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Join the Romance Writing Festival 2026 in Bournemouth for a day of inspiring talks, writing workshops, expert masterclasses and networking with bestselling romance authors, literary agents and publishing professionals. Taking place at the Marsham Court Hotel on 3 October 2026, this unique Dorset literary event is ideal for aspiring and established romance writers looking to improve their craft, connect with the writing community and take the next step towards publication.
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October 2027
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Romance Writing Festival 2027 | Dorset Events 2027 | Dorset Lifestyle
The Romance Writing Festival is a specialist literary event dedicated to helping writers develop their craft, understand the publishing industry and connect with fellow creatives.
Organised by the team behind the Bournemouth Writing Festival, the event brings together successful romance authors, literary agents, editors, publishers and book marketing professionals.
Whether you're dreaming of writing your first romance novel, working through a manuscript or preparing to submit your work to publishers, the festival offers practical guidance and encouragement.
The event launched in 2025 and returned for its second edition in October 2026, establishing itself as a dedicated gathering for writers interested in romance fiction.
With the organisers now referencing 2027 on their official website, writers can look forward to further announcements about the next festival.
Although the full programme for 2027 has not yet been announced, previous festivals have featured a wide range of talks, workshops and opportunities to meet publishing professionals.
Expert talks and panel discussions are central to the Romance Writing Festival, with sessions exploring different stages of the writing and publishing journey.
Previous programmes have covered:
Getting started with romance writing
Developing characters and relationships
Navigating the middle stages of a manuscript
Editing and preparing a novel for publication
Traditional publishing and self-publishing
Marketing and building an author brand
Finding literary representation
The 2026 festival featured ten talks and panel discussions, giving writers the opportunity to hear from experienced professionals throughout the day.
The 2027 speaker line-up is awaiting confirmation.
The festival has previously offered small-group masterclasses, giving attendees the opportunity to develop specific writing skills with guidance from experienced authors and publishing professionals.
These sessions provide a more focused learning experience than the main festival talks.
Previous subjects have included writing romantic fantasy fiction, preparing submissions for literary agents and developing commercially appealing stories.
Masterclasses have been available as separate ticketed experiences, allowing writers to choose the activities most relevant to their goals.
Details of any 2027 masterclasses will be announced by the organisers.
One of the festival's most useful opportunities for aspiring authors has been the chance to book individual appointments with literary agents and publishing professionals.
These sessions allow writers to discuss their work, ask questions about submissions and receive professional feedback.
Previous festivals have offered 15-minute appointments, bookable separately from the main festival ticket.
Availability is typically limited, so interested writers should check the official website once the next programme is released.
The Romance Writing Festival also provides opportunities to meet other writers, share experiences and build connections within the romance writing community.
Previous festivals have included informal activities, group discussions and evening networking events.
For writers who usually work independently, these gatherings provide a welcome opportunity to exchange ideas, discuss publishing experiences and meet people with similar interests.
The festival has previously offered free lunchtime activities, including literary walks around Bournemouth and walks along the beach.
These activities allow participants to explore the town, take a break from formal sessions and continue conversations with fellow attendees.
The combination of creative activities and Bournemouth's coastal setting helps make the festival an enjoyable experience beyond the main conference programme.
The Romance Writing Festival is organised by the team behind the wider Bournemouth Writing Festival, a community-focused programme encouraging people of different ages, abilities and backgrounds to enjoy creative writing.
Profits from the Romance Writing Festival help support the organisation's community activities, including free and affordable workshops for people who may otherwise face barriers to participation.
This connection gives the Romance Writing Festival a wider purpose, supporting both aspiring authors and Bournemouth's growing creative community.
The festival has previously taken place at the Marsham Court Hotel on Bournemouth's East Cliff, close to the town centre and seafront.
The hotel offers accessible facilities, accommodation and spaces suitable for talks and workshops.
Bournemouth railway station is approximately one mile from the hotel, while local bus services connect the surrounding area with the town centre.
Parking is available around East Cliff and Bournemouth town centre, although spaces can be limited during busy periods.
Visitors should confirm the 2027 venue before booking accommodation or making travel arrangements.
The Romance Writing Festival organisers are preparing information for 2027, but the exact date, venue, speakers and ticket arrangements have not yet been confirmed.
The details above reflect previous festivals and will be updated as new announcements are made.
Visit the official Romance Writing Festival website
Explore the wider Bournemouth Writing Festival
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