Authors North Conference 2026 | AI and the creative workforce

AI and the creative workforce: redefining the skills needed to sustain a living as an author in an era of AI. This year’s conference will equip members with practical tools and advice for professional life in the age of AI, while celebrating the importance of human connection.

Early bird tickets are available for members and non-members until Tuesday, 30 June.

Not a member? sign up here with our special #SoAatHome offer and get 20% off for the first year using the offer code: SOAATHOME20.

Programme

• 10am – Listening session | hosted by Anna Ganley with Sophia A Jackson and Emma Boniwell | Register for this here (SoA members only)

• 10.45am – Registration | tea and coffee on arrival

• 11am – Keynote – Dr Mojisola Kareem

Artistic Director, Utopia Theatre (Sheffield) | The importance of human connection in an increasingly AI-driven landscape.

• 11.25am –  How I Illustrate – talk and draw-along with Lisa Maltby

Illustrator Lisa Maltby will lead a session on the connection between words and illustration through type and lettering, particularly for book covers/titles. Lisa will give a brief introduction with some relevant projects and then guide you through drawing a simple illuminated letter in black and white. Lisa will answer questions and talk through the parallels in her work/process.

• 12.15pm – Lunch

• 1pm – AI: The big debate with Bec Evans

An interactive session inviting the audience to share concerns about AI’s impact on writing careers, with author insights from Akeem Balogun.

• 2pm – Writing the (r)Age with Rachel Barnett-Jones

In this session, Rachel Barnett-Jones will share her own journey with perimenopausal aphasia as well as dive into the science of what happens to our brains and how it impacts us as writers. Rachel will also discuss her Writing the r(Age) project as a response to the isolation of brain fog and how radical self-kindness can be a writer’s most powerful tool. Copies of the Writing the r(Age) resource pack will be available to download, and there will be time for questions and discussion.

• 2.45pm – Tea/coffee break

• 3pm – How I Write – in conversation with Matt Coyne (aka Man versus Baby)

Hosted by SoA Head of Membership and Author Communities, Emma Boniwell

• 4–5.30 pm – SoA Lates | Café bar drinks, networking and nibbles 

The Line-up

Dr Mojisola Kareem

Dr Mojisola Kareem is Artistic Director and CEO of Utopia Theatre, a leading voice in African and diaspora theatre in the UK. A theatre-maker, producer and scholar, her work explores Yorùbá performance, cultural identity and innovative approaches to storytelling, leadership and international collaboration.

Instagram: @utopia_theatre| @mojisolaomoibadan Website: https://www.utopiatheatre.co.uk/  

Lisa Maltby

Lisa Maltby is an independent illustrator and designer based in Sheffield. Her work blends craft with purpose, resulting in work that connects with audiences and brings stories to life. With a diverse portfolio spanning publishing, editorial, branding, and heritage, Lisa has worked with clients including Penguin Random House, The Guardian, National Trust and Waitrose Food.

Website: www.lisamaltby.com | Instagram:@lisamaltbystudio 

Matt Coyne

In September 2015, Matt’s life was turned upside down when, after three months of parenthood, he logged on to social media and wrote about his experience of having to live with ‘a furious, sleep-murdering, unstable and incontinent, breasts-obsessed midget lodger’. Within days, his post about surviving the first few months of parenting was shared by millions. Following this, Matt created his popular blog Man vs Baby. He has written two Sunday Times bestselling books, the first entitled ‘Dummy’ and the second ‘Man vs Toddler’. And his debut novel ‘Frank and Red’ was heralded by critics and readers as one of the best debuts of the past ten years, described by The Daily Mirror as ‘Simply Perfect’. His second novel, ‘The Trouble With Sister Francis’, set in early eighties Sheffield, is due to be released in August 2026.  Matt lives in South Yorkshire with his son Charlie, his partner Lyndsay and a Jack Russell terrier with ‘issues’ called Popcorn.

Instagram: @manversusbaby | Facebook: manversusbaby | X: @mattcoyney

Bec Evans

Bec Evans is a writing coach and co-author of Written: How to Keep Writing and Build a Habit That Lasts and the Substack bestseller Breakthroughs & Blocks. A former bookseller, Arvon Centre Director and Publishing Head of Innovation, she has been researching AI while writing a book on creative persistence.

Rachel Barnett-Jones

Rachel Barnett-Jones is a writer, educator and arts advocate. As the founder of Sensible Creative, she is committed to dismantling the complexities of the professional arts to ensure that creatives are protected, informed and respected. Rachel is currently working on a variety of projects, which, she hopes, will make the Arts a happier, healthier, and kinder place to work.

Website: www.sensiblecreative.co.uk

Akeem Balogun

Akeem Balogun is a writer whose fiction has appeared in multiple publications, and he has written stories for artists, projects and festivals. His debut collection of stories, The Storm, won the Society of Authors’ Somerset Maugham Award. His latest work, ‘Post-modern Hustle’, was published by Intergraphia Books.

Instagram: @writtengallery | X: @writtengallery | Website: https://writtengallery.com

Anna Ganley, Society of Authors                              

As Chief Executive, Anna is responsible for overseeing the running of the Society of Authors and driving the SoA’s mission of empowering and supporting authors in the UK. Working closely with the SoA’s board of directors (Management Committee), Anna ensures that SoA’s activities and campaigns remain aligned with the SoA’s core mission.

Anna sits on the board of the International Authors Forum and is a member of the London Book Fair Advisory Board.

Born in Sunderland, Anna grew up on the north-east coast. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Durham and her MA in Management from Durham Business School.

Emma Boniwell, Society of Authors

Emma rejoined the Society of Authors in 2024 as Head of Membership and Author Communities. She leads the Member Services team and works on the strategic development of membership recruitment, volunteer management, development of all author communities and membership benefits.

She is the coordinator of the Society of Authors in Wales.

Accessibility

Venue Access:

• Wheelchair Access: All public areas are wheelchair accessible via lifts and ramps.
• Accessible Toilets: There are accessible toilets throughout the building, including in the Work Station areas.
• Quiet Spaces: If you need a moment of calm during your visit, the staff at WorkStation can direct you to a quieter area.
• Blue Badge Parking: Limited on-street Blue Badge parking is available on Paternoster Row and Brown Street, just outside the building. Additional accessible parking is available nearby at Q-Park Charles Street.
• All assistance dogs and service animals are welcome in Workstation’s public spaces, including the cinema, café bar, and meeting areas. If your animal needs anything specific during your visit, such as water or space to rest, please let a member of staff know.
• Further accessibility information can be found via Workstation’s website: https://workstation.org.uk/accessibility-policy

Additional:

• BSL interpretation: If you require BSL interpretation to take part in this event, please email events@societyofauthors.org.
• Other access requirements: Please email events@societyofauthors.org with any other accessibility needs.

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

About Authors North

The group hosts three events per year for members across the North including panels of industry speakers, practical workshops, meet the publisher sessions and informal socials for you to meet fellow authors. Events are currently taking place online and we hope to host hybrid events in the near future.

Authors North is run by a volunteer events committee, supported by SoA staff. We are always keen to hear your ideas and suggestions for events – please get in touch.

Join our Facebook group to keep up to date with events and opportunities across the area and chat to fellow members.

The SoA also supports multiple member-led local groups across the North of England. Visit our local groups page to find out what is happening near you.

Booking and Tickets

Please read our event booking Terms and Conditions: https://societyofauthors.org/legal-privacy/event-terms/ 

Tickets – includes all refreshments for the day conference and evening networking event

• £50 Early bird – SoA member
• £70 Early bird – Non-Member
• £70 Standard – SoA member
• £90 Standard – Non-member

Early bird tickets will be on sale until Tuesday, 30 June. Standard tickets will be on sale from Wednesday, 1 July.