Romance Writing Festival. Saturday 3rd October, Marsham Court Hotel. Details here.
Masterclasses
Choose from two small-group masterclasses with a writing professional to really get ahead in your writing.
Located at in the Russell-Cotes Museum's new conservatory, the seaview masterclasses include afternoon tea and are 90-minutes in duration, with time for Q&As after.
2pm, Saturday 25th April 2026
How to write commercial fiction with three-million copy selling author Rachel McLean
Unlock the secrets of commercial fiction and turn your novel into a true page-turner with bestselling Dorset author, Rachel McLean.
What makes a book truly unputdownable?
In this interactive, practical masterclass, multi-million bestselling author Rachel McLean shows you that page-turning fiction isn’t magic - it’s a learnable skill. Discover why commercial fiction is far from “unintelligent,” how to identify your genre and use tropes effectively, and why storytelling outranks prose when it comes to reader engagement.
Rachel will break down the craft of writing compelling sentences, paragraphs and chapters, creating characters who leap off the page, and stirring deep emotional responses. You’ll also learn how to keep readers hooked long after they’ve finished your book.
£150 per person includes Afternoon Tea and a copy of her book, 5 Steps to Author Success.
10 people maximum.
11am, Saturday 25th April 2026
Get Your Submission Pack Sorted with Saskia Leach
THIS SESSION IS NOW SOLD OUT. Saskia will be reprising this workshop on Saturday 3rd October at the Romance Writing Festival. Book tickets here.
Master your synopsis, covering letter and elevator pitch in one essential session, with literary agent Saskia Leach from Kate Nash Literary Agency.
Ready to submit your novel to agents? This practical 90-minute masterclass guides you through everything you need to create your submission pack to stand out from the crowd.
Literary agent Saskia Leach from the Kate Nash Literary Agency will demystify what agents look for, help you avoid common pitfalls and show you how to present your work with confidence. She’ll also share her top tips for crafting a killer elevator pitch, an essential part of any strong covering letter.
£150 per person includes Afternoon Tea.
10 people maximum.
Join waitlist by emailing info@bournemouthwritingfestival.co.uk
Located at the
Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum
The 90-minute masterclass takes place in the recently-rennovated conservatory, with stunning sea views.
Afternoon tea is included in the price.
Max 10 people per session.
£150 per person.
All profits go towards free and low cost activities for disadvantaged areas of our community.
Afternoon tea image courtesy of the Russel-Cotes Museum
Masterclasses in October
We have three masterclasses taking place on Saturday 3rd October at the Romance Writing Festival at the Marsham Court Hotel. You do not need a ticket to the Romance Writing Festival to attend although you can buy a Festival ticket at a reduced price if buying together.
Amy de la Force
Writing Irresistible Romantasy
Romantasy is the fastest-growing genre in publishing right now. So how do writers stand out in a crowded marketplace, to create and pitch a book that's unique but also commercially viable?
Drawing on industry data and real stories, romantasy author and Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize shortlistee Amy de la Force will deliver a masterclass on blending swoony romance with fantasy stakes. The session will unpack genre essentials, explore high-concept ideas, and end with a Q&A on agent querying and editor submissions.
Early bird special: Use the code AMY10 at the checkout to get 10% before 31st May!
All participants will receive a copy of Amy's book.
Saskia Leach
Get Your Submission Pack Sorted
Ready to submit your novel to agents? This practical masterclass guides you through everything you need to create your submission pack to stand out from the crowd.
Literary agent Saskia Leach from the Kate Nash Literary Agency will demystify what agents look for, help you avoid common pitfalls and show you how to present your work with confidence. She’ll also share her top tips for crafting a killer elevator pitch, an essential part of any strong covering letter.
Early bird special: Use the code SASKIA10 at the checkout to get 10% before 31st May!
Lola Jaye
Your Story Matters- Writing Historical Fiction Through a Contemporary Lens
Your Story Matters invites you to explore historical fiction through a contemporary lens, examining how the past speaks to the present. Through lively discussion and writing exercises with author Lola Jaye, participants can also craft the opening line/paragraph of their novel in progress or start on something new.
Whether your first draft is finished or still in your head, this course is ideal for anyone who has written a novel - or is ready to write their first!
Early bird special: Use the code LOLA10 at the checkout to get 10% off before 31st May!
All participants will receive a copy of Lola's book.