Ally Aldridge Books, Festival, Writing

Felixstowe Book Festival! I’m going – are you?

What is Felixstowe Book Festival?

Usually the event is split between two venues (Felixstowe Library and The Orwell Hotel).  Although, these two venues will host most of the events, new venues have been added.  All across town, their are workshops and author talks for anyone introduced in books and writing.  Each event, isn’t that expensive, from free to about £10 – you did need to buy tickets.

I’m going – are you?

So, I’ve been most years to the festival since it started 6 years ago and look forward to going every year.  Each year, the festival gets bigger and better.  I tried to make a spreadsheet of what events are on and where and IT’S MASSIVE!

As of 31st March 2018, the tickets for Felixstowe Book Festival became available to the public to buy.

Highlights from last year:

Alwyn Hamilton at Felixstowe Book Festival 

Alwyn gave some great insight into the traditional publishing route for writers.  She talked about what went into naming her novel, the movie right and so much more.  She was an engaging and likable author who spoke enthusiastically promoting her book.

What you need to know about Children’s Picture Book Publishing

Simon and Dan were like a tag team delivering their well prepared talk.  They shared so much on what goes into publishing a picture book and had prepared a presentation for all the participants (a copy I still have).  This was a great talk for illustrators and writers alike.  These guys had a wealth of knowledge and the time flew by.  We all would have happily spent the day with them absorbing all the information they had to offer.

What’s on offer this year?

Check the programme on the Felixstowe Book Festival website and book tickets.

Here is my attempt of trying to put the activities into a spreadsheet (many of the events fall under more than one category):

  • Green – workshops
  • Purple – fiction talks
  • Brown – history/non-fiction
  • Red – crime fiction/non-fiction
  • Pink – poetry
  • Blue – other events

Felixstowe Book Festival programme

Wednesday, 27 June 2018/Thursday, 28 June 2018/Friday, 29 June 2018

Felixtsowe Book Festival - Weds Thus Fri

Saturday, 30 June 2018

Felixstowe Book Festival - Sat

Sunday, 1 July 2018

Felixstowe Book Festival - Sun

Ally Aldridge Festival, Goals, Writing

Spring Literary festivals

Earlier this year, I wrote a blog post listing literary festivals taking place in the UK throughout the UK that have caught my eye.  To read the full list, please click here.

This post is to remind you of those taking place this Spring.

March

The Aldeburgh Literary Festival

  • Date: 1 March 2018 to 4 March 2018
  • Location:  Aldeburgh
  • Tickets:  Fee:  Various

This festival is made up of events and you buy tickets to participate in events.  Events vary between workshops, speakers and screenings.

If you miss the event, this seaside town is still worth a visit. They have one of the most beautiful traditional bookshops, a lovely beach and chip shops.

DIVA Literary Festival and Awards

  • Date:  15 March 2018 to 17 March 2018
  • Location: Birmingham
  • Tickets:  Register interest

This event promises to deliver a platform for underrepresented women writers such a lesbians.  This is sure to be a positive event that is making a difference to supporting diversity and inclusion.  Supported by DIVA magazine and The Guardian.

Write by the beach 2018

  • Date: 17 March 2018
  • Location:  Brighton
  • Tickets:  Fee (£139)

This event covers talks and workshops and you can book a one-to-one with an agent to pitch your novel.

If you miss the event, you can always attend Brighton’s Beach Hut Academy’s creative writing courses or mentoring provided by experts in the industry.

Eroticon 2018

  • Date: 17 March 2018 to 18 March 2018
  • Location:  London
  • Tickets:  Fee (£60 to £200)

If Erotica is your thing, then there is a convention just for you.  This event is in its 7th year and often sells out.  It has schedule of speakers and events and is a structured event.

This year has a talk on how to blog about sex for the shy writer – aghhh the world of an erotic writer.  One day I may be brave enough to write and share erotic fiction but for now the thought still makes my cheeks turn read (no, not like that!).  I would probably benefit from the ‘confidence’ talk.

Oxford Literary Festival (FT Weekend)

  • Date: 17 March 2018 to 25 March 2018
  • Location:  Oxford
  • Tickets:  Various

You buy tickets for the events you want to attend.  There are a lot of authors attending and giving talks and there are events for children too.  The event is not at one location but across the city so make sure you are able to get from one location to another if you booking multiple events.  Filter the events by the category you are interested in, i.e. Workshops, etc.

April

The London Book Fair 

  • Date: 10 April 2018 to 12 April 2018
  • Location: London
  • Tickets:  Fee (£45 to £100 + VAT)

This event is geared towards those involved in publishing but and has various talks on keeping those in the industry up-to-date with financial, legal and trending themes in the publishing world.  There are plenty of exhibits covering pretty much every type of genre you can think of.

May

The Bath Festival

  • Date: 11 May 2018 to 27 May 2018
  • Location: Bath
  • Tickets:  Fee (Various)

It is their 70th year running!  This 17 day event will bring the streets of Bath alive with music and literature.  Check the ‘What’s On’ page on the website to find events that take your interest.  Each event requires a ticket and the price differs.

Everyone I know who has been to Bath has always returned gushing about how amazing it is.  They are also home to one of the most well known and prestigious writing competitions (Bath Novel Award).