Oxfordshire book scheme helps more than 100 new writers in first year

A crime writer who has benefitted from a scheme that helps new authors has said it is "restoring the connection" between books and local communities.

The 1in200 scheme was launched in 2025 by writers Colin Wade, from Headington, and Laury Conn, from Abingdon, to help "self-published and small-press authors" in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire get discovered.

Wade and Conn said it had already helped more than 100 authors get their books "prominently displayed" in independent bookstores and coffee shops on a branded 1in200 shelf space.

Wade said they had had "positive feedback from the bookstore owners" and that "customers are delighted to discover new local authors".

The scheme earned its title after Conn had been told he had "only a one in 200 chance" of getting a literary agent.

It acts as a "conduit" into participating independent bookshops, which display the new writers' books.

"We have sold over 300 books through the scheme, with many of these sales being ones that the author may not have achieved on their own," Wade said.

"One author had a request for three of his back catalogue, as a result of a customer buying his book through a 1in200 store."

He also said another had sold over 50 copies through the scheme, had her new book coming out in October and "now has a dedicated following of readers".

Oxford-based author Anna Beer said for her, the scheme "is restoring the connection between authors and their local communities".

"In an industry dominated by the 'big four' publishing companies...1in 200 doesn't just give much-needed oxygen to writers but, vitally, brings books directly to readers in a very human way".

She added the scheme placed books "anywhere that people who love reading might find their new favourite author".

The owners of the Bell Bookshop said they were "delighted to be able to showcase many self-published local authors and our overall experience of the scheme has been very positive".

The founders said expansion beyond their current eleven stores was "well underway", with possible expansion into Berkshire and Northamptonshire.

They added an additional service with publishing advice for first time authors would be launching soon.

The participating Oxfordshire stores are Mostly Books in Abingdon, Wallingford Bookshop, Bell Bookshop in Henley-on-Thames, Madhatter Bookshop in Burford, The Story Museum in Oxford, The Corn Exchange Café in Witney, Il Botanico Coffeeshop in Headington and Flo's Café in Cowley.

In Buckinghamshire, its writers' books are displayed in Crocus Books and Gifts in Gerrards Cross, Real Magic Books in Wendover and Buckingham Bookshop.

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