Saturday 7 March 2020, 10am – 4pm
Chelmsford Library

Programme

Each seminar, workshop or discussion costs £5 to attend. There may be a few places available on the day, please visit the reception desk to book these.

Entry to the networking session is free but places must be booked in advance.

10.00–11.30am:     Using Familiar Landscapes to Inspire Fictional Locations (Discussion), Owen W Knight

10.00–11.30am:     Everyone has a novel inside them – How to get it out! (Seminar), Kat Armstrong

10.00–11.30am:     Inspired by Art, ekphrastic poetry (Workshop), Derek Adams

10.00–11.30am:     Self-publication – an insider’s guide (Seminar), Anita Howard

12 noon–2.00pm:  Networking session and Writer’s Slam

2.30-4.00pm:         Starting a story – outlining a new story (Workshop), Alex Clare

2.30-4.00pm:         Creative writing – tips and techniques (Workshop),
Ralph Jackman BA (Hons), MA, MSt (cantab)

2.30-4.00pm:         Social networking for writers (Seminar), Lizzie Chantree

2.30-4.00pm:         How to Get your Poems Published (Discussion), Antony Johae

Seminar, workshop and discussion details

10.00–11.30am 

Using Familiar Landscapes to Inspire Fictional Locations (Discussion)

Owen W Knight

An author-led discussion session to show and discuss how familiar features in the Essex countryside can be used as the inspiration for creating new and imagined landscapes in fiction writing. Local author Owen W Knight will illustrate, using maps, photographs and readings, how the geography, history and folklore of the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation and its surroundings became the basis of a hidden, dystopian world. Attendees will be encouraged to participate and to share their own ideas and writing experiences.

10.00–11.30am

Everyone Has a Novel Inside Them – How to Get it Out! (Seminar)

Kat Armstrong

Kat Armstrong will talk you through the stages involved in creating an original manuscript, pitching it to agents, keeping going despite likely setbacks, and what happens when you are successful in terms of taking the final draft through to publication.

10.00–11.30am

Inspired by Art, Ekphrastic Poetry (Workshop) 

Derek Adams

In this workshop, the participants will be introduced to a variety of techniques to write poems inspired by works of art (painting, sculpture, photography).

10.00–11.30am

Self-publication – An Insider’s Guide (Seminar)

Anita Howard

Anita Howard is a self-published author and experienced speaker. Her seminar will cover the following topics: putting the book together; getting help from a Graphic Designer; researching suitable photos and illustrations; index page; front and back covers; back cover blurb and ISBN numbers.

12 noon–2.00pm

Networking Session and Writer’s Slam

The networking session will allow authors and writers to meet and chat with each other and listen to their work.

A Writer’s Slam will take place from 12.30-1.30pm, where participants will have 3-minutes at a microphone to introduce themselves and talk about their writing or latest book. Sign up on the day to take part in the Writer’s Slam.

2.30-4.00pm

Starting a Story – Outlining a New Story (Workshop)

Alex Clare

Alex Clare will lead an interactive workshop with participants divided into groups. She’ll encourage each group to create the outline of a new story, by a series of creative sessions looking at ideas for new characters, worlds and plots.  A great session for attendees to brainstorm and share potential ideas.

2.30-4.00pm 

Creative Writing – Tips and Techniques (Workshop)

Ralph Jackman BA (Hons), MA, MSt (cantab)

This 90-minute session is taken from Jackman’s very popular writing classes he has run for numerous writing groups around East Anglia. Sharing the knowledge gained from his Masters in creative writing at Essex as well as the lessons and tips from working with Sacred Tiger Music Publishing in Los Angeles working on scores for Hollywood Movies, Jackman will cover: dialogue; scene setting; inspiration (including his hugely popular music clips session) and plotting.

2.30-4.00pm

Social Networking for Writers (Seminar)

Lizzie Chantree

Lizzie Chantree’s seminar will help show you how to reach new audiences through social media; how to network with other writers, develop a writing brand and build a social media platform. At the end you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions. Lizzie is a business mentor, former Female Inventor of the Year and has appeared on radio and television.

2.30-4.00pm

How to Get your Poems Published (Discussion)

Antony Johae

Many people write poems but do not send them out to be published in print, magazines or online. This discussion, led by Antony Johae, is designed to assist poets develop strategies for submitting their work and the focus will be on the publication of one or more individual poems rather than on the publication of a collection. The talk will be composed of five elements: research, reading and subscribing; submitting; recording submissions; recording published poems and creating a network.