Being a Writer: Publishing Masterclass with Simon Trewin, Bill Swainson and Vanessa O'Loughlin

Both Bill and Simon are passionate about what they do & excited what each daily round of new submissions might bring

That publishers and agents are human beings too – and very approachable (if done correctly)

Their top tips were:

Do your research into which publishers & agents take your type of work

Self-publishing a book, with a modicum of success, before getting a publishing deal can help a publisher take the risk on it & is no longer frowned on (by some forward thinking publishers)

Unsolicited submissions to publishers have less chance than those via agents

Keep submissions short but show passion, influences and professionalism

Be patient – the time constant for a publishing deal is 12 to 24 months

Don’t approach them if you are not 100% happy with your work and don’t approach too early

Don’t be arrogant &, as Simon said, “Don’t imply that you are a genius & I am a moron.”

Thursday 8th September 2.00pm-5.00pm, Friday 9th September, from 9am to 12.00noon

Venue: County Hall, Marine Rd, Dún Laoghaire

Course Fee: €95.00

At this rare opportunity to learn from two vastly experienced UK publishing professionals, you will find out what the market is looking for, how to impress an editor and an agent, and discover exactly what you need to do to get your book published. Both Bill and Simon are passionate about what they do and will share their insights into all aspects of the publishing process. Subscribers may also discuss their work in one-to-one meetings. While these meetings are in progress, writing.ie’s Vanessa O’Loughlin will discuss the Irish market and outline new publishing opportunities available to writers, including ePublishing.

Leading UK agent Simon Trewin has worked in publishing since 1993 when he became a literary agent, first with Sheil Land Associates Ltd, later with Peters Fraser and Dunlop Ltd. He was formerly Secretary of the Association Of Authors Agents. In 2008 Simon joined a new agency, United Agents, and his clients currently include Andrew Miller, Andrew Motion, Nikki Gerrard and Irish authors John Boyne, Claire Kilroy, Niamh Green and Jane Casey.

Senior commissioning editor Bill Swainson looks after a list at Bloomsbury that includes everything from fiction to current affairs. The stellar list of authors he publishes includes Al Gore, AC Grayling, Will Self, Javier Cercas and Russell Hoban. Bill’s advice for aspiring writers? “Read! Read as widely as you possibly can – and then throw away the crutches and write”.

Vanessa O’Loughlin is a Publishing Consultant and founder of the Irish national writing resources website www.writing.ie.

Places are limited to 20 subscribers. No submissions required.

Paul Perry announced as new Curator of Poetry Now

Poetry Now at Mountains to Sea, dlr Book Festival

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Arts Office are delighted to announce that poet Paul Perry has been appointed as the curator of Poetry Now at Mountains to Sea, dlr Book Festival.

The dlr Poetry Now International Poetry Festival has been a core strand of the Dún-Laoghaire Rathdown County Council Arts Office programme for the last sixteen years. It is highly regarded for its artistic excellence and has become the most anticipated event on the annual poetry calendar in Ireland. Previous curators have included Patrick Galvin, Conor O’Callaghan and John McAuliffe. The outgoing curator is Belinda McKeon, who curated the festival from 2008 to 2011.