Romance Writing Festival, Bournemouth

 Full details of the upcoming Festival in the latest newsletter:

Plus, Isabelle Knight and Maz Evans!

Go deeper with your writing New for the Romance Writing Festival! In our feedback survey, you asked for sessions that go that little bit deeper into your writing, with a more personal touch. So that's exactly what we are doing. We've got three masterclasses led by super writing professionals who have been-there-and-done-it, and will help you! A quick summary of our masterclasses: 90 minutes in duration with an optional 30 added minutes for Q&A. Dedicated room with sea views within the Marsham Court Hotel (the venue of the festival) Limited to just 10 people. Receive a free copy of the speakers' book (Lola and Amy only). £150 per person You do not need a festival ticket to attend a masterclass but we have a special discounted price if you do. 10% discount if you book before 31st May! And here are the three masterclasses on offer: Writing Irresistible Romantasy with Amy de la Force Romantasy is the fastest-growing genre in publishing right now. So how do writers stand out in a crowded marketplace, to create and pitch a book that's unique but also commercially viable? Drawing on industry data and real stories, romantasy author and Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize shortlistee Amy de la Force will deliver a masterclass on blending swoony romance with fantasy stakes. The session will unpack genre essentials, explore high-concept ideas, and end with a Q&A on agent querying and editor submissions. Early bird special: Use the code AMY10 at the checkout to get 10% before 31st May! All participants will receive a copy of Amy's book. Amy's masterclass takes place at 9:30am on Saturday 3rd October. Book here Get Your Submission Pack Sorted with literary agent Saskia Leach Ready to submit your novel to agents? This practical masterclass guides you through everything you need to create your submission pack to stand out from the crowd. Literary agent Saskia Leach from the Kate Nash Literary Agency will demystify what agents look for, help you avoid common pitfalls and show you how to present your work with confidence. She’ll also share her top tips for crafting a killer elevator pitch, an essential part of any strong covering letter. Early bird special: Use the code SASKIA10 at the checkout to get 10% before 31st May! Saskia's masterclass SOLD OUT at the Bournemouth Writing Festival, taking place next month. Saskia's masterclass takes place at 12:30pm on Saturday 3rd October, with a limited number of agent 1-2-1s available too. Book here Writing Historical Fiction Through a Contemporary Lens with Lola Jaye Lola Jaye invites you to explore historical fiction through a contemporary lens, examining how the past speaks to the present. Through lively discussion and writing exercises with author Lola Jaye, participants can also craft the opening line/paragraph of their novel in progress or start on something new.  Whether your first draft is finished or still in your head, this course is ideal for anyone who has written a novel - or is ready to write their first! Early bird special: Use the code LOLA10 at the checkout to get 10% off before 31st May! ​All participants will receive a copy of Lola's book. Lola's masterclass takes place at 3:30pm on Saturday 3rd October. Book here Speaker Spotlight Isabelle Knight Isabelle was the PR and publicist for a wide range of literary names, including J.K. Rowling! She'll be leading a talk about building your author brand by establishing yourself as an author and building an audience. Isabelle's talk is included in the festival ticket and takes place at 4:30pm. She'll also be in the venue foyer to answer specific questions. Here's what's included in the ticket price: Tickets for the Romance Writing Festival cost £125. Here's what's included: ✓ Welcome tea and coffee on arrival ✓ Access to 10 panels and talks ✓ Ploughman’s buffet lunch ✓ Evening networking event plus welcome drink ✓ £5 voucher to spend in the bookshop ✓ Access to free lunchtime activities - literary walks of Bournemouth and guided beach walks ✓ No booking fees The early bird 10% discount is valid on the above ticket, just use the code EARLYBIRD at the checkout. What's not included X Masterclasses and 1-2-1s are extra charges X Drinks except your two arrival drinks (at the start of the day and before the networking event begins) X Accommodation Parking is free in the limited space car park, on a first-come-first served basis. All profits from the festival go towards the community-focussed Bournemouth Writing Festival taking place 24-26 April. Over 100 free and ticketed writing events and activities all designed to inspire writers to write, regardless of their age, background or ability. Visit the Ticketing page for all the details and to book! 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. Maz Evans becomes Polka Theatre Patron! Looking ahead to June and the Bournemouth Writing Sanctuary (our take on a writers' retreat), we were delighted to hear the news that our workshop leader, Maz Evans, has become a patron of the Polka Theatre in Wimbledon. Maz Evans is having a stellar year, having been nominated for the Ruth Rendell prize, seeing her book become a play and a new book about to come out with a tour!  So we are delighted she is able to come to the Bournemouth Writing Sanctuary and lead a workshop on plotting on Saturday 13th June. Limited tickets are still available for either Saturday or Sunday - but if you come for the weekend, dinner is included! And finally.... As we change gears and focus on the up-coming Bournemouth Writing Festival on 24-26 April, this will be our penultimate newsletter before we come back in May. Watch out for next week's newsletter which will be sent on the morning of Wednesday 1st April 👀 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.