How to Get Published
Event Information
Description
How do you get an agent?
How do you write a book proposal?
How do you make the leap from 'writer' to 'published author'?
On this one-day, intensive masterclass from Publishing Talk, you will learn how to navigate the journey to becoming a published author.
Meet bestselling authors, literary agents, publishers and self-publishing experts as they explain the publishing landscape, the various routes to publication and equip you for career success.
Expect no-nonsense, practical advice to motivate you to write that book - and get it published!
Includes a free copy of Write a Bestseller by Jacq Burns, plus a reading list and handouts. You will also have the opportunity to pitch your book and get some instant feedback (optional).
Join us at the iconic Foyles bookshop on Charing Cross Road, London for a packed day of great speakers, panels, discussions and plenty of time for networking with fellow writers.
Our programme is subject to change, but this is how things are shaping up:
Programme
09:00 Registration and networking
09:30 Welcome and Introduction
Jon Reed, Publishing Talk
09:40 How to write and publish your first novel
What does it take to become a successful author?
Molly Flatt, author of The Charmed Life of Alex Moore
10:10 What are agents looking for?
The most important step to traditional publishing success is to get an agent. What are they looking for - and how do you get one? What makes a bestseller?
Jacq Burns, literary agent, founder of London Writers' Club and author of How to Write a Bestseller
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10:40 Coffee Break
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11:00 How to perfect your submission
Practical tips on how to put together your proposal, sample material and query letter.
Scott Pack, editor, publisher and author of How to Perfect Your Submission
11:30 What are editors looking for?
Editors explain the commissioning process, how they find books and authors - and what happens next.
Panel: Bella Pagan, Pan Macmillan; Lindsey Mooney and Keshini Naidoo, Hera Books
12:00 How to write and publish a bestseller - in a year
Case study: putting advice into practice
Mark Stay, author and co-host of The Bestseller Experiment podcast
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12:40 Lunch break
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13:40 Pitch your book!
Putting into practice what you’ve learned in the morning, you will have the opportunity over lunch to either write down a one-sentence pitch for your book, or just think of one to share with the group in the session. Literary agent Jacq Burns will make brief suggestions for improving your pitch. We’ll try to fit in as many as possible!
14:10 The business of self-publishing
Could self-publishing be for you? What you need to know to be a successful indie author.
Debbie Young, The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi)
14:40 How to self-publish your book
How to use different platforms and models as an indie author.
Panel: Anna Lewis, CompletelyNovel; Nick Coveney, Kobo; Debbie Young, ALLi
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15:15 Coffee Break
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15:35 Other publishing routes
Other ways to get published: hybrid and crowdfunding models.
Panel: Clare Christian, Red Door Publishing; Xander Cansell, Unbound
16:05 How to build your online platform
How to build your online platform to equip yourself for career success as an author
Jon Reed, Publishing Talk
16:35 Author success stories
Three authors talk about their different paths to publishing success (plus Q&A)
Panel:
Liz Fenwick, author of seven novels including One Cornish Summer (Orion)
Natalie Fergie, author of The Sewing Machine (Unbound)
Nicola May, author of nine novels including The Corner Shop in Cockleberry Bay (self-published)
17:20 Closing Remarks
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17:30 ENDS
17:45 onwards - Networking drinks at the Phoenix Arts Club (just across the road from Foyles).
