BUDDING writers still have time to put pen to paper and enter story competitions as part of the AsparaWriting Festival in Evesham.

Plans for this year's festival, only the second to take place, are now underway and organisers have revealed details of which authors will be visiting the Vale for the festival.

The festival runs from Saturday, June 6, to Saturday, June 13, and writers including Philip Gooden, Ruth Downie, Karen Maitland, Janet Laurence, NJ Cooper, Robert Low, Michael Jecks and Dr Ian Mortimer.

Organisers are also keen to encourage people to take part themselves by putting their writing skills to the test.

Competition entries should be no more than 6,000 words for adults or 3,000 for juniors, aged 12 to 16, in English, and be a mystery set in the Heart of England, with a hint of Simon de Montfort. All stories need to be in by Saturday, March 28.

Poets are also being given the chance to present their work

If you are looking for opportunities to present your poetry or prose, then there is the new open mic session, hosted by Fergus McGonigal, Worcestershire’s Poet Laureate, in Evesham Library on the afternoon of Saturday, June 13.

Workshops will also take place alongside the talk events.

Sue Ablett, part of the festival committee, said: "I went to two talks last year, discovered two new authors and have now read all their books.

"For aspiring writers, who are keen to have constructive help in improving their skills, the half day workshops will be ideal.

"These are held in the comfortable surroundings of the Evesham Hotel, so with topics ranging from beginnings and endings, creating suspense and plotting for murder, these should be fantastic events, and are really good value at a cost of just £30 each workshop, including tea and coffee.

"The programme of evening talks really should appeal to anyone who likes books and reading. There are some intriguing titles."

Tickets are £12, but reduced to £10 when booking more than one event, and the talks will be held in Church House.

Dr Ian Mortimer, who is best known for his 2008 book, The Time Traveller’s Guide to Medieval England, will be giving the last talk of the week. He will also wind up the festival and present the winners of the short story competition.

"Now in its second year, we really are keen to see this festival become a popular annual event, and another addition to Evesham’s fantastic range of festivals," added Dr Ablett.

Leaflets about the Evening talks and writing workshops are available at Evesham Library, the Almonry and Evesham Hotel.

For more information visit AsparaWritingFestival.co.uk.