Im wondering about going to the Winchester Literary Festival this year in June but its very expensive! What are your opinions on whether it will be worthwhile or just another way of getting money out of desperate people?
Im wondering about going to the Winchester Literary Festival this year in June but its very expensive! What are your opinions on whether it will be worthwhile or just another way of getting money out of desperate people?
Agents who go to these things are genuinely talent-scouting. They might get their expenses but even that's not a given. Sure, most people who attend won't catch the eye of an agent but does that make their attendance worthless or "desperate"? I don't think so - although accept it depends on what the individual is hoping to gain. In my experience, the biggest plus of these things is to hook up with like-minded people.
Oh, and although it's a really nice idea for these things to be free, there has to be some sort of cost to somebody because they cost money to put on in the first place - venue hire, staffing costs etc. Sure they could just charge a "break even" fee to participants but these things are businesses. For example, the Winchester festival is hosted by the university and, if it doesn't make some sort of profit, presumably it won't run again.
Thanks adrian, i will check those books out x
I think such kind of cultural events, including Literary or Art Festivals, should be for free or at least requires symbolic charge. They ought to support creative people: artists, writers, open new opportunities for them, but do not restrict their chances.