CREDITON’S community-owned bookshop is set to host an evening with local folklore author Mark Norman.

The event, billed as “an informative and entertaining exploration of Devon's rich folklore”, will take place at The Bookery on Thursday, May 15 from 7pm.

Mr Norman is the author of The Folklore of Devon, published in 2024, which consolidates more than a century of research by Devon folklorists. He will be speaking in conversation with fiction writer Alexandra Dawe, author of The Stitchwort Curse.

“Mark is the perfect guide to lead us through Devon’s long and rich folkloric heritage,” a spokesperson for The Bookery said.

“He will be telling us tales of folklore both ancient and modern and providing new insights into the oft-quoted folklore tales of Devon.

“His book is the first major collection of Devonshire folklore for nearly half a century, brought up to date with an examination of internet lore and modern tales.

“In The Folklore of Devon, Mark Norman makes a massive contribution to the study of regional folklore with international implications: the folklore of Devon is both highly specific to its historical and cultural context, and deeply intertwined with, for example, fairy lore and witch lore found throughout other parts of Europe.”

Mr Norman was recently appointed as the new Recorder of Folklore for the Devonshire Association and is known for creating The Folklore Podcast, which has seen more than two million downloads.

He is also a council member of the Folklore Society and founding curator of The Folklore Library and Archive.

The Folklore of Devon is his fourth published book. Two more of his works will be launched later this year.

Mr Norman will be signing books at the event. 

Tickets cost £4 and are available at the bookshop or via The Bookery’s website: thebookery.org.uk.