The 6th Annual Bournemouth Literary Festival
Friday 22nd to Thursday 28th October 2010, Bournemouth

Now in its sixth year, the theme for this year’s Festival is Freedom, Books & Imagination.

Highlights include 'Write by the Sea', where writers of all ages and abilities can be inspired by the beach and unleash their imagination and creativity by writing in a Bournemouth beach hut! This event is being hosted by best-selling author Martin Baum, who writes from a local beach hut himself. Martin says: “Every person walking on the beach has a story that the imagination can unlock and bring to life. I will share some of my published work with whoever is interested, so others may be as inspired as I was when I took my pen and pad and began to live the dream. At the end of the day, nobody needs a laptop to create when they can create with their own imagination”.

“I invite everyone to come along and experience an unrestricted and unorthodox approach to writing, because although the secret aspiration of any would-be writer is to escape to a desert island to write that elusive first book, they need to feel passionate and inspired. Whilst a Bournemouth beach-hut cannot in any way be confused with a hammock on a tropical island, it still offers tremendous creative possibilities for anyone and everyone wanting to unleash their creativity by being able to sit and observe the passing human traffic and natural surroundings.”

On Saturday 23rd October from 3 – 5 p.m. in huts 2310, 2311 and 2312 Bournemouth West between ‘Happylands Arcade’ and the West Cliff Lift, Martin will be the guest writer of this innovative event from the Bournemouth Literary Festival.

‘Write by the Sea’ is sponsored by JobShop UK Recruitment Specialists and is an inclusive event for everyone – young and old. People suffering from writers block are especially welcome! So come along with your laptop, iPad or piece of paper and be inspired and unleash your imagination. It is a free event.

The Directors of Jobshop UK say, “we are happy to be involved in a local event where would be writers are encouraged to take that first step towards a new career in the unconventional ambience of a beach hut."

Other events include workshops, storytelling and performances, such as a play inspired by Thomas Hardy (produced by AsOne Theatre), a genre-specific creative writing workshop, a panel discussion on getting into print, a literary walk celebrating Bournemouth’s Bi-Centenary, a unique Words-into-Pictures event, a writers' group networking party, a combined 'how to' guitar-making and songwriting event, and an event involving local charities. Building on the popularity of last year’s haiku event, Christopher White is back again this year with another haiku workshop.

The programme will culminate in a Poetry Slam and Last Night party.

Director and Founder of the Festival, Lillian Avon, said: “We have a great variety of events arranged and we hope that as many people come along and take part as possible”.

Festival Co-Director, David Jones, said: “With this year’s variety of events, we hope to be able to engage new audiences and build on the successes of previous years.”

The festival runs from 22 - 28th October with events for all tastes. For more information about the events, along with booking details, please visit  www.bournemouthliteraryfestival.co.uk or send an email to: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .