The Festival is evolving... Find out more!
Submissions Open!
Important news - submissions re-opened
The 2027 Bournemouth Writing Festival will move to a hybrid model where most of the talks will go online with in-person meetups, showcases and networking.
We are now looking for applications from authors, writing professionals and practitioners to be involved in a varied, inclusive and quality programme to inspire writers to write.
Take part in the award-winning Bournemouth Writing Festival!
The Bournemouth Writing Festival will take place on Friday 23rd, Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th April 2027 in an online format. From complete beginners to authors getting ready to query, our talks, workshops, panels and street activities create a thriving creative community.
Our Ethos: How You Write, Not What You Write
This is not a literary festival where writers and authors talk about their book and the themes of their book. This is a festival to encourage writers to write. Therefore, applications should focus on practical advice, hands-on strategies and actionable craft tips.
We are now seeking experienced writing professionals and practitioners to submit Expressions of Interest for engaging, interactive, and inclusive online sessions.
Call for facilitators and speakers
Submission deadline Friday 13th November 2026
The online rooms are:
Friday 23rd April 2027
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Writing for Performance - For writers writing for their words to be performed, on the screen, stage, radio, music etc.
Saturday 24th April & Sunday 25th April 2027
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The Craft of Writing - The nuts and bolts of writing: plotting, characterisation, backstories etc.
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Ready to Publish - Those ready to get their words out into the world: book marketing, trad vs self publishing, editing, book cover design etc
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Writing for Joy/Mental Wellbeing - Helping writers with their writing, mental health and combatting loneliness.
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Genre Worlds
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Romance
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Crime & Thriller
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Sci-fi/fantasy
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Non-Fiction
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Children’s writing
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Session Guidelines
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Direction: Focus on teaching the craft rather than promoting a specific book or its themes, using your experience.
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Topics: Should ideally appeal across multiple genres (including non-fiction) and levels (beginners to already published).
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Prior speaking or facilitating experience, especially online is a plus.
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Format: Keep sessions participatory, interactive and engaging (minimise reliance on PowerPoint/paper handouts).
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Setup: What you do within your session is up to you. You can have QR codes or direct people to your websites if you like. Of course, attendees are coming to learn from you, so don't make it too salesy!
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Diversity: We strongly encourage submissions from writers across all backgrounds and communities.
How Selection Works
Submissions are reviewed by our Festival Director alongside an Advisory Panel of writing professionals. Panel decisions are final.
What you'll get
As the festival is online, the number of attendees who can join is unlimited and can come from across the world.
The sessions will also be recorded and available to purchase/view until 30th September 2027.
Chosen speakers will receive:
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A revenue split of the ticket price - live and recorded - just like how theatres and cinemas operate.
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Social media publicity to promote your event or activity.
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Online briefing sessions in advance of the festival to make sure you are comfortable with the technology.
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A Producer on the day to support you before and during your talk.
We ask all successful speakers to help spread the word of their event and the festival as a whole. With the revenue share model, the more people that attend your session, the more revenue you can make.
If you are pitching to facilitate or lead a session, we will never ask you to pay us (unless you want to sponsor). Please be wary of scammers and double-check the email address sending you emails. Official emails from us will always end @bournemouthwritingfestival.co.uk
If you are a company or service that would like to advertise or sponsor parts of the festival, then please visit the sponsor page.
