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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260919T100000
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DTSTAMP:20260530T012721
CREATED:20250108T090059Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260528T142557Z
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SUMMARY:SoA Listening Session | Authors North Conference
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. \nPlease note that this session will be taking place during the Authors North Conference and you will need to have a ticket for entry to attend. \nTickets can be purchased via our website here: https://societyofauthors.org/event/authors-north-conference-2026-ai-and-the-creative-workforce/  \n  \nProgramme\n\n10am – Listening session starts\nDiscussion lead by SoA Chief Executive Anna Ganley\, SoA Head of Events & Engagement\, Sophia A Jackson and Head of Membership\, Emma Boniwell (45 mins)\n10.45am – session ends\n\n  \nUpcoming dates\nMembers are invited to book a place to share their experiences at one of the sessions below: \nOnline:  \n\nWorld Listening Day | Saturday 18 July\, 14.30-16.00\nOnline Listening Session | Monday 19 October\, 18.00-19.30\n\nIn Person:  \n\nBelfast Book Festival | Thursday 4 June\, 14.30-16.00\nIn person Listening Session | Wednesday 7 October\, 11.00-12.30\n\n  \nAccessibility\nVenue Access:  \n\nWheelchair Access: All public areas are wheelchair accessible via lifts and ramps.\nAccessible Toilets: There are accessible toilets throughout the building\, including in the Work Station areas.\nQuiet Spaces: If you need a moment of calm during your visit\, the staff at WorkStation can direct you to a quieter area.\nBlue Badge Parking: Limited on-street Blue Badge parking is available on Paternoster Row and Brown Street\, just outside the building. Additional accessible parking is available nearby at Q-Park Charles Street.\nAll assistance dogs and service animals are welcome in Workstation’s public spaces\, including the cinema\, café bar\, and meeting areas. If your animal needs anything specific during your visit\, such as water or space to rest\, please let a member of staff know.\nFurther accessibility information can be found via Workstation’s website: https://workstation.org.uk/accessibility-policy\n\nAdditional:  \n\nBSL interpretation: If you require BSL interpretation to take part in this event\, please email events@societyofauthors.org.\nOther access requirements: Please email events@societyofauthors.org with any other accessibility needs.\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 for this event via the registration form below. \nPlease note that this will be taking place during the Authors North Conference and you will need to have a ticket for entry to attend. \nTickets can be purchased via our website here: https://societyofauthors.org/event/authors-north-conference-2026-ai-and-the-creative-workforce/  \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-authors-north-conference/
LOCATION:Creative Lounge\, WorkStation\, 15 Paternoster Row\, Sheffield\, S1 2BX
CATEGORIES:Authors North,SoA in Person
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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260919T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260919T173000
DTSTAMP:20260530T012721
CREATED:20250108T090059Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260528T142641Z
UID:10002154-1789812000-1789839000@societyofauthors.org
SUMMARY:Authors North Conference 2026 | AI and the creative workforce
DESCRIPTION:AI and the creative workforce: redefining the skills needed to sustain a living as an author in an era of AI. This year’s conference will equip members with practical tools and advice for professional life in the age of AI\, while celebrating the importance of human connection.Early bird tickets are available for members and non-members until Tuesday\, 30 June. \nNot a member? sign up here with our special #SoAatHome offer and get 20% off for the first year using the offer code: SOAATHOME20. \n  \nProgramme\n\n10am – Listening session | hosted by Anna Ganley with Sophia A Jackson and Emma Boniwell | Register for this here (SoA members only)\n\n\n10.45am – Registration | tea and coffee on arrival\n\n\n11am – Keynote – Dr Mojisola Kareem\n\nArtistic Director\, Utopia Theatre (Sheffield) | The importance of human connection in an increasingly AI-driven landscape. \n\n11.25am –  How I Illustrate – talk and draw-along with Lisa Maltby\n\nIllustrator Lisa Maltby will lead a session on the connection between words and illustration through type and lettering\, particularly for book covers/titles. Lisa will give a brief introduction with some relevant projects and then guide you through drawing a simple illuminated letter in black and white. Lisa will answer questions and talk through the parallels in her work/process. \n\n12.15pm – Lunch\n\n\n1pm – AI: The big debate with Bec Evans\n\nAn interactive session inviting the audience to share concerns about AI’s impact on writing careers\, with author insights from Akeem Balogun. \n\n2pm – Writing the (r)Age with Rachel Barnett-Jones\n\nIn this session\, Rachel Barnett-Jones will share her own journey with perimenopausal aphasia as well as dive into the science of what happens to our brains and how it impacts us as writers. Rachel will also discuss her Writing the r(Age) project as a response to the isolation of brain fog and how radical self-kindness can be a writer’s most powerful tool. Copies of the Writing the r(Age) resource pack will be available to download\, and there will be time for questions and discussion. \n\n2.45pm – Tea/coffee break\n\n\n3pm – How I Write – in conversation with Matt Coyne (aka Man versus Baby)\n\nHosted by SoA Head of Membership and Author Communities\, Emma Boniwell \n\n4–5.30 pm – SoA Lates | Café bar drinks\, networking and nibbles \n\n  \nThe Line-up\n  \nDr Mojisola Kareem\nDr Mojisola Kareem is Artistic Director and CEO of Utopia Theatre\, a leading voice in African and diaspora theatre in the UK. A theatre-maker\, producer and scholar\, her work explores Yorùbá performance\, cultural identity and innovative approaches to storytelling\, leadership and international collaboration. \nInstagram: @utopia_theatre| @mojisolaomoibadan Website: https://www.utopiatheatre.co.uk/   \n  \nLisa Maltby\nLisa Maltby is an independent illustrator and designer based in Sheffield. Her work blends craft with purpose\, resulting in work that connects with audiences and brings stories to life. With a diverse portfolio spanning publishing\, editorial\, branding\, and heritage\, Lisa has worked with clients including Penguin Random House\, The Guardian\, National Trust and Waitrose Food. \nWebsite: www.lisamaltby.com | Instagram:@lisamaltbystudio  \n \nMatt Coyne\nIn September 2015\, Matt’s life was turned upside down when\, after three months of parenthood\, he logged on to social media and wrote about his experience of having to live with ‘a furious\, sleep-murdering\, unstable and incontinent\, breasts-obsessed midget lodger’. Within days\, his post about surviving the first few months of parenting was shared by millions. Following this\, Matt created his popular blog Man vs Baby. He has written two Sunday Times bestselling books\, the first entitled ‘Dummy’ and the second ‘Man vs Toddler’. And his debut novel ‘Frank and Red’ was heralded by critics and readers as one of the best debuts of the past ten years\, described by The Daily Mirror as ‘Simply Perfect’. His second novel\, ‘The Trouble With Sister Francis’\, set in early eighties Sheffield\, is due to be released in August 2026.  Matt lives in South Yorkshire with his son Charlie\, his partner Lyndsay and a Jack Russell terrier with ‘issues’ called Popcorn. \nInstagram: @manversusbaby | Facebook: manversusbaby | X: @mattcoyney \n  \nBec Evans\nBec Evans is a writing coach and co-author of Written: How to Keep Writing and Build a Habit That Lasts and the Substack bestseller Breakthroughs & Blocks. A former bookseller\, Arvon Centre Director and Publishing Head of Innovation\, she has been researching AI while writing a book on creative persistence. \n  \nRachel Barnett-Jones\nRachel Barnett-Jones is a writer\, educator and arts advocate. As the founder of Sensible Creative\, she is committed to dismantling the complexities of the professional arts to ensure that creatives are protected\, informed and respected. Rachel is currently working on a variety of projects\, which\, she hopes\, will make the Arts a happier\, healthier\, and kinder place to work. \nWebsite: www.sensiblecreative.co.uk \n  \nAkeem Balogun\nAkeem Balogun is a writer whose fiction has appeared in multiple publications\, and he has written stories for artists\, projects and festivals. His debut collection of stories\, The Storm\, won the Society of Authors’ Somerset Maugham Award. His latest work\, ‘Post-modern Hustle’\, was published by Intergraphia Books. \nInstagram: @writtengallery | X: @writtengallery | Website: https://writtengallery.com \n \nAnna Ganley\, Society of Authors                              \nAs Chief Executive\, Anna is responsible for overseeing the running of the Society of Authors and driving the SoA’s mission of empowering and supporting authors in the UK. Working closely with the SoA’s board of directors (Management Committee)\, Anna ensures that SoA’s activities and campaigns remain aligned with the SoA’s core mission. \nAnna sits on the board of the International Authors Forum and is a member of the London Book Fair Advisory Board. \nBorn in Sunderland\, Anna grew up on the north-east coast. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Durham and her MA in Management from Durham Business School. \n  \nEmma Boniwell\, Society of Authors\nEmma rejoined the Society of Authors in 2024 as Head of Membership and Author Communities. She leads the Member Services team and works on the strategic development of membership recruitment\, volunteer management\, development of all author communities and membership benefits. \nShe is the coordinator of the Society of Authors in Wales. \n  \nAccessibility\nVenue Access:  \n\nWheelchair Access: All public areas are wheelchair accessible via lifts and ramps.\nAccessible Toilets: There are accessible toilets throughout the building\, including in the Work Station areas.\nQuiet Spaces: If you need a moment of calm during your visit\, the staff at WorkStation can direct you to a quieter area.\nBlue Badge Parking: Limited on-street Blue Badge parking is available on Paternoster Row and Brown Street\, just outside the building. Additional accessible parking is available nearby at Q-Park Charles Street.\nAll assistance dogs and service animals are welcome in Workstation’s public spaces\, including the cinema\, café bar\, and meeting areas. If your animal needs anything specific during your visit\, such as water or space to rest\, please let a member of staff know.\nFurther accessibility information can be found via Workstation’s website: https://workstation.org.uk/accessibility-policy\n\nAdditional:  \n\nBSL interpretation: If you require BSL interpretation to take part in this event\, please email events@societyofauthors.org.\nOther access requirements: Please email events@societyofauthors.org with any other accessibility needs.\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  \nAbout Authors North\nThe group hosts three events per year for members across the North including panels of industry speakers\, practical workshops\, meet the publisher sessions and informal socials for you to meet fellow authors. Events are currently taking place online and we hope to host hybrid events in the near future. \nAuthors North is run by a volunteer events committee\, supported by SoA staff. We are always keen to hear your ideas and suggestions for events – please get in touch. \nJoin our Facebook group to keep up to date with events and opportunities across the area and chat to fellow members. \nThe SoA also supports multiple member-led local groups across the North of England. Visit our local groups page to find out what is happening near you. \n  \nBooking and Tickets\nPlease read our event booking Terms and Conditions: https://societyofauthors.org/legal-privacy/event-terms/ \nTickets – includes all refreshments for the day conference and evening networking event \n\n£50 Early bird – SoA member\n£70 Early bird – Non-Member\n£70 Standard – SoA member\n£90 Standard – Non-member\n\nEarly bird tickets will be on sale until Tuesday\, 30 June. Standard tickets will be on sale from Wednesday\, 1 July. \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												Not a member? Join the SoA today for FREE access to all our #SoAatHome events \n					\n					Access 20% off your first year of membership of the SoA with discount code SOAATHOME20  The Society of Authors is the UK’s biggest trade union for authors – representing more than 12\,000 writers\, illustrators\, translators and other creative practitioners.   Our subscription rate is just £137 per year (£97 concessionary) which equates to just under £12 per month (or £8 per month concessionary).  As an SoA member\, you’ll get:  Access to all our #SoAatHome events for free including the Professional Development sessions usually charged at £35 from Feb 2025 Access to all our Feel Good Friday and Industry Insider events which are usually charged £5 from Feb 2025 Access all #SoAatHome Vimeo professional development recordings so you can catch up in your own time Access Unlimited one-to-one professional advice Membership of our online and real-world professional networks and special interest groups A range of member-only discounts\, including books\, insurance and travel And much more ‘It was a surprisingly lovely way to meet fellow writers in a friendly\, warm surrounding perfectly hosted by the SoA staff. Thank you for all the introductions\, the welcome and the nourishment!’  – attendee from SoA in Person: Autumn New Members’ Party 2024  JOIN NOW  |  PRICING
URL:https://societyofauthors.org/event/authors-north-conference-2026-ai-and-the-creative-workforce/
LOCATION:Creative Lounge\, WorkStation\, 15 Paternoster Row\, Sheffield\, S1 2BX
CATEGORIES:Authors North,SoA in Person
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