This hybrid conference will bring together writers, illustrators and literary translators to find inspiration, support and community. Hosted in person at the Crescent Arts Centre in Belfast and livestreamed to online participants, this will be a day of panel discussions, talks and networking opportunities to help you to build your career as an author. Hear how other authors have established themselves and their tips for success. From AI to sustainability, find out how the publishing industry is changing and what this means for you.
This event is supported by the Hawthornden Foundation.
Programme
9.30am – In-person registration.
9.45am – Livestream for online participants opens.
10.10.am – Finding your creative community panel discussion chaired by Hilary McCollum – Senior Policy and Liaison Manager for Northern Ireland with Byddi Lee, Melatu Uche Okorie& Francesca Howell – Head of author communities, SoA.
11am – Finding your community network break.
11.20am – Establishing yourself as an author panel discussion chaired by Francesca Howell,with Jan Carson, Clive McFarland & Nandi Jola.
12.15pm – Looking after yourself panel discussion chaired by Anna Ganley – Incoming Chief Executive, SoA with Tara West & Woodrow Phoenix.
1pm – Lunch
2pm – In conversation event chaired by Hilary McCollum with Anna Ganley & Sam Blake – New Management Committee Chair, SoA, in conversation on topics such as AI, author incomes, sustainability, connecting authors etc + Q&A from audience.
3pm – Break
3.15pm – In conversation with Glenn Patterson, chair tbc
4.10pm – Reception – Wine & soft drinks will be served
5.15pm – Reception finishes
Who this event is for
The conference is aimed at both emerging and established authors, whether traditionally published, self-published or not yet published, across all disciplines . It is open to both members and non-members of the Society of Authors, based in Ireland, Britain and beyond.
The Line-up
In order of event day appearance
Hilary McCollum
Hilary McCollum is the Society of Authors’ Senior Policy & Liaison Manager for Northern Ireland. Her novel, Golddigger, won the Golden Crown Literary Society prize for historical fiction. She has written four plays focused on LGBT lives. Her memoir, Funny Peculiar, was published by Brandon Books under the name Constance McCullagh. She completed a PhD in Creative Writing at the Seamus Heaney Centre in 2021.
Francesca Howell
Francesca Howell is Head of Author Communities at the Society of Authors. She leads on the SoA’s community development and outreach programmes, which aim to engage and empower authors, poets, screenwriters, translators and illustrators, at all stages of their careers, throughout the UK. She is also the coordinator for the Society of Authors in Wales. FHowell@societyofauthors.org.
Byddi Lee
Byddi Lee is the author of March to November and The Rejuvenation Trilogy. She also writes short fiction, plays and screenplays and was selected for BBC Writersroom Voices 2023. She co-founded Flash Fiction Armagh, and co-edited The Bramley – An Anthology of Flash Fiction Armagh Volumes 1 and 2.
Melatu Uche Okorie
Melatu Uche Okorie is a Nigerian-born writer, educator, and scholar, based in Ireland. She was born in the mid-1970s in Nigeria and grew up in the eastern part of the country before moving to Ireland in 2006. Melatu has a Mphil in Creative writing from Trinity College Dublin. She is best known for her critically acclaimed collection of short stories, This Hostel Life, published in 2018. In addition to her writing, Okorie is also a dedicated educator and has taught writing and literature at various universities and institutions in Ireland. She is a strong advocate for diversity in literature and has worked to create opportunities for marginalized voices to be heard.
Jan Carson
Jan Carson is a writer and community arts facilitator based in Belfast. She has published three novels, three short story collections and two micro-fiction collections. Her novel The Fire Starterswon the EU Prize for Literature for Ireland 2019. Jan’s latest novel, The Raptures was published by Doubleday in early 2022 and was subsequently shortlisted for the An Post Irish Novel of the Year and Kerry Group Novel of the Year. Her short story collection Quickly, While They Still Have Horseswill be published by Doubleday in April 2024.
Clive McFarland
Clive McFarland is an author and illustrator who crafts picture books. Raised in Omagh, County Tyrone, he graduated from Liverpool School of Art and Design. While studying, Clive rediscovered the books that shaped his childhood and felt inspired to create his own stories. His work has earned notable recognition, including shortlisting for Children’s Book of the Year Jr. in An Post Irish Book Awards, and inclusion in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Clive lives in Northern Ireland.
Nandi Jola
Bio tbc
Dr Tara West
Dr Tara West is a Lecturer in Creative Writing at the Seamus Heaney Centre at Queen’s University Belfast. Her first novel, Fodder, was published by Blackstaff Press in 2002 and her second novel, Poets Are Eaten as a Delicacy in Japan was published by Liberties Press in 2014. Her memoir of depression and recovery, The Upside of Down, was published by Dalzell Press in 2020, and she has just completed a new novel entitled Inventionland. Before joining academia, she worked in advertising for over 20 years, as a copywriter and later as a Creative Director.
Woodrow Phoenix
Woodrow Phoenix is a comics writer and artist whose constant experiments with the form appear regularly in Europe, Japan, North and South America. His strips have featured in many UK newspapers including The Guardian, the Independent on Sunday and the Observer. He creates graphic novels for both adults and children. His handbound, one-metre-square artists’ book/installation/graphic novel She Lives has been exhibited at venues around the UK with extended residencies at the British Museum and the Cartoon Museum.
When not making comics, Woodrow is a book designer and editor, illustrator and maker of typefaces. He is a visiting lecturer at the University of Middlesex where he teaches on the MA in Children’s Books and Graphic Novels.
Anna Ganley
Anna Ganley is the incoming Chief Executive at the Society of Authors. Anna joined the SoA in 2005. As Chief Operating Officer, she is part of the senior management team working on organisation strategy, policy and development. She is responsible for all aspects of the HR function including Equality, Diversity & Inclusion strategy, governance and works closely with the SoA’s Management Committee and Fellows. Anna is also the staff contact for the Authors’ Living with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses Network. AGanley@societyofauthors.org
Sam Blake
Sam Blake is a multiple No 1 bestselling crime writer, who has been shortlisted for Irish Crime Novel of the Year three times. Her 10th thriller, Three Little Birds, and her 2023 YA debut, Something Terrible Happened Last Night, are both in shops now. Follow her on social @samblakebooks and find out more at www.samblakebooks.com, where you can join her Reader’s Club and get a free book. Sam is the founder of Ireland’s International Crime Writing Festival, Murder One. She is the current Chair of the Society of Authors Board and also a board member of the Crime Writers Association.
Glenn Patterson
Glenn Patterson is the author of eleven novels and five works of non-fiction. He co-wrote the feature film Good Vibrations (BBC Films), which he and his co-writer subsequently adapted for stage. He is Director of the Seamus Heaney Centre at Queen’s University Belfast. His most recent publication is Two Summers, a pair of novellas, which came out last year.
Accessibility
Online attendees
Online attendees will access the event via 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.
Online attendees will have the option to turn on the live transcript to watch with subtitles.
This event will be recorded but you won’t be on screen.
If you require BSL interpretation for this event, please email events@societyofauthors.org.
In person attendees
The conference will be held in The Cube on the ground floor of Crescent Arts Centre, 2-4 University Road, Belfast.
All areas of The Crescent are fully accessible. The doors are all extra wide to allow easier access for power chairs, wheelchairs, walking aids, buggies and prams.
Fully automated doors are in place on the ground floor areas where the conference will be held (and in most of the building).
There are accessible toilets on every floor of the building.
A combined toilet, shower and changing room, specially designed for use by people with disabilities or complex care needs, is located on the ground floor.
Staff have been trained to operate ‘Evacusafe’ chairs if required in an emergency.
Induction loop systems are in position at reception and in The Cube Theatre space.
Tactile signage is used on key areas within The Crescent. All signage has been designed to facilitate ease of reading for those with visual impairments
A range of interpretation services can be made available including British Sign Language, captioning and audio description. If you require BSL interpretation to take part in this event, please email events@societyofauthors.org.
Assistance dogs are welcome. Attendees are asked to email events@societyofauthors.org so that appropriate seats are reserved.
Baby changing facilities are located in both the male and female toilets, offering a baby changing station, baby mat, free nappies and wipes.
Free sanitary products are available in all toilet facilities.
Emergency Call Buttons are located throughout the building at safe refuge points, and can be used to request assistance from a member of staff in an emergency.
The Crescent is a JAM friendly organisation, enabling people with a learning difficulty, autism or communication barrier to tell others they need ‘Just A Minute’ discreetly and easily.
If you have any other accessibility needs, please email events@societyofauthors.org.
COVID-19 Safety
We recommend the following:
Staying home if you’re feeling unwell or have COVID-19 symptoms.
Washing your hands when coming in from the outdoors and / or before touching your face.
Applying alcohol hand sanitiser.
We advise attendees to wear a face mask if they feel comfortable doing so.
About Society of Authors
This conference has been organised by the Society of Authors’ nation group in Northern Ireland. It is open to authors from Ireland, Britain and beyond.
The Society of Authors is the trade union for all types of writers, illustrators and literary translators. We speak out for the profession and advise individuals at every stage of their careers. We exist to support professional and emerging authors of all kinds, from illustrators and scriptwriters to novelists and poets, and from literary translators and travel writers to graphic novelists and journalists. As a member, whether you are just starting out or already established, we’ll help you with unlimited advice, contract vetting, helplines and professional training, discounts on books, insurance and more.
And you’ll become part of a growing community of over 12,400 professionals across Britain and Ireland, with year-round opportunities to network and learn at free online and in-person events and workshops.
Booking
Please read our event booking Terms and Conditions
https://www2.societyofauthors.org/legal-privacy/event-terms/
Tickets
Please book your tickets using the booking form below. In person tickets £10 (including refreshments).
Online attendance is free. If you can afford to, please consider donating to our Authors’ Contingency Fund. We suggest a minimum donation of £5. The fund is to help professional authors experiencing financial hardship. DONATE HERE
Livestream
For those joining online, this event will be Livestreamed via Zoom. Please RSVP for the Livestream in the booking form below to receive the Zoom joining details.