Watch Q&A with Festival Director on new hybrid model: click here for video
Co-Watching Socials
Co-Watching Socials bring the online festival into the real world.
They are self-organised meet-ups where writers gather at their local café, library or anywhere with good WiFi to stream their chosen online festival sessions alongside fellow writers. Each attendee in co-watching socials will need to buy an individual Festival pass or session to watch online on their device
We will set up an official co-watching social at a venue in Bournemouth, where you can set up your laptop and watch your chosen online talks alongside other writers watching their sessions.
You can volunteer to turn any local spot with WiFi into a mini-festival hub and enjoy the online festival surrounded by other writers. After your talk, have a chat about what you learned!
Writing Festival Co-Watching Social
We will have an official venue, led by our fabulous volunteers, at a venue in Bournemouth Town Centre, on both Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th April. Details to come.
If you'd like to volunteer to host a Co-Watching Social
If you'd like want to volunteer to host a Co-Watching Social in your area, please see the following guidelines below.
-
The Online Writing Festival is on Friday 23rd, Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th April, with the first talks starting at 9am and the last talk finishing at 5:30pm.
-
You can be as flexible as you like, there is no pressure for you to host for the entire festival. This needs to work for you!
-
Your job is to welcome people and make them feel part of your local writing scene. You may also like to start discussions to break the ice, introduce writers to each other or generate chats. how you run it is entirely up to you.
-
Each attendee must have their own device to watch their chosen talks using headphones. They must register/purchase individual talks and access the online festival platforms themselves.
-
Find a suitable public venue and liaise with them to make sure it is ok for you to host there, and there is suitable WiFi and power outlets.
-
Any hire or conditional fees is entirely your responsibility. You can charge tickets to cover your costs if you like, but you must administer this yourself.
-
Once you have decided on your venue, location, dates and times you will be there, send the details and a way of contacting you to info@bournemouthwritingfestival.co.uk so we can list it on this page for free.
Volunteer-led Co-Watching Socials in your area
Wonderful writers from across the country are raising their hands to host a Co-Watching Social in their area, where you can meet your writing peers close to you. Please treat the volunteer hosts with kindness. Contact the host directly for further details and to let them know you are coming.
Christchurch
Co-Watching Social Policy & Liability Disclaimer.
We encourage all hosts and attendees to meet in open, public venues such as local cafés, libraries or community hubs.
-
Independent Event Status: Unless explicitly marked as an official festival venue, Co-Watching Socials are independent meet-ups organised solely by individual volunteers and hosts and are not directly managed or staffed by the Bournemouth Writing Festival.
-
No Endorsement or Oversight: Bournemouth Writing Festival Limited does not inspect, vet, supervise or manage host locations/venues, hosts, or participants. It is for the venue to ensure there is sufficient WiFi and technology to access the online talks.
-
Limitation of Liability: Bournemouth Writing Festival Limited disclaims all liability for any loss, personal injury, property damage, defamation, libel, slander, or dispute arising out of or in connection with the organisation of, attendance at, or participation in any Co-Watching Social. Hosts and attendees assume full personal responsibility for their own safety, conduct, and interactions.
Please treat hosts, volunteers and attendees with kindness and respect. We are all writers wanting to improve and progress our writing journeys!