Ever dreamed of making a living as a writer? 20/04/11

Anyone who has ever embarked on the lonely mission of writing a novel or a play will know how difficult it can be. However, writing that great work of art is only half the battle – getting it published can often take just as much time and effort.

Help is now at hand for all those writers who have gazed nervously into the huge maze of the book trade, for experts from the mysterious world of publishing and broadcasting are to converge on the University of Chichester to reveal the secrets of their art.

A panel of agents, editors and publishers will gather in Cloisters Chamber, Bishop Otter Campus, on Wednesday 27 April between 6.30pm and 8.30pm to talk about, and answer questions on, getting published.

All students, staff and members of the public are invited to attend the annual free event, which has been organised by English and Creative Writing Department lecturer Karen Stevens.

The panel will include the literary agents Clare Conville, co-founder of Conville and Walsh Literary Agency, which represents 150 authors, and Charles Viney, founder and literary agent at The Viney Agency, one of the UK’s most successful independent literary agencies.

They will be joined by Helen Garnons-Williams, the editorial director for fiction at Bloomsbury, twice voted UK Publisher of the Year. Also on the panel will be Kate Whitehead, Head of Interactive Products at Harper Collins, a publisher with nearly 200 years of experience which is now blazing a trail with cutting edge technology.

England’s oldest literary periodical, ‘The London Magazine’ – established in 1732 – will be represented by its current editor, Steve O’Brien. The University is also delighted to announce the participation of BBC Radio 4, the world’s biggest single commissioner of short stories, in the person of Di Speirs, editor of readings at BBC Radio Drama.

Organiser Karen Stevens said: “This is a rare opportunity to go behind the scenes of the publishing industry – and to hear experts pass on the secrets of their trade. We hope that anyone who is interested in seeing their name in print will come along to support the event.

“In previous years, similar events have proved very useful for many of our students, who have later gone on to get published.”

The event is part of the English Department’s successful MA Programme in Creative Writing.