London Book Festival Gives ‘Circle of Sawdust’ Top Honor

The story of a man who went from novice circus clown to starting his own traveling circus has won top honors in the 2025 London Book Festival, which honors the best of international publishing. It was also the winner in the memoir category.

Author Rob Mermin’s Circle of Sawdust: A Circus Memoir of Mud, Myth, Mirth, Mayhem and Magic (Rootstock Publishing) is a personal story of the wild characters, fascinating personalities, remarkable histories, and behind-the-scenes world of traditional traveling circuses.

Mermin writes about the precarious life of a creative artist, the ups and downs of taking risks, and the idealistic struggle to hold onto a dream that culminates in his own venture. The look behind the tent flaps is a fascinating tale of adventure that is well worthy of top honors.

Congratulations, Rob Mermin!