The Abergavenny Writing Festival was set up in 2016 to encourage and explore writing in all its forms. It will take place for the 4th consecutive year from 11-13th April 2019 at the Kings Arms Hotel, The Chapel and other Abergavenny venues. The overarching theme of the festival this year is “Your Words Have Power.” There will be talks, workshops, performances and readings for children and adults across three days and evenings.

Workshop sessions will include Michelle Gordon on how to write a novel in a month, Sharon Brace on writing for well-being and the BBC Writers Room will deliver a talk entitled ‘Can I write a TV script?’

There will be talks about publishing in the digital age and a session offering advice from a copyright lawyer. Artist Catherine Wynne-Paton will host a writers and illustrators speed-dating session. Some published writers will give talks about their work and experiences including Simon Lancaster and Marianne Kavanagh.

For the first time Abergavenny museum and castle will be hosting events with workshops on memoir writing with Lynn Clausen. Local writer Phil Madden will give a session on letter writing and in particular his experience of writing to an inmate on death row.

There will be a Saturday afternoon session full of readings and storytelling designed for the whole family as well as children’s writing workshops.

The festival will end with a packed evening of entertaining and powerful words and music from Jonathan Edwards, Marie Ellis-Dunning, Rufus Mufasa and ending with a unique musical set from MC Tumi Williams (of Afro Cluster) partnering with saxophonist Mr Woodnote. The duo plan a one-off set incorporating the words of the poets and audience members.

The Society of Authors will have a presence throughout the festival to offer advice and guidance.

This event is supported by Literature Wales with Writers on Tour funding.