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I sincerely doubt that you know anybody who has organised a street party to celebrate their 30th birthday, but that's just what Welsh independent publishers Seren Books have done.

Dannie Abse. Image courtesy of Seren

To celebrate the milestone Seren are planning a street party at their base in Nolton Street in Bridgend on Saturday 1 October. The day will kick off at about 11am with bookstalls and a piece of birthday cake for everyone.

Welsh poet and author, and guest of honour at the event, Dannie Abse will give a speech and a short reading at 3pm.

Author Patrick McGuinness, who was recently longlisted for the Man Booker Prize 2011 with his début novel The Last Hundred Days, will also be attending.

There's a rare chance for prospective writers to have a one-to-one with the fiction and poetry editors at Seren. These spaces are limited though and you'll need to email Seren to book yourself a spot stating either fiction or poetry: seren@serenbooks.com.

Plus they're staging a raffle and a lucky dip, and not to take the magic away, that means a free book for each lucky dipper.

Literary readings, conversation, a free book and a slice of birthday cake; it sounds like a great start to October if you ask me.

Find out more about the plans on and .