AUTHORS, poets and musicians entertained crowds as a popular writing festival returned for a second year.

Talks and writing workshops were given for people of all ages at Abergavenny Writing Festival from Thursday to Saturday.

The event, sponsored by estate agent Christie Residential and supported by Literature Wales, was held the Kings Arms Hotel and Broadleaf Books in Abergavenny over three days and evenings.

Lucie Parkin, organiser, said all of the events were well-attended.

“We had lots of support locally and everybody who came along had a really positive experience,” she said.

“I think people came away feeling that writing is for everybody, which is what we were hoping.”

Among the highlights was a songwriting workshop led by singer songwriter Kizzy Crawford on the Saturday at the Kings Arms hotel.

BBC Countryfile magazine editor Fergus Collins and best-selling author Robert Penn were among those to give talks and workshops.

Guardian and Observer arts journalist and Radio 4 documentary maker Jude Rogers discussed the differences of writing for radio and newspapers.

For younger writers, children’s authors Nicola Davies, Sarah Hill and Bev Carr gave talks and workshops, with storytelling from Alison Newsam and Louby Lou’s Storytelling. A fantasy and science fiction writing workshop was given by Abergavenny writer Stephanie Burgis and a Letterpress printing workshop from poet and artist Francesca Kay. There were also poetry, creative writing and mindful writing workshops.

“There was a real mix, with things for children, adults and journalists,” said Ms Parkin.

She added: “My view is that we are all ‘writers’, whether we write professionally or privately. It’s really about communicating, connecting and finding your own voice.”

The festival aims to cover as many areas of writing as possible: from writing a novel, a diary, an article, a poem, a film, a speech, a song or a letter. Organisers are planning for the popular festival to return again next year. To find out more about the festival and for updates on next year’s event visit abergavennywritingfestival.com