BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//The Society of Authors - ECPv6.15.20//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:20260522T110000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260522T114500 DTSTAMP:20260525T150234 CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260416T091009Z UID:10002091-1779447600-1779450300@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Feel Good Friday - Mindfulness for those with busy minds or busy lives DESCRIPTION:This short session is designed for people who want to master mindfulness but find it difficult to find the time to meditate. \nIt’s based on a 6-week course originally developed for the Plum village order of Zen Buddhists (based on the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh). The course aimed to make mindfulness accessible for people with Neurodivergency challenges but it turned out that many other people also found it extremely helpful.  It was realised that for some people\, determination to master mindfulness had not worked no matter how much time and effort was put into it. Their brain was just not playing fair with them and it was necessary to find ways to make it easier to access. \nSo\, this approach is ideal for people who want to enhance their lives but find it difficult to sit down and meditate for twenty minutes or more a day. \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 Sylvia Clare (30 mins)\nQ&A with audience (10 mins)\nSummary and closing comments (2 mins)\n\n  \nWhat will this session cover?\nThis session will show you: \n\nHow to master the brief mindfulness moments that occur naturally\nHow to maintain a regular practice without finding extra time in your already busy life\nHow to anchor your emotional stability in the breath\nLearn self-compassion and how to extend it towards others\, letting go of unnecessary tension.\n\n  \nWho is this session for?\nAimed at people who want to master a mindfulness practice but find long periods are impractical for various reasons\, e.g. busy lives\, neurodivergency challenges \n  \nSend us your questions\nIf you would like to send questions in advance\, email Lbrendfish@societyofauthors.org with ‘Mindfulness for busy minds or busy lives’ 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\nSylvia Clare\nI am a long-time mindfulness teacher and practitioner (over 30 yrs) who found the traditional ways of teaching mindfulness did little for me. But without it\, my life felt less than satisfactory. So I played with the teachings\, used my knowledge of brain plasticity and cognitive neuroscience and worked out ways that are applicable to anybody\, but are especially beneficial to those with Neurodigency challenges in life.  \nWebsite: www.clarity-books.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 45 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-mindfulness-for-those-with-busy-minds-or-busy-lives/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Feel-Good-Friday-–-Mindfulness-for-those-with-busy-minds-or-busy-lives.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260521T143000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260521T151500 DTSTAMP:20260525T150234 CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260513T141810Z UID:10002021-1779373800-1779376500@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:How I write - in conversation with Cerrie Burnell DESCRIPTION:Grab a cuppa and get to know author\, actor and ambassador Cerrie Burnell. Cerrie will be in conversation with author\, editor and screenwriter\, Jasmine Richards\, to discuss her work and career and to offer a glimpse into her creative routines. \nThis event is part of the SoA Awards wrap around series. \nAuthor\, actor and activist Cerrie Burnell has been announced as the keynote speaker for the Society of Authors’ Awards and Summer Party this June. Read the full news story on our website here. \n  \n#SoAatHome in conversation events – free for all + donation \nOur #SoAatHome How I Write in conversation events are free for all but with a donation option when registering for the event. All 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 Jasmine Richards (3 mins)\nIntroductions to Cerrie Burnell\, and a glimpse into her creative routine (15-20 mins) \nCerrie will do a short reading from her latest book\, The Princess and the Thief (2-3 mins) \nQ&A with audience (10-15 mins) \nSummary and closing comments (2 mins)\nThis event will be moderated by Rose Hensher – Grants and Prizes Administrator\, SoA\n\n  \nSend us your questions\nIf you would like to send questions in advance\, email RHensher@societyofauthors.org with ‘Cerrie Burnell – 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  \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\nCerrie Burnell\nCerrie Burnell is an author\, actor and ambassador best known for work on CBeebies\, a role which has earned her critical recognition and a devoted fan base. During her time on CBeebies she has broken down barriers\, challenged stereotypes and overcome discrimination to become one of the most visible disabled presenters on kids T.V. \nCerrie is the author of 15 children’s books including Snowflakes\, which she adapted for the stage with Oxford Playhouse in 2016\, and the Harper series\, which was a World Book Day title in 2016. She also created her one woman show\, The Magical Playroom\, which premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2013. \nSince leaving CBeebies\, Cerrie has appeared in the BBC continuing drama Doctors and made the eye-opening documentary Silenced for the BBC . Her nonfiction book I Am Not A Label was an Amazon US twenty best children’s nonfiction book of 2020 and was the over all Children’s Choice winner of the SLA Information Book A2021. \nWilder Than Midnight was the Booksellers Association Indie Book of the Month\, and Blackwell’s Book of the Month for May 2022 and has been shortlisted for the first ever Adrien Prize and Sheffield Children’s Book Award. \nCerrie recently worked for the BBC behind the scenes as their ambassador for disability with the creative diversity unit. She is currently dreaming up new ideas and drinking mint hot chocolate. \nInstagram: @Cerrie.Burnell | TikTok: @cerrieburnellbooks \n  \nJasmine Richards\nJasmine Richards is an award-winning author\, editor\, screenwriter\, speaker and founder of Storymix\, a fiction studio dedicated to inclusive children’s storytelling. She has created over 25 books for children and teens\, and her work through Storymix has sold more than 500\,000 copies worldwide. She is based in Hertfordshire. \nWebsite: www.jasminerichards.com www.storymix.co.uk | Instagram: @writeonauthor | LinkedIn: jasmine-richards | X: @jrichardsauthor \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 45 minutes\n\nAfter the event \n\nHashtag 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/how-i-write-in-conversation-with-cerrie-burnell/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome,SoA Awards,SoA Awards wraparound ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/How-I-write_in-conversation-with-Cerrie-Burnell.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260519T180000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260519T193000 DTSTAMP:20260525T150234 CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260512T134111Z UID:10002026-1779213600-1779219000@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Funding Week | Professional Development - Crowdfunding DESCRIPTION:Since 2020\, 77 Publishing has raised over £350\,000 through crowdfunding to publish new books from both established and emerging creators. Join CEO of 77 Publishing Ltd\, Ben Cullis as he discusses how to create\, run and manage a successful Kickstarter campaign with Comic Creator\, Hannah Berry. \nThis event is in conjunction with the SoA’s Comics Creators Network (CCN). \n  \nThe session is part of our 2026 Funding Week\, a series of #SoAatHome events focusing on funding opportunities for writers in the UK. Funding Week runs from 14-19 May and the events on offer are: \n\n18 May | SoA Grants and Funding FAQs\n19 May | Professional Development – Sustainable work for writers: Finding roles that support your creative practice\n19 May | Professional Development – Crowdfunding\n\nYou can watch the recordings from last year’s Funding Week events via our Resources Page here: \n\nProfessional Development – Developing your creative practice funding\nIndustry Insider – Funding opportunities in England\, Scotland and Wales\nIndustry Insider – Applying for funding for scripted work\nProfessional Development – The nuts and bolts of funding applications\nIndustry Insider – Grants and funding opportunities with the Society of Authors\n\n  \n#SoAatHome Professional Development events – free for SoA Members \nAll #SoAatHome Professional Development 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 Hannah Berry (3 mins)\nPresentation by Ben Cullis (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  \nWhat will this session cover?\n\nWhy choose Kickstarter?\nBuilding a campaign\nCalculating costs and reaching your goal\nMarketing \nFulfilment pitfalls\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?\nThis event is for creators looking to raise funds to get their books published. \n  \nAbout the Comics Creators Network (CCN)\nThe Comics Creators Network is a pressure group of working authors that advocates for the rights of traditionally and self-published creators of comics and graphic novels in the UK. \nThe comics industry has a history of treating people who work in it as disposable\, and this is something that needs to change. It can be hard to push back when bad conditions are often viewed as standard practice\, but if you publish comics you are an author just like every other poet\, essayist or novelist\, and you deserve to be treated the same way. No one should accept substandard treatment because they are grateful for being published.  \nWe want to raise standards across the publishing environment by holding publishers to account and highlighting best practice. We will advocate for fair contracts and set standards for effective and equitable collaboration between creators.  \nWe also advocate for a more diverse\, inclusive\, and accepting comics industry. We want to improve access to comics\, from routes into the industry\, to best practice for industry events. \nWe do this by: \n\nHolding regular online community meetings to discuss issues and offer a platform for peer-support\, experience sharing\, and conversation\nWorking with SoA to offer access to training and workshops\nSignposting authors to the legal advice\, contract vetting and other support offered by SoA\nWorking with industry bodies\, publishers\, and events organisers to improve access to the industry\nConducting research and speaking with publishers and stakeholders in the comics to lobby for change.\n\n  \nSend us your questions\nIf you would like to send questions in advance\, email Lbrendfish@societyofauthors.org with ‘Crowdfunding’ 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  \nThe Line-up\n  \nBen Cullis\nBen has been lucky to enjoy a varied career in the creative industries\, from film-making and music production\, to teaching design and now publishing. His love for comics began as a young child and it’s never left him. He is currently the CEO of 77 Publishing Ltd\, who have published 40 books and comics since 2020\, with new talent and several household names.  \nStore: The77comic.net |  Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/4727793513 | Business Page: https://www.facebook.com/The77Publications \n  \nHannah Berry\nHannah Berry is an occasionally award-winning comics creator\, scriptwriter and campaigner\, and is a founding committee member of the Comics Creators Network and co-director of the Comics Cultural Impact Collective. She is a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and was UK Comics Laureate 2019-21. \nWebsite: hannahberry.co.uk | Instagram: @streakofpith | Bluesky: streakofpith.bsky.social \n  \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\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 – £35 \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Accordion Title\n \n Accordion Content \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 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/funding-week-professional-development-crowdfunding/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome,Comics Creators Network ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Professional-Development_Crowdfunding-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260519T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260519T113000 DTSTAMP:20260525T150234 CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260512T134055Z UID:10001864-1779184800-1779190200@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Funding Week | Professional Development - Sustainable work for writers: Finding roles that support your creative practice DESCRIPTION:Many authors seek supplementary or flexible work at different stages of their careers\, yet the current job market can feel opaque and fast-moving. \nThis session hosted by author\, career consultant and writing coach\, Patricia Marques\, offers practical\, up-to-date guidance on navigating employment options in a way that supports\, rather than sidelines\, creative practice. We will look at how to identify roles that genuinely fit your needs\, how to articulate your skills effectively in applications\, and how to build a sustainable balance between paid work and writing. \nParticipants will leave with clearer priorities\, a framework for mapping their transferable skills\, and tools to strengthen their CVs and supporting statements. \n  \nThe session is part of our 2026 Funding Week\, a series of #SoAatHome events focusing on funding opportunities for writers in the UK. Funding Week runs from 14-19 May and the events on offer are: \n\n18 May | SoA Grants and Funding FAQs\n19 May | Professional Development – Sustainable work for writers: Finding roles that support your creative practice\n19 May | Professional Development – Crowdfunding\n\nYou can watch the recordings from last year’s Funding Week events via our Resources Page here: \n\nProfessional Development – Developing your creative practice funding\nIndustry Insider – Funding opportunities in England\, Scotland and Wales\nIndustry Insider – Applying for funding for scripted work\nProfessional Development – The nuts and bolts of funding applications\nIndustry Insider – Grants and funding opportunities with the Society of Authors\n\n  \n#SoAatHome Professional Development events – free for SoA Members \nAll #SoAatHome Professional Development 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)\nPresentation by Patricia Marques (60 mins)\nComfort Break (5 mins)\nQ&A with audience (20 mins)\nSummary and closing comments (2 mins)\n\n  \nWhat will this session cover?\nThe session will cover: \n\nHow to clarify personal priorities (income\, flexibility\, working patterns\, creative time) to guide decisions\nHow to evaluate roles and sectors that align with writing practice and long-term goals\nHow to communicate creative and professional experience with impact in CVs\, cover letters\, and statements\nHow the contemporary hiring landscape is changing\, and what this means for applicants\nApproaches for integrating employed work with a sustained writing life without overextension\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?\nAuthors at any stage who are considering returning to work\, seeking supplementary income\, or wanting to strengthen their approach to applications and career planning. \n  \nSend us your questions\nIf you would like to send questions in advance\, email Lbrendfish@societyofauthors.org with ‘Sustainable work 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  \nThe Line-up\n  \nPatricia Marques\nPatricia Marques is a published author\, career consultant\, and writing coach. She works across fiction and creative practice\, supporting writers in finding clarity\, confidence\, and sustainable momentum in their work and working lives. Her workshops focus on practical guidance\, reflective tools\, and approaches that help authors navigate their careers with intention. \nWebsite: https://patricia-marques.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 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\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 – £35 \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Accordion Title\n \n Accordion Content \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 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/funding-week-professional-development-sustainable-work-for-writers-finding-roles-that-support-your-creative-practice/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Professional-Development_Sustainable-work-for-writers-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260518T120000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260518T130000 DTSTAMP:20260525T150234 CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260512T134106Z UID:10002050-1779105600-1779109200@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Funding Week | SoA Grants and Funding FAQs DESCRIPTION:The SoA gives away over half a million pounds in grants every year to authors. These are drawn from multiple charities and include grants for works in progress\, funds to support authors in financial need\, and support for authors attending events\, retreats\, and accessing archives across the country. \nIn this session Robyn Law\, Head of Charities\, and Rose Hensher\, Grants and Prizes Administrator\,   will discuss all the funding opportunities available from the SoA. \nFind out more about our grants here. \n  \nThe session is part of our 2026 Funding Week\, a series of #SoAatHome events focusing on funding opportunities for writers in the UK. Funding Week runs from 14-19 May and the events on offer are: \n\n18 May | SoA Grants and Funding FAQs\n19 May | Professional Development – Sustainable work for writers: Finding roles that support your creative practice\n19 May | Professional Development – Crowdfunding\n\nYou can watch the recordings from last year’s Funding Week events via our Resources Page here: \n\nProfessional Development – Developing your creative practice funding\nIndustry Insider – Funding opportunities in England\, Scotland and Wales\nIndustry Insider – Applying for funding for scripted work\nProfessional Development – The nuts and bolts of funding applications\nIndustry Insider – Grants and funding opportunities with the Society of Authors\n\n  \nProgramme\n\nWelcome\, introductions and housekeeping from Robyn Law – Head of Charities\, SoA (3 mins)\nPresentation by Robyn Law and Rose Hensher – Grants and Prizes Administrator\, SoA (30 mins)\nQ&A with audience (25 mins)\nSummary and closing comments (2 mins)\nThis event will be moderated by Natalie Thorpe – Grants and Prizes Design Manager\, SoA\n\n  \nWhat will this session cover?\nThis session will be led by members of the SoA Grants Department who will draw on their expertise administering the funds to go through the various eligibility criteria\, application forms\, frequently asked questions and information about how to apply. At the end\, there will also be an opportunity for questions from attendees. \n  \nWho is this session for?\nThis session is aimed at authors at any stage of their career who want to learn more about the SoA grants\, what they can provide funding for\, and the different eligibility criteria for each fund. \n  \nSend us your questions\nIf you would like to send questions in advance\, email grants@societyofauthors.org with ‘SoA Grants and Funding Event FAQs’ 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  \nThe Line-up\n  \nRobyn Law\nRobyn joined the SoA in 2018. Along with the grants and prizes team\, she administers prizes for fiction\, non-fiction\, poetry\, and translation. She also oversees the contingency fund grants for authors in need\, the Authors’ Foundation and K Blundell Trust grants for works in progress\, and the Access Fund and Strachey Trust grants. She is also co-ordinator of the Carers Network. \nRobyn was named a Rising Star by The Bookseller in 2019. \n  \nRose Hensher\nRose joined the SoA in September 2025 and helps to manage all of the SoA’s grants\, prizes\, and awards. \n  \nNatalie Thorpe\nNatalie joined the SoA in November 2022 and helps to manage all of the SoA’s grants\, prizes and awards. \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 60 minutes \n\nAfter the event \n\nThe hashtag for this event: #SoAatHome\nYou’ll be able to catch the recording on our Vimeo channel\n\n  \nBooking\nBook your place by using the registration below. \nFor event or registration questions\, email events@societyofauthors.org. \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/funding-week-soa-grants-and-funding-faqs/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SoA-Grants-and-Funding-FAQs.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260512T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260512T113000 DTSTAMP:20260525T150234 CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260218T165355Z UID:10001863-1778580000-1778585400@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Professional Development - Speaking with presence and poise: Confident communication for authors DESCRIPTION:Whether you’re preparing for a book launch\, a public reading\, or a media interview\, how you communicate matters as much as what you say. \nIn this interactive online session hosted by Ronke Lawal\, you’ll learn practical tools to develop vocal confidence\, physical presence\, and mental clarity. Through guided exercises and real-world examples\, we’ll help you find your voice—on stage\, on camera\, and in everyday conversations–about your writing. \n  \n#SoAatHome Professional Development events – free for SoA Members \nAll #SoAatHome Professional Development 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)\nPresentation by Ronke Lawal (60 mins)\nComfort Break (5 mins)\nQ&A with audience (20 mins)\nSummary and closing comments (2 mins)\n\n  \nWhat will this session cover?\n\nTechniques to speak clearly\, confidently and authentically in front of audiences and peers\nHow to manage nerves and build presence during interviews\, readings and events\nUsing body language and vocal tone to convey credibility and charisma\nCrafting concise\, compelling messages about your work\nStrategies for engaging readers\, media and fellow writers in conversation\nPractice scenarios: from book festivals to podcast appearances\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?\nThis session is for authors and aspiring writers who want to build confidence and make a strong impression when speaking about their work. \n  \nSend us your questions\nIf you would like to send questions in advance\, email Lbrendfish@societyofauthors.org with ‘Presence and poise’ 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  \nThe Line-up\n  \nRonke Lawal\nRonke Lawal is a passionate PR & comms consultant and founder of Ariatu PR. With a focus on diverse storytelling and authentic brand voices\, she empowers entrepreneurs and creatives to shine through her personal branding and media coaching work. Ronke is a vocal advocate for inclusion\, representation and confidence in communication across media\, business and public speaking platforms. \nWebsites: www.ronkelawal.com | www.ariatupublicrelations.com \n  \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\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 – £35 \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Accordion Title\n \n Accordion Content \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 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/professional-development-speaking-with-presence-and-poise-confident-communication-for-authors/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Professional-Development_Speaking-with-presence-and-poise.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260511T150000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260511T160000 DTSTAMP:20260525T150234 CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260320T151110Z UID:10002038-1778511600-1778515200@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:LGBTQ+ Network online meet-up DESCRIPTION:Join the LGBTQ+ Network on Monday 11 May from 3pm for a member-led networking session. Come along and get to know your fellow authors! \nWe will go into small groups using breakout rooms on Zoom for you to meet members\, chat and share advice and experiences. We’ll run two rounds of rooms for around 15 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\n15 minutes – Breakout room to chat with members in smaller groups\n10 minutes – Catch up and remix the rooms\n15 minutes – Breakout room to chat with members in smaller groups\n10 minutes – Feed back to the main group\, closing chat\n\nWe look forward to seeing you there! \nTo attend the meeting\, click the Going button below and fill out the RSVP form. If you do not receive a confirmation email\, or have trouble signing up\, please contact localgroups@societyofauthors.org. URL:https://societyofauthors.org/event/lgbtq-network-online-meet-up-110526/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Underrepresented Writers Networks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/38628b7a-cf6e-822b-d818-2a8e4882cfac-scaled.jpeg ORGANIZER;CN="Local Groups":MAILTO:localgroups@societyofauthors.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260428T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260428T113000 DTSTAMP:20260525T150234 CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260218T165347Z UID:10001814-1777370400-1777375800@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Professional Development – Writer Retreats: How they can support creative practice DESCRIPTION:Join retreat host and writer development specialist Julia Forster of Write Within as she explains how to make the most of writer retreats and why you might want to consider going on one.  \n  \n#SoAatHome Professional Development events – free for SoA Members \nAll #SoAatHome Professional Development 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\, introductions and housekeeping from Lilly Brend-Fish – Events and Engagement Manager\, SoA (3 mins)\nPresentation by Julia Forster (60 mins)\nComfort break (5 mins)\nQ&A with audience (20 mins)\nSummary and closing comments (2 mins)\n\n  \nWhat will this session cover?\nIn this session\, we will cover: \n\nOptimum stages of work-in-progress development to opt for a writer’s retreat\nHow to distinguish what kind of retreat you would most benefit from\nBest things to consider before\, during and after a writer retreat\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?\nThis session is for writers of any genre who are curious about how self-led writer retreats can support creative practice\, and eager to learn more about how to make the most of going on a writing retreat. \n  \nSend us your questions\nIf you would like to send questions in advance\, email Lbrendfish@societyofauthors.org with ‘Writer retreats’ 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  \nThe Line-up\nJulia Forster\nJulia Forster runs the Writers’ Cabin\, a self-led writer’s retreat in mid Wales. She is an author coach and writer development specialist who has worked in the publishing industry for 25 years\, and is currently studying for a PhD in Creative Writing at Aberystwyth University. Her novel What a Way to Go was published by Atlantic Books in 2016. \nWebsite: https://writewithin.wales/writers-retreat/ | Instagram: @_writewithin  | X: @WriterForster \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\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 – £35 \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Accordion Title\n \n Accordion Content \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 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/professional-development-writer-retreats-how-they-can-support-creative-practice/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Professional-Development_Writer-Retreats_How-they-can-support-creative-practice.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260427T120000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260427T130000 DTSTAMP:20260525T150234 CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260427T074020Z UID:10002064-1777291200-1777294800@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Lunchtime learning - Human Authored DESCRIPTION:Learn more about the SoA’s new Human Authored scheme\, which launched in March and enables authors to declare that their work has been created by a human rather than by generative AI. \nIn this panel session the SoA’s joint Head of Policy and Public Affairs\, Lindsay Bennett-Ford will talk about why we developed the Human Authored scheme and how it works. Authors Candy Gourlay and Alice Harman will discuss why they have chosen to register their works as Human Authored. There will be plenty of time for questions from members at the end. The event will be chaired by James McConnachie\, an author and editor of the SoA’s journal\, The Author. \n  \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  \nProgramme\n\nWelcome and introductions from James McConnachie (3 mins)\nDiscussion chaired by James McConnachie with Lindsay Bennett-Ford\, Candy Gourlay and Alice Harman (30 mins)\nQ&A with audience (25 mins)\nSummary and closing comments (2 mins)\nThis event will be moderated by Alice Davis\, Communications and Campaigns Manager\, SoA\n\n  \nWho is this session for?\nSoA members who are interested in joining our Human Authored scheme. \n  \nWhat will this session cover?\n\nWhat is Human Authored? Why did the SoA develop this scheme and how does it work?\nFAQs about the scheme\nHear from two authors who have already registered\nAn opportunity for members to ask any questions about Human Authored not covered in the panel discussion\n\n  \nSend us your questions\nIf you would like to send questions in advance\, email ADavis@societyofauthors.org with ‘Human Authored event’ 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  \nThe Line-up\n  \nJames McConnachie\nJames McConnachie is a writer\, critic and editor of The Author\, the quarterly of the Society of Authors. He is currently working on a biography of Kanchenjunga.  \nBluesky: @jamesmcconnachie.bsky.social \n  \nLindsay Bennett Ford\nLindsay Bennett-Ford joined the SoA in September 2025 and leads on parliamentary and government engagement. She previously held policy\, public affairs\, and communications roles across the third sector and creative industries. \n  \nCandy Gourlay\nCandy Gourlay was born in the Philippines\, grew up under a dictatorship and met her husband during a revolution. A former journalist\, she now writes books for children and young adults. Her latest novel Wild Song was published to acclaim and has been shortlisted for the Nero Book Award. She makes comics on houseofprocrastination.substack.com \nInstagram: @candygourlay \n  \nAlice Harman\nAlice Harman loves writing fun\, thoughtful non-fiction books that make big ideas feel exciting and easy to understand. She has written more than 50 children’s books\, about everything from modern art to outer space. She is also an editor and author coach\, helping other writers develop their own brilliant books. \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\nThis event is 60 minutes\n\nAfter the event \n\nHashtag 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 – £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-human-authored/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Lunchtime-learning_Human-Authored-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260423T190000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260423T203000 DTSTAMP:20260525T150234 CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260325T101203Z UID:10002002-1776970800-1776976200@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Industry Insider - AI in Wales: How authors can protect their rights DESCRIPTION:Chaired by SoA Committee member and associate professor Carole Burns\, our discussion will explore the threats AI poses to creators as well as steps SoA members can take to protect their future work. \nWe’re pleased to be joined by member of the House of Lords The Right Hon Lord Brennan as one of our panellists. Lord Brennan worked on an All-Party Parliamentary Group looking at the impact of AI on musicians\, who face similar concerns as authors. He will fill us in on the landscape of Government legislation including future plans. Also joining the panel is SoA CEO\, Anna Ganley\, who will explain what members can do to protect themselves and their work from future exploitation\, including the new Human Authored scheme. And agent\, Euan Thorneycroft from AM Heath.  \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 Carole Burns (3 mins)\nPanel discussion chaired by Carole Burns with Lord Brennan\, Anna Ganley and Euan Thorneycroft (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\nCarole Burns\nCarole Burns is a prize-winning author whose most recent book\, The Same Country (Legend Press\, 2023)\, was named a top 2023 Welsh fiction book by the Wales Arts Review.  A journalist for publications such as the Washington Post and LitHub\, she recently served as the lead fiction judge for the 2025 Wales Book of the Year Award. Her collection\, The Missing Woman and Other Stories\, published by Parthian Books\, won the 2015 John C. Zacharis First Book Award\, given by the prestigious U.S. literary journal Ploughshares. Off the Page: Writers Talk About Beginnings\, Endings\, and Everything in Between\, published by W.W. Norton\, was based on interviews with 43 authors including Jhumpa Lahiri\, Anthony Doerr and the late A.S. Byatt. \nShe is an associate professor at the University of Southampton\, where she founded and directs the Writers in Conversation reading series with guests including Xiaolu Guo\, Jennifer Egan\, Katherine Stansfield\, Philip Gross and Patrice Lawrence. Carole lives in Cardiff. \n  \nLord Brennan\nLord Kevin Brennan\, Baron Brennan of Canton\, is a Welsh politician. A member of the Labour Party\, he served as Member of Parliament (MP) for Cardiff West from 2001 to 2024. He served as a Minister of State at both the Department for Business\, Innovation and Skills and the Department for Children\, Schools and Families from 2009 to 2010. \nBrennan held several junior ministerial offices from 2006 to 2009 at the Treasury\, the Cabinet Office and the Department for Children\, Schools and Families. In opposition\, he served in various shadow ministerial positions from 2010 to 2020. He was Shadow Minister for Victims and Sentencing from September 2023 until his retirement from frontline politics at the 2024 general election. Brennan was subsequently appointed to the House of Lords in 2025. \n  \nAnna Ganley\nAnna Ganley is Chief Executive of the Society of Authors – the UK’s largest trade union for writers\, illustrators and literary translators at all stages of their careers. We have been advising individuals and speaking out for the profession for more than a century www.societyofauthors.org. \nAnna is also Chair of the Creators’ Rights Alliance – a coalition that exists to promote\, protect and further the interests of creators through policy\, advocacy and campaigning work. Anna sits on the board of the International Authors Forum and 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. \nLinkedIn: Anna Ganley | Email: AGanley@societyofauthors.org \n  \nEuan Thorneycroft\nEuan Thorneycroft has been at AM Heath since 2005\, and is one of the senior agents there. Before that\, he was an agent at Curtis Brown. He has always loved finding new authors and working with them. He represents a range of different kinds of fiction\, from the very literary to the more commercial. He’s looking for strong prose\, unique voices and a compelling narrative. In terms of genre\, he’s most interested in crime\, thrillers\, and historical fiction. He is also open to well-written speculative fiction in the vein of STATION ELEVEN by Emily St. John Mandel or UNDER THE SKIN by Michel Faber. His non-fiction tastes are for memoir\, new nature writing (think Robert Macfarlane)\, “Smart Thinking” books\, and current affairs. He has been a committee member of the Association of Authors’ Agents as well as serving as the external examiner on one of the country’s leading creative writing courses. He has also recently been a judge for the Bridport First Novel Award. \n  \nWhat will this session cover?\n\nAI and how it impacts authors in Wales in particular.\nOffer some top tips on how to protect your work from future AI scraping and other copyright infringements.\nUpdate you on the latest position on AI for SoA members from a government perspective and the SoA’s work on AI.\n\n  \nWho is this session for?\nAuthors interested in protecting themselves from further copyright infringements\, and for those interested in finding out more about what the future holds for creatives. Although this event is hosted by SoA Cymru\, as AI is not a devolved issue\, writers from other parts of the UK will find the content relevant. \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 ’AI 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  \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-ai-in-wales-how-authors-can-protect-their-rights/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome,Society of Authors in Wales ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Industry-Insider_AI-in-Wales_How-authors-can-protect-their-rights-2.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260423T143000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260423T151500 DTSTAMP:20260525T150234 CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260323T113048Z UID:10002030-1776954600-1776957300@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:How I write - in conversation with Ruth Millington DESCRIPTION:Grab a cuppa and get to know author Ruth Millington\, joint winner of the ALCS Educational Writers’ Award. Ruth will be in conversation with fellow author Susie Hodge to discuss her work and career\, and to offer a glimpse into her creative routines. \nThis event is in conjunction with the SoA’s Educational Writers Group. \n  \n#SoAatHome in conversation events – free for all + donation \nOur #SoAatHome How I Write in conversation events will be free for all but with a donation option when registering for the event. All 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 Susie Hodge (3 mins)\nRuth Millington will offer a glimpse into her creative routine (15-20 mins) \nRuth will do a short visual reading from her latest book\, This Book Will Make You An Artist (illustrated by Ellen Surrey) (2-3 mins) \nQ&A with audience (10-15 mins) \nSummary and closing comments (2 mins)\nThis event will be moderated by Mathilde Zeeman – EWG Co-ordinator and Publishing Contracts Advisor\, SoA\n\n  \n  \nSend us your questions\nIf you would like to send questions in advance\, email MZeeman@societyofauthors.org with ‘Ruth Millington – 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  \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  \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. We 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  \nThe Line-up\n  \nRuth Millington\nRuth Millington is an art historian\, curator\, broadcaster and author\, specialising in modern and contemporary art. Her first book MUSE (Vintage) uncovers the inspiring real-life stories of figures in famous portraits\, while This Book Will Make You An Artist (Nosy Crow) encourages younger readers to be creative by taking inspiration from the world’s greatest masterpieces. She has presented several documentaries\, including ‘Painting with Scissors’ for BBC Radio 4\, which tells the overlooked yet radical story of collage art. Ruth believes that anyone can be an artist\, no matter where they come from. \nWebsite: https://ruthmillington.co.uk/ | Instagram: @millington_ruth \n  \nSusie Hodge\nSusie Hodge\, MA\, FRSA\, is an award-winning author\, art historian\, artist and journalist with more than 160 books published on art history\, practical art and history\, including best-sellers such as Why Your Five Year Old Could Not Have Done That\, How to Survive Modern Art\, 50 Art Ideas You Really Need to Know\, Art: Everything You Need to Know\, Why is Art Full of Naked People\, The Short Story of Art\, and How Art Can Change Your Life. She also writes magazine articles\, web resources and booklets for museums and galleries\, and runs workshops and gives talks and lectures at schools\, universities\, museums\, galleries\, businesses\, festivals and societies internationally. She contributes to radio and TV news programmes and documentaries. \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 45 minutes\n\nAfter the event \n\nHashtag 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/how-i-write-in-conversation-with-ruth-millington/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome,Educational Writers Group ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/How-I-write_in-conversation-with-Ruth-Millington-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260421T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260421T113000 DTSTAMP:20260525T150234 CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260218T165300Z UID:10001810-1776765600-1776771000@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Professional Development - Book Data DESCRIPTION:A lot of authors go pale at the idea of ‘book data’ – but there are some really good sources of information out there (both free and paid for) which it is foolish to ignore. No product manager or marketing team in the world ignores data as much as authors do! \nThis session hosted by author\, Melissa Addey is fun and easy and takes away any fears while providing easy to access and very useful info so you can make good commercial and even artistic decisions. \nWant to know what colour your next cover should be? Want to know how important it is to write in a series? Want to know whether you should be selling direct? Want to know how much more money LGBTQIA+ authors make over their straight counterparts in self-publishing?  Here’s where you find out the answers. \nPractical and inspiring\, you’ll leave knowing where to find the data you need and how to use it. \n  \n#SoAatHome Professional Development events – free for SoA Members \nAll #SoAatHome Professional Development 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\, introductions and housekeeping from Lilly Brend-Fish – Events and Engagement Manager\, SoA (3 mins)\nPresentation by Melissa Addey (60 mins)\nComfort break (5 mins)\nQ&A with audience (20 mins)\nSummary and closing comments (2 mins)\n\n  \nWhat will this session cover?\n\nEight key sources of information\, both free and paid for\, that you can use now and going forwards to make sure you’re always up to date.\nHow to research for a new cover design brief\, buzzwords for your blurbs and checking what big names are about to launch in your category.\nSuitable awards to enter or reviewers to approach.\nTen crucial bricks in your marketing foundations.\nSoftware to tell you a lot of information from average page counts to just how many sales it takes to hit no.1 in your Amazon category.\nReports showing which subgenres are rising or falling in popularity.\nHow to interpret general consumer trends and understand how they apply to your books.\nUsing your own data as an engaging marketing visual.\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?\nGreat for beginners so you get used to using book data right from the start and essential for established authors: all the sources are clear and easy to understand\, no complicated spreadsheets or pages of confusing numbers here! \n  \nSend us your questions\nIf you would like to send questions in advance\, email Lbrendfish@societyofauthors.org with ‘Book Data’ 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  \nThe Line-up\nMelissa Addey\nMelissa Addey writes richly researched historical fiction. Her novels span Ancient Rome\, medieval Morocco\, 18th-century China\, and Regency England. She has a PhD in Creative Writing\, was Writer in Residence at the British Library\, and lives in London with her family. She runs workshops and webinars for authors wanting to take an entrepreneurial approach to their writing careers.  \nWebsite: www.melissaaddey.com | TikTok: @melissaaddeyauthor | Facebook: MelissaAddeyAuthor Instagram: @melissaaddey \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\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 – £35 \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Accordion Title\n \n Accordion Content \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 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/professional-development-book-data/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Professional-Development_Book-Data.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260415T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260415T153000 DTSTAMP:20260525T150234 CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260409T133927Z UID:10002029-1776261600-1776267000@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Industry Insider - How we talk about reading translations DESCRIPTION:Literature in translation is booming\, from bestsellers to cult hits hand-sold in independent bookshops. But it can be hard to find meaningful ways to talk about the ‘translated-ness’ of these books. \nReviewers often devote no more than a word or short phrase along the lines of ‘an X translation by Y’\, if they mention it at all. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Join this discussion and hear a range of perspectives on how – whether we read for pleasure or professionally – we can all more thoughtfully communicate our experiences of reading translated literature. \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 Nichola Smalley (3 mins)\nPanel discussion chaired by Nichola Smalley\, Nilanjana S Roy\, Gary Perry and Dan Venn (60 mins)\nComfort break (5 mins)\nQ&A with audience (20 mins)\nSummary and closing comments (2 mins)\nThis event will be moderated by Ambre Morvan – Senior Policy and Public Affairs Manager and Contracts Advisor\, SoA\n\n  \nThe Line-up\nNichola Smalley (Chair)\nNichola Smalley has translated over twenty books from Swedish and Norwegian\, many of which have won or been nominated for awards. A member of the Translators Association committee since 2023\, she is also an English PEN Translation Advisory Co-Chair and chair of SELTA. She has a PhD in the use of slang in contemporary Swedish and English literature and spent several years working in publishing. She lives in London. \n  \nNilanjana S Roy\nNilanjana S Roy is the author of three novels\, including Black River\, and is the editor of three anthologies\, including Our Freedoms. Her column on books and the reading life has run in the Financial Times since 2016.  She lives in Delhi with her husband; they are the joint property of four demanding cats. \nWebsite: https://nilanjanaroy.com/ | X: @nilanjanaroy | Instagram: @nilanjanasroy \n  \nGary Perry\nGary Perry is a bookseller at Waterstones and Marketing Executive at And Other Stories. For thirteen years\, he was part of the Fiction team at Foyles Charing Cross Road. He has judged the Peirene Stevns Translation Prize and the Harvill Secker Young Translators Prize.  \nInstagram: @gmperry \n  \nDan Venn\nDan joined the English PEN translated Fiction bookclub in 2016\, he took on organising responsibilities in 2018 when they changed their name to London Reads the World bookclub. They read all types of books in translation at their monthly online meetups. In real life\, Dan works on big Infrastructure projects. \nBluesky: @ldnreadsworld.bsky.social \n  \nWhat will this session cover?\n2026 is the National Year of Reading. This session will look at different experiences of reading translations – bookselling\, reviewing and reading for pleasure.  How can we share\, write and celebrate our experience of reading translations?  What impact might this have on the recognition of the translators who make this possible? \n  \nWho is this session for?\nThis session is for anyone who enjoys reading and writing about translations. \n  \nAbout the Translators Association (TA)\nThe Translators Association (TA) provides a source of expert advice for individual literary translators and is also a collective voice representing the profession as a whole. Translators automatically become a member of the TA on joining the SoA. \nThe TA is run by a committee of 7 members and coordinated by Catherine Fuller and Ambre Morvan. Catherine and Ambre are also members of the SoA Contracts Advisory team \n  \nSend us your questions\nIf you would like to send questions in advance\, email AMorvan@societyofauthors.org with ’talk about reading translations’ 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-how-we-talk-about-reading-translations/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome,Translators Association ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Industry-Insider_How-we-talk-about-reading-translations-4.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260414T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260414T113000 DTSTAMP:20260525T150234 CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260218T165249Z UID:10001808-1776160800-1776166200@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Professional Development - Safeguarding for authors DESCRIPTION:Abuse and harm can affect anyone\, not just children or vulnerable adults. People face risks at different times and in different situations and safeguarding ties directly into respect\, inclusion\, and kindness. It’s about recognising that one size does not fit all\, and how we treat each other both in person and online and is of paramount importance. A safeguarding approach also includes Health and Safety\, Food Hygiene\, Fire Safety\, Security\, and CCTV\, Employment practices and HR responsibilities as well as preventing bullying\, harassment\, hate speech\, and inappropriate comments.  \nThis also includes: \n\nAddressing unwanted or inappropriate touching\, and incidents of emotional\, physical\, or sexual abuse.\nRespecting diversity and inclusion\, disability\, gender\, sex\, age\, culture\, race\, beliefs\, pregnancy\, and more.\nProtecting vulnerable people from exploitation.\nPreventing financial abuse and fraudulent transactions.\nKnowing what to do if you have a concern.\nManaging allegations\, complaints\, and reports.\nResponding appropriately in the event of an incident.\n\n  \n#SoAatHome Professional Development events – free for SoA Members \nAll #SoAatHome Professional Development 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\, introductions and housekeeping from Lilly Brend-Fish – Events and Engagement Manager\, SoA (3 mins)\nPresentation by Sharon Birch (60 mins)\nComfort break (5 mins)\nQ&A with audience (20 mins)\nSummary and closing comments (2 mins)\n\n  \nWhat will this session cover?\nFor authors\, whether engaging online\, at events\, or in community settings\, understanding safeguarding is essential to creating safe\, respectful spaces.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWho is this session for?\nThis training will help you to  \n\nUnderstand what safeguarding is and your role in fulfilling safeguarding responsibilities\nBecome familiar with key safeguarding topics\, guidance\, legislation and obligations\nRecognise types of abuse and vulnerabilities and incidents\nKnow how to respond to an incident or concern\nLearn how to report and record safeguarding concerns correctly\nGain confidence in promoting a culture of respect\, safety\, and accountability\n\n  \nSend us your questions\nIf you would like to send questions in advance\, email Lbrendfish@societyofauthors.org with ‘Safeguarding for authors’ 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  \nThe Line-up\nSharon Birch\nSharon Birch is a safeguarding professional with over 40 years’ experience working with the public\, children\, and families. She is a former police detective\, has worked in education since 2006\, and with leading organisations such as the NSPCC and national charities. As well as being an author\, Sharon is now a consultant safeguarding specialist working across the UK. \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\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 – £35 \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Accordion Title\n \n Accordion Content \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 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/professional-development-safeguarding-for-authors/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Professional-Development_Safeguarding-for-authors.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260325T180000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260325T193000 DTSTAMP:20260525T150234 CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260217T100440Z UID:10001998-1774461600-1774467000@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Comics Creators Network Meeting DESCRIPTION:Join members of the Comics Creators Network (CCN) Steering Committee at our next all 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)\n\n\nWelcome from attendees (optional) (10 mins)\n\n\nBreakout rooms hosted by the Comics Creators Network committee members for informal chat\, networking\, information sharing (45 mins – three 15 min sessions)\n\n\nReturn to the main room where we will discuss: (20 mins)\n\nWhat can the Network do for you? \nWhat are our aims for 2026? \n\nHow can we address challenges facing comics creators and advocate for better industry standards?\n\n\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 \n  \nAbout the Comics Creators Network\nThe Comics Creators Network is a pressure group of working authors that advocates for the rights of traditionally and self-published creators of comics and graphic novels in the UK. \nWe want to raise standards across the publishing environment by holding publishers to account and highlighting best practice. We will advocate for fair contracts and set standards for effective and equitable collaboration between creators.  \nWe also advocate for a more diverse\, inclusive\, and accepting comics industry. We want to improve access to comics\, from routes into the industry to best practice for industry events. \nTogether\, we aim to: \n\nEmpower comics creators with practical advice on all professional areas\nDevelop professional practice with free events and webinars\nNegotiate fairer terms and agreements with publishers\nAdvocate for better industry standards.\n\nWe advocate on behalf of all comics creators for a better industry. To receive legal advice and take advantage of all the resources offered by the network\, join the Society of Authors using the code COMICS20 to receive 20% off membership. If you are already an SoA member\, email comics@societyofauthors.org. \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 but you won’t be on screen\nAttendees have the option to turn on the live transcript\nThis event is 90 minutes\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 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/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-2.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260324T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260324T113000 DTSTAMP:20260525T150234 CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260220T100159Z UID:10001807-1774346400-1774351800@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Professional Development - Book marketing on TikTok for beginners DESCRIPTION:TikTok and the #BookTok community have become hugely influential in the world of book marketing\, with many writers using the platform to great effect to connect with readers. \nHowever\, it can feel daunting to get started – do you have to dance? Do you have to be ‘down with the kids’ and understand Gen Z language? (The answer to both these questions is absolutely not\, by the way!) \nJoin Communications specialist\, Anna Caig as she leads this practical and accessible session for authors who’d like to get started on the channel or who’ve dipped their toe in the water and would like some straightforward ideas to develop their TikTok presence. \nAnna Caig will be hosting a part 2 session on Tuesday 15 September: Book marketing on TikTok – the next steps\, which you can register for here. \n  \n#SoAatHome Professional Development events – free for SoA Members \nAll #SoAatHome Professional Development 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\, 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  \nWhat will this session cover?\nWe’ll cover: \n\nA step-by-step guide to getting set up on TikTok\nTikTok conventions\, culture and tone of voice\nFinding your reader communities on TikTok\nQuick wins – content ideas\, including how to jump on trends (in a way that doesn’t make you cringe!)\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?\nThis session is for TikTok-curious writers who want to take their first steps into using the platform\, as well as writers already using the platform who’d like to adopt a strategic approach.  \n  \nSend us your questions\nIf you would like to send questions in advance\, email Lilly Brend-Fish on LBrendfish@societyofauthors.org with ‘TikTok 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  \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\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  \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\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 – £35 \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Accordion Title\n \n Accordion Content \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 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/professional-development-book-marketing-on-tiktok-for-beginners/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Professional-Development_Book-marketing-on-TikTok-for-beginners.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260319T143000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260319T151500 DTSTAMP:20260525T150234 CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260226T171156Z UID:10001806-1773930600-1773933300@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:How I write - in conversation with Imtiaz Dharker DESCRIPTION:Grab a cuppa and get to know poet Imtiaz Dharker\, Imtiaz will be in conversation with poet and Chair of the SoA’s Poetry and Spoken Word Group\, Dean Atta\, to discuss her work and career and to offer a glimpse into her creative routines. \nThis event is in conjunction with our Poetry and Spoken Word Group (PSWG) and will take place after our annual review and online social. Register here for this event. \n  \n#SoAatHome in conversation events – free for all + donation \nOur #SoAatHome How I Write in conversation events will be free for all but with a donation option when registering for the event. All 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 Dean Atta (3 mins)\nIntroductions to Imtiaz Dharker\, and a glimpse into her creative routine (15-20 mins) \nImtiaz will do a short reading from her latest book\, Shadow Reader (2-3 mins) \nQ&A with audience (10-15 mins) \nSummary and closing comments (2 mins)\nThis event will be moderated by Sarah Baxter – Senior Publishing Contracts Advisor\, SoA\n\n  \nSend us your questions\nIf you would like to send questions in advance\, email SBaxter@societyofauthors.org with ‘Imtiaz Dharker – 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  \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  \nAbout the Poetry and Spoken Word Group\nThe SoA Poetry and Spoken Word Group (PSWG) page is a professional community for poets and spoken word artists. We come together to discuss issues affecting poets and the spoken word community\, offer advice and support\, and raise the profile of poetry and performance. \nFind out more here \n  \nThe Line-up\nImtiaz Dharker\nImtiaz Dharker is a poet\, artist and video film maker\, awarded the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry 2014\, with poems featured on radio and television as well as the London Underground\, Glasgow billboards and Mumbai buses. Her seven collections include Over the Moon and her latest\, Shadow Reader (Bloodaxe Books\, 2024). \nWebsite: www.imtiazdharker.com | Instagram: @dharkerimtiaz | Facebook @Imtiaz Dharker | X: @Idharker \n  \nDean Atta\nDean Atta is a BAFTA award-winning screenwriter and Stonewall Book Award-winning author from London. Best known for his young adult novel in verse\, The Black Flamingo\, and the stop-motion animation\, Two Black Boys in Paradise\, his heartfelt storytelling draws on his Greek Cypriot and Jamaican heritage as well as his queer identity.Dean is a patron of LGBT+ History Month and Chair of the Poetry and Spoken Word Group of the Society of Authors.Dean has published three young adult novels in verse\, two poetry collections\, two picture books\, and a memoir. His debut adult novel\, Big Man\, will be published by Cipher Press in September 2026. \n  \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 45 minutes\n\nAfter the event \n\nHashtag 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/how-i-write-in-conversation-with-imtiaz-dharker/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome,Poetry and Spoken Word Group ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/How-I-write_in-conversation-with-Imtiaz-Dharker.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260319T123000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260319T133000 DTSTAMP:20260525T150234 CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260218T165135Z UID:10001876-1773923400-1773927000@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Poetry and Spoken Word Group annual review and online social DESCRIPTION:Find out what the Poetry and Spoken Word Group has been doing over the last 12 months and our plans for 2026. Then join us for our online social.   \nThis event takes place prior to our How I write – in conversation with poet Imtiaz Dharker at 14.30. Register here for this event.  \n  \nProgramme\n\nWelcome and introductions from PSWG Committee Chair\, Dean Atta (5 mins)\nPoetry and Spoken Word Group Annual Review (20 mins)\nOnline social hosted by the Poetry and Spoken Word Group Committee (30 mins)\nThis event will be moderated by Sarah Baxter & Rose Hensher – PSWG staff coordinators\, SoA\n\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  \nAbout the Poetry and Spoken Word Group\nThe SoA Poetry and Spoken Word Group (PSWG) page is a professional community for poets and spoken word artists. We come together to discuss issues affecting poets and the spoken word community\, offer advice and support\, and raise the profile of poetry and performance. \nFind out more here \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 but you won’t be on screen\nAttendees have the option to turn on the live transcript\nThis event is 60 minutes\n\n  \nBooking\nBook your place using the registration form below. This event is for SoA Members only. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Accordion Title\n \n Accordion Content \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 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/poetry-and-spoken-word-group-annual-review-and-online-social/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome,Poetry and Spoken Word Group ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/PSWG-annual-review-and-online-social.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260317T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260317T120000 DTSTAMP:20260525T150234 CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260218T165127Z UID:10001805-1773741600-1773748800@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:SOLD OUT | Professional Development - How to create a talk for schools DESCRIPTION:This event is now SOLD OUT. Please email events@societyofauthors.org if you would like to be added to the waiting list for this date. \nAlternatively\, you can still buy tickets for the October session here \nIn this session\, experienced author\, teacher and actor Jo Cotterill will lead you through the jargon of primary and secondary school structures and explain how to create an event that inspires and excites while still being within your comfort zone. \nNumbers are strictly limited for this fully interactive workshop to allow enough time for all participants to explore their strengths and the themes of their book(s) through the exercises set. By the end of the session\, you should have a firm idea of the structure and content of your event\, along with a lot more confidence to deliver it! \nAttendees will be able to access a recording of the event afterwards and will also receive the presentation slides. \nPlaces for this event are very limited\, please email events@societyofauthors.org if you would like to be added to the waiting list. \n  \n#SoAatHome Professional Development events – this event is for members only and tickets are priced at £19.50. \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  \nProgramme/What will this session cover\n\nWelcome\, housekeeping and introductions from Sarah Burton – Deputy Chief Executive\, SoA (3 mins)\n\nWorkshop programme hosted by Jo Cotterill:\n\nIntroductions from Jo Cotterill\n\nSchools\n\nKey stages\nYear groups\nTimetables\nSEND\n\nYou \n\nYour strengths\, interests and experience\nIdentifying events in your life you could talk about and how.\n\nYour book(s)\n\nAnalysis of the themes in your books\nYour comfort zones regarding social issues\nInteractive exercises linked with your book(s)\n \nComfort Break\n\nStructuring your event\n\nHow to stay on time and keep your audience engaged\nSoftware to use for presentation\n\n \n\n\n\nWhat next?\n\nTalks vs workshops\nPacing your day\nFees and contact with schools\nFinal thoughts\nSummary and closing comments \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWho is this session for?\nChildren’s authors and illustrators who are new to school visits or would like help with developing a new event. \n  \nSend us your questions\nIf you would like to send questions in advance\, email SBurton@societyofauthors.org with ‘How to create a talk for schools’ in the subject header. We will prioritise questions sent in advance and answer as many as we can from the audience on the day. \n  \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\nJo Cotterill\nJo Cotterill has published over fifty books for children since 2004 with multiple publishers including OUP\, Bloomsbury and Barrington Stoke. She writes for educational publishers as well as trade and regularly visits schools to deliver talks and workshops. Her previous careers in acting and teaching have given her extra confidence in public speaking\, and she particularly enjoys interactive story exercises with large numbers of children. She has spoken at festivals including Hay\, Edinburgh and Oxford\, and is a consultant with EmpathyLab. She is currently working on the fourth book in the series The Starlight Stables Gang with Penguin Random House. \nWebsite: jocotterill.com \n  \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 be visible on screen and will be able to participate via the chat box or by unmuting yourself\nAttendees have the option to turn on the live transcript\nThis event is 120 minutes\n\nAfter the event \n\nHashtag for this event: #SoAatHome\nThis event will be recorded. Please note the recording will only be shared with workshop participants.\n\n  \nBooking\nBook your place by using the registration below. If you’re unsure of your SoA ID\, please email info@societyofauthors.org. \nFor event or registration questions\, email events@societyofauthors.org. \nSoA Members – £19.50 \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \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/professional-development-how-to-create-a-talk-for-schools/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome,Children's Writers and Illustrators ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Professional-Development_How-to-create-a-talk-for-schools.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260305T143000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260305T151500 DTSTAMP:20260525T150234 CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260305T111224Z UID:10001862-1772721000-1772723700@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:How I write - in conversation with Grace Quantock DESCRIPTION:Grab a cuppa and get to know author Grace Quantock. Grace will be in conversation with fellow author\, Hetty Saunders\, to discuss her work and career and to offer a glimpse into her creative routines. \nThis event is in conjunction with the SoA’s Authors with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses Network (ADCI) \n  \n#SoAatHome in conversation events – free for all + donation \nOur #SoAatHome How I Write in conversation events will be free for all but with a donation option when registering for the event. All 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 Hetty Saunders (3 mins)\nIntroductions to Grace Quantock\, and a glimpse into her creative routine (15-20 mins)\nGrace will do a short reading from her latest book\, Living Well with Chronic Illness: Write your own roadmap to healing in tough times (2-3 mins) \nQ&A with audience (10-15 mins) \nSummary and closing comments (2 mins)\nThis event will be moderated by Lilly Brend-Fish – Events & Engagement Manager\, SoA\n\n  \nSend us your questions\nIf you would like to send questions in advance\, email EWoodmeade@societyofauthors.org with ‘Grace Quantock – 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  \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  \nAbout Authors with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses Network\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\, please email us. \n  \nThe Line-up\nGrace Quantock\nGrace Quantock is an anti-oppressive psychotherapeutic counsellor\, advocate and author of Living Well with Chronic Illness: Write your own roadmap to healing in tough times. She helps marginalised folks to live well with pain\, illness and trauma without disembodiment\, burnout or blame. \nWebsite: https://gracequantock.com/ | Instagram: @grace_quantock/ | TikTok: @grace_quantock | YouTube: @GraceQuantock \n  \nHetty Saunders\nHetty Saunders is a freelance editor specialising in non-fiction\, with a background in academia and a PhD in English Literature. She is author of My House of Sky and co-editor of Speculative Nature Writing. \nWebsite: www.hettysaunders.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 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 45 minutes\n\nAfter the event \n\nHashtag 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/how-i-write-in-conversation-with-grace-quantock/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome,ADCI ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/How-I-write_in-conversation-with-Grace-Quantock.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260304T103000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260304T120000 DTSTAMP:20260525T150234 CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260206T092045Z UID:10001924-1772620200-1772625600@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Self-Publishers Network: Building your author brand using social media DESCRIPTION:Join the Self-Publishers Network on Wednesday 4 March from 10.30am for a member-led discussion on building your author brand using social media. We will consider questions such as: What platforms do you use? Do you have your own strategy or a plan of how you want to promote yourself? \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-building-your-author-brand-using-social-media-040326/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Self-Publishers Network ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Group-header-Self-publishing-cropped-.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Local Groups":MAILTO:localgroups@societyofauthors.org END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260303T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260303T113000 DTSTAMP:20260525T150234 CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260218T165101Z UID:10001819-1772532000-1772537400@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Professional Development - Conflict to conversation DESCRIPTION:Discover how Verbal Aikido can transform the way you navigate challenging conversations in this interactive 90-minute session hosted by founder of Verbal Aikido®\, Luke Archer with author and SoA Board member\, Charles Harris. \nLearn to respond – not react – with clarity\, calm\, and confidence. Through practical tools and live demonstrations\, you’ll explore how to protect your creative energy while fostering respectful\, sustainable dialogue in both professional and personal settings. \n  \n#SoAatHome Professional Development events – free for SoA Members \nAll #SoAatHome Professional Development 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\, introductions and housekeeping from Charles Harris\, SoA (3 mins)\nPresentation by Luke Archer (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  \nWhat will this session cover?\n\nUnderstanding the core principles of Verbal Aikido\nIdentifying emotional triggers and choosing intentional responses\nPracticing techniques to de-escalate tension and protect your creative space\nExploring the legitimacy of emotions and how to stay centred\nLive demonstration and real-world application\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?\nAuthors\, creatives\, and professionals who want to handle difficult conversations with more ease\, confidence\, and emotional clarity. \n  \nSend us your questions\nIf you would like to send questions in advance\, email Lilly Brend-Fish on LBrendfish@societyofauthors.org with ‘Conflict to conversation’ 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  \nThe Line-up\nLuke Archer\nLuke Archer is the founder and author of Verbal Aikido®. He is head trainer and president at Verbal Aikido training institute and VA4Kids\, with over a decade of experience helping individuals and teams manage conflict through mindful communication. His approach blends emotional intelligence\, self-awareness\, and practical technique to empower people to engage with empathy and assertiveness. \nWebsite: www.verbalaikido.org | LinkedIn: lukearcher1 | Instagram: @luke.archer_author \n  \nCharles Harris\nCharles Harris is an award-nominated author and prize-winning film-maker. His third novel\, the comedy crime ‘Play Me!’ was published in October by Blue Coast Publishing. A sixth Dan in Aikido and trained in hypnotherapy and NLP\, he has decades of experience in verbal as well as physical conflict management. \nWebsite: https://charles-harris.co.uk/ | X: @chasharris \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\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 – £35 \n  \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Accordion Title\n \n Accordion Content \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 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/professional-development-conflict-to-conversation/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Professional-Development_Conflict-to-conversation.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260302T110000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260302T120000 DTSTAMP:20260525T150234 CREATED:20250108T090059Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260218T165052Z UID:10001952-1772449200-1772452800@societyofauthors.org SUMMARY:Lunchtime learning with the SoA Advisory Team – Making tax digital with HW Fisher DESCRIPTION:From April 2026\, the way you report your income is changing. Making Tax Digital (MTD) will require many authors to move away from the traditional annual tax return in favour of digital record-keeping and quarterly updates. \nIf the prospect of more frequent reporting feels daunting\, you are not alone. Join Andy Levett\, Principal at accounting and tax specialists HW Fisher\, for this timely webinar designed to demystify the new rules and take the stress out of your finances. \nWith over 20 years of experience looking after the accounts and tax affairs of authors and creatives\, Andy will break down the jargon and give you clear guidance to ensure you are ‘MTD-ready’ \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  \nProgramme\n\nWelcome and introductions from Sarah Burton – Deputy Chief Executive\, SoA (2 mins)\nPresentation by Andy Levett\, HW Fisher (40 mins)\nQ&A with audience (15 mins)\nSummary and closing comments from Sarah Burton\, SoA (3 mins)\nThis event will be moderated by Sarah Burton – Deputy Chief Executive\, SoA\n\n  \nWho is this session for?\n\nEmerging and established authors who want to get ahead of the 2026 changes.\nAuthors earning near the MTD income thresholds or with property interests. (£50k for 2024/25 income\, reducing to £30k for 25/26 income)\n\n  \nWhat will this session cover?\n\nWho needs to use the new MTD system and when\nPotential exemptions\nThe new record keeping and reporting requirements explained\nHow to choose the right accounting software for your needs\n\n  \nSend us your questions\nIf you would like to send questions in advance\, email Sarah Burton at SBurton@societyofauthors.org with ‘Making tax digital’ 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  \nThe Line-up\nAndy Levett\, HW Fisher\nWith two decades of experience\, Andy manages the accounts and tax affairs for individuals and owner-managed businesses in the creative and entertainment sectors. He represents a range of writers\, musicians\, and actors\, from newcomers to household names\, and particularly enjoys helping them smoothly transition from start-up to successful business. \n  \nSarah Burton\, SoA\nSarah Burton is the Deputy Chief Executive at SoA. Sarah also leads the advisory team and advises members on all business aspects of the writing profession\, including vetting contracts. As co-coordinator of the Children’s Writers and Illustrators Group\, she has a particular interest in industry issues affecting creators of children’s books. \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 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 60 minutes\n\nAfter the event \n\nHashtag 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 – £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-with-the-soa-advisory-team-making-tax-digital-with-hw-fisher/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:#SoAatHome ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://societyofauthors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Making-tax-digital-with-HW-Fisher.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR