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 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, Stef Edger, Jo Chinn
2pm-2:30pm	Book launch	Hilna 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.

Annie's website

2pm

Hilra Vinha

Unstoppable Mother

Hilra's third book is a non-fiction for parents of neurodivergent children and young people.

Hilra's website

12:30pm

T.H. Carrington

The Soul Snatcher

Tiffany will be reading a short extract from her book with a social mingling after.

Tiffany's website

3:30pm

Sacha Hughes

Love, Grief & More Sex Than Pinot

Sacha's first in a trilogy crosses Bridget Jones-meets-Fleabag.

Sacha's website

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.

Creating a Strong Protagonist

Crafting compelling protagonist who drive the narrative forward, chaired by Kathleen Whyman at 10am

Book here

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.

Sharon's website

James A Lyons

Schooled under Section 28, all James' YA novels feature positive representation of the LGBTQ+ community. In Spring 2026, James will release his first novel for adults.

James' publisher website

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.

Chris' website

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.

Hilra's website

Getting to grips with Historical Fiction

Exploring the particular challenges of writing compelling historical fiction, chaired by Gary Dalkin at 11:30am

Book here

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.

Derek's website

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.

Steve's website

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.

Janet's page on Resolute

Louise Morrish

A librarian and author, Louise writes fiction, mostly historical, inspired by real women who achieved extraordinary things but whom history has forgotten.

Louise's website

Getting your words out into the world

You've finished your manuscript – congratulations! But what now? Chaired by Kathleen Whyman at 1pm

Book here

Jo Chinn

Jo Chinn is a former police superintendent who published her debut novel - Under the Hickory Tree - in 2025 through The Book Guild.

Jo's website

Steph Edgar

As 'M.A. Hunter', Steph 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.

Steph's website

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 dyslexic.

Annie's website

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.

Sacha's website

Honing in on your genre

A lively discussion into the thrilling, romantic, terrifying, heart of genre fiction. Chaired by Gary Dalkin at 2:30pm

Book here

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.

Tiffany's website

Helen Idris Jones

After working as a as a nurse and nurse educator for over twenty years, Helen is a self-published author specialising in psychological thrillers and magical realism.

Helen's website

Patrick Larsimont

Patrick was in the RAF, worked in advertising for thirty years and now writes traditionally published bestselling military thrillers novels.

Patrick's website

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.

Dario's website

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

Book here

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 to books.

Ebony's website

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.

Tegan's website

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.

Jean's website

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.

Superlative website

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.

Visit Hana Fox website

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.