BCP Council has approved plans for a three-metre-tall sculpture of a ballpoint pen to be installed in the heart of Bournemouth Town Centre. The giant sculpture, commissioned by the Bournemouth Writing Festival, will be unveiled during this year’s festival, which takes place from 24th to 26th April. Ticket sales indicate that hundreds of writers, authors and writing professionals from across the UK and beyond will be drawn into Bournemouth to take part in over 100 free and tic

A short animation that last night won the BAFTA for Best Short Animation will be screened as part of a special headline event at the Bournemouth Writing Festival. The BAFTA-winning film, written and executive produced by poet and author Dean Atta, will be shown on Sunday 26th April at 7:30pm at Pavilion Dance South West. Dean will attend the event in person, reading from his poetry and discussing the creative journey behind the award-winning work. Dean Atta is a guest speaker

Tickets are now on sale for the second Romance Writing Festival, returning to Bournemouth on Saturday 3rd October 2026. It brings Sunday Times bestselling authors, leading industry professionals and aspiring writers together for a full day dedicated to the craft and business of writing romance. Following a hugely successful launch year, the second festival will take place at the award-winning Marsham Court Hotel and forms part of the expanding literary programme led by the do

25th July 2025 The Bournemouth Writing Festival has officially trademarked the mark "write by the sea" from the Intellectual Property Office under classes 35 and 41. Class 35: Advertising services for the literary industry;Publication of advertising literature;Writing of publicity texts;Publicity texts (Writing of -);Texts (Writing of publicity -);Publication of publicity texts;Publicity texts (Publication of -);Texts (Publication of publicity -);Publication of advertising te

The double award-winning Bournemouth Writing Festival returns for its fourth year from 24 th  to 26 th April, bringing three days of writing, creativity and networking to venues across the town, with tickets now on sale. Over 100 free and ticketed writing events and activities for all ages and abilities will take place at Pavilion Dance, Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum, Patch, Palace Court Theatre, Horseshoe Common and on the beach, with a programme combining ticketed hig

The Bournemouth Writing Festival has today announced a new partnership with local animal charity Waggy Tails Rescue for its 2026 free writing competition for Dorset-based schools and home-educated children. This year’s theme, “ Every Dog Deserves a Home” invites children to create stories and poems around man’s best friend, tying into themes of loyalty, companionship, and of course, love. Open to Key Stage 1, Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 pupils across Dorset, the competition i

Workshops, home-writing resources and a public celebration at the festival in April to run across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. The Bournemouth Writing Festival has launched a new creative community initiative supporting people living with dementia and their carers across the BCP region. Recollections  is a gentle, welcoming writing project delivered in partnership with Tricuro Cares and Bournemouth University , and supported by Prama , the Dorset charity championing o

Approximately 100 people gathered in Skerryvore Gardens for a truly atmospheric celebration of Robert Louis Stevenson’s 175th birthday on 13th November 2025 - and the weather played its part beautifully. Set in the very grounds where Stevenson lived during his most prolific years, and where he wrote Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde , the evening unfolded beneath softly glowing marquees as the rain fell gently around us, adding a gothic shimmer to the performances and con

The Bournemouth Writing Festival is celebrating after winning Gold for the second year running at the Dorset Tourism Awards for Tourism Event / Festival of the Year, cementing its reputation as one of the county’s most exciting and creative events. Dominic Wong receives the gold award for Tourism Event / Festival of the Year at the Dorset Tourism Awards. award is sponsored by Tomorrow's Travel. Photo credit Dorset Tourism Awards Since its launch in 2023, the festival has brou

Special evening of performances, readings, talks and networking at Skerryvore Gardens – the site where he wrote  Strange Case of Dr...

We are delighted to announce that the Bournemouth Writing Festival  has once again been recognised at the Dorset Tourism Awards ....

Get away from the distractions of home and focus on improving and progressing your writing journey in our nurturing environment.   Author...

The Bournemouth Writing Festival is back for its fourth year from 24-26 April 2026  - welcoming over 1,000 writers, authors and writing...

Now in its tenth year, the Bournemouth Writing Prize — delivered by Bournemouth University in collaboration with the Bournemouth Writing...

The Naked Writing Workshop, organised in partnership with British Naturism took place this week at Springbourne Library and saw...

Poet David Herring performs at the 2024 Bourn Jammy event with a live band improvising as he recites his poem An exciting highlight of...

As featured on Have I Got News For You on Friday 11th April on BBC1 primetime It’s not every day a writing festival makes BBC Breakfast ,...

This year’s award-winning Bournemouth Writing Festival (April 25th-27th) will be more inclusive than ever, with a nude writing session...

1st April 2025 Writers left high and dry as Bournemouth’s seawater to be removed for maintenance. Hundreds of writers hoping to find...

Bournemouth Writing Sanctuary to support writers of all levels and is the Festival's take on a Writing Retreat. Writers looking for...