Free events headline Bournemouth weekend

More than 100 events will take over Bournemouth town centre as the Writing Festival returns this weekend.

Running from 24 to 26 April, the three day event is expected to bring nearly 2,000 writers and authors from across the UK to venues including Pavilion Dance, the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum, Patch, Palace Court Theatre and Horseshoe Common.

Much of the programme is free to attend, including a new Poetry Marquee on Horseshoe Common with drop in sessions and live performances running throughout the weekend, alongside free children’s writing activities at Patch on Saturday.

Beginners are also encouraged to try writing for the first time through relaxed drop in sessions at the Russell-Cotes, including dementia friendly activities, while visitors can take part in Writing on the Beach and explore the Writers’ Hive at Patch, featuring book launches and opportunities to meet local and emerging authors.

For those looking to develop their work further, the festival includes a range of talks, workshops and masterclasses, including two new sessions with afternoon tea in the Russell-Cotes conservatory, led by literary agent Saskia Leach on creating a submission pack and Dorset author Rachel McLean on commercial fiction, alongside talks from Lucy Clarke and Heidi Perks.

Friday’s programme is aimed at writers nearing completion of their books, with a focus on book marketing sessions, while evening events include a Friday night social, a live poetry and music performance from Tongue Fu on Saturday, and a Sunday showcase combining spoken word and dance with Arts University Bournemouth.

Festival director Dominic Wong said the aim is to make writing accessible, adding people should feel “writing is for them” whether starting out or developing their work, with “a real mix of free activities, expert advice and opportunities to meet other writers” in the town centre.

See all the Writing Festival events over the weekend here.