I write a series of books about a very special landscape – Dungeness in Kent. Hopefully it’s always there in the books. Hopefully, too, when people read them, they get sense of what it’s like there, even if they’ve never been.

The weird thing is, halfway through writing the series, in which the look of that place is so important, I learned that I had something called Aphantasia. Aphantasia is a condition where someone has little or no mental imagery. What’s astonishing is that it’s only really been recognised as a condition in the last few years – and only really widely discussed in the media since 2020.

When I learned that other people can actually form images in their heads I was flabbergasted – which is I think what most aphantasics feel. I always assumed the phrase ‘mind’s eye’ was an odd metaphor. I guess it’s a bit like a colourblind person realising that other people see vast differences between green and red.

Let me explain what it’s like for me. I know what things look like but I can’t close my eyes and ‘see’ them. I recognise my wife, for example, and can describe her, but I have no picture of her in my head. It’s quite weird, thinking about it.

But I didn’t feel short-changed by discovering I’m aphantasic. The opposite in fact. It helped me understand something. In my head I know what Dungeness is in terms of the sound of its shingle, the colour of the laundry that hangs from the lines outside some of the cabins, the way the clouds move over its huge horizon. I keep it there, I realise, as words. And I think that leaves me able to describe a place with a kind of economy others might struggle with.

We’re pretty early on the curve of realising how some types of neurodiversity relate to creativity. An extraordinarily high proportion of designers and architects, people who problem-solve in three dimensions, seem to be dyslexic. Since I discovered my Aphantasia, I’ve also discovered a few other writers with it. Maybe it’s why we have a facility with putting things into other people’s heads.

Don’t miss William Shaw discussing, on 29 June at 11.30am, his new novel The Wild Swimmers, the fifth in his highly acclaimed Dungeness-set crime series, featuring DS Alexandra Cupidi.

Hello booklovers,

Our final event in our Young Adult programme will take place on Saturday 24th of June at Felixstowe Library. Join poetry anthologist Ana Sampson to learn about The Hidden History of Women’s Writing.

Do you ever look at lists of ‘classic’ books and wonder… where are all the women? Look no further than poetry anthologist Ana Sampson, who examines the history of women’s writing in more detail. Join Ana for a fascinating discussion, looking at female literary gems who didn’t make the bookish big time purely because of their gender, alongside other fabulous female writers who managed to buck the trend. Ana will take us on a journey through history, bringing us up to speed with the most influential female writers of the current moment, all of whom are celebrated in her brilliant anthologies, She is Fierce and She Will Soar.

This event is suitable for ages 11 – adult, and we welcome all generations to come along and enjoy Ana’s insights into the role of women in our poetic history.

With our 2023 festival now imminent, we do hope you enjoy yourselves! Books by the sea with your children and you family – you can’t beat it!

Bookish best,

The Festival Team x

Hello booklovers,

There is lots on offer for the young makers and do-ers amongst us in our 2023 festival programme for Children and Young People. Along with our brilliant interactive writing workshops already mentioned, we are thrilled to be hosting the Big Library Lego Challenge, suitable for ages 5-14. If you could re-design the inside of your library how would it look? Apart from books what other fabulous features would you have? You’ve got two hours to design and build the library of your dreams and you might win a prize. LEGO® provided. There are 3 sessions over the weekend, from 9.15-11.15am, 11.30-1.30pm and 1.45-3.45pm.

Have you ever tried Zine-Making? The folks from Ipswich based creative group Rock, Paper, Scissors will be visiting us with artist Joel Millerchip, to help children, teens and families express their creative side. A Zine is a combination of collage, pictures, words and phrases, all compiled into your own journal to take home. A great way to develop creative writing and art skills.

Bookish best,

The Festival Team x

Hello booklovers,

Do you have a young writer in your family? If so, there is a high chance they will be thoroughly enthused by our festival programme for Children and Young People.

For teen writers, local author Ally Aldridge will be sitting down with local bookworm Phoebe Storer to discuss reading and writing the fantasy genre in our Let’s Talk Fantasy event on Saturday 17th June at 11.30am. Then, Mark Lowery joins us from 3-4pm for his Doughtnuts, Chips and Writing Tips session – young writers and readers will love his interactive and funny chat all about the things that matter most in life: reading, writing and, of course, fish and chips! Look forward to magic tricks and tips about how to be a brilliant writer.

The writing fun doesn’t stop there – local author Dominique Valente , creator of the Starfell series, will be sharing her advice and tips about creating fantasy worlds on Sunday 18th June at 1.15pm. Perfect for budding writers aged 8-12 (and the sort of grown ups who, as C.S. Lewis said, might be old enough for fairytales again).

Bookish best,

The Festival Team x