BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//The Society of Authors - ECPv6.18.0//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:The Society of Authors 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:20261106T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261106T120000 DTSTAMP:20261013T103235Z CREATED:20261013T102614Z LAST-MODIFIED:20261013T103235Z UID:10002320-1793959200-1793966400@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Manchester Group: Making Tax Digital with Rachel Freeman DESCRIPTION:Join the Manchester Group on Friday 6 November from 10:00 for our next in person catch-up with guest speaker Rachel Freeman. \nRachel Freeman from Freeman Accountancy (Rochdale) will speak to the group about Making Tax Digital\, VAT and what authors can and cannot put through as earnings/expenses etc. \nIf you have any questions about accounts/tax issues\, you are very welcome to bring them along to ask. \nWe’ll meet at The Social Refuge\, 27 Ancoats Street\, Manchester\, M4 5AJ who kindly lets us meet in a private room in the book/coffee shop for free. All they ask is that we purchase a tea/coffee/piece of cake to support their business. \nWe’ll meet from 10am – 12pm\, with the option to stay for a drink after. \nAll members welcome. We hope to see you there! \nTo attend the meeting\, click the Going button below and fill out the RSVP form. If you do not receive a confirmation email\, or have trouble signing up\, please contact localgroups@societyofauthors.org. URL:https://societyofauthors.org/event/manchester-group-making-tax-digital-with-rachel-freeman-061126/ LOCATION:Social Refuge\, 27 Great Ancoats Street\, Manchester\, M4 5AJ CATEGORIES:SoA local group meet-up ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Manchester.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Local Groups":MAILTO:localgroups@societyofauthors.org GEO:53.48422;-2.2314114 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Social Refuge 27 Great Ancoats Street Manchester M4 5AJ;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=27 Great Ancoats Street:geo:-2.2314114,53.48422 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261106T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261106T123000 DTSTAMP:20260803T144712Z CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260803T144712Z UID:10002196-1793959200-1793968200@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:SoA Community Hub | Shut Up & Write! ® DESCRIPTION:Join us this November for a writing focused Community Hub event at our London office on Bedford Row. \nAmaia Robertson Nogues from Shut Up & Write! ®\, will facilitate a morning of writing. Shut Up & Write! ® is a nonprofit that brings writers together to build consistency\, beat procrastination\, and finally make progress on their projects. \nWhether you’re writing a novel\, finishing a dissertation\, or tackling daily creative work\, our free in-person and online writing sessions connect you with a global network of writers who show up\, write\, and succeed. \nThis event is structured around a silent writing period\, so remember to bring headphones if you’d like to minimise background noise. \nPlaces are limited and subject to availability. \nThis event is free to SoA Members. Not a member? Sign up here. \n  \nProgramme\n\n10am – Event starts | Refreshments on arrival\n\n\n10.30am – Welcome and introductions from SoA\n\n\n10.35am –Welcome from Amaia Robertson Nogues. Writing workshop begins\n\n\n12.30pm – Close\n\n  \nThe Line up\nAmaia Robertson Nogues\nAmaia is a Community Manager at Shut Up & Write!\, a global community hosting writing groups in over 80 countries. Her work focuses on fostering creative communities through accessible writing sessions. With a research background at the University of Cambridge\, she also works with academic writing groups to support researcher wellbeing in higher education. \n  \nAbout Shut Up & Write\nShut Up & Write!® is a free\, global community of writing groups built around showing up to write. Come for the accountability\, stay for the community. No critique. No read-alouds. Just focused writing time\, alongside others. \n  \nAccessibility\n\nOur Events space is located on the ground floor of our office. We have a wheelchair ramp at the side entrance of the building. We also have an accessible toilet by the side entrance.\nIf you have any access requirements\, please email events@societyofauthors.org\n\n  \nFeeling unwell?\nWe recommend the following: \n\nStaying home if you’re feeling unwell or have flu-like symptoms\nWashing your hands when coming in from the outdoors and / or before touching your face\nApplying alcohol hand sanitiser (we will have these on site)\nWe advise attendees to wear a face mask if they feel comfortable doing so\n\n  \nBooking\nBook your place using the booking from below. Places are limited. \nPlease read our event booking Terms and Conditions: https://societyofauthors.org/legal-privacy/event-terms/ \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/soa-community-hub-shut-up-write/ LOCATION:The Society of Authors\, 24 Bedford Row\, London\, WC1R 4EH\, London\, WC1R 4EH\, GB CATEGORIES:SoA Community Hub,SoA in Person ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SoA-Community-Hub_Shut-Up-Write-3.jpg GEO:51.5206792;-0.1162502 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=The Society of Authors 24 Bedford Row London WC1R 4EH London WC1R 4EH GB;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=24 Bedford Row\, London\, WC1R 4EH:geo:-0.1162502,51.5206792 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261106T110000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261106T123000 DTSTAMP:20261008T092501Z CREATED:20261008T092024Z LAST-MODIFIED:20261008T092501Z UID:10002307-1793962800-1793968200@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Bristol Group social meet-up DESCRIPTION:Join the Bristol Group for an in person meet-up on Friday 6 November from 11:00. We will meet in the café/bar area of Watershed\, 1 Canons Road\, Harbourside\, Bristol BS1 5TX. \nThis is a social meeting where we will catch up over a drink and have a chat about all things writerly. This meeting will be hosted by Elizabeth Haylett Clark\, Senior Contracts Advisor at the SoA\, and we will also be looking for a new member-volunteer organiser for the group. \nAll members welcome! \nTo join us\, click the Going button below and enter your details in the RSVP form so we have an idea of how many people are planning to attend. Please contact us with any questions. URL:https://societyofauthors.org/event/bristol-group-social-meet-up-061126/ LOCATION:Watershed Cafe\, 1 Canon's Road\, Bristol\, BS1 5TX\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:SoA local group meet-up ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Bristol.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Local Groups":MAILTO:localgroups@societyofauthors.org GEO:51.4513939;-2.5982539 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Watershed Cafe 1 Canon's Road Bristol BS1 5TX United Kingdom;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=1 Canon's Road:geo:-2.5982539,51.4513939 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261106T110000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261106T140000 DTSTAMP:20261016T103541Z CREATED:20261008T093628Z LAST-MODIFIED:20261016T103541Z UID:10002308-1793962800-1793973600@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Monmouth Group meet-up DESCRIPTION:Join the Monmouth group on Friday 6 November from 11:00 for a social catch-up. \nUnfortunately\, Luisa Jones is now unable to give her presentation\, so this will be a social  catch-up instead. \nWe will first be meeting from 11am for a coffee and catch up at Creates Bistro\, 7 Church Street\, Monmouth NP25 3BX before having the 12pm meeting at Monmouth Library and Community Hub\, Whitecross Street\, NP25 3BY.  \nBring your own lunch. There are tea and coffee making facilities at the Library. \nIf you haven’t been before\, both venues are close together in the centre of Monmouth not far from the Glendower St carpark. Come and join us for a chat. \nTo attend the meeting\, click the Going button below and fill out the RSVP form. If you do not receive a confirmation email\, or have trouble signing up\, please contact localgroups@societyofauthors.org. URL:https://societyofauthors.org/event/monmouth-group-meet-up-061126/ LOCATION:Monmouth Library\, Monmouth Library\, Whitecross Street\, Monmouth\, NP25 3BY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:SoA local group meet-up,Society of Authors in Wales ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Monmouth.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Local Groups":MAILTO:localgroups@societyofauthors.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261110T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261110T110000 DTSTAMP:20260805T112353Z CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260805T112353Z UID:10002208-1794304800-1794308400@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Industry Insider – How to write pantomime DESCRIPTION:In this session we’ll be looking at the practical aspects of constructing a pantomime\, the varying levels of performance\, traditional routines\, gags\, story structure and breaking the fourth wall. \nSoA Scriptwriters Group member and writer Ian Billings will be joined by writers Geoffrey Aymer\, Trish Cooke and Susie McKenna.  \nThis event is in conjunction with our Scriptwriters Group (SWG). \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?\nMembers will take away: \n\nAn insight in the mechanics of pantomime\nA strong sense of story structure\nAn understanding of panto characters and\nInspiration to take on their own panto script.\n\n  \nProgramme\n\nWelcome\, introductions and housekeeping from Ian Billings (3 mins)\nPanel discussion chaired by Ian Billings\, with Geoffrey Aymer\, Trish Cooke and Susie McKenna (40 mins)\nQ&A with audience (15 mins) \nSummary and closing comments (2 mins)\nThis event will be moderated by Sophia A Jackson – Head of Events & Engagement\, SoA\n\n  \nThe Line-up\nIan Billings\nIan Billings is the veteran of 53 pantomimes having written\, directed and appeared with Frankie Howerd\, Sylvester McCoy\, Brian Cant\, Bernie Clifton\, Julie Goodyear\, Little and Large\, Cannon and Ball and Timmy Mallett. Sometimes clocking up four or five pantos a year in various posts. He has worked in venues as diverse as Theatre Royal\, Nottingham\, the Grand Theatre\, Wolverhampton\, Gatwick Airport and Harwich Docks. For eight years he was resident director\, writer and performer at the Place Theatre\, Telford. He recently appeared in Sleeping Beauty at the Stafford Gatehouse.Besides panto Ian is a playwright having penned six radio plays for BBC Radio Four\, a children’s author of 50 books and a stand-up comic for kids having visited 2000 schools in 20 countries.2025 saw him commissioned by BBC Radio 4 to adapt “Gulliver’s Travels” and by Claybody Theatre to write a pay about the Theatre Royal in Hanley. He is currently finishing a children’s primary website entitled “Eureka!” funded by Arts Council England.Website: https://ianbillings.com/ \n  \nGeoffrey Aymer\nTheatre as writer includes:Alice In Wonderland\, Pan!\, Rapunzel\, Scroogelicious\, Men-TALL\, The Wonderful (all for Theatre Peckham); Anansi and the Magic Mirror (Talawa Theatre); The Oddest Couple (Theatre Royal Stratford East)\, What A Wonderful World.(Blue Elephant Theatre)   \nAlso\, coming up this Christmas 2026: A Ladd In Peckham (Theatre Peckham) \nTheatre acting credits include: Into The Woods (Noel Coward Theatre/Jamie Wilson Productions and Bridge Theatre) Hamlet (Chichester Festival Theatre); The Crucible (Sheffield Crucible); Romeo and Juliet (Royal Exchange Theatre\, Manchester); The Wizard of Oz (Curve Theatre\, Leicester/London Palladium); Clutch (Bush Theatre); Jitney (Old Vic Theatre/Headlong/Leeds Playhouse); The Taxidermist’s Daughter (Chichester Festival Theatre); Sunset Boulevard (Royal Albert Hall); GHBoy (Charing Cross Theatre); Apollo 13:The Dark Side Of The Moon (Original Theatre Online Production); Two Trains Running (ETT UK tour); The Color Purple (Leicester Curve/Birmingham Hippodrome); Robin Hood And The Arrow Of Destiny (Theatre Peckham); The Plague (Arcola); Driving Miss Daisy (Frinton Summer Theatre/Canal Cafe Theatre); The Importance Of Being Earnest (Original Theatre UK tour); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Young Vic); To Kill A Mockingbird (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre/UK tour/Barbican); MacBeth and The Lightning Child (Shakespeare’s Globe); Neighbors (Nuffield Theatre\, Southampton); Angel House (Eclipse UK tour); The Big Life (West End); \nTelevision includes: Casualty\, Mr Winner; Guerrilla; EastEnders; The A Force; The Real McCoy. Film includes:  Wicked; Sket; RagTag  \n  \nTrish Cooke\nTrish Cooke writes scripts for theatre\, TV\, and radio drama. She also writes children’s books. Her Christmas shows and pantos include Anansi Trades Places (Talawa Theatre Company)\, Olivier nominated Cinderella (Theatre Royal Stratford East)\, and the Great British Pantomime Award winner Rapunzel.  In 2025 Trish received a Black British Theatre Award in recognition of her body of work (book and lyrics). Current work includes the adaptation of her book\, The Magic Callaloo\, (Walker Books) for the Unicorn Theatre\, to run from 19th March to 18th April 2027. \n Instagram: @trishcookewriter | Facebook: Trish Cooke Writer \n  \nSusie McKenna\nSusie is an actor\, writer\, and director with over 40 years working in theatre\, television and film. \nWorking in pantomime throughout her career\, she played Principal boy at the age of 19 at Oldham Coliseum \, going on to appear as Principal boy at Nottingham Playhouse for eight years. Susie wrote and directed the critically acclaimed Hackney Empire pantos from 1998 to 2020. Since 2023 she has written three and directed two pantomimes at Broadway Theatre Catford.   \n  \nAbout the Scriptwriters Group (SWG)\nThe Scriptwriters Group (SWG) is a community of scriptwriters and broadcasters. It represents writers and makers across digital\, broadcast\, AV and theatre. \nWe support members and associates by providing professional\, individual advice\, negotiating collective minimum terms agreements with organisations such the BBC\, and lobby on policy and legislation to promote the interests and protect the rights of scriptwriters. \nIn addition\, we manage a series of seminars\, panel discussions and ‘in conversation’ style events throughout the year\, on matters of concern and interest to members working across these industry sectors. We also publish interviews and develop resources for publication on the SoA website and via our quarterly journal\, The Author. \nThe Group is made up of an elected committee and the Group Chair is Rhiannon Tise. Whilst the committee directs the work of the group\, the day-to-day administration is handled by Co-Administrators Sophia Jackson and Theo Jones. Contact either Sophia or Theo with any scriptwriting-related topics\, concerns or suggestions that you might wish to raise with the committee. \n  \nSend us your questions\nIf you would like to send questions in advance\, email SJackson@societyofauthors.org with ‘How to make a successful audio drama’ 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\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-write-pantomime/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome,Scriptwriters Group ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Industry-Insider_How-to-write-pantomime-2.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261110T120000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261110T140000 DTSTAMP:20261013T100512Z CREATED:20261013T095614Z LAST-MODIFIED:20261013T100512Z UID:10002319-1794312000-1794319200@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Surrey Group: Talk with Tracy Cook DESCRIPTION:Join the Surrey Group on Tuesday 10 November from 12:00 for a talk with author Tracy Cook. \nTracy Cook is author of Wings over Valletta\, a novel set in Malta in World War Two about a mother’s search for the child she was forced to give up years before. \nTracy will be talking about the challenges of writing historical fiction in the current literary market.She will be looking at how to find great ideas and why they should resonate today\, how to research but without letting the research drive your story\, and how to make your characters feel and sound like real people. \nWe’ll also cover the value of immersion in your era\, the importance of the tiny detail and tackle the biggest question facing any historical novelist – accuracy versus authenticity.  Should we ever change historical fact to better tell our story? \nWe will meet at The Seahorse\, 52-54 The Street\, Shalford\, Guildford\, GU4 8BU. All writerly and bookish guests welcome. \nTo attend the meeting\, click the Going button below and fill out the RSVP form. If you do not receive a confirmation email\, or have trouble signing up\, please contact localgroups@societyofauthors.org. \nPlease email member-volunteer Howard Matthews with any questions. URL:https://societyofauthors.org/event/surrey-group-talk-with-tracy-cook-101126/ LOCATION:The Seahorse\, 52-54 The Street\, Guildford\, GU4 8BU CATEGORIES:SoA local group meet-up ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Surrey.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Howard Matthews":MAILTO:howardsmatthews@gmail.com GEO:51.2183052;-0.5690283 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=The Seahorse 52-54 The Street Guildford GU4 8BU;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=52-54 The Street:geo:-0.5690283,51.2183052 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261110T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261110T203000 DTSTAMP:20260717T141919Z CREATED:20260119T114337Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260717T141919Z UID:10001912-1794339000-1794342600@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Hertfordshire Writers online meet-up DESCRIPTION:Join Hertfordshire Writers on Tuesday 10 November from 7.30pm for our next online social meet-up. \nIn each meeting\, we focus on a particular theme\, inviting an open discussion on literary-focused topics. So come along for a catch up and some writerly chat! \nAs always\, all members welcome! \nTo attend the meeting\, click the Going button below and fill out the RSVP form. If you do not receive a confirmation email\, or have trouble signing up\, please contact localgroups@societyofauthors.org. URL:https://societyofauthors.org/event/hertfordshire-writers-online-meet-up-101126/ CATEGORIES:SoA local group meet-up ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Hertfordshire.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Local Groups":MAILTO:localgroups@societyofauthors.org LOCATION:https://societyofauthors.org/event/hertfordshire-writers-online-meet-up-101126/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261111T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261111T120000 DTSTAMP:20260717T141123Z CREATED:20260122T130941Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260717T141123Z UID:10001944-1794391200-1794398400@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Warwickshire Group: Creative Coffee Morning DESCRIPTION:Join the Warwickshire Group on Wednesday 11 November from 10am for an informal session to come together and work on our various projects – bring your laptop or notebook! We’ll spend 5-10 minutes at the start of the meeting to set our individual goals\, then everyone will concentrate on their work before reconvening at 11.50 to share what we have achieved.  \nWe will meet at Café Desa\, 3 Regent Grove\, Leamington Spa\, CV32 4NY. Free to attend\, but everyone is asked to buy a drink or two (and a snack if you fancy) from the cafe as they kindly allow us to use their space for free. On-street parking in Regent Grove or Hamilton Terrace\, bike racks are 50 yards away by the town hall or a bus stop is just round the corner on The Parade. \nAll members welcome from the surrounding area! \nTo join us\, click the Going button below and enter your details in the RSVP form so we have an idea of how many people are planning to attend. Please contact us with any questions. URL:https://societyofauthors.org/event/warwickshire-group-creative-coffee-morning-111126/ LOCATION:Café Desa\, Regent Grove 3\, Royal Leamington Spa\, Warwickshire\, CV32 5AA\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:SoA local group meet-up ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Warwickshire.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Ignaty Dyakov":MAILTO:hello@lifesensei.uk GEO:52.2891944;-1.5345424 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Café Desa Regent Grove 3 Royal Leamington Spa Warwickshire CV32 5AA United Kingdom;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=Regent Grove 3:geo:-1.5345424,52.2891944 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261111T110000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261111T140000 DTSTAMP:20260720T084741Z CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260720T084741Z UID:10002209-1794394800-1794405600@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Presentation skills for authors DESCRIPTION:Presenting your work in person is an increasingly important part of being an author; whether you’re speaking at festivals\, bookshops\, schools\, industry events or on panels. This practical workshop will help you build confidence and sharpen your delivery\, exploring how to communicate your ideas clearly\, connect with an audience and present yourself authentically. Together\, we’ll look at how to structure your message\, manage nerves\, use your voice and body language effectively and handle Q&As or challenging moments with greater ease. The seminar will include an interactive presentation practice session.This session is for authors and writers at any stage of their career who want to feel more confident and engaging when speaking in front of an audience. \nTickets for this event include lunch and additional light refreshments throughout the session. \n  \nWhat this session will cover\nAttendees will take away:  \n\nPractical techniques to manage nerves and build confidence before and during a presentation\nTools for structuring talks\, readings and panel contributions clearly and effectively\nGreater awareness of voice\, pace\, presence and body language\nStrategies for connecting with different audiences and holding attention\nTips for handling audience questions and unexpected moments with confidence\nA clearer sense of your own presentation style and strengths\n\n  \nProgramme\n\n10.45am – Refreshments\n11am – Welcome and introductions from Sophia A Jackson – Head of Events and EngagementSoA\n11.05am – Workshop hosted by Ronke Lawal\n12pm – Comfort break\n12.15pm Workshop resumes\n1.30 pm – Lunch\n2pm – Event closes\n\n  \nThe Line up\nRonke Lawal\nRonke Lawal is a passionate PR & comms consultant and founder of Ariatu PR. With a focus on diverse storytelling and authentic brand voices\, she empowers entrepreneurs and creatives to shine through her personal branding and media coaching work. Ronke is a vocal advocate for inclusion\, representation and confidence in communication across media\, business and public speaking platforms. \nWebsites: www.ronkelawal.com | www.ariatupublicrelations.com \n  \nAccessibility\n\nOur Events space is located on the ground floor of our office. We have a wheelchair ramp at the side entrance of the building. We also have an accessible toilet by the side entrance.\nIf you have any access requirements\, please email events@societyofauthors.org\n\n  \nFeeling unwell?\nWe recommend the following: \n\nStaying home if you’re feeling unwell or have flu-like symptoms\nWashing your hands when coming in from the outdoors and / or before touching your face\nApplying alcohol hand sanitiser (we will have these on site)\nWe advise attendees to wear a face mask if they feel comfortable doing so\n\n  \nTickets \n\nSoA Members – £25\nNon-Members – £35 \n\nTickets for this event include lunch and light refreshments throughout the session. \n  \nBooking\nBook your place using the booking from below. Places are limited. \nPlease read our event booking Terms and Conditions: https://societyofauthors.org/legal-privacy/event-terms/ \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/presentation-skills-for-authors/ LOCATION:The Society of Authors\, 24 Bedford Row\, London\, WC1R 4EH\, London\, WC1R 4EH\, GB CATEGORIES:SoA in Person ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Presentation-skills-for-authors.jpg GEO:51.5206792;-0.1162502 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=The Society of Authors 24 Bedford Row London WC1R 4EH London WC1R 4EH GB;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=24 Bedford Row\, London\, WC1R 4EH:geo:-0.1162502,51.5206792 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261111T173000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261111T190000 DTSTAMP:20260717T125524Z CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260717T125524Z UID:10002138-1794418200-1794423600@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Translators Association end of year review and online social DESCRIPTION:Join the Translators Association (TA) for their end of year review and online social. Find out what the committee has been doing this year and look ahead to 2027\, meet the committee informally and hang out and chat with other TA members. \n  \nProgramme\n\nEnd of year review: Find out what the TA committee has been doing this year and look ahead to 2027. Including time for Q&A. (30 mins)\nMeet the committee informally and hang out and chat with other TA members online via Zoom and in a variety of different themed breakout rooms hosted by the committee (60 mins)\nBreakout rooms\n\nThemes will be notified nearer the date and are subject to change depending on the interests of the attendees.  Attendees are welcome to join or leave rooms as they wish. Please contact Catherine Fuller if you would like to suggest a particular topic for discussion. \n  \nAbout the Translators Association (TA)\nThe Translators Association (TA) provides a source of expert advice for individual literary translators and is also a collective voice representing the profession as a whole.  \nTranslators automatically become a member of the TA on joining the SoA. \nThe TA is run by a committee of 8 members and coordinated by Catherine Fuller and Ambre Morvan. Catherine and Ambre are also members of the SoA Contracts Advisory team \n  \nAccessibility \n\nAttendees have the option to turn on the live captions\nIf you require BSL interpretation for this event\, please email events@societyofauthors.org\n\n  \nBooking\nBook your place using the registration form below. This event is for SoA Members only. \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/translators-association-end-of-year-review-and-online-social/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome,Translators Association ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/TA-end-of-year-review-and-online-social-4.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261113T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261113T160000 DTSTAMP:20261015T093855Z CREATED:20261006T101830Z LAST-MODIFIED:20261015T093855Z UID:10002306-1794578400-1794585600@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:West Midlands Group: Self v Traditional Publishing DESCRIPTION:Join the West Midlands Group on Friday 13 November from 14:00 for an in-person discussion on self-publishing versus traditional publishing. \n What are the connections and differences between the two modes of publication? What questions should you ask yourself when deciding between these two routes? What is the role of the author in each of these modes of publication? This is an opportunity for you to share your own experiences of publishing and ask questions of others. \nDon’t worry if you haven’t been to a meet-up before – come along and say hello! \nTo attend the meeting\, click the Going button below and fill out the RSVP form. If you do not receive a confirmation email\, or have trouble signing up\, please contact localgroups@societyofauthors.org. URL:https://societyofauthors.org/event/west-midlands-group-self-v-traditional-publishing131126/ LOCATION:The Exchange\, 3 Centenary Square\, Birmingham\, B1 2DR CATEGORIES:SoA local group meet-up ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/West-Midlands.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Local Groups":MAILTO:localgroups@societyofauthors.org GEO:52.4785257;-1.9077552 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=The Exchange 3 Centenary Square Birmingham B1 2DR;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=3 Centenary Square:geo:-1.9077552,52.4785257 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261114 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261116 DTSTAMP:20261008T081938Z CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20261008T081938Z UID:10002296-1794614400-1794787199@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Society of Authors at Thought Bubble Comic Convention 2026 DESCRIPTION:We’re excited to be returning to Thought Bubble Comic Convention this November. \nWe’ll be at the convention on Saturday and Sunday\, located in Bubbleboy Hall\, at Table B30. \nOur Events & Engagement Manager and co-ordinator of the SoA’s Comics Creators Network\, Lilly Brend-Fish will be at the stand throughout the weekend. Come along to meet the team\, and connect with members of the Comics Creators Network. \nJoin the Society of Authors’ Senior Contracts advisor\, Theo Jones\, and award-winning comics creator\, scriptwriter and campaigner\, Hannah Berry\, as they explore the professional side of being a comics creator in 2026\, and the challenges this brings in the face of AI. \n  \nUnion Support for Comics as a Profession\nSaturday 14 November\, 15.15-16.15 | Queen’s Suite\nJoin the Society of Authors’ Senior Contracts advisor\, Theo Jones\, and award-winning comics creator\, scriptwriter and campaigner\, Hannah Berry\, as they explore the professional side of being a comics creator in 2026\, and the challenges this brings in the face of AI. This session offers essential and practical advice on navigating copyright\, negotiating contracts\, and protecting your income and intellectual property. \nThey’ll also delve into how the SoA and the Comics Creators Network are campaigning for creators’ rights and fighting for changes in Parliament. Learn how to protect your work and your career\, and leave empowered to raise your voice alongside your fellow comics creators. \nTickets are available to purchase via Thought Bubble’s website here: https://www.thoughtbubblefestival.com/tickets  \n  \nThe Line-up\nHannah Berry\nHannah Berry is an occasionally award-winning comics creator\, scriptwriter and campaigner\, and is a founding committee member of the Comics Creators Network and co-director of the Comics Cultural Impact Collective. She is a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and was UK Comics Laureate 2019-21. \nWebsite: hannahberry.co.uk | Instagram: @streakofpith | Bluesky: streakofpith.bsky.social \n  \nTheo Jones\nTheo Jones advises members on contracts and issues. He is joint coordinator of the Scriptwriters Group and co-produces and co-presents the SoA Advisory Clinic podcast covering the key topics\, issues and challenges affecting writers today. \n  \nAbout the Comics Creators Network\nThe Comics Creators Network is a pressure group of working authors that advocates for the rights of traditionally and self-published creators of comics and graphic novels in the UK. \nThe comics industry has a history of treating people who work in it as disposable\, and this is something that needs to change. It can be hard to push back when bad conditions are often viewed as standard practice\, but if you publish comics you are an author just like every other poet\, essayist or novelist\, and you deserve to be treated the same way. No one should accept substandard treatment because they are grateful for being published. \nPlease get in touch with us at comics@societyofauthors.org if you have any questions about how to join. \n  \nBooking\nTickets are available to purchase via Thought Bubble’s website here: https://www.thoughtbubblefestival.com/tickets URL:https://societyofauthors.org/event/society-of-authors-at-thought-bubble-comic-convention-2026/ LOCATION:Harrogate Convention Centre\, King's Road\, Harrogate\, HG1 5LA CATEGORIES:Comics Creators Network,SoA in Person ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SoA-x-Thought-Bubble-2026-1.jpg GEO:53.999302;-1.5401868 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Harrogate Convention Centre King's Road Harrogate HG1 5LA;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=King's Road:geo:-1.5401868,53.999302 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261114T130000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261114T150000 DTSTAMP:20260720T114806Z CREATED:20260720T105732Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260720T114806Z UID:10002212-1794661200-1794668400@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:East Midlands Group Nottingham hybrid meet-up DESCRIPTION:Join the East Midlands Group in-person and online on Saturday 14 November from 1pm for an informal chat at our next social. This is a chance to meet fellow authors in your area\, share your latest projects\, and discuss what you’re currently working on. \n\n\nWe will meet in person at the Library\, The Broadway\, 14-18 Broad Street\, Nottingham NG1 3AL. We will also meet online\, on Zoom. Please RSVP for the link. \nDon’t worry if you haven’t been to a meet-up before – come along and say hello! \nTo attend the meeting\, click the Going button below and fill out the RSVP form. If you do not receive a confirmation email\, or have trouble signing up\, please contact localgroups@societyofauthors.org. URL:https://societyofauthors.org/event/east-midlands-group-nottingham-hybrid-meet-up-141126/ LOCATION:The Library\, The Broadway\, The Library\, The Broadway\, 14-18 Broad Street\, Nottingham\, NG1 3AL CATEGORIES:SoA local group meet-up ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/East-Midlands.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Local Groups":MAILTO:localgroups@societyofauthors.org GEO:52.9543037;-1.1437646 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=The Library The Broadway The Library The Broadway 14-18 Broad Street Nottingham NG1 3AL;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=The Library\, The Broadway\, 14-18 Broad Street:geo:-1.1437646,52.9543037 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261116T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261116T160000 DTSTAMP:20261013T131544Z CREATED:20220121T162059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20261013T131544Z UID:10001866-1794823200-1794844800@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:SoA Author Photos DESCRIPTION:SoA members are offered the chance to have a professional author photo taken by photographer Adrian Pope for a fraction of the usual cost. The usual price for professional headshots is around £200 or considerably more for a longer studio session. \nCome and update your headshot at the SoA offices on Bedford Row – this is offered at a discounted price of £40 for SoA members and £60 for non-members on a first come\, first served basis to members. \n  \nWhat do you get?\n\nYou’ll be given a 10 minute slot.\nBasic light retouching included (general lightening\, darkening\, crop and portrait softening as needed) to your chosen photo.\n\n  \nNeed to know\n\nLicence for usage. Your photo can be used across your social media channels\, websites\, press and PR\nThe licence does not include usage for above the line advertising or book jackets – please contact Adrian Pope for permission.\n*Above the line advertisement means paid for advertising\, for example\, a poster on the underground\, bus shelter\, above the M4 motorway\, multiple points of sale displays in book shops. Where a small fortune is being spent on a marketing – advertising campaign\, a fee is required to use the photo.\nPlease note that your photos will include the head-to-shoulder/chest area.\n\n  \nGetting to the Society of Authors\n\nOur address: 24 Bedford Row\, London WC1R 4EH\nNearest tube stations: Chancery Lane or Holborn\nClick for Map \n\n  \nAccessibility\n\nOur events space is located on the ground floor of our office\, we have a wheelchair ramp round the side entrance of the building. We also have an accessible toilet by the side entrance.\nIf you require BSL interpretation to take part in this event\, please email events@societyofauthors.org.\nIf you have any other accessibility needs\, please email events@societyofauthors.org\n\n  \nFeeling unwell?\nWe recommend the following: \n\nStaying home if you’re feeling unwell or have flu-like symptoms\nWashing your hands when coming in from the outdoors and / or before touching your face\nApplying alcohol hand sanitiser (we will have these on site)\nWe advise attendees to wear a face mask if they feel comfortable doing so\n\n  \nBook your author photo slot\n£40 for SoA Members \n£60 for Non-Members \nOnce we have received your booking\, a Calendly link will be manually sent for you to confirm your slot. Slots are between 10am and 4pm on Monday 16 November 2026 at the SoA. \n  \nBooking\nBook your place using the booking from below. Places are limited. \nPlease read our event booking Terms and Conditions: https://societyofauthors.org/legal-privacy/event-terms/ \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-author-photos-2/ LOCATION:The Society Of Authors\, 24 Bedford Row\, London\, WC1R 4EH\, London\, WC1R 4EH\, GB CATEGORIES:AGM week,SoA in Person ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Author-Photos-Day-3.jpg GEO:51.5206792;-0.1162502 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=The Society Of Authors 24 Bedford Row London WC1R 4EH London WC1R 4EH GB;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=24 Bedford Row\, London\, WC1R 4EH:geo:-0.1162502,51.5206792 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261117T160000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261117T173000 DTSTAMP:20260914T084928Z CREATED:20260914T084928Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260914T084928Z UID:10002280-1794931200-1794936600@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Cambridge Group translators meet-up DESCRIPTION:Join the translators of the Cambridge Group on Tuesday 17 November from 16:00 for an informal chat at our next meet-up. Bring anything you’d like to discuss – knotty problems\, tricky word play\, contractual dilemmas\, massive generalised self-doubt – and come to meet some fellow translators. \nDon’t worry if you haven’t been to a meet-up before\, come along and say hello. If you run into any local translators in the meantime please do invite them along! \nWe’ll meet in the The Parlour (through iron gates at side\, then across hall)\, Cambridge Unitarian Church\, 5 Emmanuel Road\, Cambridge CB1 1JW. There is a kitchen so we can have some tea etc. \nTo attend the meeting\, click the Going button below and fill out the RSVP form. If you do not receive a confirmation email\, or have trouble signing up\, please contact localgroups@societyofauthors.org. URL:https://societyofauthors.org/event/cambridge-group-translators-meet-up-171126/ LOCATION:Cambridge Unitarian Church\, Emmanuel Road\, Cambridge\, Cambridgeshire\, CB1 1JW\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:SoA local group meet-up ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Cambridge.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Local Groups":MAILTO:localgroups@societyofauthors.org GEO:52.2050254;0.1264028 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Cambridge Unitarian Church Emmanuel Road Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB1 1JW United Kingdom;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=Emmanuel Road:geo:0.1264028,52.2050254 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261117T190000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261117T210000 DTSTAMP:20260717T141605Z CREATED:20260108T142535Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260717T141605Z UID:10001886-1794942000-1794949200@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Harrogate and North Yorkshire Group meet-up DESCRIPTION:Join the Harrogate and North Yorkshire Group on Tuesday 17 November from 7pm for their next social meet-up! Come along for a drink and a chat about all things writerly. \nWe will meet at North Bar\, 2D Oxford Buildings\, Cheltenham Parade\, Harrogate\, HG1 1DA. We have booked the room upstairs to reduce background noise\, under the name ‘Society of Authors Harrogate’. \nAll members welcome! \nTo attend the meeting\, click the Going button below and fill out the RSVP form. If you do not receive a confirmation email\, or have trouble signing up\, please contact localgroups@societyofauthors.org. \n  URL:https://societyofauthors.org/event/harrogate-and-north-yorkshire-group-meet-up-171126/ LOCATION:North Bar\, Mount Parade\, Harrogate\, North Yorkshire\, HG1 1BX\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:SoA local group meet-up ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Harrogate-North-Yorkshire.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Local Groups":MAILTO:localgroups@societyofauthors.org GEO:53.9952602;-1.5394869 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=North Bar Mount Parade Harrogate North Yorkshire HG1 1BX United Kingdom;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=Mount Parade:geo:-1.5394869,53.9952602 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261118T110000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261118T120000 DTSTAMP:20260807T142826Z CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260807T142826Z UID:10002235-1794999600-1795003200@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:AGM online member social DESCRIPTION:Join us for a pre-AGM online social for SoA members to chat informally with fellow members\, SoA staff\, and Committee members. Whilst we can’t promise drinks and nibbles\, we’ll make every effort to ensure you meet new people and have meaningful conversations. \nYou can register for this year’s Annual General Meeting here \nThis event is for SoA Members only. Not a member? sign up here \n  \nHow it works\nAfter an initial introduction\, we will throw open the break-out rooms which will be hosted by Committee members and supported by a member of staff. There will be two rounds of 20-minutes. \nThe main Zoom room will remain open to help members get in and out break-out rooms. When the second break-out room session ends\, we will reconvene in the main Zoom room to close. Everyone is welcome in any room. \nJust like any in-person social event\, we encourage you to drop into any break-out room\, and we hope you can chat with fellow members.  The break-out rooms are intended to be purely social. \nThe breakout rooms will be: TBC \n  \nProgramme\n\nWelcome\, introductions and housekeeping from Anna Ganley – Chief Executive\, SoA and Vanessa Fox O’Loughlin – Chair of the SoA Board (3 mins)\nBreakout rooms hosted by SoA staff and Board members for informal chat\, networking and information sharing (40 mins – two 20 mins sessions)\nReturn to the main room for general discussion (15 mins)\nSummary and closing comments (2 mins)\nThis event will be moderated by Elsa Robert – Executive Administrator\, SoA\n\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. \nFor event or registration questions\, email events@societyofauthors.org. \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/agm-online-member-social/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome,AGM week ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/AGM-online-member-social-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261119T170000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261119T190000 DTSTAMP:20260921T152825Z CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260921T152825Z UID:10002234-1795107600-1795114800@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:SoA Annual General Meeting 2026 DESCRIPTION:Join us online this November for our 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) hosted via Zoom. The AGM is conducted online to allow access to as many members as possible. \nYour votes and participation are important to us. We encourage all Full Members to vote at the AGM or to appoint a proxy and register a voting instruction in advance. Associate Members are encouraged to attend but cannot vote.  \nVoting is managed securely and confidentially by Mi-Voice. They will contact all Full Members with instructions on how to vote\, both on the day or in advance by appointing a proxy to vote on your behalf if you are unable to attend the AGM. If we have an email address on file for you\, Mi-Voice will email you directly. If we only have your postal address\, they will send you printed voting instructions.  \nAt the AGM\, resolutions are put to a vote via electronic poll. If you have voted by proxy\, you may attend the AGM but you will be unable to vote.  \nAny questions? Email events@societyofauthors.org. \nWe are hosting a pre-AGM onlinie social for all SoA Members\, which you can register for here \n  \n5pm – SoA AGM Agenda\nThe Society of Authors’ AGM is open to Full Members and Associate Members of the SoA only. \nA. Introduction and welcome by Vanessa Fox O’Loughlin\, Chair of the SoA’s board (Management Committee). \nB. The SoA’s ‘Year in Review’ video. \nC. Report on the year’s activities. \nD. Report on the elections to the board.  \nE. To consider and\, if thought fit\, to pass the following Resolutions: \n\nResolution 1: that the minutes of the meeting held on 20 November 2025 be approved.\nResolution 2: that the annual report and accounts for 2025 be approved.\nResolution 3: that the full-subscription members nominated by the Management Committee to become SoA Fellows be ratified (details to follow).\n\nImportant information – please read: \nNo additional resolutions have been received from the Management Committee or from groups of 10+ Full Members (in accordance with our Articles). Should any groups of 10+ Full Members wish to submit a Resolution for consideration at the AGM\, please contact the SoA at your earliest convenience\, and by Friday 2 October 2026. We will circulate the full and final wording for the 2026 AGM Resolutions together with voting instructions week commencing Monday 19 October 2026.  \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. \nFor event or registration questions\, email events@societyofauthors.org. \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-annual-general-meeting-2026/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome,AGM week ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SoA-AGM-2026.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261120T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261120T160000 DTSTAMP:20261019T104107Z CREATED:20261019T100835Z LAST-MODIFIED:20261019T104107Z UID:10002334-1795183200-1795190400@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Brighton and Hove Group: Good News Meet DESCRIPTION:Join the Brighton & Hove Group on Friday 20 November from 14:00 at The Regency Town House for a special meeting celebrating the successes\, milestones and good news in our writing lives. \nDue to the popularity of our first Good News Meet we have unanimously decided upon a second such format. \nIt was a wonderful opportunity for local authors in the community to gain a glimpse of the wealth and diversity of the successful writing talent we have here amongst fellow members in East Sussex. Thank you to the 6 speakers who shared their incredible news and the backgrounds behind their many varied books. \nRecap: \n\nThelma McGough’s fascinating life story – art school with John Lennon\, dating Paul McCartney\, marriage to Roger McGough…and news of her agent and publishing deal with HarperNorth.\nJane Peyton shared her inspiring and serendipitous voyage on how she got her agent through Byte the Book for her cosy crime book set about the ‘ethical assassin.’\nJudy Ridgway\, author of 78 books\, expert in vegetarian cuisine\, wine and international olive oil expert shared (and signed my copy of) her booklet on Olive Oil…\nDavid Hendy talked about the story behind the story behind the story of how The Circus: The Men and Women Who Fought Nazi Germany Over the Airwaves evolved and came to be published with Profile Books.\nElizabeth Darling PhD Architectural Historian who just published her new book\, Palace of the Ether\, Broadcasting House and the Architecture of the BBC. The building of Broadcasting House – the design\, materials and construction sourced only from Britain and its Empire.\nVictor L Moore of Myth&Magick Children’s/YA Fantasy Author\, Playwright and Children’s Drama Tutor who has written series of wonderfully imaginative books for all ages.\n\nIf anyone else is interested in taking one of two more 15 minute slots then please get in touch to localgroups@societyofauthors.org. We already have 4 speakers lined up to share their good news next month\, see below: \n\nMaxine Pancaldi whose debut novel Burning Lies was long listed for the Cheshire Novel Prize 2026 – down to the last 6% of the International writing competition.\nEmer Rohan\, a new member who self-published her debut novel in 2026. Between You and Me is a contemporary novel about teenage secrets and parental pressures.\nHelen Croydon who is going to share the many challenges involved in the publication of memoir she ghostwrote (her name is even on the cover) Forbidden Love: A True Story of Adoption\, Reunion and Longing by Sophia Greenwood with Helen Croydon\nLuke Young has written a book about living completely offline with no computer or smartphone since he was 18. Find out more about why he made the decision and the implications it has had.\n\nLet’s celebrate one another\, share what we’ve learned\, and cheer each other on. \nWe’ll meet upstairs in The Regency Town House\, 13 Brunswick Square\, Hove\, BN3 1EH. Tea\, coffee and biscuits\, including gluten-free and dairy-free options\, will be provided by group organiser Rebecca for a donation of £3 via SumUp. \nThe Regency Town House is a charity and lets us meet here very cheaply\, so please make a donation as you leave if you’re in a position to do so. \nAll members welcome! \nTo attend the meeting\, click the Going button below and fill out the RSVP form. If you do not receive a confirmation email\, or have trouble signing up\, please contact localgroups@societyofauthors.org. \nTo ensure that volunteers provide enough chairs from the storeroom for everyone\, please email member-volunteer group organiser RebeccaERennie@gmail.com with any last-minute RSVPs or cancellations. URL:https://societyofauthors.org/event/brighton-and-hove-group-good-news-meet-201126/ LOCATION:The Regency Town House\, 13 Brunswick Square\, Hove\, BN3 1EH CATEGORIES:SoA local group meet-up ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Brighton-Hove.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Local Groups":MAILTO:localgroups@societyofauthors.org GEO:50.8242824;-0.1583492 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=The Regency Town House 13 Brunswick Square Hove BN3 1EH;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=13 Brunswick Square:geo:-0.1583492,50.8242824 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261125T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261125T110000 DTSTAMP:20260804T093840Z CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260804T093840Z UID:10002217-1795600800-1795604400@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Working Class Writers Network online meet-up DESCRIPTION:Join the Working Class Writers Network on Wednesday 25 November from 10am for a member-led networking session. Come along and get to know your fellow authors! \nMeeting structure \n\n30 minutes – Whole group discussion on a theme. Send any theme suggestions to localgroups@societyofauthors.org. \n30 minutes – Breakout rooms to get to know other members in smaller groups.\n\nWe look forward to seeing you there! \nWorking Class Writers Network\nThe Working Class Writers Network is an informal\, member-led network established in 2026 for working class authors\, illustrators and translators to meet\, chat and share their experiences through online networking meetings. To join the mailing list and be kept up to date on the network’s events and activities\, please email membership@societyofauthors.org. \nTo attend the meeting\, click the Going button below and fill out the RSVP form. If you do not receive a confirmation email\, or have trouble signing up\, please contact localgroups@societyofauthors.org. URL:https://societyofauthors.org/event/working-class-writers-network-online-meet-up-251126/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Underrepresented Writers Networks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Working-Class-Writers.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Local Groups":MAILTO:localgroups@societyofauthors.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261125T110000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261125T130000 DTSTAMP:20261005T085524Z CREATED:20260119T132045Z LAST-MODIFIED:20261005T085524Z UID:10001922-1795604400-1795611600@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Salisbury and Wiltshire Group meet-up DESCRIPTION:Join the Salisbury and Wiltshire Group for an in person meet-up on Wednesday 25 November from 11:00. \nWe will meet at Fig and Fox\, 46 High Street\, Salisbury\, SP1 2NT \nThis is a social meeting where we will catch up over a drink and have a chat about all things writerly. \nAll members welcome! \nTo join us\, click the Going button below and enter your details in the RSVP so we know how many people to expect. This venue does have stairs and might be tricky for those with accessibility issues; if this will affect you please contact localgroups@societyofauthors.org. URL:https://societyofauthors.org/event/salisbury-and-wiltshire-group-meet-up-251126/ LOCATION:Fig and Fox\, 46 High Street\, Salisbury\, SP1 2NT CATEGORIES:SoA local group meet-up ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Salisbury-Wiltshire.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Local Groups":MAILTO:localgroups@societyofauthors.org GEO:51.067585;-1.7977339 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Fig and Fox 46 High Street Salisbury SP1 2NT;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=46 High Street:geo:-1.7977339,51.067585 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261125T110000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261125T130000 DTSTAMP:20261016T111944Z CREATED:20261016T111944Z LAST-MODIFIED:20261016T111944Z UID:10002330-1795604400-1795611600@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells autumn catch up DESCRIPTION:Join the Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells group for an in person meet-up on Thursday 29 October from 17:30. \nPlease join us for an autumn catchup in Sevenoaks. Meet fellow writers in your area at this informal and supportive session. \nWe will meet at The White Hart\, Tonbridge Road\, Sevenoaks\, TN13 1SG \nAll members welcome! \nTo join us\, click the Going button below and enter your details in the RSVP so we know how many people to expect. This venue does have stairs and might be tricky for those with accessibility issues; if this will affect you please contact localgroups@societyofauthors.org. URL:https://societyofauthors.org/event/sevenoaks-and-tunbridge-wells-autumn-catch-up-291026/ LOCATION:The White Hart\, Tonbridge Road\, Sevenoaks\, TN3 1SG\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:SoA local group meet-up ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Sevenoaks-and-Tunbridge-Wells.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Local Groups":MAILTO:localgroups@societyofauthors.org GEO:51.2564024;0.412347 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=The White Hart Tonbridge Road Sevenoaks TN3 1SG United Kingdom;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=Tonbridge Road:geo:0.412347,51.2564024 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261126T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261126T150000 DTSTAMP:20260930T120043Z CREATED:20240804T201437Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260930T120043Z UID:10001834-1795701600-1795705200@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Group Chat - Authors with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses Network Meeting DESCRIPTION:Join us for our next online meet-up on Thursday 26 November from 2pm. \nNovember is one of our general chat months for members to talk in a relaxed environment\, share their experiences and ask for help and advice. \nThese meetings are not recorded to allow for privacy and open discussion. If you have any questions you want support with\, please bring them along to the meeting. \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/group-chat-authors-with-disabilities-and-chronic-illnesses-network-meeting-261126/ 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/group-chat-authors-with-disabilities-and-chronic-illnesses-network-meeting-261126/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261127T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261127T120000 DTSTAMP:20260717T140839Z CREATED:20260122T131244Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260717T140839Z UID:10001945-1795773600-1795780800@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Warwickshire Group: Friday Forum DESCRIPTION:Join the Warwickshire Group on Friday 27 November from 10am for a coffee and a brainstorm session with fellow local authors.  \nWe’ll meet at Boston Tea Party\, 1A Clarendon Avenue\, Leamington Spa\, CV32 5QU. Several tables will be reserved for us at the back of the coffee shop which is accessible for wheelchairs. On-street parking or Covent Garden multi-storey car park is close by and there are plenty of bus stops too. \nAll members welcome from the surrounding area! \nTo attend the meeting\, click the Going button below and fill out the RSVP form. If you do not receive a confirmation email\, or have trouble signing up\, please contact localgroups@societyofauthors.org. URL:https://societyofauthors.org/event/warwickshire-group-friday-forum-271126/ LOCATION:Boston Tea Party (Leamington Spa)\, Clarendon Avenue\, Royal Leamington Spa\, Warwickshire\, CV32\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:SoA local group meet-up ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Warwickshire.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Ignaty Dyakov":MAILTO:hello@lifesensei.uk GEO:52.2936456;-1.5381707 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Boston Tea Party (Leamington Spa) Clarendon Avenue Royal Leamington Spa Warwickshire CV32 United Kingdom;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=Clarendon Avenue:geo:-1.5381707,52.2936456 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261127T130000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261127T140000 DTSTAMP:20261014T111153Z CREATED:20261014T111153Z LAST-MODIFIED:20261014T111153Z UID:10002324-1795784400-1795788000@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:West Midlands Group online social DESCRIPTION:Join the West Midlands Group on Friday 27 November from 13:00 for an online social. \n\nMeet fellow authors in your area\, share your latest projects and what you’re currently working on. Don’t worry if you haven’t been to a meet-up before – come along and say hello! \nTo attend the meeting\, click the Going button below and fill out the RSVP form. If you do not receive a confirmation email\, or have trouble signing up\, please contact localgroups@societyofauthors.org. URL:https://societyofauthors.org/event/west-midlands-group-online-social-271126/ CATEGORIES:SoA local group meet-up ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/West-Midlands.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Local Groups":MAILTO:localgroups@societyofauthors.org LOCATION:https://societyofauthors.org/event/west-midlands-group-online-social-271126/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261128T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261128T160000 DTSTAMP:20260903T143544Z CREATED:20260903T143544Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260903T143544Z UID:10002269-1795874400-1795881600@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Belfast & Beyond meet-up DESCRIPTION:Join us at our next coffee catch up on Saturday 28 November from 2pm as we continue to develop our vibrant SoA network across Belfast & Beyond! \nWe aim to bring together writers\, illustrators and literary translators to find inspiration\, support and community. These meet-ups are a friendly\, informal opportunity to connect and chat with local SoA members. Who are they? What are they up to? \nSoA members are encouraged to come along and expand their community in a supportive environment. At these meet-ups members can hear about the work of others\, share their own thoughts or simply chat about the weather. On the day just look out for your local SoA host Frances McVeigh and other members who will be stopping by for a chat. All welcome! \nOur next coffee catch up will take place at The Seamus Heaney Centre\, 38-40 University Road\, Belfast\, BT7 1NJ. \nTo attend the meeting\, click the Going button below and fill out the RSVP form. If you do not receive a confirmation email\, or have trouble signing up\, please contact localgroups@societyofauthors.org. \nWith your help we would like to roll out local coffee catch ups on a more regular basis across Northern Ireland for 2026.  Are you based in Antrim or Down and would you like to host one in your local area? Then reach out to Elsa Woodmeade at localgroups@societyofauthors.org for more information. URL:https://societyofauthors.org/event/belfast-beyond-meet-up-281126/ LOCATION:The Seamus Heaney Centre\, 38-40 University Road\, Belfast\, BT7 1NJ CATEGORIES:SoA local group meet-up,Society of Authors in Northern Ireland ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Belfast-Beyond.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Frances McVeigh":MAILTO:localgroups@societyofauthors.org GEO:54.5864948;-5.9358973 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=The Seamus Heaney Centre 38-40 University Road Belfast BT7 1NJ;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=38-40 University Road:geo:-5.9358973,54.5864948 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261201T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261201T113000 DTSTAMP:20260728T090352Z CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260728T090352Z UID:10001962-1796119200-1796124600@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Professional Development - Pitching workshop DESCRIPTION:Join Olivia Chapman as she leads this 90-minute online workshop teaching you how to talk about your work\, and how to pitch it to agents\, editors\, and producers. \nIn order to participate fully\, you will need to have a complete story / poetry collection (in whatever form) which you can discuss from start to finish. You will learn skills that can be transferred to any other story\, but to get the most out of the workshop\, it will be helpful to focus on a single story you can finesse.Although you do not need to be published to attend\, you do need to have a complete manuscript to be able to base your pitch on. \nThis workshop is intended for prose writers (both fiction and non-fiction) and scriptwriters. The content can be adapted for poetry but works best if your poetry collection is themed or can be pulled together to be discussed in broader terms than individual poems. \nPlaces are limited for this event\, so please do let us know if you are no longer able to join us after you’ve registered. \n  \nOnline Professional Development events – free for SoA Members | £35 for Non-Members \nNot a member? Sign up here. \n  \nProgramme\n\nWelcome\, introductions and housekeeping from Lilly Brend-Fish – Events & Engagement Manager\, SoA (3 mins)\nWorkshop lead by Olivia Chapman (60 mins)\n\nPlease note that this will include a series of breakout rooms with other attendees where you will have the opportunity to practice your learnt pitching skills. \n\nComfort break (5 mins)\nQ&A with audience (20 mins)\nSummary and closing comments (2 mins)\n\n  \nWhat will this session cover?\n\nHow to put across the best of your story in the most engaging way possible\, whilst allowing your passion for your work to come across.\nHow to structure your pitch and talk confidently and clearly about the plot and genre.\nThere will be time to practise your pitch with other writers during the session if you wish.\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 ‘Pitching workshop’ 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\nLiv Chapman\nLiv Chapman is programmer and festival manager who’s worked with writers for over 20 years. She currently works with Hexham Book Festival\, Word Up North in Bradford and Cheltenham Festivals\, as well as the Society of Authors. \nWebsite: https://livchapman.co.uk/ \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 \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-pitching-workshop/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Professional-Development_Pitching-workshop-2.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261202T103000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261202T120000 DTSTAMP:20260717T134051Z CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260717T134051Z UID:10001967-1796207400-1796212800@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Self-Publishers Network: Where and how to advertise your self-published book DESCRIPTION:Join the Self-Publishers Network on Wednesday 2 December from 10.30am for a member-led discussion on where and how to advertise our work. We will consider questions such as: How do we advertise our work? Where is it effective (or not effective) to advertise self-published work?  \nWe will go into small groups using breakout rooms on Zoom for you to meet fellow members\, chat and share advice. We’ll run two rounds of rooms for around 20 minutes each so you can meet a variety of authors\, then at the end we will feed back to the main group. \nMeeting structure \n\n10 minutes – Welcome and housekeeping\, answering any initial questions\n20 minutes – Breakout room to chat with members in smaller groups\n10 minutes – Catch up and remix the rooms\n20 minutes – Breakout room to chat with members in smaller groups\n30 minutes – Feed back to the main group\, closing discussion\n\nWe look forward to seeing you there! \nAbout the Self-Publishers Network\nThe Self-Publishers Network is a member-led network connecting self-published authors to share experiences\, recommendations and advice. You can find out more about the network\, our upcoming meeting and SoA resources for self-publishers here. \nTo attend the meeting\, click the Going button below and fill out the RSVP form. If you do not receive a confirmation email\, or have trouble signing up\, please contact localgroups@societyofauthors.org. URL:https://societyofauthors.org/event/self-publishers-network-where-and-how-to-advertise-your-self-published-book-021226/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Self-Publishers Network ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Self-Publishers-Network.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Local Groups":MAILTO:localgroups@societyofauthors.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261203T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261203T123000 DTSTAMP:20260717T135648Z CREATED:20251121T124050Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260717T135648Z UID:10001799-1796292000-1796301000@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Oxfordshire Group: Shut Up and Write! DESCRIPTION:Join the Oxfordshire Group on Thursday 3 December from 10am for an online writing session alongside other authors in your area. \nWriting can be lonely and sometimes it’s difficult to self-motivate\, so this event is an opportunity to meet other writers\, share updates on your work\, and progress your own writing projects in company. It’s a collegiate and focused space to get work done at the same time as providing a low-stakes environment in which to meet other writers. We look forward to seeing you there! \nSchedule: \n10am: welcomes and goal-setting \n10.15am: silent writing (cameras off if preferred) \n11am: check-in and a cup of tea \n11.15am: second writing session \n12pm: check in and chat \n12.30pm: end \nAll members welcome! \nTo join us\, click the Going button below and enter your details in the RSVP form to receive the Zoom joining details online. Please contact us with any questions. URL:https://societyofauthors.org/event/oxfordshire-group-shut-up-and-write-031226/ CATEGORIES:SoA local group meet-up ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Oxfordshire.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Alice Little":MAILTO:fiction@alicelittle.co.uk LOCATION:https://societyofauthors.org/event/oxfordshire-group-shut-up-and-write-031226/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261203T180000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261203T200000 DTSTAMP:20261007T151613Z CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20261007T151613Z UID:10001775-1796320800-1796328000@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Winter SoA Lates - hosted by Dean Atta DESCRIPTION:Join us for our Winter SoA Lates for the chance to meet and mingle with SoA staff and fellow members\, and hear from poet and SoA Member\, Dean Atta. \nWe will be serving pizza and prosecco during this event (soft drinks will be available). \nPlaces are limited and subject to availability. Please note that there will be limited seating at this event. \n  \nIn Person: SoA Lates events – £9.50 for SoA Members \nNot a member? Sign up here.  \n  \nProgramme\n\n6pm – Event starts\n\n\n6.30pm – Welcome and introductions from SoA’s CEO\, Anna Ganley\n\n\n6.35pm – Grants & Prizes Administrator and Poetry and Spoken Word Group staff co-coordinator\, Rose Hensher hosts a short in conversation with fiction and non-fiction writer\, poet and screenwriter\, Dean Atta (20 mins). Dean will share tips about his journey so far.\n\n\n7pm – Mingling and networking\n\n\n8pm – Close\n\n  \nThe Line up\nDean Atta\nDean Atta is a BAFTA award-winning screenwriter and Stonewall Book Award-winning author from London. Best known for his young adult novel in verse\, The Black Flamingo\, and the stop-motion animation\, Two Black Boys in Paradise\, his heartfelt storytelling draws on his Greek Cypriot and Jamaican heritage as well as his queer identity. \nDean is a patron of LGBT+ History Month and Chair of the Poetry and Spoken Word Group of the Society of Authors.Dean has published three young adult novels in verse\, two poetry collections\, two picture books\, and a memoir. His debut adult novel\, Big Man\, will be published by Cipher Press in September 2026. \n \nAccessibility\nOur Events space is located on the ground floor of our office. We have a wheelchair ramp at the side entrance of the building. We also have an accessible toilet by the side entrance. \nIf you have any access requirements\, please email events@societyofauthors.org \n  \nFeeling unwell?\nWe recommend the following: \n\nStaying home if you’re feeling unwell or have flu-like symptoms\nWashing your hands when coming in from the outdoors and / or before touching your face\nApplying alcohol hand sanitiser (we will have these on site)\nWe advise attendees to wear a face mask if they feel comfortable doing so\n\n  \nTickets \n£9.50 for SoA Members \n  \nBooking\nBook your place using the booking from below. Places are limited. \nPlease read our event booking Terms and Conditions: https://societyofauthors.org/legal-privacy/event-terms/ \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/winter-soa-lates-hosted-by-dean-atta/ LOCATION:The Society of Authors\, 24 Bedford Row\, London\, WC1R 4EH\, London\, WC1R 4EH\, GB CATEGORIES:SoA in Person ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Winter-SoA-Lates-2.jpg GEO:51.5206792;-0.1162502 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=The Society of Authors 24 Bedford Row London WC1R 4EH London WC1R 4EH GB;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=24 Bedford Row\, London\, WC1R 4EH:geo:-0.1162502,51.5206792 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR