As September signals the start of a new school year, we believe it is the perfect month to not only upskill and learn more about publishing, but also everything around it. OpenLearn and FutureLearn are two of the best resources for anyone willing to commit a few hours to learning, improving or expanding their skills. If children’s publishing takes your fancy, try a course here; for future editors, this course could prove very useful; coding knowledge is also important; marketing enthusiasts will be delighted with this one and finally, we have something for writers, too. We have also made a list of upcoming workshops and webinars that will equally boost your publishing skillset and added some great virtual events around literary festivals.
When? Friday 4 September, 2 p.m.
Where? Online Event
Tickets cost £9.75 (Via Eventbrite)
Let your creativity run wild at this interactive poetry workshop hosted by poet and UEA lecturer, Andrea Holland.
When? 30 September, 6 p.m.
Where? Virtual event
Tickets cost £5 (Via Eventbrite)
Budding marketers, this is the event for you! With an impressive panel of industry speakers from Penguin Random House and Pan Macmillan, the event promises to offer real-world insights into the world of book marketing and publicity.
When? 16 September, 6 p.m.
Where? Online Event
Tickets cost £5 (Via Eventbrite)
In this latest session in BookMachine’s new event series, ‘BookMachine Meets’, attendees will have the opportunity to gain an insight into how mental health and wellbeing publisher, Trigger Publishing operates. With a packed panel full of publishing professionals from Trigger offering their communication tips and information about upcoming projects, this event is not one to be missed.
When? Tuesday 1, 15 and 29 of September from 6 p.m.
Where? Zoom
These workshops will guide you through the fundamentals of book marketing, with topics ranging from how to write a marketing plan, to how to use social media to promote a book. Ellie will give you industry insights for the first forty-five minutes and then welcome your burning questions. Her blog is also full of resources.
When? Saturday 12 September
Where? Online
Join a panel of representatives from photography magazines and book publishers as they discuss the world of contemporary fine art publishing at this year's virtual 20/20 Photo Festival. The discussion will be followed by an audience Q&A.
When? Wednesday 2 September 2020 at 7 p.m.
Where? Zoom
Hosted by Delayed Gratification, this class teaches everything you need to know about launching an independent magazine and the independent publishing industry. Tickets can be bought through Eventbrite and cost £15 for subscribers and £30 for non-subscribers.
Literary Festivals and The New Normal
Literary Festivals: The New Normal
When? Tuesday 1 September 2020 at 6 p.m.
Where? Zoom
Literary festivals have been highly affected by COVID-19, and their organisers have had to adapt to a new and virtual normal. SYP Oxford questions the coordinators of various literary festivals in Oxford, Henley, Cheltenham and Brighton on what the future looks like for them. The audience will also get insights into bookish events and the speakers’ career journeys.
When: 3 – 5 September
Where: Online
This year’s FTWeekend Festival is going digital with a packed line-up, featuring fifty-six live virtual sessions with editors and speakers from a wide range of fields, plus scheduled ‘tea breaks’ where you can even enjoy live cookery demonstrations and cocktail masterclasses!
Our top picks of the more book-ish events:
3 September
The Editors: Tackling social media, fake news, 'cancel culture' and the financial crisis facing journalism
Behind the scenes at FTWeekend: How I write my column with FT columnists
4 September
From word to image: the art of storytelling
5 September
How to write about the colonial past – and its meaning today
When books burn: From the Dissolution of the Monasteries to the library of Mosul
Interview with poet Claudia Rankine
Festival passes are available here, starting at £35.
When? 10 – 14 September
Where? Hosted online over video, Zoom and podcasts.
This year’s festival programme features speakers, workshops and children’s events, with a special focus on two of the biggest names to come out of Chiswick: author Harold Pinter and painter William Hogarth. Other highlights include talks from former vogue editor Alexandra Shulman about her latest book as well as Loyd Grossman, speaking about his new book An Elephant in Rome.
Tickets for most events are free, with the option to donate to support the festival.
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