Winchester Writers' Festival

Now in its 36th year, the Winchester Writers’ Festival supports new and emerging creative writers. Its three day programme includes 17 all-day workshops and 28 talks on all aspects of the writer’s craft and getting published. Speakers are top literary agents, commissioning editors or authors, and attendees can book up to four one-to-one appointments for feedback on their work and a commercial appraisal.

This year’s keynote address comes from Meg Rosoff, multi-award winning author of books for young adults. Other speakers include literary agents from Janklow & Nesbit, Mulcahy Associates, DHH, DKW, Skylark Literary and United Talent Agency; commissioning editors from Bloomsbury, Salt, Chicken House, Unbound, Piatkus and Little Tiger, and award-winning authors such as Jasper Fforde, Claire Fuller, Sarah Mussi, Shelley Harris, Sarah Lean and Rebecca Alexander. Attendees can book to come for one day, two days or three days.

The Festival also offers free Friday night events on 17 June, including talks, an agent panel and an open mic, and anyone may enter one of the Festival’s 11 writing competitions, whether or not they attend the Festival itself. A scholarship scheme offers ten free places to writers aged 18-25 (apply before 7 April) and there is a bursary scheme to which any writer may apply. www.writersfestival.co.uk has full details.

When? 17 - 19 June, 2016

Where? University of Winchester campus, Winchester, Hampshire

Who? Meg Rosoff, Keynote Speaker 60 top literary agents, commissioning editors and authors.

Festival Website? www.writersfestival.co.uk

Twitter? @WinWritersFest

Facebook? Winchester Writers' Festival

Festival Director? Judith Heneghan.

Past Festivals? Established in 1980

Authors who have appeared include: Joanne Harris, Julian Fellowes, Terry Pratchett, Jasper Fforde, and Carol Ann Duffy, Sebastian Faulks (right). Other speakers always include top literary agents, commissioning editors and award-winning novelists, poets and scriptwriters.