Those Killer First Chapters

Those Killer First Chapters

In conjunction with Waterstones Piccadilly.

During the day Paul will be joined by 2 special guests;

Simon van Booy, (in a rare UK appearance) author of 3 novels, 3 short story collections and 3 non-fiction books. You'll be able to quiz him on his experiences with the publishing world on both sides of the Atlantic.

Literary agent Carrie Kania who'll give her tips on submitting and will read your submission letter when you're ready.

You'll get a free copy of 'The Good Son' and a free ticket to an evening salon with Paul McVeigh, Fiona McFarlane (UK exclusive over from Australia) and Simon van Booy.

Focus:

How to launch your novel

How to grab your reader

What a first chapter tells us

Writing fiction with emotional impact

How to show AND tell

Talking to your reader

Using Dialogue

Getting the attention of agents & editors

Felicia Yap: "I attended Paul’s workshop two weeks before I went on submission. It was a truly enjoyable day and I learnt a lot. Sometimes, a single technical idea can make a real difference to our journeys as writers. I came away from Paul’s workshop with not one but several exciting possibilities. And yes, THE DAY AFTER YESTERDAY did get lots of attention merely two weeks later!" Selling for a 6 figure sum.

About Paul

Paul McVeigh’s debut novel 'The Good Son' is currently shortlisted for The Authors' Club Best First Novel Award and The People's Book Prize. In 2015 it was shortlisted for The Guardian's 'Not the Booker Prize' and was one of ELLE Magazine's Books of 2015 alongside Anne Enright and Ali Smith. On its second UK print, it was published in France in April and is a major Autumn release in Germany. It will be published in Hungary in 2017. It is currently Brighton City Reads and part of the UK-Russia International Year of Language and Literature.

Paul's short fiction has been published in journals and anthologies and been commissioned by BBC Radio 4 and he is co-founder of London Short Story Festival and Associate Director at Word Factory, the UK’s leading short story literary salon. He has also been a reader and judge for national and international writing competitions.

Reviews:

"Heartbreaking, gripping" The Guardian - "Excellent" The Independent - "Funny, moving, poignant. Brilliant.” Metro

"One of the most charming and endearing characters I've come across in a long while." ELLE Magazine

"Funny, shot through with streaks of aching sadness." Patrick Gale

"A work of genius from a splendid writer." Pulizter Prize-winner Robert Olen Butler.

You can read more here.

Paul's 'That Killer First Page' class on submitting short stories to journals and competitions has sold out in Bath, Belfast, Brighton, Cork, London and Melbourne.

Other Comments on Paul's classes:

"Practical, insightful application of knowledge to writing."“Fantastic! Practical, targeted advice like this is wonderful!”“This was my fav course yet! Informative, entertaining, and engaging. Hard to beat!”

PLACES LIMITED TO 10. 

*For concessions please contact Paul paulmcveighwriter@live.co.uk