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Scroll down to read the detailed description of the sessions, below the timetable.
| ROOMS: | CHESTNUT ROOM | BIRCH ROOM | MAPLE ROOM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.30 – 9.50 | Registration and coffee | |||
| 9.50 - 10.00 | Introduction. | Welcome and initial thoughts. Matthew Pegg | ||
| 10.00 – 11.00 | Session 1 | Writers and Agents: Great Expectations. Ben Illis and Liz Flanagan | Creating a Character- Finding a Voice. Celia Rees | |
| 11.15 – 12.15 | Session 2 | How to Self Publish. Ben Galley | Short but Not Sweet: Creepy Short Stories. Chris Priestly | One to one sessions. Ben Illis |
| 12.20 – 1.20pm | Session 3 | Kickstart Your Novel. Liz Flanagan | Digital Storytelling. Gabrielle Kent | |
| 1.20pm – 2.20pm | Lunch | |||
| 2.20 – 3.20pm | Session 4 | Writing for Picture Books: A Crash Course. Elys Dolan | Navigating Children’s Publishing. Kesia Lupo | One to one sessions. Ben Illis |
| 3.35 – 4.35 | Session 5 | What Should I Read? Gabrielle Kent. Elys Dolan, Celia Rees, Chris Priestly. Ben Galley, Ben Illis, Kesia Lupo. | ||
| 4.35 – 5pm | Summing up and final questions. |
DESCRIPTION OF SESSIONS
WRITERS AND AGENTS: GREAT EXPECTATIONS
Discussion: Ben Illis and Liz Flanagan
What to expect from the agent-author relationship and how best to go about finding the right agent for you.
Kids/YA specialist agent Ben Illis and YA author Liz Flanagan talk frankly about the agent-author relationship, how they started working together, and how best to approach an agent with your work.
CREATING A CHARACTER – FINDING A VOICE
Workshop: Celia Rees
How do you create a vital, credible central character? How do you make them interesting and believable to young readers? How should they behave and think? Most importantly how do you find their individual voice? Join Celia Rees in a workshop that takes you through the creation of a credible teen protagonist, including that all important Voice.
HOW TO SELF PUBLISH
Workshop: Ben Galley
Join self-publishing expert Ben Galley for a workshop on how to self-publish the DIY way – maximising royalties and maintaining complete creative control. Ben will guide you through each step of the publishing process, demystifying the options and providing insider tips and tricks.
SHORT BUT NOT SWEET: CREEPY SHORT STORIES
Workshop: Chris Priestly
A strong short story needs to be well structured. Chris Priestley takes you through the process of shaping effective short fiction. The workshop will focus in on creating scary short stories, utilising fears and phobias to build atmosphere and evoke a shudder.
KICKSTART YOUR NOVEL
Workshop: Liz Flanagan
Have you got a great idea for a children’s book but you’re not quite sure how to get going? If so, this practical workshop is for you. Writer Liz Flanagan will take you through exercises designed to generate exciting ideas and characters and help you structure your story. Whether you are writing for teenagers or younger children; whether you are a detailed planner or like to wing it; this session will equip you with the tools you need to make a start.
DIGITAL STORYTELLING
Workshop/Talk: Gabrielle Kent
Children’s author and video game lecturer Gabrielle Kent explores the different ways in which videogames tell stories, and how writers work with studios to create an impactful experience. You’ll also be introduced to non-linear storytelling and a fabulous free software tool to help you to create interactive fiction (for instance a ‘choose your own adventure’ style game), in a matter of hours.
WRITING FOR PICTURE BOOKS: A CRASH COURSE
Workshop: Elys Dolan
Join award winning author and illustrator Elys Dolan for a beginners workshop on writing for picture books. Learn about the anatomy of a picture book, how to structure your story and how to write for illustration. By the end you’ll be ready to write your first picture book!
Participants should bring a story idea that has a beginning, middle and end.
NAVIGATING CHILDREN’S PUBLISHING
Talk: Kesia Lupo
All your questions about children’s publishing answered! Chicken House Editor, Kesia Lupo, offers her insights into the wonderful world of children’s books, and how to find your way into it. You’ll learn about the publishing process, working with an editor, and the differences between publishers, as well as exploring an editor’s perspective on what makes a great submission, and how you can make your story stand out from the crowd.
WHAT SHOULD I READ?
Discussion: Elys Dolan, Celia Rees, Chris Priestly. Ben Galley, Gabrielle Kent, Kesia Lupo, Ben Illis.
Guests talk about the books that inspired them and together create a reading list of well known and obscure children’s books that aspiring writers should read.
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