POETRY

10:15 - 11:15
THE NARRATIVE POEM (1)
PHIL CARRADICE
Using the poetic form to tell a story can provide a tight structure that will enhance the tale and help to provide atmosphere. The emphasis will be on producing examples of such verse.

11:45 - 12:45
ALLOWING US TO DRESS DOWN (13)
JULIAN STANNARD
In this workshop poets will be encouraged to explore and develop a natural idiom. Based on the principle that if it it doesn't look easy you're not working hard enough the workshop will show how contemporary poetry can actually allow us to dress down

14:00 - 15:00
SIGNIFICANT OBJECTS (25)
PAUL BAVISTER
Explore the emotional content of objects and how they can create thematic links in novels and powerful imagery in poetry.

15:10 - 16:10
POEMS WIN PRIZES (37)
MAGGIE BUTT
What makes a competition-winning poem? Are poetry competitions fixed? Is it worth the entry fee? Advice and examples from a competition organiser and judge.

16:45 - 17:45
PERCEPTION & THE CREATIVE PROCESS (49)
STANLEY PELTER
Using Haiku poetry and exercises we shall look at perception as one foot up the creative process ladder. How to unblock blocks. What helps? What hinders?

FICTION NOVELS

10:15 - 11:15
EDITING IS CREATIVE TOO! (2)
LORNA FERGUSSON
It's crucial to revise and polish your work before sending it out into the crowded marketplace: here's a whistle-stop tour of the editing techniques you'll need to maximise your novel's chances

10:15 - 11:15
BLOOD, SWEAT & CORONA (3)
KATIE ESPINER & JACK SHEFFIELD
Meet a Transworld Senior Fiction Editor and a new author discovered at the 2005 Writers' Conference, who will discuss the route to successful fiction writing.

11:45 - 12:45
THE ESSENTIALS OF WRITING FICTION (14)
MARGARET GRAHAM
An exploration of the essentials for writing fiction. Taking time to see how these are applied in the pantomime version of Cinderella. Oh yes, we will!

11:45 - 12:45
YOUR PEN IS YOUR SWORD (15)
ALISON HABENS
Every story needs a hero or heroine and every hero has a quest. Learn how to harness the epic plots and characters of mythology and produce contemporary fiction that stands out from the rest.

14:00 - 15:00
THE GANGSTER SAGA (26)
JUNE HAMPSON
How characters are required to survive in a series. Creating fresh story lines, the introduction of new characters, the development and demise of the 'baddie', merging factual material and fiction.

14:00 - 15:00
THE FULL STOP. FACT OR FICTION? (27)
ADRIENNE DINES
The dreaded writer's block is not a stumbling block but a pause for thought. We will look at ways to handle this so that you are not discouraged.

15:10 - 16:10
THE CRIME SCENE (38)
LESLEY HORTON
This lecture will take you through the crime scene investigation from the discovery of the body to the point at which the forensic examination is completed

15:10 - 16:10
A NOVEL APPROACH TO STORYTELLING (39)
CATHERINE KING
The Regional Saga is an enduring genre within popular fiction. This session will explore what kind of book the regional saga is and how you can approach writing one and considering aspects such as research, setting, character and plot and the writing and publishing process

16:45 - 17:45
YOUR PEN IS YOUR MAGIC WAND (50)
ALISON HABENS
Use the tricks and techniques of fairy tale tellers to transform your writing. Learn from the 'oldest stories in the book' to create original and exciting fiction today.

16:45 - 17:45
HOW FAR CAN YOU GO IN WRITING FOR YOUNG TEENS (51)
SAM NORTH
Are there any taboos? Should morals come into it? Should we reflect the current violent young teen world or be writing something to shape and guide it? Teen serial killers or teen heroes - is that the choice?'

FICTION GENERAL

10:15 - 11:15
WRITING REALISTIC DIALOGUE (4)
VERONICA HELEY
Hear about the many tricks of the trade which produce dialogue to bring your characters to life and at the same time push the action forward.

11:45 - 12:45
OF KINGS & GIANTS: MEDIEVAL STUDIES; A RESOURCE FOR FANTASY LITERATURE AND HISTORICAL NOVELS (16)
CAROLIN ESSER
Looking back at the early and late Middle Ages, we will explore the sources which informed the work of Tolkien and P.C. Doherty and others and discover how we can use this research for modern fantasy literature and historical novels.

14:00 - 15:00
GROWING A NOVEL FROM A SEED (28)
LUCIE WHITEHOUSE
Most novels start with a single central idea and one or more key characters. We will discuss how to nurture them and grow them into a novel.

15:10 - 16:10
THE WRITING PROCESS - START TO FINISH (40)
PATRICK GALE
From first scribblings through to finished copy, dealing with agents and jacket designers to coping with book festivals and Readers' Days.

16:45 - 17:45
CUTTING THROUGH THE CLICHES (52)
BARBARA EWING
How to find the truth of real characters. Seen from the viewpoint of an actress and author and illustrated by brief excerpts

ESPECIALLY FOR BEGINNERS

10:15 - 11:15
MUMBO JUMBO OR THE REAL MCCOY (5)
SALLY SPEDDING
Come and explore the parallel worlds of myth, legend and superstition that lie just beneath our so-called civilised society. How can these enrich the crime-writer's work?

11:45 - 12:45
NOVEL WRITING - WHERE DO I START (17)
JANE WENHAM JONES
Where do I start? How should I finish? What happens when it sags in the middle? Long to write a novel but feel daunted? Stuck halfway through? Bring your questions along to this informal question & answer discussion session and find out everything you ever wanted to know about getting your novel written.

14:00 - 15:00
PLOT IS NOT A FOUR LETTER WORD (29)
BRUCE HOLLAND-ROGERS
Ask five different writers what plot is and you will get five different answers. We will examine a variety of useful plot theories and methods for building plots.

15:10 - 16:10
SIXTY IDEAS IN ONE HOUR (41)
BRUCE HOLLAND ROGERS
How to get good ideas for writing fiction, poetry, or non-fiction, learn how to hatch new ideas This session will focus on Recognition, Combination, Accretion, and other methods of invention. Suitable for all kinds of writing.

16:45 - 17:45
THAT FIRST PAGE (53)
VERONICA HELEY
How to produce a first page which will attract an editor's attention.

COMMISSIONING EDITORS/AGENTS

10:15 - 11:15
GETTING PUBLISHED (6)
HEATHER HOLDEN-BROWN
A 'how-to' practical talk for writers who need to know where and how to find a publisher for their writing, either directly or through representation by a literary agent.

11:45 - 12:45
EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO ASK AN AGENT (18)
JUDITH MURDOCH & CATHERINE KING
How to attract an agent for your work, the synopsis, covering letter, what is 'in' and what is 'out' in publishing this year.

14:00 - 15:00
HOW TO BE A SUCCESSFUL PUBLISHED AUTHOR IN TODAYS WORLD (30)
TERESA CHRIS
You may have written an excellent piece of work and made sure your writing is as good as it can be, now learn the insider tips to becoming the perfect published author

15:10 - 16:10
HOW TO CATCH AN AGENT'S EYE: WRITING THAT SELLS (42)
MARCELLA EDWARDS
How to give yourself the best chance of marketing your book, by researching the market via bookshops, online, networking and by presenting a well written synopsis and submission. 'It's definitely possible to get published'

16:45 - 17:45
WHAT DOES YOUR REJECTION LETTER REALLY MEAN? AN AGENT'S VIEW (54)
LORELLA BELLI
Your book is ready; you send it out to publishers and agents following the 'rules', but the rejection letters start coming in. what did go wrong? An agent's perspective on why and how we reject most submissions received.

SPECIAL SUBJECTS

10:15 - 11:15
THE USE OF A LITERARY EDUCATION (7)
GARY FARNELL
We will consider the usefulness of a literary education to a practising creative writer, in the light of the following remark which Fay Weldon made to Martin Amis in February 2007: 'My students tend to think writing is more difficult than it is because they have been "doing" English literature.'

11:45 - 12:45
EXPLORING YOUR SELF PUBLISHING OPTIONS (19)
TIM DAVIES & DANIEL COOK
A broad overview of the various self-publishing routes available to amateur and professional writers, focusing on the preparation of your manuscript for printing, design, layout, effective print choices, costs, marketing and distribution

14:00 - 15:00
THE DELIGHTS & DISASTERS OF COMIC WRITING (31)
PETER GUTTRIDGE
Since humour is so subjective, how can comic writers be sure they are amusing their readers. Well, with difficulty. Learn how with a few tips for getting the reader to laugh out loud and at the right places.

15:10 - 16:10
A GUIDE TO LEGAL ISSUES RELATING TO WRITING (43)
ANDREW GARBETT
Concentrating on copyright law, the legal right which governs writers' work and its commercial exploitation, as well as related issues such as rights in merchandise, contracts and other IP rights.

16:45 - 17:45
HITTING THE WALL (55)
JANE WENHAM JONES
Thousands of people start a novel - only a few make it through to the end. Learn how to keep going when the going gets tough. Always fall by the wayside at 30,000 words? Practical tips and techniques to help you get past the tricky bits and keep writing your novel to the very last page.

NON-FICTION

10:15 - 11:15
ARE YOU FIT TO BE A CITIZEN JOURNALIST? (8)
JOHN JENKINS
We are urged to send our news, pictures and views to newspapers, radio and television stations. Armed with our mobile phone and laptop, what and how should we send it with accuracy, brevity and clarity, and the fee?

11:45 - 12:45
FACT OR FICTION? (20)
SOPHIE KING
Tired of getting fiction rejections? Maybe you're a natural non-fiction writer instead? This talk will outline suggestions on how to get non-fiction into print; what to write about; and how to get spin-off fiction ideas. As a journalist, I get several short story ideas from my articles.

14:00 - 15:00
HOW TO GET AN AGENT OR PUBLISHER TO NOTICE YOU (32)
ALISON BAVERSTOCK
How to format a manuscript, make a submission, follow it up and remain perky enough to sound interesting if they bite. A compelling mixture of practical detail and good ideas.

15:10 - 16:10
EDITING YOUR WORK (44)
JOHN JENKINS
Learn how to become your most critical, constructive and creative editor; Create excellent beginnings and endings, learn how to avoid traps which ruin a good story, avoid blind spots in characterization and the anti-climax.

16:45 - 17:45
HAVING THE WRITE ANGLE (56)
MALCOLM WELSHMAN
We'll assess your genre, target your audience, discuss the research required and brainstorm ideas to unleash your creativity and produce clear focussed articles or book proposals to hook an editor.

EDITORIAL

10:15 - 11:15
EDBURY PRESS: LOOKING FOR SOMETHING NOVEL (9)
GILLIAN GREEN (Editorial Director)
All you wanted to know about writing for Ebury's new commercial fiction list.

11:45 - 12:45
REVIVING A FLAGGING WRITING CAREER (21)
ALISON BAVERSTOCK
Languishing in the mid-list? Learn how to help yourself secure more publishing house attention and how make the most appropriate contribution yourself

14:00 - 15:00
FROM TELLING TALES TO WRITING WORDS - ESPECIALLY FOR TEACHERS (33)
JACQUELINE HARRETT
This workshop is especially for teachers who want to inspire pupils to write across the curriculum. This lively and interactive session will explore writing through story, art and photographs.

15:10 - 16:10
FROM TELLING TALES TO WRITING WORDS - ESPECIALLY FOR TEACHERS CONTINUED (45)
JACQUELINE HARRETT
From telling tales to writing words, teachers should find ways to encourage children to write across a range of genres.

16:45 - 17:45
A STRATEGY FOR SLUSH-PILES (57)
DANIEL CLAY
A winning strategy for submitting novels to slush-piles and what it's like to get published this way.

SHORT STORY

10:15 - 11:15
FIVE STEPS TO ACHIEVE COMMERCIAL SUCCESS FOR YOUR SHORT STORIES (10)
DEBBY HOLT
You've finished your story; ready to send it off! First, learn these five steps that we'll discuss, with examples from celebrated practitioners, if you want to increase your chances of publication

11:45 - 12:45
TELL IT, WRITE IT (22)
MARY MEDLICOTT
Hear how a professional storyteller's techniques may help your story-writing to become more fluent and deeply imagined - and how today's world of storytelling may perhaps provide new avenues for your work.

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15:10 - 16:10
HOW TO FIND AND AGENT AND WHAT HE CAN DO FOR YOU (46)
PHILIP PATTERSON
Presentation of your manuscript, marketing books to films, contracts, rights, the process after you have an agent and what is doing well in the current market.

16:45 - 17:45
SKIP THE SLUSH PILE (58)
ANNABEL WRIGHT & KATE HYDE
If publishers and agents won't accept unsolicited submissions, what is a would-be author to do? Authonomy might be the answer - a site for writers to post their work with a view to getting feedback, getting noticed and getting published.

WRITING FOR CHILDREN

10:15 - 11:15
HEARING VOICES (11)
JUDY WAITE
A look at dual and multiple voice narratives in Young Adult Fiction. How to achieve strong, distinctive characters; and techniques for running plot through a variety of viewpoints. Come prepared to write!! Suitable for all ages and genres.

11:45 - 12:45
HAVE YOU TICKED THE RIGHT BOXES (23)
ELIZABETH ARNOLD
An overview of the essential points to consider when writing for the most critical of readers... Children.

14:00 - 15:00
FINDING A UNIQUE SELLING POINT (35)
JUDE EVANS
Original ideas are rare, but there are ways of developing themes and concepts so that they stand out in a saturated market. A discussion on how to mould your ideas to appeal to publishers

15:10 - 16:10
DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE SAYING AND WHY? (47)
ELIZABETH ARNOLD
What is driving you to write and your readers to read? How to get to the heart of your story.

16:45 - 17:45
THE QUEST FOR PUBLICATION (59)
BEVERLEY BIRCH
In the increasingly competitive and unforgiving publishing scene, a new writer struggles to get hard-pressed editors to look at their work. Writing a good story, well told, is not enough to get published, nor for a book to succeed. An exploration of children's publishing and looking for your own special place in it.

SCRIPT WRITING

10:15 - 11:15
WHY SHOULD I DO YOUR PLAY? (12)
PATRICK SANDFORD (Artistic Director, Nuffield Theatre)
Directors and playwrights are looking for new forms of theatrical writing, physical theatre, music theatre, forum theatre, site specific theatre, mixed media, to name but a few. So what exactly in 2008 does an Artistic Director look for in a new play, or should you simply write what is in your heart?

11:45 - 12:45
WRITING COMEDY FOR TELEVISION, RADIO, NEWSPAPERS & MAGAZINES (24)
BRAD ASHTON
Learn the techniques writers use to make people laugh. Comedy is not lost in translation to other languages.

14:00 - 15:00
BREAKING INTO MOVIES (36)
JOHN BARLOW
Writing short film is the stepping stone into the UK film industry. We'll discuss the writing of short film, good practice, processes of applying for training/funding for short film

15:10 - 16:10
WRITING SUCCESSFUL DRAMA (48)
DAVID HANSEN
This session will look at using basic psychology and human empathy as the essential cornerstone in writing convincing, moving and successful drama.

16:45 - 17:45
THE PICTURES ARE BETTER ON RADIO (60)
PHILIP GLASSBORO
An illustrated session, with sound pictures, on writing for radio, incorporating questions and answers.