POETRY

10:15 - 11:15
ADDING TO THE IMAGE (1)
PAUL BAVISTER
Description doesn’t have to dull, serving only to set the scene. It can create an emotional, tonal landscape. Find out new ways to use description and imagery to add significance to your
poetry.

11:45 - 12:45
A POET’S WORK ON THREE CONTINENTS (13)
FRED D’AGUIAR
Reading poems from Continental Shelf, Fred will talk around the idea of a life on 3 continents, Guyana, UK, USA, which was the inspiration for his book and will answer questions about the writing
process.

14:00 - 15:00
BE YOUR OWN EDITOR: HOW TO MAKE YOUR POEM SAY WHAT YOU WANT IT TO SAY (25)
VICTORIA FIELD
This practical presentation will help you see your own work with a critical eye. Please bring two copies of a poem to work on.

15:10 - 16:10
POETRY AND THE PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF LANGUAGE (37)
JOHN HAYNES
A discussion of the ways in which poetry, metrical and non-metrical draws upon language sounds, rhythms and articulation and the roles these features play in creating meaning.

16:45 - 17:45
HOW TO GET YOUR POETRY ACCEPTED BY MAGAZINES (49)
PHIL CARRADICE
Tips and advice that will give you a better than even chance of impressing editors and seeing your efforts in print, perhaps for
the first time.

FICTION

10:15 - 11:15
HITTING THE WALL (2)
JANE WENHAM-JONES
Thousands of people start novels. Only a few complete them. Do
you grind to a halt after three chapters or fall by the wayside at 30,000 words? Practical tips and techniques to help get you through the tough times and keep you writing until “The End”.

11:45 - 12:45
THE LIFE AND TIMES OF A PAPERBACK WRITER (14)
CATHERINE KING
Getting published in paperback from initial concept to supermarket
publicity. We will discuss market research and self-awareness as well as writing, editing and promoting the book.

14:00 - 15:00
THE TRICKY BITS (26)
JANE WENHAM-JONES
Do you dream of writing a novel but don’t know where to start? Can you never get past chapter five? Do you lack discipline, get muddled or have terrible trouble thinking up plots? Find out everything you ever wanted to know about getting your novel written, but never dared ask...

15:10 - 16:10
FROM SHORT HOP TO LONG HAUL (38)
LORNA FERGUSSON
Making the transition from short fiction to writing your first novel, covering self-belief, optimising writing conditions and techniques, assessing your idea’s potential and getting through the dark times. Can you do it? Yes you can!

16:45 - 17:45
SCORNED BY THE CRITICS, CONSUMED BY THE MILLIONS: WOMEN’S POPULAR FICTION (50)
JEAN FULLERTON
What are the various subgenre of the multi-million pound industry of women’s fiction and how to maximize you chances of success in
a highly competitive market..

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MAINSTREAM FICTION

10:15 - 11:15
CONFLICT (4)
ADRIENNE DINES
Sol Stein regards conflict as the essence of drama, the engine that keeps the story moving. We will look at different types of conflict
and how to use the one that ensures your story doesn’t run out of steam!

11:45 - 12:45
WHOSE TERRITORY IS IT? STAKING A CLAIM ON LOCATION (16)
SAM NORTH
Rankin has Scotland, Pullman owns Oxford but then again so does Colin Dexter, McCall Smith has Botswana, Wilbur Smith the rest of Africa, it seems. So how do you get a foothold on the literary map? Or can anyone play? An investigation into literary location.

14:00 - 15:00
FUNNY HA HA AND PECULIAR (28)
PETER GUTTRIDGE
Writing comic novels that other people find funny too.

15:10 - 16:10
LOOSE TALK... (40)
JUDITH ALLNATT
Dialogue can reveal characters’ secrets as well as driving plot. Freudian slips, hints at a subtext, breaking the ‘rules’ of conversation…let your characters get lippy!

16:45 - 17:45
THE X FACTOR IN NOVEL WRITING (52)
DEBBY HOLT
Correct preparation is essential. It facilitates plot development and the creation of fully rounded characters. It’s also a perfect antidote to writer’s block.

ESPECIALLY FOR BEGINNERS

10:15 - 11:15
WELL, I KNOW THAT NOW... (5)
LUCY WHITEHOUSE
Writing a novel – your first, second or tenth – is a learning curve. We will discuss key stages in a novel’s development, with tips from the experience of one who leads a double life as agent and author.

11:45 - 12:45
WRITING REALISTIC DIALOGUE (17)
VERONICA HELEY
Learn the tricks of the trade which will bring your dialogue to life, develop your characterisation, push the action forward and
reduce needless narrative.

14:00 - 15:00
THE BEST DIALOGUE EXERCISE EVER (29)
ALISON HABENS
Want your characters to sound like real people? Need them to surprise you when they speak? Try some great new techniques
for writing dialogue in this practical workshop.

15:10 - 16:10
A STRATEGY FOR SLUSH-PILES (41)
DANIEL CLAY AND ANNABEL WRIGHT (HARPER PRESS)
A winning strategy for submitting novels to slushpiles and what it’s like to get published this way.

16:45 - 17:45
THAT FIRST PAGE (53)
VERONICA HELEY
Hooking the editor’s attention on page one is vital. They seldom read further. What to include and how to lay it out.

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
THE MOST COMMON MISTAKES OF WANNABE WRITERS (18)
TERESA CHRIS
How to solve these mistakes and get published.

14:00 - 15:00
PIATKUS FICTION: HOW TO STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD (30)
DONNA CONDON
Piatkus' commissioning editor discusses the list, what they are currently looking for at Piatkus and how to make your submission stand out in the (very large) slush pile!

15:10 - 16:10
FROM THE WINCHESTER CONFERENCE TO PUBLICATION: HOW WE DID IT (42)
LORELLA BELLI & JUSTINE TRUEMAN
From pitching your idea to an agent and being taken on, to the editorial work on your typescript, to submitting to publishers, to landing a book deal, to the various steps of the publishing process, and to the ultimate thrill of seeing your book in bookshops! We will also discuss the author-agent relationship and what we can expect from each other.

16:45 - 17:45
EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO ASK AN AGENT (54)
JUDITH MURDOCH AND CATHERINE KING
How to attract an agent to your work, the synopsis, the covering letter, what is 'in' and what is 'out' in popular women's fiction this year.

ACADEMIC ISSUES

10.15 - 11.15
CAMPUS WRITING PERILS AND PITFALLS (7)
JOHN GILBEY
The campus novel is a familiar genre, many written by practising academics. Learn some of the perils and pitfall that await the academic who also publishes fiction. Contractual management of the intellectual property and pragmatic management of the relationship with your colleagues and students.

11.45 - 12.45
A GUIDE TO LEGAL ISSUES RELATING TO WRITING (19)
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.

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14.00 - 15.00
WHATS IN A MONSTER (31)
CAROLIN ESSER
A good monster may be needed in many stories. In the field of horror fantasy or fairy tales, the existence of your monsters will be very present. Monsters or the monstrous allow us to explore the borderlines between that which is us and which is Them. We will exchange ideas about different types of the monstrous, find out what makes a good monster in different contexts and what such a monster can do for our narrative.

15.10 - 16.10
BIOGRAPHIES AND FAMILY HISTORY (43)
JOHN JENKINS
There's huge interest in family histories and in personalities who need a ghost writer. Learn where to begin, how to research, creating the format. Hasten your development as a writer and increase your income

16.45 - 17.45
ESSENTIAL EDITING (55)
JOHN JENKINS
Too many authors - fiction and non fiction fail to give their work that extra polish which only careful editing can do. Many of the principles of editing - whether for a book of poetry or the front page story on a national paper are much the same. The same applies to a short story or a magazine feature. Becoming an accomplished editor will improve your work and the number of cheques you receive.

NON-FICTION

10.15 - 11.15
HOW TO MARKET YOURSELF AS A WRITER (8)
ALISON BAVERSTOCK
Hands-on advice on how to make yourself sound interesting to agents, publishers and readers. Spotting and projecting the inner star! Relevant to both the published and would-be published.

11.45 - 12.45
TRAVEL WRITING: PITCHING, PROMOTING AND PLAYING TO YOUR STRENGTHS (20)
FRAN SANDHAM
Travel writing is too often regarded as a shortcut to a paid holiday with minimum work. This talk examines some of the realities, inspirations, finding a market for your work, pitching articles and ways to promote your work.

14.00 - 15.00
ARE YOU REALLY A NON-FICTION WRITER (IT MIGHT EARN YOU MORE!) (32)
SOPHIE KING
So your novel is still unpublished? Then try non-fiction writing. This talk explores your potential strengths; where to pitch; and what you can earn!

15.10 - 16.10
ENGLISH LITERATURE RUINS MY WRITING! (44)
GARY FARNELL
Come to this workshop and look at some anonymous extracts of work taken from well-known writers - see if you can guess who has had a literary education.

16.45 - 17.45
TIPS ON GETTING NON FICTON PUBLISHED (56)
CAROLINE TAGGART
Approaching an agent, writing your pitch, going it alone, getting paid - an insider's look at do's and don'ts, with plenty of time for your own questions

SPECIAL SUBJECTS

10.15 - 11.15
WRITING A BEST-SELLING COOKBOOK (9)
ROSE ELLIOT
From first ideas to finished work, what makes a recipe original, writing, testing and presentation; finding and working with a publisher.

11.45 - 12.45
CREATIVE WRITING AND CLIMATE CHANGE (21)
AMANDA BOULTER
How can writers address the most important issues of our time: climate change, energy crises, environmental destruction? What can creative people do to make a difference?

14.00 - 15.00
SPARKING THE WRITTEN WORD: ESPECIALLY FOR TEACHERS (33)
SUSAN LEE KERR
This interactive workshop is especially for teachers who want to inspire students of all ages to write a cross a range of genres. We'll explore writing through words, objects and art.

15.10 - 16.10
PRODUCTION POINTS FOR SELF-PUBLISHERS (45)
GEOFF FISHER
Writing the book is the easy bit! Now let's talk about making your book reader-friendly in terms of design and presentation.

16.45 - 17.45
TUNE INTO YOUR MUSE (57)
MALCOLM WELSHMAN
How to brainstorm ideas that unleash your creativity and produce clear, focussed articles or book proposals that hook editors. Take away ten top tips to turn your features and stories into massive hits.

YOUNG FICTION

10.15 - 11.15
SEARCH FOR A STORY (10)
JUDY WAITE
A look at contemporary young fiction, how to combine story with issues and why.

11.45 - 12.45
IMAGE AND INSPIRATION (22)
SALLY SPEDDING
Sometimes, from the huge sea of information that surrounds us, we happen upon an image, whether from the past or present, which strikes a light. How can we use it to create original, exciting fiction?

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WRITING FOR CHILDREN

10.15 - 11.15
IS IT PLOT OR CHARACTER? THE SECRETS OF NARRATIVE DRIVE REVEALED (11)
SARAH MUSSI
Creating spellbinding stories and keeping your readers glued to the page is every writer's dream. Which comes first plot or character? We will look at how to create enough narrative drive to keep those pages turning and have agents and publishers hooked too!

11.45 - 12.45
WRITING FOR CHILDREN (23)
ELIZABETH ARNOLD
People think writing for children is easy, a good place to start. Not true! Children are choosy! This talk gives a quick overview of the points essential to consider when writing for children.

14.00 - 15.00
THE QUEST FOR PUBLICATION (35)
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 assessing your own special place in it.

15.10 - 16.10
THE IMPORTANCE OF CHARACTER IN CHILDREN'S BOOKS (47)
JUDE EVANS
A strong memorable character is most often key to a book's success. Jude will give tips on developing this aspect of your writing, focusing on how to create three-dimensional characters that engage your reader and stand out from the crowd.

16.45 - 17.45
HOW TO GET AN AGENT FOR YOUR CHILDREN'S BOOK (59)
JULIA CHURCHILL
There is a drama to a great submission. They sing. How to write that white-knuckle query letter, how to refine your pitch and maximise what you've got, how to research your quarry and target the right match. Make your manuscript the one the agent takes home. Basic principles that should help you hit the high notes with your initial approach and beyond. Julia Churchill is looking for children's fiction for girls and boys of all ages.

WRITING FOR MEDIA

10.15 - 11.15m
A BEGINNING A MUDDLE AND AN END (12)
BERNARD MCKENNA
A fast forward journey through the processes involved in writing scripts for film and television. From having the idea, then developing it into a plot and finally writing the script.

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
WRITING AND DIRECTING A DOCU-DRAMA OR A BIOPIC FOR TELEVISION, RADIO/FEATURE FILMS (36)
PAUL BRYERS
This illustrated talk shows how to use narrative technique to dramatise fact-based stories, turn real-life reported speech into dramatic dialogue, plan the dramatic arc, and write stage directions that help the dialogue.

15.10 - 16.10
THE HUMAN PSYCHOLOGY IN STORIES (48)
DAVID HANSEN
What makes a story stand out? This talk, illustrated by film clips, will show how writers can reach out and achieve the maximum possible communication with their audience.

16.45 - 17.45
HOW TO WRITE FOR THE MOVIES (60)
JOHN BARLOW
Writing short films is the stepping stone into the UK film industry. We'll discuss the writing of short film, good practice, processes of applying for training and the funding for short film.