By Sophie Dickinson and Kellie Smith
The Self-Publishing Experience
17 August, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Troubador Publishing, Market Harborough
If you’re an author considering self-publishing your work, this is the event for you. From the UK’s most widely-recommended self-publishing services provider comes The Self-Publishing Experience Day – From Manuscript to Market.
The day’s sessions look at all aspects of publishing a book, ebook or audiobook – from editing the manuscript to typesetting and cover design, marketing and distribution. The aim is to demystify the self-publishing process, explain what your options are as a self-publisher, look realistically at what you can expect from self-publishing and demonstrate the process involved in putting a book together.
If you’re considering self-publishing as an option for your work and want to find out more, the Self-Publishing Experience Day is just right for you! The experience will be held in person at Troubador’s offices and includes a buffet lunch and refreshments throughout the day.
Tickets are £30 and can be bought here.
Over Here Zine Fest
20 August, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
People’s History Museum, Manchester
Over Here Zine Fest is a not-for-profit event bringing together Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) and people of Colour (POC) zine makers, artists, writers and activists for a day of workshops, talks and stalls.
The aim is to build self-sustaining alternative models for publishing, art, activism and collaboration in our communities. It is organised by a group of people identifying as QTIPOC (Queer, Transgender and Intersex People of Colour) based in the North of England and everyone is welcome to attend. The event is free and no booking is required. You can find out more about what’s happening on the day here.
Hammersmith and Fulham Writers' Festival
20–21 August, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The Westworks, London
The Hammersmith and Fulham Writers Festival has a particular focus on writers of Colour, indie authors and publishers, and offers a great opportunity for networking within the industry. Including events such as Meet the Publisher with Dr Sophia Rehman of Neem Tree Press and various workshops for writers, this event is a diverse entrance into the writing and publishing sphere!
The YA Book Prize
25 August, 5:30–7:00 p.m.
Edinburgh International Book Festival
Come and meet some of the brilliantly imaginative authors shortlisted for this year’s YA Book Prize as they read from and talk about their – potentially – award-winning books! In partnership with The Bookseller and chaired by award-winning poet and novelist Dean Atta, the YA Book Prize celebrates fictional books for teenagers and young adults.
Previous winners of the prize are Will Hill’s After the Fire (2018), Sara Barnard’s Goodbye, Perfect (2019) and Alice Oseman’s Loveless (2021). This year's shortlist includes Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, Holly Bourne, Tanya Byrne, Natasha Bowen, Femi Fadugba, Simon James Green, Adiba Jaigirdar, Manjeet Mann, Krystal Sutherland and Lisa Williamson.
The winner will be chosen by a panel of expert and teenage judges, who are asked to pick the book they believe is the best-written and would be most likely to share with young adults!
Who will win the YA Book Prize 2022? You can book tickets to attend in person or watch online here, and find out more about what’s on at the Edinburgh International Book Festival here.
Still Born: Guadalupe Nettel in Conversation with Katie da Cunha Lewin
30 August, 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Blackwell’s Bookshop, Manchester
Join Blackwell’s for an evening with Guadalupe Nettel, where she’ll be discussing her latest novel, Still Born.
Translated by Rosalind Harvey, Still Born is an incredible exploration of motherhood and societal expectations placed on women. Guadalupe will be in conversation with Katie da Cunha Lewin, author and lecturer at Coventry University.
Tickets are £3.00 or free when pre-ordering a copy of the book. Still Born will also be available to purchase on the night, and Guadalupe will sign copies after the talk. You can buy tickets and pre-order the book here.
Black and Female: Tsitsi Dangarembga in Conversation with Naomi Frisby
31 August, 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Manchester Central Library
Blackwell’s is hosting an event in partnership with Faber & Faber and Manchester Central Library to launch Black and Female, the new collection of essays from bestselling author and Booker Prize shortlisted Tsitsi Dangarembga.
This paradigm-shifting essay collection weaves the personal and political in an illuminating exploration of internationally acclaimed novelist Tsitsi Dangarembga's complex relationship with race and gender.
Tickets are £7.00 (£5.00 unwaged, student, 60+) or free when pre-ordering a copy of Black and Female. The book will also be available to purchase on the night, and Tsitsi will sign copies after the talk. You can buy tickets and preorder the book here.