The Writers’ Toolkit 2011
The Writers’ Toolkit 2011
The Writers’ Toolkit 2011 took place on Saturday 19th November 2011 at South Birmingham College, Digbeth. The day offered sixteen discussion sessions covering many aspects of being a writer. Aimed at emerging and established writers, rather than those who are just starting out. The programme is given below and details of the speakers are here.
The Programme
n.b. some elements of this programme may be subject to change. Extended session discriptions will be added shortly.
Registration/Refreshments, from 9.30am until 10.30am
10.30am, Welcome, Jonathan Davidson, Chief Executive, Writing West Midlands
10.35am, Keynote Speaker: Stuart Maconie
Strand 1
11am – 11.45am
Hearing Voices – Writing for Radio
Nick Walker, Writer & Producer, Top Dog Productions
Mary Ward-Lowery, Radio Producer, BBC Audio & Music
Jenny Stephens, Freelance Theatre Director, Radio Producer & Writer & Partner, Hoopla Productions
Writing for radio – short stories, drama, features – is a part of the work of many writers, although it perhaps does not get the profile it deserves. Even in these straitened times, radio is uniquely welcoming to new voices and innovation. Our three speakers will look at the opportunities for writers to work in this sector.
Gathering Intelligence – Mentoring for Writers
Sarah Hymas, Writer & Mentor, The Writing Smithy
Charlie Jordan, Writer & Performer
Steve Dearden, Director, National Association of Literature Development
Mentoring can offer writers and others in the literature sector a valuable opportunity to benefit from the experience and knowledge of their peers. What are the benefits to individuals and what do those offering mentoring need to consider?
Writing Fiction – The Tindal Street Masterclasses
Alan Mahar, Publishing Director, Tindal Street Press
Alan Mahar introduces an exciting new initiative from Tindal Street Press, aimed at aspiring and emerging writers who wish to develop their talents as fiction writers.
Judging a Digital Device by its Cover – E-Publishing
Luke Brown, Senior Editor, Tindal Street Press
Wes Brown, Information Manager, National Association of Writers in Education
Tracey Geary, Chief Executive Officer, Cyprus Well
E-Publishing is increasingly making an impact on writers’ lives. Many are embracing the possibilities, particularly of finding new ways of offering their work to readers. E-Publishing is also starting to change what we think of as literature, allowing writing to engage with other art forms. Our speakers look at recent initiatives.
Strand 2
11.55am – 12.40pm
Setting Out Your Stall – Working with Literature Festivals
Cathy Bolton, Director, Manchester Literature Festival
Matt Holland, Director, Swindon Festival of Literature
Good literature festivals work closely with a great range of writers, and not only those who are already established. Two literature festival directors talk about how and why they work with writers and how writers can successfully engage with festivals.
Grand Designs – Making Projects Work
Jo Bell, Writer & Director, National Poetry Day
David Gaffney, Writer
Philip Monks, Writer & Chair, Writing West Midlands
A well managed project is a pleasure to behold. Sadly, plenty of projects end up being life-shortening for those involved. Our panelists discuss the joys and disciplines of making projects work including, doubtless, just how important a well-honed spreadsheet is for general health and welfare.
I am (not) Spartacus – Maintaining Identity as a Writer
Roz Goddard, Writer & Board Member, Writing West Midlands
Jenn Ashworth, Writer & Mentor, The Writing Smithy
Helen Cross, Writer
While most writers want to write, their portfolio lifestyles demand that they earn their living from a range of related activities. How can one be a writer while spending considerable amounts of time not actually writing? Does it matter when a writer is paid more to talk and teach than to think and write? Discuss!
Avoiding Detention – Working with Schools
Campbell Perry, Writer
Paul Munden, Director, National Association of Writers in Education
Aysha Afridi, Relationship Manager, Learning, Arts Council England, West Midlands
Working in schools – running workshops or sharing writing – is increasingly becoming a part of the lives of many writers. Our panelists look at the process of getting to work with children and young people and the value of this work, both to the writer and the people they work with.
Strand 3
11am – 11.45am
Staying out of the Slushpile – Working with Publishers
Anna Kelly, Assistant Editor, Hamish Hamilton/Penguin
Jenn Ashworth, Writer
Luke Brown, Senior Editor, Tindal Street Press
Publishers have a vital role to play in the development of many writers. It helps when working with them to have some knowledge of what they expect from writers. Our panelists give a very quick introduction to a complex subject.
Narrative & Plot – Working with Theatres
Amanda Whittington, Playwright
David Edgar, Playwright & President, Writers’ Guild of Great Britain
Bernie Corbett, General Secretary, Writers’ Guild of Great Britain
From contracts to attachments, there are many ways in which writers work with theatres. This session looks at the impact on writers and considers how a relationship with theatres can be productive.
Getting Around – Networking as a Writer
Jo Bell, Writer & Director, National Poetry Day
Jane Commane, Poet, Writing Tutor & Co-editor of Nine Arches Press
Lara Ratnaraja, Cultural Consultant
Why sit in your garret scribbling masterpieces when you can be ‘getting around’? Real time or virtual time, any time is a good time to be connecting with people and organisations who might be interested in your work as a writer. You may, therefore, already know our panelists, but if not network with them as they talk us through the etiquette of being ubiquitous.
The Not So Secret Agent – The Relationship Between Agent and Writer
Laura Longrigg, Joint Managing Director, MBA Literary Agents
Clare Morrall, Writer
Henderson Mullin, Chief Executive, Writing East Midlands
The relationship between agents and writers is growing more important as the writing industry places increasing demands on writers. Our session looks at how writers work with agents and what agents expect from writers.
Strand 4
1.30pm – 2.15pm
Off the Shelf – Working with Libraries
Brian Gambles, Assistant Director: Culture, Birmingham City Council
Sandy Mahal, Programme Manager, The Reading Agency
Jessica Harris, Relationship Manager, Libraries, Arts Council England, West Midlands
While it is possible to write a three volume novel sat in a cosy corner of your local library, there are plenty of other ways in which working writers can connect with libraries. As centres for literary creativity of all sorts they are increasingly welcoming writers with bright ideas for sharing a love of reading and beyond.
Advanced Firefighting – Managing Workload
Ian Kennedy, Writer, Producer & Creative
Chris Arnot, Writer & Journalist
Ros Robins, Regional Director, Arts Council England
There are ways of managing your workload as a writer that allow you to be calm and productive, so we are told. Our panelists discuss various approaches to do a lot of work in a fixed amount of time while still, we hope, being very creative.
Writing Your Rider – Touring & Performing Your Writing
Bohdan Piesecki, West Midlands Coordinator, Apples & Snakes
John Laidlaw, Executive Director, Live & Local
Philip Monks, Writer & Chair, Writing West Midlands
Writers are increasingly making some of their living out of performing and, we are told, having a great time touring. Some advice, then, from those who are making or performing work and from those who might book it to be performed.
The Nth Degree – Creative Writing in Higher Education
Candi Miller, Writer & Lecturer, University of Wolverhampton
Professor David Roberts, Head of School of English, Birmingham City University
Higher Education institutions now offers a range of creative writing courses. What will they give the emerging writer and how does the experience of studying creative writing full or part time contribute to a writer’s development?
Closing Address, Ruth Borthwick, Director, The Arvon Foundation
Finish, 4pm
Follow these links if you would like to see who was involved in The Writers’ Toolkit in 2010 and 2009.