Friday, 14 August 2026

Romance Writing Festival Bournemouth

 The writing competition ends on Saturday, £10 entry fee:



Evening Event Update

The festival day is over. The books have been signed. The panels have ended. You've been inspired and you've picked up loads of tips and advice to improve and progress your manuscript. Attendees have gone to bed.

Or have they?

As darkness falls over Bournemouth, a different kind of gathering begins.

Join us for our special evening networking event where you can meet and mingle with your writing friends, writers, authors and writing professionals with some extra special entertainment.

Expect live performances, literary surprises and a few plot twists along the way......​​

  • The event is from 7pm until 9pm at the Marsham Court Hotel.
  • The evening event is included in the Festival Ticket price and includes a welcome drink (there will be no food available). Additional drinks will incur an additional charge at the bar.
  • If you have a Plus One who would only like to attend the evening event, you can buy a single ticket here although these are limited in numbers.​​
  • If you need help to meet people, the festival team will be on hand to help you with introductions and meet new writing friends.​
  • If you are NOT planning to come to the evening event, please let us know so we can manage capacities.

So, join us at the evening networking event to relax, have fun and be inspired.

More details coming soon!

7 weeks to go until the Festival starts!

Time is absolutely zooming - and the Romance Writing Festival starts in just SEVEN weeks - eeeeekkkk!!!!!!

So, make sure you've secured your festival ticket, masterclass spot or agent 1-2-1 in plenty of time. 

All the details are on the website but if you have any questions regarding the festival, please email and we will respond very quickly!

Our Writing Competition ends on Saturday

Our sister writing festival has a writing competition running in collaboration with Bournemouth University. The deadline for entries is this Saturday so if you have a romantic poem or romantasy short story you'd like to enter, then get in quick!

There are cash prizes of up to £3,000 and the two overall winners will perform their entry at the 2027 Bournemouth Writing Festival in April. The shortlisted entries will join the two winning entries in the resulting anthology.

The judge of the short story competition is Ed Wood from literary agency The Blair Partnership whilst the poetry judge is Matthew West from ArtfulScribe.

Every year we work with a charity to help raise awareness and offer donations to their cause. This year we are supporting Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots charity which helps young people connect with nature. In fact, we ran a nature writing walk at Hengistbury Head in June with them.

Entry is £10 for a short story (up to 3,000 words) or up to three poems (30 lines), and they can be on any topic. 

We'd love to get more romance entries into the anthology so have a go! The deadline is Saturday 15th August.

Special Hotel Offer

Stay at the hotel venue - the Marsham Court Hotel - for just £99 per room per night for 2 people for bed and breakfast based on a standard double/twin room.​ Use the code BWF26 at the checkout.

With thanks to our sponsors


Romance Writing Festival

Bournemouth.

The Romance Writing Festival is brought to you by the Bournemouth Writing Festival. Proceeds go towards supporting writers from all areas of our community by providing free workshops and activities.



Thursday, 13 August 2026

Bronte Women's Writing Festival, 25-27 September 2026

Full details can be found in the latest Bradford District Council Visit Bradford newsletter below:

city of bradford metropolitan district council

Spring Bulletin

Visit Bradford Newsletter

Bradford District

 Your guide to attractions, events, and activities in and around Bradford... There's a lot to discover; visit www.visitbradford.com for more possibilities.

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Celebrating Nature Season

(c) Inge Rochette & Donat Mailleux

Flower Carpet

Experience art in the great outdoors with a spectacular new programme from Bradford Culture Company, celebrating the connection between people, place and nature.

From 9th to 13th September, Harmonic Fields will transform Baildon Moor into an extraordinary outdoor orchestra of more than 200 wind-powered instruments, creating a unique symphonic experience against the backdrop of Bradford District's stunning landscape. Then, from 24th to 27th September, the internationally renowned Flower Carpet makes its UK premiere in Bradford. Created from more than 300,000 dahlia flowerheads, the breathtaking 29-metre floral artwork will take over Centenary Square, illuminated with sound and light each evening.

The programme also includes artist residencies in the Bradford Pennine Gateway National Nature Reserve, a new 18-mile walking route launch, guided walks, family activities and a special screening of Super Nature on 10th October.

As part of Nature Season, it's also a great opportunity to explore the wider region, with even more inspiration for days out and visitor experiences available through Explore West Yorkshire.

Discover More

The Power Of The Written Word

Brontë Women's Writing Festival

This autumn, the Brontë Parsonage Museum welcomes the return of the Brontë Women's Writing Festival, celebrating women's voices across fiction, non-fiction, poetry and scriptwriting. The programme includes events with bestselling author and folklorist Sharon Blackie, playwright Miriam Battye, poet Emma Conally-Barklem and author Lauren Mooney. With talks, workshops and discussions exploring Gothic fiction, historical storytelling, nature writing and literary connections between Accra and Bradford, there's something for every book lover. Join fellow readers and writers on the cobbles in Haworth from 25th to 27th September. Browse the programme and book your tickets now to avoid missing out. 

Discover More

Summer Fun In Bradford

Summer is packed with exciting things to do across the Bradford District, from live music and cultural celebrations to family-friendly activities and unique experiences. Whether you're looking for a great day out, free entertainment or something a little different, there's lots happening across the district to help you make the most of the summer holidays.

This Week's Highlights:

Trial poster

The Three Little Pigs vs The Wolf: Join the Bradford Police Museum in the jury box as the Big Bad Wolf goes on trial on Saturday 15th August. This interactive family show lets the audience help decide the verdict in a courtroom adventure.

Live at the Courtyard poster

Live at the Courtyard: Enjoy a weekend of live music from 14th-16th August at Darley Street Market. Featuring Pulled Apart By Horses, Lucy Spraggan and The Hoosiers, this city-centre music festival is one not to miss. Book your tickets today.

Leeds Road Festival Poster

Leeds Road Festival: Featuring Oojami, Nach de Tapde, Plummer Drummers and headline act Abrar Ul-Haq, Bradford Moor Park hosts a packed weekend of live entertainment on 15th-16th August, alongside international street food, stalls and funfair rides.

Bradford by the sea poster

Bradford by the Sea: Bradford BID is bringing beach-day fun to the city centre from 17th-27th August, with giant games, sand sculptures, deckchairs and free family activities in City Park. Follow Bradford BID on social media for updates and the chance to win a £100 Bradford City Centre Gift Card.

These are just a few of the exciting events taking place this summer. For more inspiration and ideas for great days out: www.visitbradford.com/summer

Exciting Look Ahead

If you're planning to visit the Bradford District in the next few weeks, here are some highlights for your diary.

Stay and Explore Visit Bradford

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