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National Writing Centre's Season of Debuts: Industry Insights

National Centre for Writing is delivering a day of inspirational talks and networking for novelists at the beginning of their career. Join us for a series of informative and empowering sessions designed to help you build resilience, balance the practical and emotional aspects of publishing, and plot the next steps in your writing journey.

Speakers include Heather Parry, debut novelist of Orpheus Builds a Girl and Scottish Senior Policy & Liaison Manager for the Society of Authors; Sam Ruddock, founder and director of independent publisher Story Machines; Hannah Chukwu, editor at Dialogue Books; and Ellah P. Wakatama, Editor At Large at Canongate and Publishing Director at The Indigo Press.

A day ticket includes:

  • Welcome delegate pack

  • Tea and coffee on arrival

  • Talks and activities across the day

  • A catered lunch with soft drink

  • Drinks reception following the event

The programme for the day, includes:

  • A keynote address from Jill Dawson on finding joy from endurance

  • Your public self: pitching, performing, and engaging with readers

  • Making and managing money as a writer

  • Publishing routes, from self to traditional publishing

Scroll down to read the full outline.

Tickets are available for purchase at a subsidised day rate of £30. A low-income concession ticket is £15. Some childcare and travel bursaries are available, please see below.

Delegates will be offered a 20% discount on Society of Authors membership.

This industry day is part of Season of Debuts, a programme which champions the work of early career writers through a combination of physical and online events, partnerships, commissions, podcasts, media features, residencies and exchanges. It is a legacy of the Desmond Elliott Prize.

Buy tickets here.