BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//The Society of Authors - ECPv6.18.2//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://societyofauthors.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for The Society of Authors REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Europe/London BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20250330T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20251026T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20260329T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20261025T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20270328T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20271031T010000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261001T110000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261001T120000 DTSTAMP:20260914T155047Z CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260914T155047Z UID:10002231-1790852400-1790856000@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Industry Insider – How to make a living as a children’s author and illustrator DESCRIPTION:Making enough money from book sales alone is hard. So how do most children’s authors and illustrators make a living? Our expert panel Tọlá Okogwu\, Joanna Nadin\, Rikin Parekh and Steve Cole will talk about income streams including making the most of both traditional publishing and self-publishing\, school visits\, funding opportunities\, teaching and more.  \nThis event is in conjunction with our Children’s Writers and Illustrators Group. \n  \nOnline Industry Insider events – free for all + donation \nAll donations made go towards the Society of Authors’ Access Fund. The fund is to help provide authors support for travel\, subsistence\, childcare or access needs for events\, residencies\, and retreats. If you would like to make a donation with your booking\, please do so when registering for the event below. \n  \nWhat will this session cover? \n\nHow to find sources of income as a children’s writer and illustrator\n\n  \nProgramme\n\nWelcome\, introductions and housekeeping from Steve Cole (3 mins)\nPanel discussion chaired by Steve Cole\, with Tọlá Okogwu\, Rikin Parekh and Joanna Nadin (40 mins)\nQ&A with audience (15 mins) \nSummary and closing comments (2 mins)\nThis event will be moderated by Hope Norman – Membership and Author Communities Administrator\, SoA\n\n  \nThe Line-up\nSteve Cole\nSteve Cole is a prolific British children’s author with sales of over 3 million copies. His work has spanned many genres\, from science fiction and adventure to ‘cli-fi’\, comedy and graphic novels. In addition\, he is Creative Editor for BBC Books’ Doctor Who list. He lives in Aylesbury Vale. \nBlueSky: @stevecolewriter.bsky.social | X: @stevecolebooks \n  \nTọlá Okogwu\nTọlá Okogwu is an award-winning\, best-selling children’s author of the Onyeka\, Daddy Do My Hair and Aziza’s Secret Fairy Door (as Lola Morayo) series. A literacy advocate\, she founded Read Bold\, Wide and Beyond\, encouraging children to build confidence and explore diverse genres. Tọlá lives in Kent with her family. \nWebsite: tolaokogwu.com | Instagram/Threads: @tolaokogwu \n  \nRikin Parekh\nRikin Parekh studied Foundation Studies in Art at Camberwell College of Arts and then Illustration at the University of Westminster\, Harrow. He primarily worked as a Storyboard Artist/Creature Designer in the Film industry\, while also working in retail\, selling books for a national chain\, and then on a Film/TV streaming site. He currently spends his time between working as a primary school SEND Learning Support Assistant\, caring for his mother and writing/illustrating Children’s books. When he’s not drawing\, you’ll probably find him at the cinema\, the zoo\, a museum\, dog-sitting\, or at a Comic Con with friends. \nHe is currently working on his second Author/Illustrator picture book and lots of other fun projects. \nWebsite: www.rikinparekh.com | Instagram: @r1k1n_parekh | Bluesky: @rikinparekh.bsky.social \n  \nJoanna Nadin\nJoanna Nadin is a former broadcast journalist and special adviser to the Prime Minister. Since leaving politics she’s written more than a hundred books for children\, including the Sunday Times #1 bestselling Worst Class in the World Series\, and Joe All Alone\, which is now a BAFTA-winning BBC drama. She is also Associate Professor of Creative Writing at University of Bristol.  \nBluesky: joannanadin.bsky.social \n  \nAbout the Children’s Writers and Illustrators Group (CWIG)\nOur Children’s Writers and Illustrators Group (CWIG) is a professional community of writers and illustrators who create content for the children’s publishing market. \nWe campaign as a group on issues of specific relevance to us\, as well as raising the profile of children’s books more generally.  \nAn elected committee directs the work of the group\, and it is managed day to day by coordinator Sarah Burton. Please see the CWIG committee page for details and deadlines for upcoming vacancies. \n  \nSend us your questions\nIf you would like to send questions in advance\, email HNorman@societyofauthors.org with ‘Making a living as a children’s author and illustrator’ in the subject header. \n  \nAccessibility\n\nAttendees will have the option to turn on the live transcript\, to watch with subtitles\nIf you require BSL interpretation for this event\, please email events@societyofauthors.org\n\n  \nBooking\nPlease either use the form titled ‘Register – no donation’ or the option of the different ticket options with a donation amount depending on how much you would like to donate towards the Society of Authors Access Fund. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Accordion Title\n \n Accordion Content \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Society of Authors’ Access Fund - donate now\n \n Giving authors support for travel\, subsistence\, childcare or access needs for events\, residencies\, and retreatsEvery contribution helps us ensure that these needs and costs aren’t barriers to authors wishing to access events. If you are in a position to help\, please donate via the link below. If you are an author facing access issues\, please click here to see if we can help. DONATE NOW\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n SoA Fundraising Bookshop\n \n 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. URL:https://societyofauthors.org/event/industry-insider-how-to-make-a-living-as-a-childrens-author-and-illustrator/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome,Children's Writers and Illustrators ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Industry-Insider_How-to-make-a-living-as-a-childens-authors-and-illustrator-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261002T170000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261002T174500 DTSTAMP:20260805T084533Z CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260805T084533Z UID:10002227-1790960400-1790963100@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Feel Good Friday - Draw along with Ellen Surrey DESCRIPTION:Join Los Angeles-based illustrator and joint ALCS Educational Writers’ Award winner\, Ellen Surrey for a colourful\, Halloween-themed sketch session to kick off the spooky season. \nInspired by her love of painting and printmaking\, Ellen will walk you through a technique she often uses in her sketchbook to create multiple colours with a limited palette. \nFor this session\, you will need: \n\nPaper (smooth is better)\nPencil and eraser\nTranslucent markers (Ellen will be using Tombow dual brush pens)\nA thin pen in a dark colour (ballpoint\, Micron\, etc)\n\nThis event is in conjunction with our Educational Writers Group (EWG). \n  \nOnline Feel Good Friday events – free for SoA Members | £5 for Non-Members \nNot a member? sign up here. \n  \nProgramme\n\nWelcome\, introductions and housekeeping from Tilly Zeeman – Contracts Advisor and EWG co-ordinator\, SoA (3 mins)\nDraw along with Ellen Surrey (35 mins)\nSharing creations (5 mins)\nSummary and closing comments (2 mins)\n\n  \n  \nThe Line-up\nEllen Surrey\nEllen Surrey is a Los Angeles-based illustrator whose work captures the unique spirit of the city she calls home. Endlessly inspired by the surrounding film industry\, mid-century design\, and vintage treasures\, Ellen’s work presents a vibrant world of joy and whimsy. Her work spans from digital to gouache illustrations\, appearing in children’s books\, posters\, editorial\, product designs\, and even a USPS postage stamp! No matter the project\, Ellen’s work is always celebratory of the subjects she depicts. \nWebsite: https://www.ellensurrey.com/ | Instagram: @yesurrey \n  \nAbout Educational Writers Group\nEducational Writers Group (EWG) is a professional network for SoA members who produce educational materials for all settings including schools\, higher education and academic institutions\, and the English Language Teaching sector.   \nWe welcome emerging career authors who are interested in producing educational materials in the future as well as established authors.   \nThe group is run by an elected committee of volunteers with expertise in different areas. For all inquiries please email co-ordinator Tilly Zeeman. Not a member of the SoA yet? Sign up today using the discount code EWG20. \n  \nAccessibility\n\nAttendees will have the option to turn on the live transcript\, to watch with subtitles\nIf you require BSL interpretation for this event\, please email events@societyofauthors.org\n\n  \nBooking\nSoA 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. \nNon-members: Choose one of the two ticket options below\, complete the registration form\, then fill out the billing info to finalise your payment. \nFor event or registration questions\, email events@societyofauthors.org. \nSoA Members – Free \nNon-Members – £5 \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Accordion Title\n \n Accordion Content \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Society of Authors’ Access Fund - donate now\n \n Giving authors support for travel\, subsistence\, childcare or access needs for events\, residencies\, and retreatsEvery contribution helps us ensure that these needs and costs aren’t barriers to authors wishing to access events. If you are in a position to help\, please donate via the link below. If you are an author facing access issues\, please click here to see if we can help. DONATE NOW\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n SoA Fundraising Bookshop\n \n 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. URL:https://societyofauthors.org/event/feel-good-friday-draw-along-with-ellen-surrey/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome,Educational Writers Group ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Feel-Good-Friday_Draw-along-with-Ellen-Surrey-2.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261006T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261006T120000 DTSTAMP:20260804T081229Z CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260804T081229Z UID:10001815-1791280800-1791288000@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Professional Development - How to create a talk for schools DESCRIPTION:In this session\, experienced author\, teacher and actor Jo Cotterill will lead you through the jargon of primary and secondary school structures and explain how to create an event that inspires and excites while still being within your comfort zone. \nNumbers are strictly limited for this fully interactive workshop to allow enough time for all participants to explore their strengths and the themes of their book(s) through the exercises set. By the end of the session\, you should have a firm idea of the structure and content of your event\, along with a lot more confidence to deliver it! \nAttendees will be able to access a recording of the event afterwards and will also receive the presentation slides. \nPlaces for this event are very limited.  \n  \nOnline Professional Development events – this event is for members only and tickets are priced at £19.50. \nNot a member? Sign up here \n  \nProgramme/What will this session cover\n\nWelcome\, housekeeping and introductions from Hope Norman – Membership and Local Groups Administrator\, SoA (3 mins)\n\nWorkshop programme hosted by Jo Cotterill:\n\nIntroductions from Jo Cotterill\n\nSchools\n\nKey stages\nYear groups\nTimetables\nSEND\n\nYou \n\nYour strengths\, interests and experience\nIdentifying events in your life you could talk about and how.\n\nYour book(s)\n\nAnalysis of the themes in your books\nYour comfort zones regarding social issues\nInteractive exercises linked with your book(s)\n \nComfort Break\n\nStructuring your event\n\nHow to stay on time and keep your audience engaged\nSoftware to use for presentation\n\n \n\n\n\nWhat next?\n\nTalks vs workshops\nPacing your day\nFees and contact with schools\nFinal thoughts\nSummary and closing comments \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSend us your questions\nIf you would like to send questions in advance\, email HNorman@societyofauthors.org with ‘How to create a talk for schools’ in the subject header. We will prioritise questions sent in advance and answer as many as we can from the audience on the day. \n  \nThe Line-up\nJo Cotterill\nJo Cotterill has published over fifty books for children since 2004 with multiple publishers including OUP\, Bloomsbury and Barrington Stoke. She writes for educational publishers as well as trade and regularly visits schools to deliver talks and workshops. Her previous careers in acting and teaching have given her extra confidence in public speaking\, and she particularly enjoys interactive story exercises with large numbers of children. She has spoken at festivals including Hay\, Edinburgh and Oxford\, and is a consultant with EmpathyLab. She is currently working on the fourth book in the series The Starlight Stables Gang with Penguin Random House. \nWebsite: jocotterill.com \n  \nAccessibility\n\nAttendees will have the option to turn on the live transcript\, to watch with subtitles\nIf you require BSL interpretation for this event\, please email events@societyofauthors.org\n\n  \nBooking\nBook your place by using the registration below. If you’re unsure of your SoA ID\, please email info@societyofauthors.org. \nFor event or registration questions\, email events@societyofauthors.org. \nSoA Members – £19.50 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Accordion Title\n \n Accordion Content \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Society of Authors’ Access Fund - donate now\n \n Giving authors support for travel\, subsistence\, childcare or access needs for events\, residencies\, and retreatsEvery contribution helps us ensure that these needs and costs aren’t barriers to authors wishing to access events. If you are in a position to help\, please donate via the link below. If you are an author facing access issues\, please click here to see if we can help. DONATE NOW\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n SoA Fundraising Bookshop\n \n 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. URL:https://societyofauthors.org/event/professional-development-how-to-create-a-talk-for-schools-2/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome,Children's Writers and Illustrators ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Professional-Development_How-to-create-a-talk-for-schools-3.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261008T190000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261008T210000 DTSTAMP:20260929T133957Z CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260929T133957Z UID:10002072-1791486000-1791493200@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Write along DESCRIPTION:Join us for a relaxed evening of writing in good company hosted by Marlene Lowe\, Deputy Chair of the Scottish Committee & owner of Ghost & Quill\, Scotland’s first horror-themed bookshop. Whether you’re deep into a manuscript\, tinkering with a short story\, or just need a reason to sit down and get words on the page\, this Write Along is your chance to carve out dedicated writing time alongside fellow authors. \nThe optional theme for this session is Liminal spaces. Transitions. The unsaid. The moment between one thing ending and another beginning. You’re welcome to write whatever you like\, but if you fancy a shared creative prompt\, take “The Space Between” in whatever direction calls to you — any genre\, any form. We’ll have a chance to discuss our interpretations in the networking session afterwards. \nAll SoA members are welcome. Bring whatever you’re working on\, a notebook\, a laptop\, a cup of tea\, and yourself. \nPlease note that this event will not be recorded or shared afterwards.\n  \nThis event is in conjunction with the Society of Authors in Scotland (SoAiS) \nNot a member? Sign up here \n  \nWhat will this session cover?\n\nWe’ll kick off with introductions and informal networking — a chance to say hello\, share what you’re working on\, and settle in.\nThen we’ll write together in companionable silence for around 90 minutes. No pressure\, no critiquing — just the quiet motivation of knowing others are writing alongside you.\nAfterwards\, there’s another 15 minutes for those who’d like to stick around to chat\, share how the session went\, and connect with other writers.\n\n  \nProgramme\n\nWelcome and introductions from Elsa Robert – Executive Administrator\, SoA (2 mins)\nIntroductions and informal networking (15 mins)\nWrite along workshop led by Marlene Lowe (60 mins)\nComfort break (5 mins)\nWrite along workshop continues (25 mins)\nOptional summary and closing comments (15 mins)\nThis event will be moderated by Elsa Robert\, SoA\n\n  \nThe Line-up\nMarlene Lowe\nMarlene Lowe is the founder of The Emerald Agency\, a communications consultancy based in Aberdeen\, Scotland\, specialising in crisis and strategic communications for the organisations the big agencies overlooked. She is also the founder of Ghost & Quill\, Scotland’s first horror-themed online bookshop. She believes the best work happens at the edges. \n  \nAbout Society of Authors in Scotland (SoAiS)\nMembers with a Scottish postcode are added to the group when they join the SoA. If you have not been added but would like to join this group\, please contact us. \nWe offer a varied calendar of activities organised by a committee of volunteers and staff coordinator Elsa Robert. Group activities are reported in the SoA’s quarterly magazine\, The Author. \n  \nSend us your questions\nIf you would like to send questions in advance\, email ERobert@societyofauthors.org with ’Write along’ in the subject header. We will prioritise questions sent in advance and answer as many as we can from the audience on the day. \n  \nAccessibility\n\nAttendees will have the option to turn on the live transcript\, to watch with subtitles\nIf you require BSL interpretation for this event\, please email events@societyofauthors.org\n\n  \nBooking\nThis event is for SoA members only. Book your place using the registration form below.  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Accordion Title\n \n Accordion Content \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Society of Authors’ Access Fund - donate now\n \n Giving authors support for travel\, subsistence\, childcare or access needs for events\, residencies\, and retreatsEvery contribution helps us ensure that these needs and costs aren’t barriers to authors wishing to access events. If you are in a position to help\, please donate via the link below. If you are an author facing access issues\, please click here to see if we can help. DONATE NOW\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n SoA Fundraising Bookshop\n \n 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. URL:https://societyofauthors.org/event/write-along/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome,Society of Authors in Scotland ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Write-along-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261013T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261013T113000 DTSTAMP:20260728T090155Z CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260728T090155Z UID:10002073-1791885600-1791891000@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Professional Development – The nuts and bolts of writing series fiction DESCRIPTION:Join Author Vaseem Khan as he leads this session covering the essentials of writing series fiction\, i.e. fiction that features returning characters and settings. \nWe will explore examples of brilliant series across different genres such as crime\, fantasy and romance\, and examine the key ingredients that make such fiction successful. The session will detail how to create narrative arcs that ‘grow’ your characters\, how to develop overarching themes\, and the elements of world-building that make readers consistently come back for more. We will also discuss what agents and editors are currently looking for in new series pitches. \nThis session is for authors currently writing or contemplating writing series or episodic fiction i.e. fiction with recurring characters and/or settings. \n  \nOnline Professional Development events – free for SoA Members | £35 for Non-Members \nNot a member? Sign up here. \n  \nWhat will this session cover?\n\nWhat makes for brilliant series fiction\, across different genres? \nHow to create evolving narrative arcs for your characters\nHow to write self-contained plots in each series outing \nThe importance of overarching themes\nHow to create a world that readers want to revisit\nWhat do agents and editors want in series fiction?\n\n  \nProgramme\n\nWelcome\, introductions and housekeeping from Lilly Brend-Fish – Events & Engagement Manager\, SoA (3 mins)\nPresentation by Vaseem Khan (60 mins)\nComfort Break (5 mins)\nQ&A with audience (20 mins) \nSummary and closing comments (2 mins)\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n  \nSend us your questions\nIf you would like to send questions in advance\, email LBrendfish@societyofauthors.org with ‘Writing series fiction’ in the subject header. We will prioritise questions sent in advance and answer as many as we can from the audience on the day. \n  \nThe Line-up\nVaseem Khan\nVaseem Khan is the author of several award-winning crime series including the Baby Ganesh Agency novels\, set in modern Mumbai\, and the Malabar House historical series\, set in 1950s Bombay. His debut\, The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra\, was selected by the Sunday Times as one of the 40 best crime novels published 2015-2020. Midnight at Malabar House\, the first Malabar House novel\, won the Crime Writers’ Association Historical Dagger. He is also the author of Quantum of Menace\, the first in a series featuring Q from the world of James Bond. \nWebsite: http://vaseemkhan.com | Instagram: @vaseemkhanwriter | X:@VaseemKhanUK \n  \nAccessibility\n\nAttendees will have the option to turn on the live transcript\, to watch with subtitles\nIf you require BSL interpretation for this event\, please email events@societyofauthors.org\n\n  \nBooking\nSoA 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. \nNon-members: Choose one of the two ticket options below\, complete the registration form\, then fill out the billing info to finalise your payment. \nFor event or registration questions\, email events@societyofauthors.org. \nSoA Members – Free \nNon-Members – £35 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Accordion Title\n \n Accordion Content \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Society of Authors’ Access Fund - donate now\n \n Giving authors support for travel\, subsistence\, childcare or access needs for events\, residencies\, and retreatsEvery contribution helps us ensure that these needs and costs aren’t barriers to authors wishing to access events. If you are in a position to help\, please donate via the link below. If you are an author facing access issues\, please click here to see if we can help. DONATE NOW\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n SoA Fundraising Bookshop\n \n 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. URL:https://societyofauthors.org/event/professional-development-the-nuts-and-bolts-of-writing-series-fiction/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Professional-Development_The-nuts-and-bolts-of-writing-series-fiction-2.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261019T180000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261019T193000 DTSTAMP:20261019T100854Z CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20261019T100854Z UID:10002056-1792432800-1792438200@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:SoA Listening Session | Online DESCRIPTION: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. \nThe 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. \nThis is part of a series of listening sessions we’re hosting in person and online this year. We also have an online survey which you can complete here. \n  \nProgramme\n\n6pm – Listening session starts\nDiscussion led by SoA Chief Executive Anna Ganley and SoA Chief Operating Officer\, Katharine King (90 mins)\n7.30pm – session ends\n\n  \nAccessibility \n\nAttendees will have the option to turn on the live transcript\, and to watch with subtitles.\nIf you require BSL interpretation for this event\, please email events@societyofauthors.org\n\n  \nBooking\nBook your place for this event via the registration form below. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Accordion Title\n \n Accordion Content \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Society of Authors’ Access Fund - donate now\n \n Giving authors support for travel\, subsistence\, childcare or access needs for events\, residencies\, and retreatsEvery contribution helps us ensure that these needs and costs aren’t barriers to authors wishing to access events. If you are in a position to help\, please donate via the link below. If you are an author facing access issues\, please click here to see if we can help. DONATE NOW\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n SoA Fundraising Bookshop\n \n 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. URL:https://societyofauthors.org/event/soa-listening-session-online/ CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Online-Listening-Sessions.jpg LOCATION:https://societyofauthors.org/event/soa-listening-session-online/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261022T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261022T150000 DTSTAMP:20261009T093821Z CREATED:20240804T201437Z LAST-MODIFIED:20261009T093821Z UID:10002181-1792677600-1792681200@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Talk with Brandy Schillace - Authors with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses Network Meeting DESCRIPTION:Join us for our next online meet-up on Thursday 22 October from 2pm. \n \nThis month we will be joined by Brandy Schillace (skil-AH-chay) PhD. Brandy is a writer\, historian\, and social justice advocate. Her work covers medical humanities\, creative writing\, disability\, neurodivergence\, and representation. An award-winning novelist and former academic\, Brandy writes and speaks about disability\, visibility\, and inclusion. \nHer last two mystery novels feature neurodivergent characters with hidden disabilities and LGBTQ characters; she has been doing a lot of work discussing what it’s like both to support representation as an author while also living with chronic illness and disability. She leads an initiative called Path to Publication where she served as a developmental editor for disabled and minority authors\, through the BMJ. \nFormerly an editor for Culture\, Medicine and Psychiatry\, a medical anthropology journal and BMJ’s Medical Humanities\, where she focused on disability studies\, Brandy works as a freelance journalist as well as a writer of nonfiction and fiction. Brandy has written about death and dying\, scientific invention\, Cold War medicine\, bioethics\, organ transplant\, and forensics. In Mr. Humble and Dr. Butcher\, she provided an extensive history of brain surgery and neuroscience. Her most recent nonfiction\, The Intermediaries\, tells the forgotten\, daring history of trans activists\, gender affirming surgeries\, and the fight for LGBTQ rights in the shadow of the Third Reich. The book was longlisted for the 2025 National Book Critics Circle Award for Nonfiction\, shortlisted for the Triangle Awards\, and a Kirkus Reviews and Boston Globe Best Book of the Year. In fiction\, Brandy is author of The Framed Women of Ardemore House\, winner of the Royden B. Davis award\, and The Dead Come to Stay\, mystery novels featuring a neurodivergent protagonist. \nBrandy has bylines at WSJ\, Scientific American\, Globe and Mail\, HuffPo\, WIRED\, Boston Globe\, and UNDARK. She is host of Unsolved Mysteries of Medicine (2025) and the popular YouTube livestream and podcast\, Peculiar Book Club\, featuring bestselling authors of unusual nonfiction\, from Lindsey Fitzharris and Mary Roach to Ed Yong and Deborah Blum. It is in its seventh season.  She has appeared on Mysteries at the Museum with Don Wildman\, The Unbelievable with Dan Akroyd\, Secrets Declassified with David Duchovny\, and Histories Greatest Mysteries with Laurence Fishburne. Brandy gives regular keynotes and participates in other speaking events\, and is a tireless advocate for social justice\, disability and LGBTQ+ representation. \nBrandy is a member of the  Writer’s Guild of America\, DC Science Writers Association\, and National Association of Science Writers in the United States. In the UK\, she is a member of the Crime Writers Association\, where she co-convenes the nonfiction chapter\, and the Society of Authors. Brandy is an elected fellow of the Royal Historical Society. In spring of 2026\, Brandy was a visiting scholar to the University of Manchester\, where we gave two talks and a workshop about autism\, disability\, and neurodivergence in conjunction with the Center for History\, Science\, Technology and Medicine and the Autism Center. \nAbout the Authors with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses Network  \nThe Authors with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses network is a 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. \nWe run monthly get-togethers using Zoom\, where you can chat informally online with others. Depending on your computer or device\, you can take part either using audio or video. Please let us know if you have any specific needs that will help you take part. \nOur 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. For more information\, visit our Network page here. \nOur online meet-ups are free to attend for ADCI Network members only. To join us\, click the Going button below and enter your details in the RSVP form. We’ll send you an email with a link to join us on Zoom. \nIf the confirmation email doesn’t arrive in your inbox\, please check your junk mail folder!  \nIf you have any access questions please contact us at disabledauthors@gmail.com URL:https://societyofauthors.org/event/talk-with-brandy-schillace-authors-with-disabilities-and-chronic-illnesses-network-meeting-221026/ CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome,ADCI,Authors with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses Network ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ADCI-6.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Elsa Woodmeade":MAILTO:ewoodmeade@societyofauthors.org LOCATION:https://societyofauthors.org/event/talk-with-brandy-schillace-authors-with-disabilities-and-chronic-illnesses-network-meeting-221026/ END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR