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Talks, panels and workshops

The full programme of adult talks, workshops and panels to inspire writers to write and to support you in improving and progressing your writing.

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All talks on this page will take place at either Pavilion Dance or Palace Court Theatre and are a six minute walk from each other (according to Google Maps!  Panels are listed on our Writers' Hive page which are held at Patch. Talks and panels last one hour and workshops last 90 minutes.​​

📆 Download the full line-up in chronological order with prices and times by clicking this link​​.

Friday 24th April 2026

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Finished your book? Our four talks on Friday are all geared to those who have completed their manuscripts and looking for the next steps to get their words into the world.

 

Four talks for the price of three! All taking place in the Ocean Theatre at Pavilion Dance, purchase all four Friday talks at the same time and a discount will automatically be applied at checkout.

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Sponsored by Digital Authors Toolkit and Build Your Author Brand

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How authors win attention on Instagram

How to use your storytelling expertise to boost your visibility on Instagram.

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Nicola Washington

£10

12:30-13:30

Pavilion Dance - Ocean

Book here

Be the Author They Find First: Get Found Everywhere and Sell More Books

Be visible: optimise your website for search, then wow your readers.

Stuart Grant

£10

17:00-18:00

Pavilion Dance - Ocean

Book here

How to pitch your novel to literary agents

Practical advice on confidently submitting to agents from Curtis Brown Creative.

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Abby Parsons & Helena Maybery

£10

14:00-15:00

Pavilion Dance - Ocean

Book here

Headshot Photography Studio

Get your professionally-taken headshots by Solid Imagery for your website, book covers and marketing!

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£45

Find out more here

Reach Success with your Powerful Author Brand

Leveraging your Author Brand to attract your ideal readers.

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Isabelle Knight

£10

15:30 - 16:30

Pavilion Dance - Ocean

Book here
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Friday talks sponsored by

Meet them in the Festival Hub on Saturday too!

The Friday Night Social then starts at 7pm at Urban Gardens.

Events are subject to change.

Bournemouth Writing Festival is not responsible for the content of the events.

Saturday 25th April 2026

Writing to Influence: how to get your message across

Master persuasive writing and turn bold ideas into real world impact.

Jessica Toale

£10

10:00 - 11:00

Pavilion Dance - Ocean

Book here

Taming Trauma: Fiction Or Non-Fiction?

Taming trauma isn’t easy, but the pen‘s a powerful weapon against it. 

Mark Blackburn / Victoria L Humphreys

£10

10:30 - 11:30

Pavilion Dance - Seafront

Book here

Stop your plot deflating like a sad balloon

No one likes a soggy bottom. Nail your narrative structure in this interactive workshop led by author of action-packed romcoms.

Helen Comerford

£15

12:00 - 13:30 (workshop)

Pavilion Dance - Garden

Book here

What can I (legally) write in my book?

Understanding the legal implications of your writing - from copyright to contracts.

Luke English

£10

14:00 - 15:00

Pavilion Dance - Seafront

Book here

Comedy Monologues With Heart

Writing monologues that blend humour and heart.

James Cole

£10

15:15 - 16:15

Palace Court Theatre

Book here

Write Memoir – Tell Your Story

Learn the art of telling a compelling personal story from an award-winning memoirist.

Joelle Tamraz

£15

10:00 - 11:30 (workshop)

Pavilion Dance - Garden

Book here

Writing Across Borders

Write travel stories that reveal our shared humanity while honouring each place’s unique flavour.

Vitor Vicente

£10

11:45 - 12:45

Pavilion Dance - Ocean

Book here

Fund Your Novel with a National Lottery Project Grant

Apply for a £30,000 grant to write your novel full time.

Sarah Frideswide

£10

12:15 - 13:15

Pavilion Dance - Seafront

Book here

How to write unlikeable characters and make them irresistible

Master the craft of unlikable protagonists for emotional, addictive and complex narratives.  

Francesco Sarti

£15

14:00 - 15:30 (workshop)

Pavilion Dance - Garden

Book here

Immersive World-Building

Learn the art of fantasy immersive world-building in this interactive talk.

Francesca Tyer

£10

15:45 - 16:45

Pavilion Dance - Seafront

Book here

Changing the Narrative on the Climate

Helping writers find fresh, inventive, funny and engaging ways to write about climate change and nature themes

Ri Baroche

£10

10:00 - 11:00

Palace Court Theatre

Book here

Write to Thrill: Panel Talk

Join best-selling authors as they discuss writing thrillers.

Lucy Clarke & Heidi Perks

£10

11:45 - 12:45

Palace Court Theatre

Book here

FML. How to start your memoir, creative writing and the self.

Writing a memoir is one of the most satisfying things  you will ever do. But where on earth do you begin? 

Christopher Hogg

£10

13:30 - 14:30

Pavilion Dance - Ocean

Book here

Organising Chaos: Turn a Messy Draft into a Publishable Novel

How to self-edit your book without losing the plot.

Gary Dalkin / Sophie Beal

£10

15:15 - 16:15

Pavilion Dance - Ocean

Book here

Creating Conflict and why that makes for great storytelling

How to make it bad, make it worse, then make it personal!

Adrienne Dines

£15

16:00 - 17:30 (workshop)

Pavilion Dance - Garden

Book here

The Tongue Fu live band improvisation show starts at 7:30pm

Events are subject to change.

Bournemouth Writing Festival is not responsible for the content of the events.

Sunday 26th April 2026

Additional panels take place at Patch and are listed on our Writers' Hive page.

Authors’ Tips for Tackling Tough Times

Advice for dealing with writing issues, from authors who’ve been there.

Lisa Sell

£10

10:00 - 11:00

Pavilion Dance - Ocean

Book here

To Agent or Not to Agent?

Do you need an agent, or can you successfully go it alone?

Alice G May / Hannah Kingsley

£10

10:30 - 11:30

Pavilion Dance - Seafront

Book here

Going Up! The how and why of drafting an elevator pitch that works

Get them hooked: how the right few words can sell your book

Steve Couch

£15

12:00 - 13:30 (workshop)

Pavilion Dance - Garden

Book here

Writing Diverse Characters

A panel on crafting diverse characters and the importance of representation.

Claire Linney, James Cole, Dean Atta & Ashley Hickson-Lovence

£10

13:30 - 14:30

Palace Court Theatre

Book here

7 myths of independent publishing (and how to bust them)

Wondering if self-publishing is for you? Come and find out what it’s all about from an experienced indie author.

DJ Bowman-Smith

£10

15:15 - 16:15

Pavilion Dance - Ocean

Book here

Writing Menopause; A Call to Water

Discover new perspectives on menopause through guided writing and literature.

Kristin Burniston

£15

16:00 - 17:30 (workshop)

Pavilion Dance - Garden

Book here

Write Your Next Life Chapter

Discover significant themes, capture life lessons, and build confidence to tell your story.  

Beverley Glick

£15

10:00 - 11:30 (workshop)

Pavilion Dance - Garden

Book here

Writing a Story No One’s Heard

Writing the Unwritten: Uncovering the Narrative Only You Hold

Precious Oyekamni-Bruce

£10

11:45 - 12:45

Pavilion Dance - Ocean

Book here

The Writer's Obstacle Course

How to overcome challenges and reach our writing goals

Ellie Hawkes

£10

12:15 - 13:15

Pavilion Dance - Seafront

Book here

Pick apart a picture book

Understanding techniques that make a stand-out picture book

Kate Abernethy

£10

14:00 - 15:00

Pavilion Dance - Seafront

Book here

Being a Children's Author Warts 'n' All

Discover the realities of being an award-winning children’s author.

Claire Linney

£10

15:15 - 16:15

Palace Court Theatre

Book here

TTRPGs – Telling Stories Through Games

Telling fun and engaging tabletop stories with magic, might, and mechanics.

Mike Garley

£10

10:30 - 11:30

Palace Court Theatre

Book here

Adapting Your Own Work Into TV/Film Scripts

Discover how to maximise your IP and adapt your work for the screen.

Tim Clague & Danny Stack

£10

11:45 - 12:45

Palace Court Theatre

Book here

Seven Simple Snags and Five Red Flags

About to send to an agent or judge? Get Ali's checklist first!

Ali Sparkes

£10

13:30 - 14:30

Pavilion Dance - Ocean

Book here

Writing Through Play: Sparking Creativity, Truth and Joy

Writing and character development through stage improvisation techniques and thought exercises.

Faye Brann

£15

14:00 - 15:30 (workshop)

Pavilion Dance - Garden

Book here

Juggling Pen Names & Publishers 

Anna Britton and Nikki Moore talk pen names, genres & hybrid publishing.

Anna Britton / Nikki Moore

£10

15:45 - 16:45

Pavilion Dance - Seafront

Book here

The Write Move, poetry and dance showcase from Arts University, starts at 7:30pm

Events are subject to change.

Bournemouth Writing Festival is not responsible for the content of the events.

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