books, 73 Humberstone Gate, Leicester, LE1 from 19
Read any or all of the titles and join us for an informal discussion at the bookshop. All the books can be purchased online for home delivery or collection from the shop, or you can order them by read
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Friday, February 24, 2006 at Leicester Secular Hall, Humberstone Gate, Leicester, LE1 from 19:30
A performance by local writers and musicians to celebrate LGBT History Month. Writers include Rob Hamberger and Drew Gummerson, music by Sapphiel's Fall and Invocal, hosted by the inimitable Rachel Jury. Event features a Big Gay Read Bookstall and fo... read
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Three leisurely summer evenings of informal discussion. The heart of our reading will be three collections of short essays and articles by one of Frontline Books's favourite authors, AC Grayling, and three short books from the Penguin Great Ideas s... read
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Thursday, June 29, 2006 at Frontline Books, 73 Humberstone Gate, Leicester from 17
Summer is definitely here (well, it's not rained all day) so we've decided it's safe enough to venture outside for a bit. After a few minutes of blinking at the light trying to remember what made last summer so great the obvious da... read
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Monday, August 14, 2006 at Phoenix Arts Centre from 20
The first outing for our film club. Meet Neil in the bar at 8.00pm (film starts at 8.15pm). Chat about the film afterwards, and join the blog discussion online. The Fil... read
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Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at Frontline Books, 73 Humberstone Gate, Leicester, LE1 from 19
Following our spin-off Summer Philosophy Group, we have a special Reading Group set up for Wednesday 20th September to discuss The War for Children's Minds by S... read
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Saturday, September 23, 2006 at Phoenix Arts, Newarke Street, Leicester from 20:30
The second film club event for this month is to see The Notorious Bettie Page. We'll be meeting in the foyer a little before the film starts so look out for read
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Monday, November 27, 2006 at Central Reference Library, Bishop Street, Leicester from 14
What is a blog? How can blogging help you develop as a writer? How can you use blogs to develop an audience for your writing? An informal, hands-on introduction to the wonderful world of blogging. Limited to ten places. Book online below.... read
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Tuesday, January 09, 2007 at Frontline Books, 73 Humberstone Gate, Leicester, LE1 from 19
Read any or all of the titles and join us for an informal discussion at the bookshop. All the books can be purchased online for home delivery or collection from the shop, or you can order them by read
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Friday, February 02, 2007 at Information Library, Bishop Street, Leicester from 10
Have you wondered about blogging but don't know where to start?This workshop is for beginners to blogging or people who want to develop their writing.
We'll be looking at starting your own free blog, how to organise your writing, building y... read
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Frontline Books was an independent bookseller that operated from Humberstone Gate, Leicester from 2003 until 2007. We specialised in radical fiction, politics, current affairs, black history and black & asian writers.
