How to Get Published
How To Get Published
A one-day masterclass for writers
** NB We have, unfortunately, had to postpone this event from 2020, due to COVID-19. It last ran in 2019, and we hope to be back in future! **
Here’s some information about our 2019 event at Foyles bookshop in London:
Do you want to get published? Have you written a book but have no idea how to take the next steps? Brought to you by Publishing Talk, the How to Get Published masterclass is an essential day for all authors starting out – whether traditional or indie.
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 to help you on your way – plus a reading list and handouts. You will also have the opportunity to pitch your book and get some instant feedback (optional).
Join us for a packed day of great speakers, discussions and plenty of time for networking with fellow writers.
Confirmed Speakers
Our 2020 speakers (before we had to cancel!) included:
- Scott Pack, publisher, editor and author of How to Perfect Your Sumbission
- Nicola May, Number one bestselling self-published author of 10 novels including The Corner Shop in Cockleberry Bay
- Mark Stay, screenwriter, author and co-host of The Bestseller Experiment podcast
- Debbie Young, self-published author and Author Advice Centre Manager, the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi)
- Bella Pagan, editorial director, Pan Macmillan
- Bec Evans, writing productivity expert, co-founder of Prolifiko and and author of How to Have a Happy Hustle
Programme
Our programme covers both traditional and self-publishing – from how to get an agent to working with editors to being a successful self-published author.
Morning
09:00 Registration and networking
09:30 Welcome and Introduction
Jon Reed, Publishing Talk
09:40 What are agents looking for?
The most important step to a traditional publishing deal is to get an agent. What are they looking for – and how do you get one?
Speaker TBC
10:20 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
11:00 Coffee Break
11:20 Case Study: How to write and publish a bestseller
Ten things learned from three years of The Bestseller Experiment.
Mark Stay, author and co-host of The Bestseller Experiment podcast
12:00 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
12:40 Lunch Break
Please write a one-sentence pitch for your book on the postcard provided over lunch, if you’d like to take part in the ‘Pitch Your Book!’ session after lunch.
Afternoon
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. Our panel will make brief suggestions for improving your pitch. We’ll try to fit in as many as possible!
14:20 How do editors work with authors?
Bella Pagan of Pan Macmillan, plus a debut author, discuss how books get commissioned, what happens during the editing process leading up to publication, and examine the crucial author-editor relationship.
Bella Pagan, editorial director, Pan Macmillan plus author TBC
15:00 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)
15:40 Coffee Break
16:00 Case Study: How to top the Kindle charts
Nicola May, self-published author of 10 novels including the number one bestseller The Corner Shop in Cockleberry Bay, in conversation with Jon Reed
16:40 How to finish your book
The first step to getting published is to write – and finish! – that book.
Bec Evans, productivity expert, co-founder of Prolifiko and and author of How to Have a Happy Hustle
17:00 Final Q&A and Closing Remarks
A final opportunity to ask our panel any questions you have about the publishing process.
17:30 ENDS
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17:45 – 19:45 – Networking Drinks
We hope you can join us for a drink for continued discussion and networking with your fellow writers (venue TBC).
Gallery
Here are some pictures from our 2019 event:
Audience and speaker images of our 2019 event are courstesy of A.D. Flint (author of The Burning Hill).