Expert's tip

Book Club Boutique, Soho

There are many ways to see writers. I have sat obediently either up on stage or in the audience, only to leave wishing it had been more fun. The Book Club Boutique isn't like that. It's held on Monday nights in a warm, cosy basement hole in Soho and you can relax with the best espresso martini in town (made by its inventor and cocktail guru, Dick Bradsell) and listen to writers from poets to non fiction, songwriters to novelists, erotica to travel. You get to talk to the writers, not just get them to sign the book. This is a place to discover new talent and seasoned writers. Salena Godden, the poet and singer, is a sassy host with Rachel Rayner from HarperCollins. Each week is different - next Monday (20th) has the Plectrum Magazine Launch party, organised by Guy Sangster Adams, featuring Melpomeni (like a vicious version of Kate Bush), Cathi Unsworth (noir novelist), poet Abi Curtis and the Book Club Band. On 27 April it's the Punk Fiction Anthology launch, with Johnny Marr and Bloc Party's Kele Okereke. And it's free!

• Dick's Bar, The Green Fingernail Club, 23 Romilly Street, W1, 7pm; myspace/bookclubboutique

Sophie Parkin, novelist , sophieparkin.co.uk

Reader's tip

The Poetry Cafe, London

This is a different venue to try when you're in Covent Garden. It houses the Poetry Society and every Tuesday they have an open mic night with aspiring poets as well as more established writers. They also have nights where published poets read. It's a lovely place to chill out amid the bustle of London - they serve good coffee and snacks. Take a book and indulge in some thoughtful repose!

• 22 Betterton Street, WC2; 020 7420 9887; poetrysociety.org.uk
Matelder