Professional Development – How to ask for what you need: Gaining confidence to speak up while navigating barriers in publishing

The publishing process can make any author feel powerless. Many of us hesitate to ask for what we need or doubt our right to take up space.

In this Professional Development session with Lisa Christie, a Chartered Coaching Psychologist, we’ll explore practical tools to help us speak up, confidently request what we need – including our legal right to reasonable adjustments – and keep the conversation centred, so our voice, our work, and any access needs we have are fully respected and supported.

You can access the Society of Authors’ new Access Form here. The form is designed to provide support to disabled authors, neurodivergent authors and authors with chronic health conditions by making it easier to request reasonable adjustments.

This event is in conjunction with our Authors with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses Network (ADCI)

This event will have BSL Interpretation provided by Ali Gordon and Tracey Tyer

#SoAatHome Professional Development events – free for SoA Members

All #SoAatHome Professional Development sessions continue to be free for members. However, for non-members, the price is £35 including VAT.

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

Programme

• Welcome and introductions from Elsa Woodmeade – Local Groups Manager, SoA (3 mins)
• Presentation by Lisa Christie (60 mins)
• Comfort Break (5 mins)
• Q&A with audience (20 mins)
• Summary and closing comments (2 mins)

What will this session cover?

• Why authors might feel like we can’t speak up and why this isn’t our fault.
• Tools to feel more confident raising and discussing our needs.
• How to make requests constructively.
• How to introduce using an access form (otherwise known as an access passport, access rider or access document) to help convey core information and record agreed support.
• How to raise concerns and have constructive follow-up conversations if our needs aren’t being met.
• Where to seek support if we are still not being heard.

Who is this session for?

Any author wanting extra tools to smooth the path to publication day and beyond. It will be particularly useful for disabled, chronically ill, and neurodivergent authors who need to discuss reasonable adjustments

About the Authors with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses Network (ADCI)

This member-led peer support network aims to break feelings of isolation by connecting authors facing common experiences, in an online community that offers continuing professional and personal support.

The network’s primary aim is to offer a friendly and supportive space where you can feel safe to ask questions, share experiences, offer advice, and make new connections.

To join or to take part in the specific activities below email us

Send us your questions

If you would like to send questions in advance, email EWoodmeade@societyofauthors.org with ‘How to ask for what you need’ in the subject header. We will prioritise questions sent in advance and answer as many as we can from the audience on the day.

SoA Fundraising Bookshop

Browse our virtual Bookshop.org store featuring books by authors and speakers taking part in our events programme. When you make a purchase using our affiliate links, a percentage will go to the Society of Authors’ Access Fund, giving authors support for travel, subsistence, childcare or access needs for events, residencies, and retreats.

The Line-up

Lisa Christie

A chartered coaching psychologist and neurodiversity specialist, Lisa blends psychological insights with practical tools to help authors understand their brain, challenge limiting beliefs and overcome procrastination, perfectionism and overwhelm. 

This helps them to feel better equipped, to view themselves with compassion and self-knowledge, and feel more confident in their own voice and creative process.

Website:  www.lisachristie.co.uk | Instagram: @lisachristiecoach | Facebook: Lisa Christie Coach  | LinkedIn: Lisa Christie CPsychol | Courses: Parent toolkit – ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia

Need to know

Accessibility

• Attendees will have the option to turn on the live transcript, to watch with subtitles
• This event will have BSL Interpretation provided by Ali Gordon & Tracey Tyer

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 online event will take place on Zoom Webinar; you will not be visible on screen but will be able to ask questions via the Q&A function or interact via the chat box
• This event will be recorded but you won’t be on screen
• Attendees have the option to turn on the live transcript
• This event is 90 minutes 

After the event

• The hashtag for this event: #SoAatHome
• SoA Members and paid attendees of this event will be able to catch the recording on our Vimeo channel (password protected) or members can access via the SoA website.

Booking

SoA Members: Please use the ‘Register – SoA Members’ form below and provide your details, including your membership number. If you’re unsure of your SoA ID, please email info@societyofauthors.org.

Non-members: Choose one of the two ticket options below, complete the registration form, then fill out the billing info to finalise your payment.

For event or registration questions, email events@societyofauthors.org.

SoA Members – Free

Non-Members – £35