Is your New Year’s resolution to get published? We’re running our popular How to Get Published masterclass again in 2020!

How To Get Published

A one-day masterclass for writers

Saturday 8th February 2020 – Foyles, Charing Cross, 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).

Following the success of our 2019 event, we’re making this an annual writers’ conference, and returning once more to the iconic Foyles bookshop on Charing Cross Road, London. Join us for a packed day of great speakers, discussions and plenty of time for networking with fellow writers.

Confirmed Speakers

Our confirmed speakers for 2020 include:

• 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)
• Bec Evans, productivity expert, co-founder of Prolifiko and and author of How to Have a Happy Hustle

Programme

Our programme for 2020 will cover both traditional and self-publishing – from how to get an agent to working with editors to being a successful self-published author. It’s shaping up as follows (NB this is indicative and subject to change):

Morning

09:00 Registration and networking

09:30 Welcome and Introduction
Jon Reed, Publishing Talk

09:45 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 

10:30 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

11:15 Coffee Break

11:30 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

12:15 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

13:00 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

14:00 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!

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)

15:45 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

16:30 Coffee Break

16:45 Case Study: How Nicola May topped 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

17:15 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 over the road at The Phoenix Arts Club, for continued discussion and networking with your fellow writers. There will be some money behind the bar, so your first drink is free!

Gallery

Here are some pictures from our 2019 event:

Limited early-bird tickets are on sale now. Don’t miss out – book now!

Book now

Audience and speaker images of our 2019 event are courstesy of A.D. Flint (author of The Burning Hill).