BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//The Society of Authors - ECPv6.17.5.1//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:VTIMEZONE TZID:Europe/Amsterdam BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0200 TZNAME:CEST DTSTART:20250330T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0200 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:CET DTSTART:20251026T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0200 TZNAME:CEST DTSTART:20260329T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0200 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:CET DTSTART:20261025T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0200 TZNAME:CEST DTSTART:20270328T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0200 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:CET DTSTART:20271031T010000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Europe/Paris BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0200 TZNAME:CEST DTSTART:20250330T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0200 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:CET DTSTART:20251026T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0200 TZNAME:CEST DTSTART:20260329T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0200 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:CET DTSTART:20261025T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0200 TZNAME:CEST DTSTART:20270328T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0200 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:CET DTSTART:20271031T010000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261017T130000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261017T150000 DTSTAMP:20260720T114944Z CREATED:20260720T104739Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260720T114944Z UID:10002211-1792242000-1792249200@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:East Midlands Group Nottingham hybrid meet-up DESCRIPTION:Join the East Midlands Group in-person and online on Saturday 17 October 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-171026/ 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/Amsterdam:20261017T150000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20261017T170000 DTSTAMP:20261001T112431Z CREATED:20261001T112431Z LAST-MODIFIED:20261001T112431Z UID:10002302-1792249200-1792256400@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Netherlands Group: Dealing with Fear DESCRIPTION:Join our Netherlands Group for our next in-person meet-up on Saturday 17 October from 15:00 (CEST). \nIn honor of spooky season\, the October SoA meeting will be all about fear — and how we can turn it to our advantage. \nWe will be anonymously sharing some fears and weighing in with commiseration and advice as a group\, followed by a brief workshop on how our fears can help motivate us with fear-setting. Costumes welcome! \nWe will meet at MindSpace Dam\, Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 162\, 1012 SJ Amsterdam. \nAll SoA members welcome\, wherever you live in the Netherlands! \nTo join us\, click the Going button below and enter your details in the RSVP form so we have an idea ofD how many people are planning to attend. Please contact us with any questions. URL:https://societyofauthors.org/event/netherlands-group-dealing-with-fear-171026/ LOCATION:MindSpace Dam\, Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 162\, Amsterdam\, 1012 SJ CATEGORIES:SoA local group meet-up ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Netherlands.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Local Groups":MAILTO:localgroups@societyofauthors.org GEO:52.3743982;4.8909725 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=MindSpace Dam Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 162 Amsterdam 1012 SJ;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 162:geo:4.8909725,52.3743982 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261019T180000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261019T193000 DTSTAMP:20260717T124004Z CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260717T124004Z 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 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:20261021T190000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261021T200000 DTSTAMP:20260929T100318Z CREATED:20260929T095033Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260929T100318Z UID:10002298-1792609200-1792612800@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Highlands and Moray Group catch-up DESCRIPTION:Join the Highland and Moray Group online on Wednesday 21 October from 19:00 for our informal monthly meetup. \nThis month it is an open floor. Have you got news to share\, is there any topics you would like us to cover\, is a writer’s blether enough? \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. URL:https://societyofauthors.org/event/highlands-and-moray-group-catch-up-211026/ CATEGORIES:SoA local group meet-up ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Highlands-Moray.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Local Groups":MAILTO:localgroups@societyofauthors.org LOCATION:https://societyofauthors.org/event/highlands-and-moray-group-catch-up-211026/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261022T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261022T150000 DTSTAMP:20260930T120058Z CREATED:20240804T201437Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260930T120058Z 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 BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261022T190000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261022T210000 DTSTAMP:20260717T141634Z CREATED:20260108T141656Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260717T141634Z UID:10001885-1792695600-1792702800@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Harrogate and North Yorkshire Group meet-up DESCRIPTION:Join the Harrogate and North Yorkshire Group on Thursday 22 October 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-221026/ 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:20261024T120000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261024T160000 DTSTAMP:20260922T102208Z CREATED:20260922T101933Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260922T102208Z UID:10002292-1792843200-1792857600@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:North East Group: Social Gathering at Alnmouth DESCRIPTION:Join the North-East Group on Saturday 24 October from 12:00\, for a social get-together around the theme: ‘Being in Nature for Inspiration and Creativity.  As we try again to capture the beauty of Alnmouth for our Social event. Alnmouth is a beautiful Northumbrian location by the sea. \nWe will meet outside the Red Lion Inn in Alnmouth at 12:00 (22 Northumberland St\, Alnmouth\, Alnwick NE66 2RJ).  If you wish to take a train\, a LNER train from Newcastle takes 25 minutes. Bring walking shoes for a beach walk\, and a walk around the village. Later\, we will be gathering at a local pub to share insights and stories. We look forward to seeing members at the event.  \nAll 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/north-east-group-social-gathering-at-alnmouth-241026/ LOCATION:The Red Lion Inn\, Northumberland St\, Alnmouth\, Alnwick\, NE66 2RJ CATEGORIES:SoA local group meet-up ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/North-East.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Local Groups":MAILTO:localgroups@societyofauthors.org GEO:55.3881318;-1.6125937 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=The Red Lion Inn Northumberland St Alnmouth Alnwick NE66 2RJ;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=Northumberland St\, Alnmouth:geo:-1.6125937,55.3881318 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261027T120000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261027T140000 DTSTAMP:20260915T104726Z CREATED:20260915T104708Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260915T104726Z UID:10002283-1793102400-1793109600@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:South Buckinghamshire Group: Covers DESCRIPTION:Join the South Buckinghamshire Group on Tuesday 27 October from 12:00 for our next in person meeting. \nIn this meeting\, we’re going to discuss book covers; please bring some of your own covers to discuss with the rest of the group.  \nWe will meet at Beech House\, 17 Penn Rd\, Beaconsfield HP9 2PN. \nDon’t worry if you haven’t attended any meetings before – all members welcome!  \nTo join the group\, please contact member-volunteer group organiser Judy Bartkowiak. URL:https://societyofauthors.org/event/south-buckinghamshire-group-covers-271026/ LOCATION:Beech House\, Penn Road 17\, Beaconsfield\, Buckinghamshire\, HP9 2PN\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:SoA local group meet-up ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/South-Buckinghamshire.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Local Groups":MAILTO:localgroups@societyofauthors.org GEO:51.6129563;-0.6477897 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Beech House Penn Road 17 Beaconsfield Buckinghamshire HP9 2PN United Kingdom;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=Penn Road 17:geo:-0.6477897,51.6129563 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261028T110000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261028T130000 DTSTAMP:20260717T141321Z CREATED:20260119T131749Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260717T141321Z UID:10001921-1793185200-1793192400@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Salisbury and Wiltshire Group meet-up DESCRIPTION:Join the Salisbury and Wiltshire Group for an in person meet-up on Wednesday 28 October from 11am. We will meet at Boston Tea Party\, Old George Inn\, 13 High Street\, Salisbury SP1 2NJ. \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-281026/ LOCATION:Boston Tea Party (Salisbury)\, Old George Inn\, 13 High Street\, Salisbury\, SP1 2NJ 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:52.2936456;-1.5381707 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Boston Tea Party (Salisbury) Old George Inn 13 High Street Salisbury SP1 2NJ;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=Old George Inn\, 13 High Street:geo:-1.5381707,52.2936456 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Paris:20261028T183000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/Paris:20261028T193000 DTSTAMP:20260929T112519Z CREATED:20260929T102745Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260929T112519Z UID:10002299-1793212200-1793215800@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:France Group: Turning Fact into Fiction with Helen Baggott DESCRIPTION:Join the France Group on Wednesday 28 October from 18:30 (CET) for a talk with author Helen Baggott. \nHelen will be discussing turning factual research into fictional writing. After writing numerous articles and non-fiction books\, learn how those research skills and topics can be used in a fictional setting.  \nHelen Baggott is an editor\, speaker and writer from Dorset. Her most recent project is researching the stories behind postcards sent more than a year ago. You can read more about her on her website here. https://www.helenbaggott.co.uk/speaker \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/france-group-turning-fact-into-fiction-with-helen-baggott-281026/ CATEGORIES:SoA local group meet-up ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/France.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Local Groups":MAILTO:localgroups@societyofauthors.org LOCATION:https://societyofauthors.org/event/france-group-turning-fact-into-fiction-with-helen-baggott-281026/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261030T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261030T120000 DTSTAMP:20260917T094051Z CREATED:20260122T130627Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260917T094051Z UID:10001943-1793354400-1793361600@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Warwickshire Group: Friday Forum DESCRIPTION:Join the Warwickshire Group on Friday 30 October from 10am for a coffee and a brainstorm session with fellow local authors.  \nThis month\, we are trialling a new venue as discussed. We’ll meet at Cacao Coffee & Chocolate Co\, 52 Warwick Street\, Leamington Spa\, CV32 5JS. The staff know we are coming and we shall organise tables as you arrive\, depending on need. The venue is accessible for wheelchairs. The nearest car parks are Covent Garden and Chandos Street\, both within a 2-3 minute walk. The buses also stop very near the cafe on the Parade.   \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-301026/ LOCATION:Cocao Coffee & Chocolate Co\, 52 Warwick Street\, Leamington Spa\, CV32 5JS 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:52.2918275;-1.5365738 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Cocao Coffee & Chocolate Co 52 Warwick Street Leamington Spa CV32 5JS;X-APPLE-RADIUS=500;X-TITLE=52 Warwick Street:geo:-1.5365738,52.2918275 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261031T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261031T160000 DTSTAMP:20260903T143316Z CREATED:20260903T143316Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260903T143316Z UID:10002268-1793455200-1793462400@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Belfast & Beyond meet-up DESCRIPTION:Join us at our next coffee catch up on Saturday 31 October 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-311026/ 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:20261102T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261102T113000 DTSTAMP:20260728T090215Z CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260728T090215Z UID:10001951-1793613600-1793619000@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Professional Development - Writing a synopsis DESCRIPTION:Join Olivia Chapman as she leads this 90-minute workshop sharing practical tips on how to write a synopsis for submission to an agent\, producer or for a competition. \nIn order to participate fully\, you will need to have a complete story (in whatever form) which you can talk about from start to finish. Although you do not need to be published to attend\, you do need to have a complete manuscript as the synopsis will include the full story you have written. \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?\nYou’ll learn how to structure your synopsis\, what to include and what to leave out\, and how to pick out the most important parts of your story. \n  \nProgramme\n\nWelcome\, introductions and housekeeping from Lilly Brend-Fish – Events & Engagement Manager\, SoA (3 mins)\nPresentation by Olivia Chapman (60 mins)\nComfort break (5 mins)\nQ&A with audience 20 mins)\nSummary and closing comments (2 mins)\n\n  \nSend us your questions\nIf you would like to send questions in advance\, email Lbrendfish@societyofauthors.org with ‘Writing a synopsis’ 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 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 URL:https://societyofauthors.org/event/professional-development-writing-a-synopsis/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Professional-Development_Writing-a-synopsis-4.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261102T190000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261102T200000 DTSTAMP:20260922T124935Z CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260922T124935Z UID:10002295-1793646000-1793649600@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:SoA Cymru end of year review and online social DESCRIPTION:Join the SoA Cymru Group for their end of year review and online social. \nFind out what the committee has been doing this year and look ahead to 2027. Meet the committee informally and spend time meeting and talking to other Cymru members. \nThis event is for SoA Members. Not a member? sign up here \n  \nProgramme\n\nEnd of year review: Find out what the Cymru committee has been doing this year and look ahead to 2027. Including time for Q&A. (30 mins)\nMeet the committee informally and spend time chatting with other SoA Cymru members online via Zoom and in a variety of different breakout rooms hosted by the committee (30 mins)\nThis event will be moderated by Emma Boniwell – SoA Head of Membership and Author Communities\, Cymru coordinator\, SoA\n\n  \nAbout the Society of Authors Cymru\nThe Society of Authors Cymru is a national group of the Society of Authors. Established in 2018\, we provide professional advice and support for Welsh writers at all stages of their career\, whether they write in English or Welsh. \nWe organise regular events and host socials across the year via a volunteer steering committee and local groups. Join us to meet authors across Wales\, find out what’s happening in your area and be a part of your local Society of Authors community. \nFind out more here \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 URL:https://societyofauthors.org/event/soa-cymru-end-of-year-review-and-online-social/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome,Society of Authors in Wales ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SoA-Cymru_end-of-year-review-and-online-social.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261104T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261104T153000 DTSTAMP:20260730T131629Z CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260730T131629Z UID:10002232-1793800800-1793806200@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Industry Insider - Connecting with your audience DESCRIPTION:Our educational writing experts will discuss their experiences and top tips for writing and engaging with a broad range of readers.     Panellists include Dr Amina Douidi\, equity\, diversity\, inclusion (EDI) and intercultural communication consultant in education and English Language Teaching; Paul Naylor author\, underwater photographer\, videographer and marine biologist; and Dr James Williams\, emeritus reader in science education and communication at the University of Sussex. This event will be chaired by author Ken Wilson.  \nThis event is in conjunction with our Educational Writers Group (EWG). \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 reach specific audiences – for example\, children\, academics\, politicians\, the general public\nDifferences in writing style – academic\, formal and inform\nAvoiding difficulties in writing – hedging\, signposts and structure\nChallenging stereotypes\, reducing harm and creating room for stories and perspectives that often get overlooked\nEngaging people with nature\nThe importance of story-telling\n\n  \nProgramme\n\nWelcome\, introductions and housekeeping from Ken Wilson (3 mins)\nPanel discussion chaired by Ken Wilson with Dr Amina Douidi\, Paul Naylor and Dr James Williams (60 mins)\nComfort break (5 mins)\nQ&A with audience (20 mins) \nSummary and closing comments (2 mins)\nThis event will be moderated by Tilly Zeeman – Contracts Advisor and EWG co-ordinator\, SoA\n\n  \nThe Line-up\nKen Wilson\nKen Wilson is a prolific author of English Language Teaching materials with about thirty titles to his name\, including more than a dozen series of course books. His first ELT project was an album of teaching songs called Mister Monday\, which he wrote and recorded when he was 23.His UK publishers include Oxford University Press\, Macmillan and Cengage. He has also been published locally in Spain\, Germany\, Poland\, China\, Vietnam and Indonesia. Ken completed a Masters in Creative Writing at Birkbeck College in 2017 and has since published two novels. \n  \nDr Amina Douidi\nDr Amina Douidi is an equity\, diversity\, inclusion (EDI) and intercultural communication consultant in education and English Language Teaching. She helps publishers\, education institutions and ministries\, in creating EDI policies\, reviews\, strategy and research with the aim of reducing harm and empowering those most invisibilised in education publishing. Amina holds a PhD in Modern Languages and Applied Linguistics from the University of Southampton and a joint MA from Tlemcen University\, Algeria and University of Balearic Islands\, Spain. She is a past co-chair of TESOL Intercultural Communication Interest Section and current community coordinator\, as well as a mentor for Africa ELTA women in leadership mentorship scheme. \n  \nPaul Naylor\nPaul Naylor is an underwater photographer\, videographer and marine biologist who is passionate about showing a wide audience what beautiful and intriguing creatures live around our UK coasts\, from vivid sea anemones to talented cuttlefish and decorating crabs to charismatic nest-building fish. This has led to him writing the book Great British Marine Animals (now in its 4th edition) and co-authoring Coastal Seas (in Bloomsbury’s British Wildlife Collection). Paul also writes magazine articles and scientific papers\, works with the media and conservation organisations\, and gives talks to groups including primary school children\, university students\, public bodies and wildlife enthusiasts.  \n  \nDr James Williams\nDr James Williams is an emeritus reader in science education and communication at the University of Sussex. A former science teacher and teacher‑-educator\, his research focuses on the nature of science\, scientific method\, and evolution education. He has authored textbooks\, academic articles\, and writes a weekly column for his local newspaper. He is a regular contributor to BBC radio and TV on education issues.  \n  \nAbout Educational Writers Group (EWG)\nEWG 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  \nSend us your questions\nIf you would like to send questions in advance\, email MZeeman@societyofauthors.org with ‘Connecting with your audience’ 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 URL:https://societyofauthors.org/event/industry-insider-connecting-with-your-audience/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome,Educational Writers Group ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Industry-Insider_Connecting-with-your-audience.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261104T180000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261104T193000 DTSTAMP:20261002T102201Z CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20261002T102201Z UID:10002303-1793815200-1793820600@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Industry Insider - Imagining new funding futures DESCRIPTION:With the Scottish government recently confirming plans to pilot a basic income scheme for artists\, this panel discussion will survey today’s funding landscape\, imagine some more equitable future possibilities and begin to map out how we might get there. \nCurrent discussions around funding across the publishing industry seem to suffer from a lack of imagination: there is both intense criticism of current situations and\, in some cases\, a desire to return to a past that is unlikely to return. But we are creative people! If anyone can help to imagine equitable and sustainable futures for workers in the books industry\, surely it is the writers\, translators and illustrators who make up the SoA. \nWhile the conversation will have a particular focus on Scotland\, the session is for any writers and book workers who would like to see a better funded publishing industry for everyone. \nThis event is in conjunction with the Society of Authors in Scotland (SoAiS).  \nWhat will this session cover?\n\nDifferent visions for more equitable and sustainable publishing\nThe role of trade unions such as the SoA in making these ideas a reality\nCurrent problems and how to solve them\nTesting new funding models\, such as Universal Basic Income\n\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  \nProgramme\n\nWelcome\, introductions and housekeeping from Tom Jeffreys (3 mins)\nPanel discussion chaired by Tom Jeffreys\, Sam Gonçalves and Jessica Gaitán Johannesson (60 mins)\nComfort break (5 mins)\nQ&A with audience (20 mins)\nSummary and closing comments (2 mins)\nThis event will be moderated by Elsa Robert – Executive Administrator\, SoA\n\n  \nThe Line-up\nTom Jeffreys\nTom Jeffreys is a writer who lives in Edinburgh. His work is mostly creative non-fiction in response to art and place\, and he regularly collaborates with artists and cultural organisations.Tom’s books include: Walking: Documents of Contemporary Art (Whitechapel Gallery and The MIT Press\, 2024); To an island in a loch on an island in a loch\, with Kirsty Badenoch (Mouldy Books\, 2023); The White Birch: A Russian Reflection (Little\, Brown\, 2021); and Signal Failure: HS2 on Foot (Influx Press\, 2017). He is represented by Zoe Ross at United Agents.  \nInstagram: @tom__jeffreys | Website: https://www.tom-jeffreys.co.uk \n  \nSam Gonçalves\nSam Gonçalves is a writer from Brazil\, currently living in Glasgow. He is the author of How Does Change Happen?: Scenes from the Frontlines of Activism (2025).Sam brings a background in community development and organising: he was the SoA’s Senior Policy Officer (Scotland) from 2024 to 2026\, and previously worked with organisations like Creative Dundee\, The Ferret\, Hot Chocolate Trust\, Greater Govanhill and others – both in the Third Sector and in the Creative Industries. \n  \nJessica Gaitán Johannesson\nJessica Gaitán Johannesson is a writer and organiser based in Edinburgh. She’s the author of the Desmond Elliot Prize-nominated novel How We Are Translated (2021)\, and the essay collection The Nerves and Their Endings (2022). She’s the Programme Director for Edinburgh’s Radical Book Fair. \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 ’New funding futures’ 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 URL:https://societyofauthors.org/event/industry-insider-imagining-new-funding-futures/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome,Society of Authors in Scotland ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Industry-Insider_Imagining-new-funding-futures-4.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261105T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261105T123000 DTSTAMP:20260717T135712Z CREATED:20251121T123016Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260717T135712Z UID:10001798-1793872800-1793881800@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Oxfordshire Group: Shut Up and Write! DESCRIPTION:Join the Oxfordshire Group on Thursday 5 November 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-051126/ 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-051126/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261105T110000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261105T123000 DTSTAMP:20260728T090223Z CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260728T090223Z UID:10001774-1793876400-1793881800@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:SoA Winter Coffee & Chat - hosted by Dorothy Koomson DESCRIPTION:Grab a cuppa and join us for our Winter SoA in person: Coffee and Chat event held at our London offices on Bedford Row. Meet and mingle with SoA staff and fellow members and hear from author and SoA Member\, Dorothy Koomson. \nHot drinks and cakes will be served. \nPlaces are limited and subject to availability. This is a seated event.  \n  \nIn Person: Coffee & Chat events – £9.50 for SoA Members \nNot a member? Sign up here. \n  \nProgramme\n\n11am – Event starts\n11.30am – Welcome and introductions from  SoA Chief Executive\, Anna Ganley and a welcome from Dorothy Koomson\n12.30pm – Event finishes\n\n  \nThe Line up \nDorothy Koomson\nDorothy Koomson is an award-winning\, global bestselling author of 22 novels\, commonly known as the ‘Queen of the Big Reveal’ for her powerful\, thought-provoking\, and compelling thrillers. Her books have connected with readers all over the world\, with sales of over 2.5 million copies in the UK alone. Dorothy featured on the 2021 Powerlist as one of the most influential Black people in Britain\, appeared in GQ Style as a Black British trailblazer\, and was a judge for the 2022 Women’s Prize for Fiction. 2023 marked Dorothy’s 20th anniversary as a published author. The Quiet Girls is Dorothy’s 23rd book and is published on the 12th March 2026. \n \nSoA Fundraising Bookshop\nBrowse 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. \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 URL:https://societyofauthors.org/event/soa-winter-coffee-chat-hosted-by-dorothy-koomson/ 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-Coffee-Chat-5.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: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 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: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 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: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 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 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;VALUE=DATE:20261114 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261116 DTSTAMP:20260922T133025Z CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260922T133025Z 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. Come and chat to our staff and Comics Creators Network members over the weekend. \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. \nWe’ll be at the convention on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November\, located in Bubbleboy Hall\, at Table B30. \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:20260918T150112Z CREATED:20220121T162059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260918T150112Z 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 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 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 END:VCALENDAR