Romance Writing Festival. Saturday 3rd October, Marsham Court Hotel. Details here.
The Writers' Hive - Sunday 26th April
Formerly the Author Marketplace, the FREE Writers' Hive is a buzzing, fun and funky space to meet and chat to a range of local, independent and traditionally-published authors and publishing professionals! Ask them questions, get tips and advice, buy a book and get it signed (and even get a photo!).
Each author will join a panel on a subject that relates to their writing. Panels talks are £10 and you'll get a £5 voucher to spend in the Hive, so you can continue to support our local and independent authors.
Plus, four of our stallholders will be launching their latest book in the Hive. So come along and join their celebrations and support their writing achievements.
All the details are below but here is a summary of book launches and panels happening in the Writers' Hive (please view this table on a desktop, rather than mobile device.)
The Writers' Hive is on Sunday 26th April at Patch (first floor of Bobby's) and is FREE to enter.
Time | Description | Authors |
|---|---|---|
10am-11am | Panel: Creating a Strong Protagonist | Hilra Gondim Vinha, Sharon Brisley-Moore, Chris Powell, James A Lyons |
11am-11:30am | Book launch | Annie Elliot |
11:30am-12:30pm | Panel: Getting to grips with Historical Fiction | Louise Morrish, Janet Hancock, Derek Birks, Steve Cox |
12:30pm-1pm | Book launch | T.H. Carrington |
1pm-2pm | Panel: Getting your words out there | Annie Elliot, Sacha Hughes, M.A. Hunter, Jo Chinn |
2pm-2:30pm | Book launch | Hilra Gondim Vinha |
2:30pm-3:30pm | Panel: Honing in on your genre | Helen Idris Jones, Dario Spendido, T.H. Carrington, Patrick Larsimont |
3:30pm-4pm | Book launch | Sacha Hughes |
4pm-5pm | Panel: From beginning to end - an author's journey | T.C. Emerys, Ebony Ali, Ross Turner, Jean G-Owen |
Photos from last year's event
Photo credit: Solid Imagery
Book Launches at the Hive!
Four fabulous independent authors will be launching their books, so please join them at Patch (1st Floor of Bobby's) on Sunday 26th April 2026.
11am
Annie Elliot
Mr & Mrs Charles Dickens - Her Story
Annie will be dressing up as Mrs Dickens to launch her historical fiction novel.
2pm
Hilra Gondim Vinha
Unstoppable Mother
Hilra's third book is a non-fiction book for parents of neurodivergent children and young people.
12:30pm
T.H. Carrington
The Soul Snatcher
Tiffany will be reading a short extract from her book with a social mingling after.
3:30pm
Sacha Hughes
Love, Grief & More Sex Than Pinot
Sacha's first in a trilogy crosses Bridget Jones with Fleabag.
Authors and Panels in the Hive
Our authors will each have an area to showcase their works as well as discuss their writing journey with you.
They will also join a panel to explore aspects of their writing.
All panels are £10 with a £5 voucher to spend with the featured authors in the Writers' Hive.
Book before 28th Feb and get a 15% discount off all panels - use the code EARLYBIRD15 at the checkout!
Creating a Strong Protagonist
Crafting compelling protagonists who drive the narrative forward, chaired by Kathleen Whyman at 10am
Sharon Brisley-Moore
From teacher to author to mental health speaker, Sharon raises awareness of misunderstood conditions. Sharon wants to share her lived experiences to help you understand and manage OCD and anxiety.
James A Lyons
Schooled under Section 28, all James' novels feature positive representation of the LGBTQ+ community. Having released three YA novels, his first novel for adults is available now.
Chris Powell
Chris writes sci-fi fantasy with lots of humour. He has recently received a 3 book deal with podium audio the 6th biggest audiobook company in the world.
Hilra Vinha
An educationalist, author, and passionate advocate for neurodiversity and inclusion. Her journey in education and writing has been profoundly shaped by personal experiences.
Getting to grips with Historical Fiction
Exploring the particular challenges of writing compelling historical fiction, chaired by Gary Dalkin at 11:30am
Derek Birks
In addition to his historical novels, Derek co-hosts the Slice of Medieval Podcast series which is a fusion of history and historical fiction.
Steve Cox
Steve has published two historical fiction novels set during the English Civil War, and is currently working on the third book of the series.
Janet Hancock
History has always been Janet’s first love, especially the era after the First World War, a time of revolutions, collapse of centuries-old empires, and unprecedented social change.
Louise Morrish
A librarian and author, Louise writes fiction, mostly historical, inspired by real women who achieved extraordinary things but whom history has forgotten.
Getting your words out into the world
You've finished your manuscript – congratulations! But what now? Chaired by Kathleen Whyman at 1pm
Jo Chinn
Jo Chinn is a former police superintendent who published her debut novel - Under the Hickory Tree - in 2025 through The Book Guild.
M.A. Hunter
'M.A. Hunter' is the author of 16 psychological thrillers, published by Boldwood Books and HarperCollins' One More Chapter. As 'Stephen Edger', he has published 11 crime thrillers with Bookouture or independently.
Annie Elliot
Annie has an MA in Creative Writing and a BA (Hons) in Literary Studies. Before retiring she worked in local government, as a newspaper reporter and taught communication. She has written a booklet to help teachers understand children with dyslexia.
Sacha Hughes
Inspired by her personal experiences, Sacha Hughes writes gloriously human fiction - raw, humorous, and heartfelt - exploring love, grief, and the messy path from self-sabotage to self-love.
Honing in on your genre
A lively discussion into the thrilling, romantic, terrifying, heart of genre fiction. Chaired by Gary Dalkin at 2:30pm
T.H. Carrington
T. H. Carrington self-published her debut detective crime novel, The Heart Snatcher, after graduating from her Masters in Creative Writing and Publishing at Bournemouth University with a distinction.
Helen Idris Jones
After working as a nurse and nurse educator for over twenty years, Helen is a self-published author specialising in psychological thrillers and magical realism.
Patrick Larsimont
Patrick was in the RAF, worked in advertising for thirty years and now writes traditionally published bestselling military thriller novels.
Dario Splendio
Dario is a literary horror author and lecturer in Creative Technology at Bournemouth University’s National Centre for Computer Animation. His work fuses visceral body horror, cosmic dread and immersive worldbuilding, often crossing between cinematic storytelling, and interactive media.
From beginning to end - an author’s journey
How do you transform a spark of an idea into a completed manuscript? Chaired by Kathleen Whyman at 4pm
Ebony Ali
Ebony's books are on faith, mental health and personal development.
She is a speaker and coach, and runs a course teaching people how to turn their ideas into books.
T.C. Emerys
Tegan founded the Dorset micro-publisher April Showers Publishing, which publishes a wide range of fiction, centring nature, chronic illness, feminism, and mental health.
Jean G-Owen
Jean is the founder of Naked Figleaf Press. She is a writer, publisher, editor and performer. In 2024 she established The Figlet, a literary and arts magazine showcasing Isle of Wight writers and illustrators.
Ross Turner
Ross is the founder of Superlative Literary Journal, publishing quality, innovative work by emerging short story writers and poets, with a vision to promote new, developing authors and the art of the short story and poetry to readers worldwide.
Writing Services in the Hive
As well as all the wonderful authors, we will also have three writing professionals to help you really get ahead in your writing journey.
Translation Service
Hana Fox Literary Boutique
Hana Fox Literary Boutique offers translation services for when you want to get your book into overseas markets, captures the spark, soul, and rhythm of your original words.
Pre-book a free 1-2-1 with Hana or pop along to say hello.
Social media support for authors
Write Buzz Media
A friendly and personal service for writers who want to claim back their time for writing. Work with Elanor to improve your social media - and build a buzz around your book.
Visit Write Buzz Media website
Pre-book a free 1-2-1 with Elanor or pop along to say hello.
Editing Services
To The Last Word
With 30 years editorial experience, Gary Dalkin offers manuscript assessment, editing and other services for aspiring and published authors. Also chair of two of the panels.
Visit To The Last Word website
Author
Kathleen Whyman
Kathleen Whyman writes humorous women’s fiction and has been shortlisted for the Comedy Women in Print prize. She also teaches Writing With Humour workshops and mentors authors. Chairing three of the panels.
Remember, it's free to come along to the Writers' Hive and browse and chat to our stallholders..
If you buy a ticket to a panel, you'll get a £5 voucher to spend within the Hive.