This exciting day of seminars and workshops brings together Essex-based authors, writers and aspiring writers. Listen to author readings at the Pop Up Podium, pick up top tips, meet other writers, and find out more about getting published and publicising your book.

Essex Authors Day Workshops and Seminars

There is no charge for any of these workshops. Rooms will be confirmed on the day. There will be just a few places available on the day, so please book in advance to secure your place, or visit the help desk to book on the day.

10.00am – 10.45am  
Writing speculative fiction: Owen W Knight

Speculative fiction is narrative encompassing supernatural or futuristic elements, and includes science fiction, fantasy, horror and their combinations. Join this presentation and discussion on the challenges and experience of writing speculative fiction for adults or young adults. BOOK NOW

10.00am – 10.45am
Working with an independent publisher: Alex Clare

For those wishing to be traditionally published, the best-known route is via an agent. Hear about Alex’s route to publication with an independent publisher, and what to expect when being published. BOOK NOW

10.00am – 10.45am  
Unbound – Crowd sourcing your book: Kwaku Osei-Afrifa

Unbound are a ground-breaking company with a proven track record of supporting authors to crowd-fund their projects. Learn more about how this might work for you. BOOK NOW

11.00am – 12.20pm      
Creating Story Structure: David Jason Cattrell

A practical workshop exploring a range of techniques for fleshing out the bones of a story, such as developing a story structure, role play and hot-seating.  BOOK NOW

11.00am – 12.20pm  
Using music to inspire writing: Ralph Jackman

Listening to a variety of music clips to inspire moods, words, phrases and ideas. A practical workshop. BOOK NOW

12.00 noon – 12.45pm
Writing from my experience: Elizabeth Woodcraft

How can authors draw on personal experience? In the sixties Elizabeth was a Chelmsford mod and used that background as well as research to create her book The Essex Girls. BOOK NOW

12.30pm – 1.15pm
Publishing through my Eyes: Terry Ward

The stages of creating and publishing a photographic project, and reaching a target audience. BOOK NOW

12.30pm – 1.50pm
Successful Pitching and Subbing: Dan Jones

Advice, information and examples of how to compile high quality pitches and submissions to agents and publishers, including covering letter, synopsis, and excerpt. Practical workshop, with a chance to develop your own pitch. BOOK NOW

1.00pm – 2.30pm
Reading your story in public: Bella D’Arcy Reed

A masterclass in reading your story in public; how to bring it alive, engross your audience, and use your reading to promote your work. The first eight people to ask on the day can have their reading assessed. Observers are also very welcome. Bella D’Arcy Reed is a former lecturer, acting and singing teacher. BOOK NOW

1.30pm – 3.00pm    
Using Cinematic techniques to improve your poetry:  Derek Adams

We will study scenes from movies and discuss the techniques used by film makers and use some of them to write our own poems. A practical workshop. BOOK NOW

2.00pm – 3.00pm
Writing fiction: making it happen: Patrick Forsyth

A short session to review key issues that help, or hinder, writing fiction (from short stories to novels for adults or children): from getting started to planning (or not), from thinking about genres, characters, and settings to writing and reviewing what you have written and getting it “right” (and maybe fit for publication). Be prepared for a short exercise. BOOK NOW