Two new books are set to be launched at the opening event of this year’s Brightlingsea Literary Festival on Sunday, February 1.

Launch at the Legion will see authors R.E. Loten and Dawn Pierce host a joint book launch celebrating the power of creativity to support mental wellbeing.

Both talks will explore how visual storytelling and written expression can help people reconnect with themselves, their surroundings, and their emotional resilience. Through their writing, the two authors invite readers to slow down, notice the small details in the world around them, and find balance in nature.

Words Will Travel 2025, by R.E. Loten, is the first in a new series which pairs everyday photographs with thoughtful poetry and prose, exploring the stories behind the locations. More Than Words, by Dawn Pierce, offers a deeply personal journey of healing through creativity.

The 3-5pm event takes place in the Royal British Legion, Sydney Street, and is running alongside Brightlingsea WinterFest – for more details click here.