SoA Listening Session | Belfast Book Festival

This year, we’re hosting a series of in-person and online Listening Sessions to understand the biggest issues affecting our members. As we journey through our current five-year strategy period, 2025-2030, we want to ensure that we continue to listen to members’ needs.

The format for our Member Listening Sessions will involve a small group meeting for members to share the biggest issues affecting them as an author. These meetings will be structured to foster open communication and understanding among members on topics relevant to the business of authorship.

Please note that this session will be taking place during Belfast Book Festival and you will need to have a ticket for entry to attend.

Tickets are not yet available for the Book Festival, but will be available via their website here: https://belfastbookfestival.com/

Programme

• 2.30pm – Listening session starts
• Discussion lead by SoA Chief Executive Anna Ganley and Board Chair, Vanessa Fox O’Loughlin (90 mins)
• 4pm – session ends

Upcoming dates

Members are invited to book a place to share their experiences at one of the sessions below:

Online:

• World Listening Day | Saturday 18 July, 14.30-16.00
• Online Listening Day | Monday 19 October, 18.00-19.30

In Person:

• Belfast Book Festival | Thursday 4 June, 14.30-16.00
• Authors North Conference | Saturday 19 September, 10.00-11.00
• In person Listening Session | Wednesday 7 October, 12.30-14.00

Hybrid:

• Society of Authors in Scotland AGM | Thursday 16 April, 18.00-19.00

Need to know

Accessibility

• If you require BSL interpretation for this event, please email events@societyofauthors.org
• All areas of The Crescent are fully accessible by ramps and a passenger lift allowing ease of movement to enable you to explore and enjoy our building. Read the venue’s full accessibility information here: https://crescentarts.org/about/plan-visit/accessible-facilities

Before the event

• Once registered, you will be sent a confirmation email with the Zoom link
• If the confirmation email doesn’t arrive in your inbox, please check your junk/spam email folder
• Please add events@societyofauthors.org to your Safe Senders list so you receive our confirmation and reminder emails

During the event

• This event is 90 minutes

Feeling unwell?

We recommend the following:

• Staying home if you’re feeling unwell or have flu-like symptoms
• Washing your hands when coming in from the outdoors and / or before touching your face
• Applying alcohol hand sanitiser (we will have these on site)
• We advise attendees to wear a face mask if they feel comfortable doing so

Booking

Book your place for this event via the registration form below.

Please note that this will be taking place during Belfast Book Festival and you will need to have a ticket for entry to attend.