A former student on our Business for Bohemians course explained why she enrolled and how she went on to set up her dream project

Considering myself neither idle nor bohemian, you may wonder why I was drawn to attending the first Business for Bohemians course last March. It was that alarming word “business” which caught my eye. I had previously worked in Publishing, taken time out to have four children and returned to work in the role of literary festivals co-ordinator at the online book review and recommendation site Lovereading. I was struck by the plethora of literary festivals springing up (and well established) nationwide, but astonished to find none on my home ground in West Kent. Perhaps this was something I could address… but where to start? It was the thought of demystifying that word “business”, in an informal but structured way, amongst like-minded people, including Tom and Victoria who were learning the tricks of the trade along with us.

There was also the lure of a stiff gin and tonic with a slice of cucumber served in a china tea cup!

The Idler’s Business for Bohemians course combined a relaxed and friendly atmosphere with some punchy business ideas provided by the experts – Alan and Simone from Clever Boxer. My classmates and I were encouraged to share our ideas and experiences, our plans and our passions and over the course of eight weeks we learnt about branding, marketing, raising money, accounts and spreadsheets all interspersed with inspirational talks from leading business people including James Reed, Dan Kieran and Nigel House.

Now a year on, my literary festival is a living, breathing entity. The dates are fixed (1-3 May), the venue sorted (Chiddingstone Castle in Kent), the authors are booked (Antony Beevor, Janet Ellis, Juliet Nicolson, and Children’s Laureate Chris Riddell amongst many others), programmes and posters are printed, the box office is open and the marketing is ongoing. And the highlight of the festival is… an interview with Antonia Fraser by our very own Tom Hodgkinson. A key lesson learnt – to have friends in the right places!  www.chiddingstonecastle.org.uk/literary-festival @chiddlitfest.

Victoria Henderson