Upcoming Events
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ivallan's Zine Event
When: May 19, 2026Zines at ivallan’s!
Join us and nine talented writers as we showcase some of the zines we sell at Ivallan’s and introduce a few new ones. Come along for an evening of readings, and stay for the mingling and drinks. All readers will have zines available to buy on the evening. Our readers are Al Shavit, Callum Hughes, Ilia Kitup, Liz Yarwood, Mata, Nox, Rosa Ray, Ryan Barrell and Xinan Pandan.
IMPORTANT
As some of the readers are immunocompromised we will ask guests to test before the event and stay at home if they have symptoms. A link
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Stories from the Beauty Parlor Feminist Book Club
When: May 26, 2026Stories from the Beauty Parlor and Ms Informed
Stories from the Beauty Parlor https://www.beautyparlorstories.org/ is a multi-disciplinary community mobilization and fundraising platform that amplifies the voices of women* and LGBTQIA+ individuals worldwide. Their feminist global book club meets at different venues across Berlin. In May they’re teaming up with the lovely ladies of the amazing @the_ms_informed feminist book club and will be hosted by us here at ivallan’s books!
The Sex Lives of African Women
This time they’re reading and discussing “The Sex Lives of African Women” by Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah. The book uniquely amplifies individual women from across the African continent and its global diaspora, as they speak of their diverse experiences of sex, sexualities, and relationships. Many of the women who tell their stories in this collection recall the journeys they have travelled in order to own their own sexualities. They do this by grappling with experiences of sexual abuse, resisting the religious edicts of their childhood, and by asserting their sexual power.
From finding queer community in Egypt to living a polyamorous life in Senegal to understanding the intersectionality of religion and pleasure in Cameroon to choosing to leave relationships that no longer serve them, these narratives are as individual and illuminating as the women who share them.
As in all the books chosen by the feminist book club it provides a deep insight into women’s quest for freedom and to live a truly liberated life.
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Cat Hepburn and the Party Rats
When: May 27, 2026Graveyard of Skinny Jeans
Join writer Cat Hepburn in celebrating the recent launch of her latest poetry and short story collection Graveyard of Skinny Jeans (Burning Eye Books). Her fourth and juiciest book yet, it delivers a darkly comic, unflinching look at modern womanhood - where satire meets heartbreak, and the mess of relationships, identity, and expectation is laid bare. The evening will feature a specially curated selection of Berlin based writers, including Demi Anter (Creative Fruits) sharing their best odes to Berlin’s colourful nightlife.
About Cat Hepburn
CAT HEPBURN is a Scottish screenwriter, author and poet working across screen, stage and page. She has written for British TV dramas, sketch shows and soaps, alongside award-winning short films recognised by the Royal Television Society and nominated for Prix Europa. Her solo show #GIRLHOOD debuted at the Edinburgh Fringe to critical acclaim. Cat reached more audiences with Dating & Other Hobbies, and her sapphic romantasy novel, I Kissed a Werewolf and I Liked It which was published in 2025. Find out more at (www.cathepburn.co.uk)[www.cathepburn.co.uk] / (@CatHepburnWrite)[https://www.instagram.com/cathepburnwrite/]
RSVP here to claim a spot!
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The Reader Open Mic May Edition
When: May 28, 2026THE READER BERLIN is back at ivallan’s for their monthly Open Mic night.
This month’s host is Michael Jeffrey Lee, writer, teacher and script consultant. Dust off an old piece or trial a work-in-progress. The perfect platform to air your poetry, fiction, vengeful autofiction and anything in between.
Past Events
- Book Launch: Hilda Hoy reads from Mother Tongue May 13, 2026
- Crossings - Reading with Liz Rosenfeld May 4, 2026
- Launch! For Those Who Hate a Little Bit of Everything April 9, 2026
- REBIRTH: STORIES OF TRANSFORMATION & ARRIVAL. March 31, 2026
- The Reader Open Mic March 24, 2026
- Poetry Night February 18, 2026
- FLORETS February 15, 2026
- The Reader Open Mic February 10, 2026
- Difficult Women's Book Club February 5, 2026
- Zine launch and readings with Lorraine Rumson January 29, 2026