CONTACT US
DIRECTORS
Lillian Avon
Zambian-born writer, Lillian launched the Bournemouth Literary Festival in October 2004 and has been a LAMDA Speech & Drama Teacher, PR Executive and Personal Assistant and currently works for the Society for Editors and Proofreaders (SfEP). In July 1997 she wrote and produced her first play AMAH on the London Fringe. Lillian has been involved in general publishing since 1999 and has worked for The Random House Group and Little, Brown Book Group. Her plays include Black to Dorset (in collaboration with the Black History in Dorset Project), Tenants of Massive Destruction' (a semi-adaption of Edward Lewis Wallant's novel The Tenants of Moonbloom) and The Black Pack. Her articles and short stories have been published in several publications and she has been featured in magazines, newspapers and radio. Lillian also provides advice, manuscript and marketing assessment services for debut writers. Visit her website at: www.debutbooks.co.uk.
Esnat Avon
Esnat is a children's writer and storyteller specialising in Zambian folklore and is a retired accountant who has worked in Zambia and Hong Kong. In 2004 she established, Contesa, a charity that works with AIDS orphans and widows in Zambia and is currently writing a controversial memoir about life in a Zambian village. For more details visit: www.contesacharity.co.uk
David Jones
David is the Principal / Marketing Director of ETC International College, a Bournemouth-based British Council-accredited language school. He has been involved in the world of languages training and international marketing since 1984. His main achievements have been developing and raising the international marketing profile of ETC's range of course programmes. He is also very active in international marketing and public relations work for the automotive and motorsport industries, through Red Dragon Motorsport (UK). He edits and writes for the International and Motoring sections of Listed, the regional listings magazine. His involvement in the festival stems from his lifelong interest in language and international literature. Email: davidjones@etc-inter.net
VOLUNTARY COMMITTEE
Martin Baum
As a broadcaster, satirist and journalist, Martin’s first book 'To be or Not To Be, Innit – a Yoof-Speak Guide to Shakespeare', became a best-seller in 2008. His second, “Oi Mate, Gimme Some More!” a Yoof-Speak Guide to the Complete Novels of Charles Dickens, Innit, looks certain to maintain his unique approach to literature by keeping it fun and accessible, removing the language barrier by making the text less intimidating, whilst still retaining the potency and beauty of the stories. “Oi Mate, Gimme Some More!” will be available on June 9th to coincide with the 140th anniversary of Charles Dickens’ passing. For further information please visit: www.yoofspeak.net. Martin also offers critiques for aspiring writers so call him on 07919 983425.
Nick Ellis
Nick has been an avid consumer of words since he could read. He now seeks to give back positive experiences which will encourage and enthuse young and old to read, think, enjoy and learn. He taught in secondary schools for 20 years and now works for the local authority on alternative modes of travel projects. Nick has been a volunteer with the Bournemouth Literary Festival for two years.
John Houghton
John Houghton writes fiction and non-fiction for both children and adults. As a children's author he is best known for the five volume Oswain Tales, the first of which, Hagbane's Doom, has now been published as a musical for primary schools. John makes occasional author visits to schools. He can be contacted via www.oswaintales.co.uk, or via his publisher at www.starshine.co.uk.
Monique Munroe
A published writer, Monique runs her own creative writing workshops and works part-time for a local charity editing their newsletters. She is a director for The Arts Poole and helps with PR for the annual film industry network event Prequel to Cannes. She has been a volunteer for the Bournemouth Literary Festival for two years.
Dani Perry
Dani runs AQUA Designs, a freelance graphic design company - www.aqua-designs.co.uk. Her specialities include all marketing materials, photography, web design and printing. Her portfolio can be found on Facebook under AQUA Designs.
Julie Ratcliffe
Julie is a freelance Public Relations Consultant and Copywriter. She is an honours graduate of the Open University (1988 ) where she studied British social history and literature from 16th to 19th Century, including comparative work between Britain and Europe and Britain and America. Julie is a full member of the Society of Women Writers and Journalists (SWWJ) and has had numerous articles published. Julie has recently completed her first children’s novel.
Anna Scanna
Anna’s career began in publishing and moved into public relations. Her first novel, Virtual Satisfaction, began with her MA in Creative and Critical Writing at Winchester University in 2006. She has published a short collection of humorous verse, Funny good, Funny bad … and a children’s book, Picture Numbers. She has won prizes in international and local competitions and had many poems published in South magazine and is now part of South’s editorial team. Anna is also a member of Poole Writers’ Circle.
Iwona Tokc-Wilde
Originally from Poland, Iwona has lived in Bournemouth since 1999. She is a freelance writer of magazine articles and travel features and a contributing writer for Suite101.com. Iwona has an eclectic background: she has a Masters in English Literature and Theory; she was a teacher of English as a foreign language and a people development manager. She is also a qualified accountant but words, not numbers, are her first love.
Noel White
Noel established Rowan White Photographic (www.rowanwhite.co.uk) in 1985 and is well known in the Bournemouth business community. He has worked with diverse personalities from Les Dawson, Margaret Thatcher and Gordon Ramsay. In a previous life he was a land surveyor and draughtsman but moved to Bournemouth in 1976 to study photography. An arts lover, he hopes to bring the festival to a wider audience and broaden its appeal.
Thank you to all of our supporters, volunteers and helpers!
We would also like to thank past Management Committe members and Volunteers who have been integral to the success of the festival: Lauren Almey, Jason Banrey, Keith Bennett, Beatrice Bergner, Dan Hodgson, Romy Eckert, Katie Edgar, Bill Honeyman, Brian Jenner, Wendy O'Mahoney and Boima Rogers.
If you would like to be a volunteer and/or want more details
please email Lillian Avon at: info@bournemouthliteraryfestival.co.uk or call 01202 417535
The Bournemouth Literary Festival is a self-funded voluntary association