Romance Writing Festival, Bournemouth

With full details of the upcoming festival

Plus, submit your words for the Slay the Slush Pile session

Romance After Dark - our evening event Join us for Romance After Dark, an evening of entertainment and inspiration to close the festival by celebrating romance fiction through the ages. Told through five “chapters” of live cabaret entertainment, the evening will take us from the elegance of classic romance through the glamour of the 70s and 80s, the fun of the rom-com, the darker world of romantasy and, finally, into modern love. The experience begins as soon as you arrive, with a complimentary glass of bubbles, music and a fabulous welcome performance. From there, expect a hostess with the mostest to perform in their own style, a wonderfully playful tribute to Dolly Parton and perhaps a few ‘spicy’ surprises along the way… We’re working with some brilliant local performers to create an evening that feels fun, playful and just a little bit different. And for those who like to really get involved, don’t worry, we see you... Between performances, you’ll have the chance to take part in our Trope Card Challenge, combining your favourite tropes to create the wildest and wackiest romance pitch you can. You can also visit the Romance Confessions Board and reveal your most scandalous reading or writing secrets - if you’re brave enough. This is your chance to connect with other romance writers and gather inspiration for your romance writing. Of course, a good night out wouldn’t be a great night out without a little merch… The Mysterious Bookcase will have bookish goodies on display that you be available to buy and take home. We’d also love to encourage you to dress up - but only if you fancy it. Take inspiration from those viral Met Gala posts and create a look inspired by your favourite book cover, or choose a romance subgenre and let it influence your outfit for the night. Alternatively, simply come ready for a glass of bubbles, a good laugh and a brilliant evening with fellow readers and writers. The festival may finish for the day, but the story certainly won’t end there. So join us, write by the sea. Please note: The evening event is included in the ticket price and includes a welcome drink (there will be no food available). If you have a Plus One who would only like to attend the evening event, you can buy a companion ticket here.​​ If you need help to meet people, the festival team will be on hand to help you with introductions and meet new writing friends.​ The event is from 7pm until 9pm at the Marsham Court Hotel. Don't Miss Out! Get your festival ticket today! Book here 121 Submission Deadline If you booked a literary agent 121, you should have received an email reminding you that the deadline to submit your submission pack is this Saturday. There are still slots available to have a 121 - if you miss the 12th Sept deadline for submissions, we cannot guarantee the agent will have time to read it. Slay the Slush Pile Deadline Looming This is for the writers among us… the deadline is fast approaching to claim your spot in our festival slushpile and get real time feedback from a panel of industry professionals in our enormously popular Slay The Slushpile session. This is a fabulous opportunity to learn from our expert panel featuring editor Sara-Jade Virtue and literary agents Nicky Lovick and Maddalena Cavaciuti. Every Festival attendee can submit the opening of their book.  At the afternoon session, those openings will be read aloud to the panel and the audience. Hear all the readings and learn what our experts like or don’t like. Get a real feel for how a good opening works… or doesn’t. All readings will be anonymous, so no-one need feel embarrassed. The event will be moderated by award-winning author Janet Gover. To submit your work, just send your opening 500 words to janet@janetgover.com and Janet will take it from there. The deadline is midnight on Monday 21st September. Then join the session on Saturday afternoon (which is included in the ticket price), and learn, not just from your submission, but from all the others as well.  The submissions will be read in random order and we will read as many as time allows. It’s going to be immensely valuable – and a lot of fun as well. There’s more details on our website : https://www.romancewritingfestival.co.uk/slay-the-slush-pile-submissions 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.

Details inside for your festival prep

4 Weeks To Go! The countdown to the 3rd October is on - the Romance Writing Festival is next month! Key Timings 12th September If you have booked a literary agent 1-2-1, then the deadline to submit your covering letter, synopsis and first three chapters is 12th September. Any submissions after this, then the agent may not have time to read them in time. Please submit your submission pack to Paul@BournemouthWritingFestival.co.uk If you are not speaking to a literary agent, but would help expert guidance in creating your submission pack, then remember, literary agent Saskia Leach has a masterclass at 12:30pm where she will give you top tips to stand out. Book here. 21st September Our final panel of the day in The Ballroom is Slay the Slush Pile, where your words may be read out and our panel gives instant feedback. If you'd like your words to be considered, and read out for the panel, then you must submit by 21st September to Janet Gover at janet@janetgover.com. Find out more about how this session works here. Hotel Bookings The hotel is fast filling up so if you want to 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. 2nd October On the eve of the festival, there will be an informal social in the hotel bar. However, it is now at capacity as the bar can get too squashy with too many people so a waitlist is in operation. If you cannot make it, please let us know by replying to this email. 3rd October The Big Day! Registration opens at 8:30am in the hotel lobby/bar with the first sessions starting at 9:30am. A complimentary tea or coffee is included (with a paid bar thereafter). Parking is free in the hotel car park but on a first-come-first-serve basis. Additional paid parking is on the clifftop and in the Central NCP car park. The last session finishes at 5:30pm, so go and get a bite to eat and come back for the cabaret evening event - with your first drink included! Remember, the evening event is included in your ticket price. Evening Event For the evening event, chat and mingle with your fellow romance writers as we bring out the cabaret to entertain you! There will be a few surprises as well as inspiration to help you formulate your words for your manuscript. The evening event is included in your Festival Ticket and includes a drink on arrival (paid bar thereafter). Haven't booked your ticket yet? Book here! 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.