BETTER BOOK FAST – IT’S PORTSMOUTH BOOKFEST

WS: Bookfest is a Portsmouth-wide event celebrating books, writers, and readers in February and March. Its been going since Dickens’ bicentennial in 2012. There are great events for readers: watch for Portsmouth Authors Collective books in Southsea Library window. The brilliant Sheila Hancock, talking about her book Old Rage, will sell out – I’ve just booked. I’ll also be visiting the Gruffalo at Southsea Library in children’s week (half-term).

WS: My first workshop is Writing Your Historical Novel (online/Central Library). I love the games historical authors play, evoking the past’s dialogue and atmosphere, while shocking us with how different people were – and how little human nature changes. Some readers find my three Victorian mysteries (Titan books) political, some comical; some just love exploring the innards of 1860s London. We’ll use games to get words on the page: recreating the past, evading anachronism. Period language or modern? Hook readers with great events, or through characters’ inner lives?

Next is Edit Your Writing (online). My Editing Club posse – 25 writers – has worked on sentences, paragraphing, dialogue, and punctuation, turning our messy first drafts into something publishable.

Finally, a two-day Writing Retreat, post-Bookfest, helps you get your inspirations on the page. Setting aside two days for writing, you can make amazing progress with that manuscript or that idea you’ve had for so long. An incredible synergy emerges while working quietly alongside other writers – you don’t feel so crazy.

WS: I’ve made lifelong writing friends through these shows and workshops – forging creative partnerships, finding beta-readers and critique groups. For writers, Bookfest’s a focal point: developing our craft, performing our work and connecting the local writing community.

Plus five participants from my recent workshops are now published – that’s a great feeling.

The T’Articulation shows are a great way into the world of Portsmouth writers. Holmes Fest is a must-see – great writers and performers. And Maggie Sawkins’ poetry events: Pipsqueakery (writing workshop) and From the Heart (poetry recital). An unsung gem of a festival – don’t miss it.

Portsmouth Bookfest 5 Feb – 3 March (adults);

11 – 17 Feb (children):