Celia Brayfield – Becoming a Writer
2023-10-16 10:30 - 11:30 (Europe/London) | Dorset Museum, High West Street, Dorchester, DT1 1XA, United Kingdom
Becoming a Writer

A masterclass for those who are taking their first steps in writing fiction. If you want to start writing, this session will help you to explore your talent and strengthen your skills. With the help of a few short exercises you will learn how to develop a fresh, individual voice, create vivid characters, write spot-on dialogue and build an irresistible narrative. The session will also cover paths to publication for new writers and the practical support which can help you build writing into your life.

Celia Brayfield is an award-winning novelist, journalist and academic. She is the author of nine novels ranging from modern social fiction to international bestsellers, as well as two author biographies, Rebel Writers and the newly published Writing Black Beauty: Anna Sewell, the Creation of a Novel, and the Story of Animal Rights. Celia teaches creative writing at Bath Spa University.

Tickets £12.00/£6.00 (students)

Julian Unthank – How To Be A Screen Writer
2023-10-16 12:00 - 13:00
**Event Cancelled** We regret to say that this event has been cancelled. If you have purchased tickets, please contact us for a refund.

The dumbest guy in the Room: How a dyslexic who never read a book until he was twenty-one made a career as a screenwriter.

Using examples from his television, feature and short film work, Julian will examine the few highs and many humorous lows of his career as a professional screenwriter.

Julian Unthank is the writer and creator of Acorn TV’s Emmy™ nominated Queens of Mystery, an off-beat, Amélie-esque style take on the traditional world of cosy crime, the second season of which was released in the United States in January 2022.

As well as developing and adapting several shows for Producers in the UK and US, Julian is currently writing Season 2 of Suspect for Channel 4 and has recently completed writing on his fifth season of ITV’s worldwide hit Doc Martin.

He is the writer of the multi-award winning Oscar™ short-listed short Love at First Sight starring John Hurt, as well as being the writer of the zero award winning, 13% on Rotten Tomatoes, medieval slasher-fest Sword of Vengeance starring no one in particular.

Julian has also written on the BBC’s New Tricks and Robin Hood, ITV’s The Bill and Channel 5’s Family Affairs.

Tickets £12.00/£6.00 (students)

Cathy Rentzenbrink – Write It All Down
2023-10-16 14:00 - 15:00
Why do we want to write and what stops us?How does the urge to express ourselves fight with the worry that no-one will care or that we will get in trouble?How do we identify and overcome everything that gets in our way so we can start making work?

Sunday Times bestselling author Cathy Rentzenbrink shows you how to tackle all this and more in Write It All Down, a guide to putting your life on the page. This is a kind, encouraging and stimulating book that explores the nature of memoir writing and offers helpful guidance on how to write your life on paper. Rentzenbrink will help you to discover the pleasure and solace to be found in writing; the profound satisfaction of wrestling a story onto a page and seeing the events of your life transformed through the experience of writing the self.

Perfect for both seasoned writers as well as writing amateurs and everyone in between, this helpful handbook will steer you through the philosophical and practical challenges of writing the self. Intertwined with reflections, anecdotes and exercises, Write It All Down is at once an intimate and enjoyable narrative and an invitation to share your story.

Cathy Rentzenbrink is an acclaimed memoirist whose books include The Last Act of Love, How to Feel Better and Dear Reader. Her first novel is Everyone is Still Alive and Write It All Down is a friendly and down to earth guide to writing a memoir.

Tickets £12.00/£6.00 (students)

Angus Waycott – How to Self Publish Your Book
2023-10-16 16:00 - 17:00
The Winterborne Journey

Angus Waycott is an author and narrator whose work has appeared in the UK, USA and elsewhere. During 15 years in Japan he wrote books about daily life and travel to remote areas, and was the voice of TV news, documentaries and characters in anime and video game productions. He has also worked as a script editor, copywriter, translator, lighting designer and staircase builder.

On 16th October he’ll be talking about his experiences in self-publishing. Is it worthwhile? What are the advantages? And the pitfalls? His own first attempt in 1981 did well enough to encourage further projects, some of which made more impact than others. But if success remains unpredictable, the digital age has at least made the how-to part of the job a lot easier than before.

His latest book, also self-published, is The Winterborne Journey, a lively and erudite account of the journey made by a small chalkstream just south of Dorchester. As well as insights into the placing of sarsens, long-ago medical treatments and the mystery of waters that vanish and then return, it uncovers a host of curiosities in geology, nature, farming, folklore, poetry, food, bats, lunatics, windmills, carving, fighting, fishing and dancing — all scattered along a few miles of streambank like scenes on a painted scroll. A tonic read for life’s quieter moments.

Tickets £12.00/£6.00 (students)

Poetry Slam with Angie Porter
2023-10-16 18:00 - 19:30
An open mic event for local writers and poets.

Join us to hear up to twenty poets and writers read and perform their work. To sign up to participate at this event please contact us directly via contact@dorchesterliteraryfestival.com or just come along listen and enjoy a glass of wine.

Angie Porter is a local poet, performer and painter who brings creativity to the fore in whatever she does. Her monthly “She Speaks” poetry slams are hugely popular and Angie is actively involved in promoting new poetry work. Originally from Melbourne Australia, Angie is currently researching her local roots and the immigration experience from rural Somerset to outback Australia in the early 1800’s.

Tickets £12.00/£6.00 (students)
