This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
by Zarina de Ruiter
With literary lunches, writing workshops and musical interpretations of classic tales, March is set to be a bumper month of bookish fun – and we have compiled a handy list for you of some of the most exciting upcoming events for readers and writers.
1 – 30 March – With over 60 events across Essex Book Festival, this month-long literary event will have something for everyone. We’re particularly excited to see appearances by SJ Watson (Before I Go to Sleep), Jessie Burton (The Miniaturist) and Samantha Shannon (The Bone Season), but have a browse of the programme to see what else bookish tickles your fancy.
3 March – Author Rowan Coleman (The Memory Book) will be discussing ‘The Writing Process: Voice’ in this masterclass from Writers & Artists at Bloomsbury Publishing in London. Tickets to the two-hour long event filled with practical tips and techniques are £30 and include welcome drinks.
12 March – Matt Haig’s latest novel, Reasons to Stay Alive, is an honest and personal account of depression. He’ll be talking to Cathy Rentzenbrink, associate editor of The Bookseller, at Foyles on Charing Cross Road in London about his experiences as described in the book. Tickets to the event are £5 and include a drink.
19 – 20 March – Following a successful inaugural festival, legendary bookshop Daunt Books in London is hosting another weekend of events this year. With author appearances, bookshops and even musical interpretations of classic tales it’s bound to be another cracker!19 – 29 March – York Literary Festival will see a host of literary tours of the beautiful city, bookish lunches, workshops (such as ‘writing motherhood’) and author events (including Helen Lederer, who will be chatting about her new novel Losing It).
23 – 26 March – Sometimes you need to get properly away to be able to focus on your (next) novel and a writer’s retreat with fellow aspiring authors can provide the perfect inspirational environment. Published author Chris Manby will be leading Write by the Sea in Cornwall. Prices range from £395 to £550 for the 4-day retreat, which includes not workshops, accommodation and meals – so you can fully focus on your writing without having to worry about cooking dinner.
25 March – Grosvenor House in London hosted a series of successful ‘Literati’ events in 2014 and they’re back in March with Jane Thynne (A War of Flowers). Tickets are £20 and include an intimate discussion with Jane, a signed copy of the book, welcome drinks and canapés.
28 March – Another practical workshop for writers by Writers & Artists, in collaboration with the York Literature Festival, is ‘The Submission Process: Literary Agents in Discussion’. You have written a book but are unsure how to get it published? Literary agents Julia Churchill, Oliver Munson and Jo Unwin will cover everything you need to know in this two-hour session at Temple Hall in York. Tickets are £27.95 and include your choice of the Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook 2015 or the Children’s Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook 2015.
Do you have any exciting women’s fiction events to share? Drop a line in the comments to let us know!