WORKSHOP: How to Succeed as a Freelance Writer with Sian Meades-Williams

Freelancing isn’t a vibe – it’s a mindset. And Sian Meades-Williams is here to help you make it work. Sian is an award-winning writer, poet and creator of the freelancer’s most valuable resource, the weekly Freelance Writing Jobs newsletter. Join her for this smart, energising workshop designed to help you not just survive freelance life, but succeed in it.

Based on her brilliant book The Pyjama Myth: The Freelance Writer’s Survival Guide, this session is packed with hard-won tips, mindset shifts and real-world advice on how to build a sustainable freelance career – from generating paid work and pitching with confidence, to managing feast-and-famine cycles and protecting your mental health along the way.

Whether you’re starting out, starting over, or just want to feel less alone in the madness, Sian brings total honesty, humour, and a ton of practical wisdom. You’ll leave with new ideas, renewed clarity, and a solid plan for freelancing on your own terms. No fluff, no corporate grind, no “just manifest it” – just real tools for real freelancers (pyjamas optional).

Please note: this workshop lasts for two hours, including breaks, followed by an opportunity to purchase the book and have it signed by the author

FIND OUT MORE

Folkestone Book Festival is our annual celebration of books, bold ideas and the power of storytelling – by the sea. Curated by award-winning author and journalist Sophie Haydock (The Flames, Madame Matisse), this year’s programme features more than 50 events over 11 days, bringing together world-class writers, radical thinkers and unforgettable conversations – all inspired by Folkestone’s spirit of enabling creativity and transformative change.

We want the festival to be for everyone. That’s why we’ve introduced a £5 ticket – a no-questions-asked option for anyone who might be struggling to afford events.

And if you’re planning to come to more than a handful of events, don’t miss our great-value Festival Pass, which gives you access to all events (excluding classes, which need to be booked separately) for just £140.

There’s so much to discover – from headline talks to intimate workshops, big ideas to local voices. Check out the full programme, including our much-loved Local Talent Showcase and a new series of Creative Writing Workshops designed to spark your imagination.

We delighted that our onsite bookseller this year is Waterstones Folkestone.

We thank our major sponsor Saga and supporting sponsors Eurotunnel, Holiday Extras and Friends of the Folkestone Book Festival along with our Education Partner, Canterbury Christ Church University for making this year's festival possible. Creative Folkestone is also supported by Arts Council England, Folkestone and Hythe District Council and The Roger De Haan Charitable Trust.