Tickets for this year’s Bournemouth Writing Festival have gone on sale with organisers promising it will be even bigger and better.
Now in its second year, the event takes place from Friday 26 April to Sunday 28 April.
Once again it will bring together a diverse community of writers, authors and writing professionals for a weekend of learning, inspiration and collaboration.
Following its successful first year – which saw 75 events and activities from more than 100 writing experts and professionals and nearly 2,000 tickets sold – the 2024 festival again promises to offer tips, guidance, advice and inspiration for writers at all stages of their writing journey.
From talks, workshops and masterclasses to networking events and panels, a plethora of events and activities to inspire writers to write is being planned.
In 2023, best-selling author Heidi Perks spoke about writing thrillers on the South Coast while horror writer Matt Shaw explained how he created to make a career from self-publishing.
AFC Bournemouth partnered with the festival to launch a creative writing competition for primary schools while Richard & Judy-winning author Chris Aziz led a writing workshop on the beach.
The 2024 Bournemouth Writing Festival promises to be filled with more free and ticketed events and activities to inspire writers to write.
It includes:
- Talks, panels, masterclasses and workshops by renowned authors and writers. The festival will once again feature a line-up of authors, poets, journalists, screenwriters and industry experts, offering a range of inspiring talks, panel discussions, and hands-on workshops. From starting out, techniques and tips to enhance your prose, editing, querying and choosing the traditional vs self-publishing route, there is something for every writer to progress their writing and get it out into the world.
- 1:2:1s. New for 2024 is the chance to pitch your manuscript to literary agents and to get personalised feedback on aspects of your writing from writing professionals in private sessions. Marketing, plotting, querying, characterisation, agenting, pacing, funding – an expert will be available to help with your specific needs (price per session to be confirmed).
- Inspiration to Write. The festival will host a variety of unique indoor and outdoor activities and events to help stimulate creativity. You’ll never have a blank page with the breadth of writing professionals and ideas at your fingertips.
- Networking. The Bournemouth Writing Festival is not only a platform for learning but also an excellent opportunity to connect with local writers, agents, publishers, and other industry professionals. The festival’s vibrant atmosphere and funky venues encourage meaningful networking and potential collaborations.
- Poetry Hub. New for 2024 will be our Poetry Hub – an exclusive venue where poems and poets are in abundance! For complete beginners to seasoned pros, there will be activities, talks and inspiration-galore to get you writing.
- Events for Children. The festival is planning activities and events to inspire children to read and write, including workshops, trails and activities designed specifically for children.
The main festival hub will be at the Pavilion Dance South West.
Paul Kinvig, COO of Bournemouth Town Centre BID, said: “The first Writing Festival was a huge success and just what Bournemouth needed, bringing together creatives, writers, students and local businesses with an energetic focus.
“It demonstrated that towns outside of London are hubs of creativity and imagination. We are pleased to continue our support and can’t wait to see what’s on offer in 2024.”
Festival Director, Dominic Wong, pictured, said: “The buzz and community feel around the first writing festival was tangible, evidenced in our continuing networking events and private Facebook group.
“We’ve already had interest from national agents, publishers and companies wanting to get involved.
“2024 promises to be bigger and better!”
The Bournemouth Writing Festival is supported by the Town Centre BID and Solid Imagery Photography.
It’s part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Arts Council England.
