Well, what do you know, I had a google and a wealth of events opened up.

In every industry I can think of there is one rule to getting ahead of the game.

Networking. How better to network than a festival full of literary people?!

It’s never really about what you know. It is ALWAYS about who you know. That’s why I want to visit some of these festivals and see who I can bump into, chat with, exchange business cards… you just don’t know where these things will lead.

I make a point of talking about writing constantly. Any new person I meet that asks me what I do, I say the same thing and it always includes writing. And you know, on occasions it’s paid off. Contacts for publishers, agents, friend of a friend knows such and such, I’ll put you in touch. It’s the way the world works, and I’m not afraid to leap in and make it happen.

Without further ado, here is a list of UK writing events:

1. London’s Short Story Festival, last year it was in June, dates for this year will be released soon. They also run a short story competition and masterclasses which need to be booked in advance.
2. London Literature Festival held in the Southbank centre, last year it ran from 28th sept to 12th oct. Dates for this year to be released soon. Check out the link for more information. They run a plethora of events with famous guests galore and run a writing weekend for young adults.
3. Ways With Words has 5 events across the UK and Europe, check this page for more details. Event include festivals and writing retreats
4. Hay Festival, Hay-on-Wye, Wales 31 May-10 June
5. Festival of Writing – at York University, last year it hosted extremely famous agents including Madeline Milburn, held in September last year.
6. Doolin Writers Weekend, fancy a trip to Ireland? This ones right round the corner 4-6 March, with over £2000 in prizes for their competition
7. Harrogate Crime Writing Festival is 21 -24 July 2016 there is an awe inspiring list of famous crime writers attending, including: Martina Cole, Peter James and Tess Gerritsen
8. The London Super Comic Convention  is also right around the corner and on the 20 and 21 of Feb in the Excel centre London
9. Cambridge Literary Festival 5-14 April
10. Last but by no means least, the Annual Bloggers Bash, 11th June 2016, at the Driver in London. run and organised by me, Ali, Geoff and Hugh. If you don’t know, then it is this years get together for bloggers of all kinds. All are welcome.

During my search I found a couple of really useful websites that list hundreds of festivals all over the UK and Europe.

Literary Festivals, lists hundreds of events all over the UK in A-Z order.

Metaphysical Fantasy has a huge list of festivals primarily in the UK but with some worldwide

The Word Travels has a list by month of festivals.

What literary festivals or conferences have you been to or heard of that you recommend? Are you coming to the Bloggers bash? Let me know in the comments below.

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