Burnham-On-Sea Book Festival, the town’s first ever two-day literary event, is underway this weekend.
With over 20 events, including readings and panel talks, organisers say there promises to be something for everyone.
The event takes place in the Princess Theatre and Burnham-On-Sea library, with tickets available online here.
Event coordinator Lewis Coleman told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “We’ve got so many fantastic writers on board.”
“We have childrens’ authors, including Chris Vick, one of the competition judges; we also have writers from genres including mystery, supernatural, comedy, gritty dystopian and crime – not least Damien Boyd.”
“We also have award-winning contemporary and literary writers, including Jessica Andrews and Somerset’s Karla Neblett, who are both judging the competition. We also have non-fiction, memoirs, self-help books, biography, poetry, natural history and so much more.”
There are several talks and workshops aimed to inspire readers, writers and the creatively curious.
Lewis adds: “We’ve got kids events, from creating magical creatures to a Queen’s Jubilee writing session. We’ve got poetry workshops including a superb session with renowned poet Tara Newley Arkle, who’s been incredibly supportive throughout this process and is the poetry competition judge and award ceremony presenter.”
“We’re really excited to have such a great programme of sessions at our first festival,” adds co-organiser Mike Price. “So many people have said they’re looking forward to coming along and it’s great we can give a platform to our talented local writers. It’s great there’s such a buzz of excitement in the town.”
Burnham-On-Sea Book Festival Schedule
Friday 22nd April:
10:00 – Illustration Workshop: Creating Magical Creatures with Margaret Micklewight
10:00 – The Perils and Pitfalls of Research with Larry Bennett
11:15 – Places on the Page with Rachel Trezise, Frances Evesham & Gill Jackman
13:30 – What an Adventure! Storytelling for Young People with Chris Vick, Sharon Jacksties & Catherine Poarch
13:15 – How to Sell Your Book – Routes to Market for Aspiring Authors with Emily Goodman
14:45 – Weeds and How I Learned to Love Them – Most of the Time with Ruth Binney
16:00 – Music Journalism Q&A with Dom Wills
16:00 – Getting Started with Kindle Direct Publishing (Self Publishing) with Rebecca Strickland
19:00 – The Coleridges at Stowey with Bethany Askew
Saturday 23rd April:
10:00 – Promoting Your Book with Sam Carr from the Snug Bookshop
10:00 – Queens Jubilee Writing Workshop for Kids with Karl Bevis & Hazel Lloyd
11:00 – Writers in Recovery with Matthew Ingram, Rob Coughlin, Rob Jones & Lewis Coleman
13:00 – Poetry Workshop with Tara Arkle
13:15 – Behind the Words with Rick Sanders, Elizabeth Waight & Jonathan Pinnock
13:30 – Damien Boyd: Nick Dixon on Location with Damien Boyd
13:30 – Coast Wildlife on Burnham’s Doorstep with Nigel Phillips
15:45 – Mosaic: Creative Conversations During Lockdown with Karl Bevis & Rachel Gundry
16:00 – River, Rhyne & Sea: Creative Writing with Jo Backhouse
16:30 – Why Writers Write with Karla Neblett & Jessica Andrews
18:30 – Pizza, Prosecco & Jazz Poetry – Que Pasa? with Chris Fogg & Rob Yockley
See burnhambookfest.co.uk for full details including Meet the Local Writer sessions on Friday and Saturday and readings
