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:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261002T170000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261002T174500 DTSTAMP:20260805T084533Z CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260805T084533Z UID:10002227-1790960400-1790963100@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Feel Good Friday - Draw along with Ellen Surrey DESCRIPTION:Join Los Angeles-based illustrator and joint ALCS Educational Writers’ Award winner\, Ellen Surrey for a colourful\, Halloween-themed sketch session to kick off the spooky season. \nInspired by her love of painting and printmaking\, Ellen will walk you through a technique she often uses in her sketchbook to create multiple colours with a limited palette. \nFor this session\, you will need: \n\nPaper (smooth is better)\nPencil and eraser\nTranslucent markers (Ellen will be using Tombow dual brush pens)\nA thin pen in a dark colour (ballpoint\, Micron\, etc)\n\nThis event is in conjunction with our Educational Writers Group (EWG). \n  \nOnline Feel Good Friday events – free for SoA Members | £5 for Non-Members \nNot a member? sign up here. \n  \nProgramme\n\nWelcome\, introductions and housekeeping from Tilly Zeeman – Contracts Advisor and EWG co-ordinator\, SoA (3 mins)\nDraw along with Ellen Surrey (35 mins)\nSharing creations (5 mins)\nSummary and closing comments (2 mins)\n\n  \n  \nThe Line-up\nEllen Surrey\nEllen Surrey is a Los Angeles-based illustrator whose work captures the unique spirit of the city she calls home. Endlessly inspired by the surrounding film industry\, mid-century design\, and vintage treasures\, Ellen’s work presents a vibrant world of joy and whimsy. Her work spans from digital to gouache illustrations\, appearing in children’s books\, posters\, editorial\, product designs\, and even a USPS postage stamp! No matter the project\, Ellen’s work is always celebratory of the subjects she depicts. \nWebsite: https://www.ellensurrey.com/ | Instagram: @yesurrey \n  \nAbout Educational Writers Group\nEducational Writers Group (EWG) is a professional network for SoA members who produce educational materials for all settings including schools\, higher education and academic institutions\, and the English Language Teaching sector.   \nWe welcome emerging career authors who are interested in producing educational materials in the future as well as established authors.   \nThe group is run by an elected committee of volunteers with expertise in different areas. For all inquiries please email co-ordinator Tilly Zeeman. Not a member of the SoA yet? Sign up today using the discount code EWG20. \n  \nAccessibility\n\nAttendees will have the option to turn on the live transcript\, to watch with subtitles\nIf you require BSL interpretation for this event\, please email events@societyofauthors.org\n\n  \nBooking\nSoA Members: Please use the ‘Register – SoA Members’ form below and provide your details\, including your membership number. If you’re unsure of your SoA ID\, please email info@societyofauthors.org. \nNon-members: Choose one of the two ticket options below\, complete the registration form\, then fill out the billing info to finalise your payment. \nFor event or registration questions\, email events@societyofauthors.org. \nSoA Members – Free \nNon-Members – £5 \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Accordion Title\n \n Accordion Content \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Society of Authors’ Access Fund - donate now\n \n Giving authors support for travel\, subsistence\, childcare or access needs for events\, residencies\, and retreatsEvery contribution helps us ensure that these needs and costs aren’t barriers to authors wishing to access events. If you are in a position to help\, please donate via the link below. If you are an author facing access issues\, please click here to see if we can help. DONATE NOW URL:https://societyofauthors.org/event/feel-good-friday-draw-along-with-ellen-surrey/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome,Educational Writers Group ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Feel-Good-Friday_Draw-along-with-Ellen-Surrey-2.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261001T110000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261001T120000 DTSTAMP:20260914T155047Z CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260914T155047Z UID:10002231-1790852400-1790856000@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Industry Insider – How to make a living as a children’s author and illustrator DESCRIPTION:Making enough money from book sales alone is hard. So how do most children’s authors and illustrators make a living? Our expert panel Tọlá Okogwu\, Joanna Nadin\, Rikin Parekh and Steve Cole will talk about income streams including making the most of both traditional publishing and self-publishing\, school visits\, funding opportunities\, teaching and more.  \nThis event is in conjunction with our Children’s Writers and Illustrators Group. \n  \nOnline Industry Insider events – free for all + donation \nAll donations made go towards the Society of Authors’ Access Fund. The fund is to help provide authors support for travel\, subsistence\, childcare or access needs for events\, residencies\, and retreats. If you would like to make a donation with your booking\, please do so when registering for the event below. \n  \nWhat will this session cover? \n\nHow to find sources of income as a children’s writer and illustrator\n\n  \nProgramme\n\nWelcome\, introductions and housekeeping from Steve Cole (3 mins)\nPanel discussion chaired by Steve Cole\, with Tọlá Okogwu\, Rikin Parekh and Joanna Nadin (40 mins)\nQ&A with audience (15 mins) \nSummary and closing comments (2 mins)\nThis event will be moderated by Hope Norman – Membership and Author Communities Administrator\, SoA\n\n  \nThe Line-up\nSteve Cole\nSteve Cole is a prolific British children’s author with sales of over 3 million copies. His work has spanned many genres\, from science fiction and adventure to ‘cli-fi’\, comedy and graphic novels. In addition\, he is Creative Editor for BBC Books’ Doctor Who list. He lives in Aylesbury Vale. \nBlueSky: @stevecolewriter.bsky.social | X: @stevecolebooks \n  \nTọlá Okogwu\nTọlá Okogwu is an award-winning\, best-selling children’s author of the Onyeka\, Daddy Do My Hair and Aziza’s Secret Fairy Door (as Lola Morayo) series. A literacy advocate\, she founded Read Bold\, Wide and Beyond\, encouraging children to build confidence and explore diverse genres. Tọlá lives in Kent with her family. \nWebsite: tolaokogwu.com | Instagram/Threads: @tolaokogwu \n  \nRikin Parekh\nRikin Parekh studied Foundation Studies in Art at Camberwell College of Arts and then Illustration at the University of Westminster\, Harrow. He primarily worked as a Storyboard Artist/Creature Designer in the Film industry\, while also working in retail\, selling books for a national chain\, and then on a Film/TV streaming site. He currently spends his time between working as a primary school SEND Learning Support Assistant\, caring for his mother and writing/illustrating Children’s books. When he’s not drawing\, you’ll probably find him at the cinema\, the zoo\, a museum\, dog-sitting\, or at a Comic Con with friends. \nHe is currently working on his second Author/Illustrator picture book and lots of other fun projects. \nWebsite: www.rikinparekh.com | Instagram: @r1k1n_parekh | Bluesky: @rikinparekh.bsky.social \n  \nJoanna Nadin\nJoanna Nadin is a former broadcast journalist and special adviser to the Prime Minister. Since leaving politics she’s written more than a hundred books for children\, including the Sunday Times #1 bestselling Worst Class in the World Series\, and Joe All Alone\, which is now a BAFTA-winning BBC drama. She is also Associate Professor of Creative Writing at University of Bristol.  \nBluesky: joannanadin.bsky.social \n  \nAbout the Children’s Writers and Illustrators Group (CWIG)\nOur Children’s Writers and Illustrators Group (CWIG) is a professional community of writers and illustrators who create content for the children’s publishing market. \nWe campaign as a group on issues of specific relevance to us\, as well as raising the profile of children’s books more generally.  \nAn elected committee directs the work of the group\, and it is managed day to day by coordinator Sarah Burton. Please see the CWIG committee page for details and deadlines for upcoming vacancies. \n  \nSend us your questions\nIf you would like to send questions in advance\, email HNorman@societyofauthors.org with ‘Making a living as a children’s author and illustrator’ in the subject header. \n  \nAccessibility\n\nAttendees will have the option to turn on the live transcript\, to watch with subtitles\nIf you require BSL interpretation for this event\, please email events@societyofauthors.org\n\n  \nBooking\nPlease either use the form titled ‘Register – no donation’ or the option of the different ticket options with a donation amount depending on how much you would like to donate towards the Society of Authors Access Fund. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Accordion Title\n \n Accordion Content \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Society of Authors’ Access Fund - donate now\n \n Giving authors support for travel\, subsistence\, childcare or access needs for events\, residencies\, and retreatsEvery contribution helps us ensure that these needs and costs aren’t barriers to authors wishing to access events. If you are in a position to help\, please donate via the link below. If you are an author facing access issues\, please click here to see if we can help. DONATE NOW URL:https://societyofauthors.org/event/industry-insider-how-to-make-a-living-as-a-childrens-author-and-illustrator/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome,Children's Writers and Illustrators ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Industry-Insider_How-to-make-a-living-as-a-childens-authors-and-illustrator-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260930T180000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260930T193000 DTSTAMP:20260728T092950Z CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260728T092950Z UID:10002225-1790791200-1790796600@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Comics Creators Network Meeting DESCRIPTION:Join members of the Comics Creators Network (CCN) Steering Committee at our next networking meeting. This is a chance for current SoA members (or those of you that maybe wish to join us in the future) to meet the committee and other fellow comic creators. \nWe will start the event with general welcomes from the committee and will open the floor for any attendees who may wish to introduce themselves (please note that this is fully optional). We will then move onto the breakout rooms where attendees will be put into smaller discussion groups. \n  \nProgramme\n\nWelcome and introductions from the Comics Creators Network Steering Committee (5-10 mins)\nWelcome from attendees (optional) (10 mins)\nBreakout rooms hosted by the Comics Creators Network committee members for informal chat\, networking\, information sharing (45 mins – three 15 min sessions)\nReturn to the main room where we will discuss: (20 mins)\nWhat can the Network do for you?\nWhat are our aims for 2027?\nHow can we address challenges facing comics creators and advocate for better industry standards?\nClosing comments (5-10 mins) \n\n  \nSend us your questions\nIf you would like to send questions in advance\, email comics@societyofauthors.org  with ‘CCN Meeting’ 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 \nNyla Ahmad  \nNyla Ahmad is Reading Communities Manager at Scottish Book Trust\, leading on programming Book Week Scotland. Nyla was the inaugural awardee of Literature Alliance Scotland’s Next Level Award and currently serves on the Glasgow Zine Library board of trustees. She previously co-led the BHP Comics project\, Full Colour\, a mentoring programme for young comics creators from BAME backgrounds. She has also worked for the Glasgow Women’s Library on their museum access project\, Equality in Progress. Nyla’s MPhil thesis examined South Asian and Muslim representation in comics. She served as chair of the Scottish Independent Comic Book Alliance Awards for three years.  \nX: @NylaNylaNyla \n  \nHannah Berry \nHannah Berry is a comics creator\, cartoonist\, writer\, illustrator\, and current UK Comics Laureate. She is the author of three highly acclaimed and occasionally award-winning graphic novels published by Jonathan Cape\, and in 2018 was inducted as a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.  \nX: @streakofpith  | Website: www.hannahberry.co.uk | Instagram: @streakofpith \n  \nAlice Nuttall \nAlice Nuttall is an indie comics creator and writer of three webcomics\, Footloose\, Cherry\, and Black Market Magic\, co-created with artist Emily Brady. She is an admin for The CVA\, an online group supporting UK-based indie comics creators\, and a regular attendee at comic conventions around the UK.  \nInstagram: @alicenuttallbooks | X: @Ally_Nuttall \n  \nWoodrow Phoenix \nWoodrow Phoenix is a writer\, artist\, and graphic designer based in London and Cambridge. His work has appeared in national UK newspapers\, in magazines and comics across Europe\, the USA and Japan\, and in television projects for Walt Disney and Cartoon Network. His most recent book\, Crash Course\, was published in August 2020 by Street Noise Books.  \nX: @mrphoenix | Website: @woodrowphoenix.co.uk \n  \nSimon Moreton \nSimon Moreton is an artist and author. He draws and writes about everyday life\, memory\, identity\, and our relationship to the histories of the places we live in. As well as being a committed self-publisher\, his comics have been published by Avery Hill\, Uncivilized\, Kilgore Books\, and Retrofit. His latest book\, WHERE?\, was published by Little Toller in 2021\, and is about his father’s death and his childhood in the Shropshire countryside. He is Associate Professor of Creative Economies at UWE Bristol\, working to support equitable futures for cultural and creative work.  \nInstagram: @simon.moreton | Website: www.simon-moreton.co.uk | X: @simon_moreton \n  \nZara Slattery \nZara Slattery is a graphic novelist\, illustrator and tutor and author of the award-winning graphic memoir\, Coma. She collaborates with writers and organisations in creating work on issues around the environment\, identity\, health\, disability and was recently the disability consultant for Canterbury Cathedral’s Miracle Windows comics project. She’s currently working on the medieval eco-fable\, Sweeney’s Progress\, with writer Gregory Norminton.  \nX: @inksplattery | Instagram: @zaraslattery | Website: www.zaraslattery.com \n  \nMaria Stoian\nMaria Stoian is an award-winning comics artist and illustrator based in Edinburgh\, where she teaches at Edinburgh College of Art. She is the author of the graphic novel Take it as a Compliment\, a collection of real-life stories of sexual violence. In collaboration with writer Heather Parry she designed and illustrated The Illustrated Freelancer’s Guide and The Illustrated Fair Work Guide. Her work has been published in The New Yorker\, The Nib and in anthologies such as We Shall Fight Until We Win and the Eisner-winning Drawing Power.  \nWebsite: www.mariastoian.com | X @mariadraws | Instagram: @maria_stoian \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. \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/comics-creators-network-meeting/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome,Comics Creators Network ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Comics-Creators-Network-Meeting-4.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260929T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260929T113000 DTSTAMP:20260728T091352Z CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260728T091352Z UID:10002224-1790676000-1790681400@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Professional Development - Substack for beginners DESCRIPTION:Substack can provide a powerful tool for authors to grow their audience and connect with readers. It combines blogging\, social media and newsletters\, with the option to earn from paid-for subscriptions. \nIn this session you’ll learn how to set up your Substack the right way\, consider your launch\, explore monetisation options and grow sustainably and with joy. The event is led by Audience Development Consultant and Substack expert Claire Venus\, who has more than 14K subscribers on Substack. \n  \nOnline Professional Development events – free for SoA Members \nNot a member? Sign up here. \n  \nWhat will this session cover?\n\nSubstack set up – claim your handle\, name your publication and your url\nWhat to do next (your about page\, hero post and welcome emails)\nYour growth and monetisation plan long term – with joy! \n\n  \nProgramme\n\nWelcome\, introductions and housekeeping from Lilly Brend-Fish – Events & Engagement Manager\, SoA (3 mins)\nPresentation by Claire Venus (60 mins)\nComfort Break (5 mins)\nQ&A with audience (20 mins) \nSummary and closing comments (2 mins)\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n  \nSend us your questions\nIf you would like to send questions in advance\, email LBrendfish@societyofauthors.org with ‘Substack for beginners’ 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\nClaire Venus\nClaire Venus lives on the Northumberland Coast with her family.  After a career in festivals and events she pivoted to work online and grew a global six-figure business primarily teaching audience development and Substack. \nShe’s writing a book a year for 10 years on the way to a traditional book deal.  Her co-authored Substack education book How to Build a World Class Substack has sold thousands of copies and is available wherever you get your books. \nWebsite: www.creativelyconscious.co.uk | Substack: Sparkle on Substack \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-substack-for-beginners/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Professional-Development_Substack-for-beginners.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260925T110000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260925T114500 DTSTAMP:20260728T100021Z CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260728T100021Z UID:10002071-1790334000-1790336700@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Feel Good Friday – Building resilience: Navigating rejection and knockbacks DESCRIPTION:You’ve written your book. You’ve researched agents. You’ve taken the leap and sent your query and then you wait. \nWhat happens next? For many\, it’s a polite reply “thank you\, but this isn’t right for us.” Sometimes you might not hear back at all. Both scenarios can sting\, and for some writers\, that rejection is enough to stop them sending their book out again. \nThis session hosted\, by confidence and resilience coach Kelly Weekes\, explores how you can move forward after a “no” without losing confidence or momentum. \n  \nOnline Feel Good Friday events – free for SoA Members | £5 for Non-Members \nNot a member? Sign up here. \n  \nWhat will this session cover?\nWe’ll cover: \n\nWhy rejection can feel so painful (and why that feeling is normal)\nWhat to do in the short term after a knockback\nHow to avoid common negative spirals\nHow to reframe rejection and take important learnings\nHow to decide\, and plan\, what to do next\n\nWhile this session will mainly focus on resilience after an agent or publisher rejection\, the tools and strategies shared can be applied to other knockbacks you may face in your author career. \n  \nProgramme\n\nWelcome\, introductions and housekeeping from Lilly Brend-Fish – Events & Engagement Manager\, SoA (3 mins)\nPresentation by Kelly Weekes (30 mins)\nQ&A with audience (10 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 ‘Building resilience’ in the subject header. \n  \nThe Line-up\nKelly Weekes\nKelly Weekes is an ICF-accredited confidence and resilience coach for authors. She has held senior marketing roles in publishing\, and now works directly with authors. She combines her industry knowledge with her coaching skills to help authors navigate the ups and downs of their careers.  \nWebsite: www.kellyweekes.co.uk | Instagram: @kelly_weekes \n  \nAccessibility\n\nAttendees will have the option to turn on the live transcript\, to watch with subtitles\nIf you require BSL interpretation for this event\, please email events@societyofauthors.org\n\n  \nBooking\nSoA Members: Please use the ‘Register – SoA Members’ form below and provide your details\, including your membership number. If you’re unsure of your SoA ID\, please email info@societyofauthors.org. \nNon-members: Choose one of the two ticket options below\, complete the registration form\, then fill out the billing info to finalise your payment. \nFor event or registration questions\, email events@societyofauthors.org. \nSoA Members – Free \nNon-Members – £5 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 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/feel-good-friday-building-resilience-navigating-rejection-and-knockbacks/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Feel-Good-Friday_Building-Author-Resilience-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260924T143000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260924T151500 DTSTAMP:20260922T152434Z CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260922T152434Z UID:10002282-1790260200-1790262900@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:How I write - in conversation with Selina Brown DESCRIPTION:Grab a cuppa and get to know author and founder of Black British Book Festival\, Selina Brown. \nSelina will be in conversation with author and activist\, Karen Arthur\, to discuss her work and career and to offer a glimpse into her creative routines. \nOnline in conversation 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 Karen Arthur (3 mins)\nIntroductions to Selina Brown\, and a glimpse into her creative routines (20-25 mins)\nSelina will do a short reading from her book My Rice is Best (2-3 mins)\nQ&A with audience (10 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\nSelina Brown\nSelina Brown is the Founder and CEO of the Black British Book Festival (BBBF)\, Europe’s largest celebration of Black literature. \nFounded in 2021 with her own savings and no industry backing\, BBBF has grown under Selina’s leadership into a major force in British literary culture. Its work now spans a flagship national festival\, two Black Book Community Libraries\, regional programmes in Birmingham and Manchester\, schools and community initiatives\, and a landmark publishing collaboration with Pan Macmillan. \nA former librarian\, Selina has curated literary programming at Glastonbury Festival\, Cheltenham Literature Festival\, Hay Festival and Wolverhampton Literature Festival\, and built partnerships with global brands including Audible\, Spotify\, Paramount and Penguin Random House. \nIn March 2026\, she became the inaugural recipient of the Queen’s Reading Room Medal and was named a National Reading Hero at Clarence House. She has also been named FutureBook Leader of the Year by The Bookseller\, Trailblazer of the Year at The London Book Fair and a BBC 1Xtra Future Figure. \nSelina is also a Penguin Random House children’s author. Her debut picture book\, My Rice Is Best\, became the fastest-selling debut picture book of 2025 and received major award nominations. \nAcross festivals\, publishing\, libraries and education\, Selina is building cultural infrastructure that is reshaping who gets to participate in — and influence — British literary life. \nInstagram: @theselinabrown \n  \nKaren Arthur\nKaren Arthur is an author\, broadcaster and artist. She founded the groundbreaking podcast Menopause Whilst Black\, The Joy Retreat Barbados for Black women in menopause and hosts the radio show Can We Talk? Her award winning children’s book\, Grandmas Locs which celebrates the diversity of Black hair is recently out in paperback. She lives contentedly by the sea \nInstagram: @thekarenarthur \n  \nSend us your questions\nIf you would like to send questions in advance\, email SJackson@societyofauthors.org with ‘Selina Brown – Question’ 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/how-i-write-in-conversation-with-selina-brown/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/How-I-write_in-conversation-with-Selina-Brown.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260921T110000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260921T120000 DTSTAMP:20260914T102204Z CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260914T102204Z UID:10002167-1789988400-1789992000@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Industry Insider – How to make a successful audio drama 2026 DESCRIPTION:If you love the escape of listening to audio drama\, the freedom of writing audio drama\, or you just want to find out more about the medium\, join industry experts as we unpick what makes a truly great audio play hosted by SoA Scriptwriters (SWG) Committee Member Robin Mukherjee.  \nPanellists include fellow SWG committee members James Clarke and Sean Grundy; this year’s Imison Award winner\, Sylvia Anne Parker and Imison Award shortlistee Sherise Blackman. \nThis event is in conjunction with our Scriptwriters Group (SWG). \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\nIntro to the panel\nWhat made each panellist fall in love with audio drama?\nThe importance and impact of scripting for audio; sound design; actingand direction \nWhat the panel would like to hear more of\, in audio drama?\nWhat makes the medium unique?\nAdvice for aspiring audio drama writers…\nWhere to find great audio drama!\n\n  \nProgramme\n\nWelcome\, introductions and housekeeping from Robin Mukherjee (3 mins)\nPanel discussion chaired by Robin Mukherjee\, with James Clarke\, Sylvia-Anne Parker\, Sherise Blackman and Sean Grundy (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 and Scriptwriters Group Coordinator.\n\n  \nThe Line-up\n  \nRobin Mukherjee\nRobin Mukherjee has contributed extensively to television drama\, both returning series (EastEnders\, Casualty\, The Bill\, etc) and serials (including Grushko with Brian Cox and Andy Serkis\, and Plastic Man with John Thaw and Frances Barber). He has also written for radio and theatre. His first feature film\, Dance of the Wind\, won the Audience Prize at the London Film Festival. His most recent film\, Lore\, was critically acclaimed worldwide\, winning Best Adapted Screenplay at the Australian Writers Guild Awards\, the Public Prize at Locarno\, and many others. It was Australia’s official entry to the Oscars. \nHis original three-part serial\, Combat Kids\, for CBBC/BBC1 was nominated for a BAFTA. Recent work includes Hetty Feather for CBBC\, and a feature film adaptation of Satish Kumar’s memoir No Destination. His current projects include an adaptation of Paul Scott’s (Booker Prize winning) novel Staying On supported by the BFI\, and a feature film\, Petrichor\, also supported by the BFI\, co-written with BAFTA winning director Esther May Campbell. His book\, The Art of Screenplays – A Writer’s Guide\, is published by Kamera Press\, and his novel\, Hillstation\, by Oldcastle Books. He is Course Director of MA Scriptwriting at Bath Spa University. \nWebsite: https://robinmukherjee.com/ \n  \nJames Clarke\nJames Clarke is a writer and educator with a focus on cinema and literature. James was educated at the University of Warwick and at the University of Bristol. James has taught on the MA Screenwriting course at London Film School and is a guest tutor at Falmouth University. He has also worked as a Script Reader for the British Film Institute. Currently\, James is developing a feature film screenplay with a UK-based production company and is also writing a new book about filmmaking. \nInstagram: @jameswriter72 \n  \nSylvia-Anne Parker\nSylvia-Anne Parker’s writing journey has taken her from script supervisor to directors including Danny Boyle\, Cary Fukunaga\, Yorgos Lanthimos and Clio Barnard to winning the 2026 Imison Award. She enjoys fusing fact with fiction to create stories featuring characters who despite being up against the system manage to survive. \n  \nSherise Blackman\nSherise Blackman is a multi-hyphenate actor\, writer\, and producer with a sharp\, fearless voice. She is the creator and lead writer on Audible Original scripted comedy series Do Not Disturb where she also stars as the lead character ‘Saffron’. Her writer credits include staff writer on Sky’s Dreamland (S2) and writers’ assistant on Netflix/Shondaland’s Bridgerton (S2). Sherise is a dynamic creative with a passion for bold ideas\, fresh perspectives\, and storytelling that resonates.  \nInstagram: @iamsheblackman \n  \nSean Grundy\nSean Grundy is a radio dramatist whose work spans comedy\, drama and factual storytelling. His work includes Cavity (“glitteringly original” – The Guardian)\, spy comedy Sony-nominated The Recordist\,  and Tinniswood Award-nominated Far Side of the Moore. Recent writing includes the radio dramas The Poor Olympics\, ReadyPLayerMarx\, Rita\, Rue and Bob Too and the acclaimed BBC Sounds serial drama How to Burn a Million Quid. \nHe is also an Emmy-winning\, BAFTA-nominated director for audio\, TV and film. His latest feature film is tHE iNVISIBLES\, a surreal\, no-budget comedy musical adapted from his first radio play\, Cavity. \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-make-a-successful-audio-drama-2026/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome,Scriptwriters Group ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Industry-Insider_How-to-make-a-successful-audio-drama-2026-3.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260918T110000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260918T114500 DTSTAMP:20260728T090014Z CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260728T090014Z UID:10002193-1789729200-1789731900@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Feel Good Friday - Transforming doubt into creativity DESCRIPTION:As writers\, do we constantly juggle inspiration with self-doubt? Can this lead us to question every word we write\, even when we have a track record of being successfully published? How does this impact our output and ability to cope with the inevitable rejections all writers face? Is self-doubt a necessary part of the creative process\, and can we learn to make it a friend rather than an enemy? \nThis session led by writer\, Jenny Mitchell is for any writer who has felt their work isn’t good enough or who has moments of self-doubt\, especially after facing rejection. The workshop will be non-judgemental whilst still asking participants to challenge themselves.  \n  \nOnline Feel Good Friday events – free for SoA Members | £5 for Non-Members \nNot a member? sign up here. \n  \nWhat will this session cover? \n\nHow do we recognise self-doubt and not dismiss our work because of it?\nWhat is at the root of self-sabotage?\nAre there any events\, feedback or people that set our work off course?\nHow do we find ways to ‘disobey’ them so that we continue to write?\nIf we do all of this\, can we access more power and creativity?\n\n  \nProgramme\n\nWelcome\, introductions and housekeeping from Lilly Brend-Fish – Events & Engagement Manager\, SoA (3 mins)\nPresentation by Jenny Mitchell – attendees are encouraged to contribute during the session (30 mins)\nQ&A with audience (10 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 ‘Doubt into creativity’ in the subject header. \n  \nThe Line-up\nJenny Mitchell\nJenny Mitchell has three collections: Her Lost Language was joint winner of the Geoff Stevens Memorial Prize; Map of a Plantation won the Poetry Book Awards and is a university set text. Resurrection of a Black Man contains three prize-winning poems. She is a poetry co-editor for the Morning Star. \n  \nAccessibility\n\nAttendees will have the option to turn on the live transcript\, to watch with subtitles\nIf you require BSL interpretation for this event\, please email events@societyofauthors.org\n\n  \nBooking\nSoA Members: Please use the ‘Register – SoA Members’ form below and provide your details\, including your membership number. If you’re unsure of your SoA ID\, please email info@societyofauthors.org. \nNon-members: Choose one of the two ticket options below\, complete the registration form\, then fill out the billing info to finalise your payment. \nFor event or registration questions\, email events@societyofauthors.org. \nSoA Members – Free \nNon-Members – £5 \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Accordion Title\n \n Accordion Content \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Society of Authors’ Access Fund - donate now\n \n Giving authors support for travel\, subsistence\, childcare or access needs for events\, residencies\, and retreatsEvery contribution helps us ensure that these needs and costs aren’t barriers to authors wishing to access events. If you are in a position to help\, please donate via the link below. If you are an author facing access issues\, please click here to see if we can help. DONATE NOW URL:https://societyofauthors.org/event/feel-good-friday-transforming-doubt-into-creativity/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Feel-Good-Friday_Transforming-doubt-into-creativity-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260917T190000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260917T203000 DTSTAMP:20260915T130748Z CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260915T130748Z UID:10002223-1789671600-1789677000@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Industry Insider – Neurodiversity\, disability justice\, and writing in Wales DESCRIPTION:This session on neurodiversity and disability will spotlight the work of Sofia Brizio\, an Italian writer\, translator and editor based in Wales. Sofia lives with cerebral palsy and writes about disability rights\, LGBTQ+ rights\, and trans-inclusive intersectional feminism. She is currently a PhD researcher in Media Diversity at Birmingham City University. \nChaired by Francesca Sobande\, a neurodivergent writer and reader in Digital Media Studies at Cardiff University\, this session will include discussion of the interlinked nature of different inequalities and their impacts on authors.  \nThis event is in conjunction with the Society of Authors Cymru \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?\nFocusing on Sofia’s writing and research in recent years\, the event will highlight matters related to: \n\nDisability justice\nCreativity\nWriting\nSocial media\nAnd the cultural industries in Wales and beyond. \n\n  \nProgramme\n\nWelcome\, introductions and housekeeping from Francesca Sobande (3 mins)\nPanel discussion chaired by Francesca Sobande with Sofia Brizio (60 mins)\nComfort break (5 mins)\nQ&A with audience (20 mins) \nSummary and closing comments (2 mins)\nThis event will be moderated by Emma Boniwell – Head of Membership & Author Communities\, SoA\n\n  \nThe Line-up\nFrancesca Sobande\nFrancesca Sobande is a writer and reader in digital media studies at Cardiff University. She is author and co-author of books published by 404 Ink\, Bloomsbury\, Palgrave Macmillan\, SAGE\, and University of California Press. Her recent writing includes the free self-published zine\, Black Life in / and “Alt” Music Subcultures\, and an essay on “Echoes: Soft Space and Solidarity in the Legacy of Hardcore Punk” (Folding Rock). Francesca is currently working on a self-published comic\, Balsamic Night\, and illustrated poetry collection\, Haar. \n  \nSofia Brizio\nSofia Brizio is an Italian writer\, translator and editor based in Wales. Living with cerebral palsy\, Sofia writes about disability rights\, LGBTQ+ rights\, and trans-inclusive intersectional feminism. She is currently a PhD researcher in Media Diversity at Birmingham City University. \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  \nSend us your questions\nIf you would like to send questions in advance\, email EBoniwell@societyofauthors.org with ‘Neurodiversity\, disability justice\, and writing in Wales’ 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-neurodiversity-disability-justice-and-writing-in-wales/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome,Society of Authors in Wales ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Industry-Insider_Neurodiversity-Disability-justice-and-writing-in-Wales-2.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260915T110000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260915T120000 DTSTAMP:20260723T145621Z CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260723T145621Z UID:10002189-1789470000-1789473600@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Working Class Writers Network online meet-up DESCRIPTION:Join the Working Class Writers Network on Tuesday 15 September from 11am for a member-led networking session. Come along and get to know your fellow authors! \nMeeting structure \n\n30 minutes – Whole group discussion: What do we want from this group and the SoA? \n30 minutes – Breakout rooms to get to know other members in smaller groups.\n\nWe look forward to seeing you there! \nWorking Class Writers Network\nThe Working Class Writers Network is an informal\, member-led network established in 2026 for working class authors\, illustrators and translators to meet\, chat and share their experiences through online networking meetings. To join the mailing list and be kept up to date on the network’s events and activities\, please email membership@societyofauthors.org. \nTo attend the meeting\, click the Going button below and fill out the RSVP form. If you do not receive a confirmation email\, or have trouble signing up\, please contact localgroups@societyofauthors.org. URL:https://societyofauthors.org/event/working-class-writers-network-online-meet-up-150926/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Underrepresented Writers Networks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Working-Class-Writers.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Local Groups":MAILTO:localgroups@societyofauthors.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260915T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260915T113000 DTSTAMP:20260728T090007Z CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260728T090007Z UID:10001811-1789466400-1789471800@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Professional Development - Book marketing on TikTok - the next steps DESCRIPTION:This more advanced session focuses on taking things to the next level and growing on TikTok. If you’re already set up on the platform but want to use it more strategically\, you’re in the right place. Perhaps you’re struggling to connect with readers effectively\, or perhaps you’re looking for some fresh\, practical ideas for content that will have a real impact. \nJoin Communications specialist and author\, Anna Caig\, as she looks at how to integrate TikTok content creation into your routine and build a sustainable ongoing presence on the channel. \nThis session is for writers who are already set up on TikTok but would like to grow and give their book marketing there a boost\, as well as writers who’d like an injection of fresh ideas for using the platform strategically.  \n  \nOnline Professional Development events – free for SoA Members \nNot a member? Sign up here. \n  \nWhat will this session cover?\nWe’ll cover: \n\n\n\nTikTok formats – do you know your stitches from your duets? How to use different formats to best effect \nA practical content planning template – ideas\, inspiration and options for authors to take away and have a go at\nContent creation that fits into your routine – how to build a sustainable presence\nHow to work with existing BookTokers to promote your work.\n\n\n\n  \nProgramme\n\nWelcome\, introductions and housekeeping from Lilly Brend-Fish – Events & Engagement Manager\, SoA (3 mins)\nPresentation by Anna Caig (60 mins)\nComfort Break (5 mins)\nQ&A with audience (20 mins) \nSummary and closing comments (2 mins)\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSend us your questions\nIf you would like to send questions in advance\, email Lilly Brend-Fish on LBrendfish@societyofauthors.org with ‘TikTok – the next steps’ 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\nAnna Caig\nAnna Caig trains creative people to do their own marketing\, running courses and working one-to-one with many writers. She’s worked in communications for over 20 years. Anna’s novel The Wise Witch of Orkney will be published in February 2026. She is obsessed with the hidden voices of women in history.  \nWebsite: annacaig.co.uk |Instagram: @AnnaCaig | TikTok: @AnnaCaig \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-book-marketing-on-tiktok-the-next-steps/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Book-marketing-on-TikTok.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260910T190000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260910T203000 DTSTAMP:20260717T133732Z CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260717T133732Z UID:10001966-1789066800-1789072200@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Self-Publishers Network: When to outsource and when to learn new skills DESCRIPTION:*Please note the date of this meeting has changed from the 3 September to the 10 September.* \nJoin the Self-Publishers Network on Thursday 10 September from 7pm for a member-led discussion on outsourcing and learning new skills. We will consider questions such as: How do we learn the skills needed to self-publish? How do we decide what to do ourselves\, and what to outsource?  \nWe will go into small groups using breakout rooms on Zoom for you to meet fellow members\, chat and share advice. We’ll run two rounds of rooms for around 20 minutes each so you can meet a variety of authors\, then at the end we will feed back to the main group. \nMeeting structure \n\n10 minutes – Welcome and housekeeping\, answering any initial questions\n20 minutes – Breakout room to chat with members in smaller groups\n10 minutes – Catch up and remix the rooms\n20 minutes – Breakout room to chat with members in smaller groups\n30 minutes – Feed back to the main group\, closing discussion\n\nWe look forward to seeing you there! \nAbout the Self-Publishers Network\nThe Self-Publishers Network is a member-led network connecting self-published authors to share experiences\, recommendations and advice. You can find out more about the network\, our upcoming meeting and SoA resources for self-publishers here. \nTo attend the meeting\, click the Going button below and fill out the RSVP form. If you do not receive a confirmation email\, or have trouble signing up\, please contact localgroups@societyofauthors.org. URL:https://societyofauthors.org/event/self-publishers-network-when-to-outsource-and-when-to-learn-new-skills-030926/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Self-Publishers Network ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Self-Publishers-Network.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Local Groups":MAILTO:localgroups@societyofauthors.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260909T183000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260909T193000 DTSTAMP:20260827T151802Z CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260827T151802Z UID:10002040-1788978600-1788982200@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:LGBTQ+ Writers Network online meet-up DESCRIPTION:Join the LGBTQ+ Writers Network on Wednesday 9 September from 6.30pm for a member-led networking session. Come along and get to know your fellow authors! \nMeeting structure \n\n5-10 minutes – Welcome to the session and lightning introduction round.\n20 minutes – Whole group discussion on the theme\, ‘Writing identities different from your own’.\n20 minutes – Genre-specific breakout rooms to chat with members in smaller groups about your experiences.\n5-10 minutes – ‘Writers Wins’\, sharing achievements from our writing lives.\n\nWe look forward to seeing you there! \nLGBTQ+ Writers Network\nThe LGBTQ+ Writers Network is an informal\, member-led network established in 2026 for LGBTQ+ authors\, illustrators and translators to meet\, chat and share their experiences through online networking meetings. To join the mailing list and be kept up to date on the network’s events and activities\, please email membership@societyofauthors.org. \nTo attend the meeting\, click the Going button below and fill out the RSVP form. If you do not receive a confirmation email\, or have trouble signing up\, please contact localgroups@societyofauthors.org. URL:https://societyofauthors.org/event/lgbtq-network-online-meet-up-090926/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Underrepresented Writers Networks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/LGBTQ-Network.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Local Groups":MAILTO:localgroups@societyofauthors.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260907T110000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260907T120000 DTSTAMP:20260723T150740Z CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260723T150740Z UID:10002190-1788778800-1788782400@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Writers of Colour Network online meet-up DESCRIPTION:Join the Writers of Colour Network on Monday 7 September from 11am for a member-led networking session\, hosted by members Jenny Mitchell and Durre Shahwar and moderated by Sophia Jackson\, Head of Events and Engagement\, and Rose Hensher\, Grants and Prizes Administrator. Come along and get to know your fellow authors! \nMeeting structure \n\n30 minutes – Whole group discussion: What do we want from this group? \n30 minutes – Breakout rooms to get to know other members in smaller groups.\n\nWe look forward to seeing you there! \nWriters of Colour Network\nThe Writers of Colour Network is an informal\, member-led network established in 2026 for authors\, illustrators and translators of colour to meet\, chat and share their experiences through online networking meetings. To join the mailing list and be kept up to date on the network’s events and activities\, please email membership@societyofauthors.org. \nTo attend the meeting\, click the Going button below and fill out the RSVP form. If you do not receive a confirmation email\, or have trouble signing up\, please contact localgroups@societyofauthors.org. URL:https://societyofauthors.org/event/writers-of-colour-network-online-meet-up-070926/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Underrepresented Writers Networks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Writers-of-Colour.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Local Groups":MAILTO:localgroups@societyofauthors.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260716T180000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260716T193000 DTSTAMP:20260708T082336Z CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260708T082336Z UID:10002093-1784224800-1784230200@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Industry Insider – A collective noun for writers DESCRIPTION:Writing is often characterised as a solitary act but take a look at the acknowledgements page of any book and it’s clear that it takes a village. \nThis panel discussion brings together writers and book workers involved in a range of collective endeavours\, from building writing communities\, to organising as workers to improve labour conditions\, to the inspiring possibilities of collaborative writing projects. \nThis event is in conjunction with the Society of Authors in Scotland (SoAiS) \n  \n#SoAatHome Industry Insider events – free for all + donation \nOur #SoAatHome industry insider events are free for all but with a donation option when registering for the event. \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 with Mai-Anh Vu Peterson\, Noreen Masud and Mohamed Tonsy (60 mins)\nComfort break (5 mins)\nQ&A with audience (20 mins)\nSummary and closing comments (2 mins)\nThis event will be moderated by Lilly Brend-Fish – Events & Engagement Manager\, 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).Tom’s writing has also appeared in publications such as Art Monthly\, ArtReview\, Country Walking\, Cricinfo\, e-flux\, Frieze\, The Guardian\, The Independent\, Monocle\, New Scientist and The World of Interiors. He is represented by Zoe Ross at United Agents.  \nInstagram: @tom__jeffreys | Website: https://www.tom-jeffreys.co.uk \n  \nMai-Anh Vu Peterson\nMai-Anh is an Edinburgh-based writer\, facilitator and community organiser\, whose work engages with storytelling at the intersection of identity\, migration\, grief and community. She has been active in community-building and organising spaces for several years\, with a focus on East and Southeast Asian communities in the UK. Her upcoming book\, examines how organisers can move past identity politics and anti-racism work that operates in isolation among different communities\, towards sustainable action and solidarity. \nWebsite: https://maianhvupeterson.ghost.io/ \n  \nNoreen Masud\nNoreen Masud is an Associate Professor in Creative and Critical Writing at the University of Bristol\, and an AHRC/BBC New Generation Thinker 2020. Her memoir-travelogue A Flat Place (2023) was shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction\, the Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award\, the Books Are My Bag Award\, the RSL Ondaatje Prize\, and the Jhalak Prize.  \nWebsite: https://www.noreenmasud.com/ \n  \nMohamed Tonsy\nMohamed Tonsy is an Egyptian writer and ceramicist. Their writing has appeared in Mizna\, Epoch Press\, won a Quarterly John Byrne Award and was Shortlisted for MFest’s 2021 Short Story Competition. In 2023\, Tonsy was the Jameel Ceramics Fellow at the V&A in London. Tonsy’s debut novel\, You Must Believe in Spring was published in 2022 by Hajar Press.  \n  \nWhat will this session cover?\n\nThe joys of writing collaboratively\nThe role of trade unions such as the SoA in mobilising workers\nOrganising as communities and collectives\n\n  \nWho is this session for?\nThe session is for any writers\, illustrators and translators who are interested in discussing ways of writing and working together – across creative collaborations\, community organising and trade unions such as the SoA. \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 ‘A collective noun for writers’ 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  \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  \nNeed to know\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\nBefore the event \n\nOnce registered\, you will be sent a confirmation email with the Zoom link\nIf the confirmation email doesn’t arrive in your inbox\, please check your junk/spam email folder\nPlease add events@societyofauthors.org to your Safe Senders list so you receive our confirmation and reminder emails\n\nDuring the event \n\nThis online event will take place on Zoom Webinar; you will not be visible on screen but will be able to ask questions via the Q&A function or interact via the chat box\nThis event will be recorded but you won’t be on screen\nAttendees have the option to turn on the live transcript\nThis event is 90 minutes\n\nAfter the event \n\nHashtags for this event: #SoAatHome \nYou’ll be able to catch the recording on our Vimeo channel\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 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\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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/industry-insider-a-collective-noun-for-writers/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome,Society of Authors in Scotland ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Industry-Insider_A-collective-noun-for-writers-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260715T120000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260715T124500 DTSTAMP:20260708T081307Z CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260708T081307Z UID:10002152-1784116800-1784119500@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Lunchtime learning - Becoming a reading volunteer with Coram Beanstalk DESCRIPTION:Discover how you can help to set children up for a lifetime of reading for pleasure\, and the benefits it may bring for you as an author. \nReading charity Coram Beanstalk provides one-to-one reading support in primary schools\, helping children to find books that inspire and delight them. To do this they need volunteers who make reading feel like magic. \nThis session is an opportunity to find out more about the work of Coram Beanstalk\, and why you should consider volunteering in a local school. \nYou’ll hear from Sara Browne\, a Coram Beanstalk trainer and reading volunteer\, and Piers Torday\, an SoA member and children’s author who has previously volunteered for the charity. \n  \n#SoAatHome Lunchtime learning events – Free for SoA Members | £15 for Non-Members \nNot a member? Sign up here with our special #SoAatHome offer and get 20 per cent off for the first year of membership – use code SOAATHOME20. \n  \nWhat will this session cover?\n\nIntroduction to Coram Beanstalk – what it does and why\nInformation about volunteering as a reader helper\nThe training provided\nThe impact for children\nHow volunteering can benefit you as an author or illustrator\n\n  \nProgramme\n\nWelcome and introductions (3 mins)\nDiscussion chaired by Sara Browne with Piers Torday (20mins)\nQ&A with audience (20 mins)\nThis event will be moderated by Alice Davis – Communications and Campaigns Manager\, SoA\n\n  \nSend us your questions\nIf you would like to send questions in advance\, email ADavis@societyofauthors.org with ‘Coram Beanstalk’ 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\n  \nSara Browne\nSara has worked with Coram Beanstalk for almost ten years\, as a trainer and as a reading helper. Reading helpers come from all sorts of backgrounds – hers is as an actor and a lecturer – but they all share the vision of a future where every child becomes a reader.   \n  \nPiers Torday\nPiers Torday’s first book for children\, The Last Wild\, was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Award. His second\, The Dark Wild\, won the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize. He is a former Patron of Reading\, and reading helper for Coram Beanstalk\, and is a Minister at Ministry of Stories. Books According to Dog and Owl\, a reading guide for younger children\, is published in October. \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 – £15 \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\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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/lunchtime-learning-becoming-a-reading-volunteer-with-coram-beanstalk/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Lunchtime-learning_Becoming-a-reading-volunteer-with-Coram-Beanstalk-2.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260709T143000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260709T151500 DTSTAMP:20260707T134856Z CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260707T134856Z UID:10002137-1783607400-1783610100@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:How I write - in conversation with Khairani Barokka DESCRIPTION:In this disability-focused How I Write\, literary agent Abi Fellows will speak to author Khairani Barokka (Okka) about her experiences of being a disabled author and how she navigates the publishing industry\, from writing and deadlines to publicity and events.Abi will add the agent’s perspective\, sharing her experiences of agenting for disabled authors.They will cover contracts\, access requirements\, what and when to tell the different people within the publishing process and how an access requirement form can make the process easier. You can find out more about access forms and download the SoA’s access form template here.The discussion will be of particular interest to disabled\, chronically ill and neurodivergent authors\, as well as the industry professionals who work with them. \nThis event is in conjunction with our Authors with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses Network (ADCI). The ADCI aims to increase understanding\, inclusion and accessibility within publishing. The session will help advance the conversation around what to expect\, what to ask for\, and how the industry can improve. \nThis event will have BSL interpretation provided by Ali Gordon \n  \n#SoAatHome in conversation events – free for all + donation \nAll donations made go towards the Society of Authors’ Access Fund. The fund is to help provide authors with 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 Abi Fellows (3 mins)\nIntroductions to Khairani Barokka\, and a glimpse into her creative routine (30 mins) \nQ&A with audience (10 mins) \nSummary and closing comments (2 mins)\nThis event will be moderated by Elsa Woodmeade – Local Groups Manager & ADCI coordinator\, SoA\n\n  \nSend us your questions\nIf you would like to send questions in advance\, email EWoodmeade@societyofauthors.org with ‘Khairani Barokka – Question’ 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  \nAbout the Authors with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses Network (ADCI)\nThis 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. \nThe network’s primary aim is to offer a friendly and supportive space where you can feel safe to ask questions\, share experiences\, offer advice\, and make new connections. \nTo join or to take part in the specific activities below email us \n  \nThe Line-up\nKhairani Barokka\nKhairani Barokka is a writer\, editor\, translator and artist from Jakarta\, whose work has been published and presented widely internationally\, and centres disability justice as anticolonial praxis\, and access as translation. In 2023\, Okka was shortlisted for the Asian Women of Achievement Awards. \nAmong her honours\, Okka has been a UNFPA Indonesian Young Leader Driving Social Change\, the first non-British Associate Artist at the UK’s National Centre for Writing\, an Artforum Must-See\, and Modern Poetry in Translation’s first Poet-in-Residence\, and later\, first Editor of colour. Okka’s books include Indigenous Species (Tilted Axis)\, Rope (Nine Arches)\, the Saboteur Award-nominated Stairs and Whispers: D/deaf and Disabled Poets Write Back (Nine Arches)\, Ultimatum Orangutan (Nine Arches)\, shortlisted for the Barbellion Prize\, Annah\, Infinite (Tilted Axis) and amuk (Nine Arches). \n  \nAbi Fellows\nAbi Fellows has broad experience in the industry\, having started in bookselling at Blackwell’s in 2001 following her BA in English Literature at Bristol University. After a stint on the sales team of Faber and Faber and a return to education to complete an MA in modernism and postmodernism at University College London\, Abi began her agenting career with Georgina Capel Associates in 2004. Abi then moved into literary scouting at RR Ltd\, working with overseas publishers and TV and film production companies in the UK. In 2019 she returned to agenting at The Good Literary Agency\, building a list focused on amplifying and championing writers from backgrounds that had often been marginalised.  \nIn 2023\, Abi joined DHH Literary Agency and that year was shortlisted for Literary Agent of the Year at the British Book Awards.Abi also has experience as a school governor with particular involvement in the schools literacy programmes and their work with children who have special educational needs and are disabled. She currently sits on the board of New Writing South\, having joined as a Trustee in 2023\, and is part of the Steering Group of the Coast is Queer Festival and the Advisory Group for the Forthwrite Festival. She is also a mentor with Just Like Us. \n  \nAccessibility\n\nAttendees will have the option to turn on the live transcript\, to watch with subtitles\n\n\nThis event will have BSL interpretation provided by Ali Gordon\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 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\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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/how-i-write-in-conversation-with-khairani-barokka/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome,Authors with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses Network ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/How-I-write_in-conversation-with-Khairani-Barokka.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T110000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260703T120000 DTSTAMP:20260318T141445Z CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260318T141445Z UID:10002001-1783076400-1783080000@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Feel Good Friday - Build your writing-friendly morning DESCRIPTION:Do you have good intentions of committing to a regular morning writing routine\, but find that all too often the time gets frittered away with news\, emails and other distractions? If so\, this workshop is for you. \nThere won’t be any 5am green tea cliches – it’s about how you want to start your days\, and how to get honest and intentional about making that a reality. \n  \n#SoAatHome Feel Good Friday events – free for SoA Members \nAll #SoAatHome Feel Good Friday sessions continue to be free for members. However\, for non-members\, the price is £35 including VAT. \nNot a member? sign up here with our special #SoAatHome offer and get 20% off for the first year – use code SOAATHOME20. \n  \nProgramme\n\nWelcome and introductions from Lilly Brend-Fish – Events and Engagement Manager\, SoA (3 mins)\nWorkshop led by Emily Troscianko (45 mins)\nQ&A with audience (10 mins)\nSummary and closing comments (2 mins)\n\n  \nWhat will this session cover?\nDuring this interactive session\, we will: \n\nReflect on the reasons why mornings matter (however early or late you wake up!)\nDiscover your ideal morning routine with the help of open-ended writing prompts\nCompare your current reality with the ideal\nSurvey a set of powerful habit-change principles\nGet creative about using those principles to bring the reality closer to the ideal (and protect what’s already good)\nReflect on any past efforts to make similar changes and what you can learn from them to help this time\nUse what you’ve learned to design a simple behavioural experiment that you’re excited to carry out\nAnd leave equipped with all you need to test out doing something differently and learn from what happens\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWho is this session for?\nAnyone intrigued by the potential of their first-thing routines or who feels that their mornings lack direction or intention—or have too little writing in them! \n  \nSend us your questions\nIf you would like to send questions in advance\, email Lbrendfish@societyofauthors.org with ‘Your writing-friendly morning’ in the subject header. \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  \nThe Line-up\nEmily Troscianko\nEmily is a writer\, researcher\, and coach. She helps individuals navigate career change and recovery and build work-life habits that feel meaningful and alive. She runs the independent imprint Tamarisk Books and publishes in academic journals and experimental life-writing. Recent books include a consciousness textbook\, an ethics-tested recovery memoir\, and a children’s story about selfishness. \nWebsite: https://troscianko.com \n  \nNeed to know\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\nBefore the event \n\nOnce registered\, you will be sent a confirmation email with the Zoom link\nIf the confirmation email doesn’t arrive in your inbox\, please check your junk/spam email folder\nPlease add events@societyofauthors.org to your Safe Senders list so you receive our confirmation and reminder emails\n\nDuring the event \n\nThis online event will take place on Zoom Meetings; you will have the option to turn your camera on or off; you will be muted on arrival\nThis event will be recorded and you may be on screen\nAttendees have the option to turn on the live transcript\nThis event is 60 minutes \n\nAfter the event \n\nThe hashtag for this event: #SoAatHome\nSoA Members and paid attendees of this event will be able to catch the recording on our Vimeo channel (password protected) or members can access via the SoA website.\n\n  \nBooking\nSoA Members: Please use the ‘Register – SoA Members’ form below and provide your details\, including your membership number. If you’re unsure of your SoA ID\, please email info@societyofauthors.org. \nNon-members: Choose one of the two ticket options below\, complete the registration form\, then fill out the billing info to finalise your payment. \nFor event or registration questions\, email events@societyofauthors.org. \nSoA Members – Free \nNon-Members – £5 \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Accordion Title\n \n Accordion Content \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 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\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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/feel-good-friday-build-your-writing-friendly-morning/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Feel-Good-Friday_Build-your-writing-friendly-morning.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR