Join local author Rachel Dawson in conversation with Queer Book Club Swansea on Neon Roses and more! With readings, Q&A and book signings.

Nofela CIC is thrilled to host 'Swansea girl,' published author and Common/Wealth communications associate Rachel Dawson, and Queer Book Club Swansea, to discuss Rachel's debut novel Neon Roses, her other writing, such as in Folding Rock and Unreal Sex, publishing in general and whatever else (in reason) you want to talk to her about!

Neon Roses is a novel about Eluned, a young woman in the South Wales Valleys during the 1984 Miners' Strike who meets LGSM (Lesbians & Gays Support the Miners). Rachel Dawson has also written about Swansea's High Street for Folding Rock (Issue 001: Roots) and has a short Welsh ghost story in the 'Unreal Sex' anthology.

The event will be facilitated by Mair Jones and Queer Book Club Swansea, with other Nofela CIC directors and volunteers selling books and other LGBTQ+ merch, in a collaborative event and in casual conversation - which everybody is welcome to!

Copies of Neon Roses, Unreal Sex and more new, classic and second-hand LGBTQ+ books and other LGBTQ+ merch will be on sale!

This will be the last day of Nofela's artist residency at Urban HQ so this will also be your last change to visit us there.

We are grateful that this event is supported by Literature Wales' Inspiring Communities Fund.

Free and pay-what-you-can tickets are available, or just show up on the day!

 

Nofela x QueerTawe Social

Wednesday the 19th of August will be a very busy day for Nofela!

Firstly, we'll have our usual pop-up from 11am to 3pm in the foyer of Urban HQ - selling new and second-hand LGBTQ+ books, as well as LGBTQ+ items, and free badges and resources are also available.

Then from 1pm to 3pm we'll have our usual Writers Wednesday! This time we'll focus on zines and zine-making, but everyone is also welcome to come and continue writing whatever it is they're working on!

To top it off, we'll have a Queertawe social from 5pm to 8pm! Zine making will continue, as well as badge making, or you can come to read or write, or to just socialise in an LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent safe space.

FREE to drop in any time - donations welcome to help cover the materials.

Croeso i bawb!

 

In Conversation: Rachel Dawson & Queer Book Club Swansea

Join local author Rachel Dawson in conversation with Queer Book Club Swansea on Neon Roses and more! With readings, Q&A and book signings.

Nofela CIC is thrilled to host 'Swansea girl,' published author and Common/Wealth communications associate Rachel Dawson, to discuss her debut novel Neon Roses, her other writing, such as in Folding Rock and Unreal Sex, publishing in general and whatever else (in reason) you want to talk to her about!

Neon Roses is a novel about Eluned, a young woman in the South Wales Valleys during the 1984 Miners' Strike who meets LGSM (Lesbians & Gays Support the Miners). Rachel Dawson has also written about Swansea's High Street for Folding Rock (Issue 001: Roots) and has a short Welsh ghost story in the 'Unreal Sex' anthology.

The event will be facilitated by Mair Jones and Queer Book Club Swansea, with other Nofela CIC directors and volunteers selling books and other LGBTQ+ merch, in a collaborative event and in casual conversation - which everybody is welcome to!

Copies of Neon Roses, Folding Rock issue 001: Roots, Unreal Sex and more new, classic and second-hand LGBTQ+ books and other LGBTQ+ merch will be on sale!

This will be the last day of Nofela's artist residency at Urban HQ so this will also be your last change to visit us there.

We are grateful that this event is supported by Literature Wales' Inspiring Communities Fund.

Come visit us in Urban HQ's Foyer & Cafe

Shwmae Pawb

Here's our weekly schedule for Urban HQ (37 Orchard Street, SA1 5AJ) — please do call in to see us!

"

Queer Merch & Bookstall (Urban HQ Foyer)

• Wednesday 5th August: 11:00am – 3:00pm
• Thursday 6th August: 11:00am – 3:00pm
• Friday 7th August: 11:00am – 3:00pm

Writing Wednesdays

Wednesday 5th August | 1:00pm – 3:00pm | Urban Cafe

Shout out to our Writing Wednesdays event... Bring your own writing project and work with a friendly group. Feedback given if requested.

Whether you're popping in to browse our bookstall or joining us for a write-in, we'd love to see you!

Croeso i bawb
The Nofela Team

Visit us in Urban during July & August!

Opening on Wednesday 1st July… Welcome to our New Residency

We are excited to announce the start of our official residency at Urban HQ in the heart of Swansea! To kick things off, we’re opening our doors this coming week. Come find us, browse our new and second hand LGBTQ+ titles, and say hello! Nofela will be at Urban from 1st July - 31st August.

This week’s opening hours:

Where: Urban HQ, 37 Orchard Street, SA1 5AJ (in the foyer)

When: Wednesday 1st – Saturday 4th July

Time: 11am – 3pm daily

What’s Coming Up This Summer?

Throughout July & August, we will be hosting a vibrant lineup of community and literary events, including:

• Author Discussions: Featuring fantastic conversations with authors Layla McCay and Rachel Dawson.
• Creative Spaces: Hands-on writing workshops and zine-making sessions.
• Role Playing Game Workshops: Exploring queerness through Adventures and Dungeons (and Dragons).
• Low-Sensory Hangouts: Quiet reading time, where you can read with others in a peaceful environment.

Weekly Schedules

We want to make sure you don't miss a thing, so we will be publishing our full schedule of activities on a weekly basis. Keep your eyes glued to our page every week to see what we have lined up next. This week, we’re finding our feet, so it will be friendly faces and our book stall.

And Yes… We Still Need Your Second-Hand Books

To help make queer literature accessible to everyone in our community, we are always looking to grow our stock. If you have any pre-loved LGBTQ+ books looking for a new home, please bring them along and donate them to us at the shop.

Come for the books, stay for the brews, and find belonging. We can’t wait to welcome you to our new temporary home.

#nofelacic #urbanhqswansea

Welcome to Nofela CIC

Now in Pilot Phase

Croeso i Nofela CIC

"We’re dreaming up a cosy, queer-centred, not-for-profit bookshop, café, and LGBTQ+ community space in Swansea."

Nofela is a space for books, brews, and community connection. We are currently holding pop-up events and collaborating with local LGBTQ+ groups as we work toward creating a permanent home in the city centre.

What is a CIC?

As a Community Interest Company, every penny of profit is ploughed back into the business or the local LGBTQ+ community.

Who we are

Founded by queer, neurodiverse women, we are a proudly Welsh-based and community-focused team.

Get Involved

Help us shape the future of Nofela by joining the conversation.

Take our Survey Upcoming Events Support Us

Lotto Abertawe

Support Our Cause

Win Big, Support Local: Lotto Abertawe

"Did you know you can stand a chance to win a £25,000 jackpot while directly funding Swansea’s first safe, sober, specialist LGBTQ+  bookshop and neurodivergent community hub?"

Shwmae pawb! If you have been following our journey through our recent pop-ups, pride events, and community collaborations, you know that our goal for Nofela CIC is to anchor down a permanent physical home in the city centre: a beautiful, low-sensory sanctuary for books, brews, and authentic connection.

Turning this dream into a reality requires start-up resources for outfitting a truly accessible venue and lining the shelves with curated queer literature. We are excited to share a wonderful, fun way you can back our mission while putting yourself in line for some incredible cash prizes!

Introducing Our Lotto Abertawe Page

We have officially launched our dedicated cause page with Lotto Abertawe, a brilliant local initiative run by the Swansea Council for Voluntary Service (SCVS). Unlike commercial lotteries where funding spreads far and wide, Lotto Abertawe is passionately local.

When you purchase a £1 ticket via our community link, an incredible 60% of the ticket price goes directly to local good causes (more than double the contribution of the National Lottery!). Specifically, 50% comes straight to Nofela CIC to fund our future storefront, and 10% supports other vital community groups across Swansea.

How It Works

Tickets are just £1 a week. Choose your own lucky numbers or select a random option. Draws happen every Saturday night at 8:00 PM with prizes ranging up to a £25,000 jackpot!

Where the Money Goes

As a non-profit Community Interest Company, every single penny raised is legally locked to fund our inclusive city-centre space, community groups, and creative writing workshops.

How to Buy Your Tickets

Supporting us takes less than two minutes. You can choose a simple monthly plan or set up a fixed block of tickets to support our journey across the coming months:

Join the Draw Today

Click below to head to our secure, official Lotto Abertawe page, pick your numbers, and support our community space.

👉 Buy Lotto Abertawe Tickets Here