The Panels
A programme of specialist panel sessions, looking at key topics that will be of interest to all independent writers. These sessions offer insight for novices starting out on their writing journey, for authors with one or two books already released, to experienced indie authors with multiple titles already published.
Each panel will cover basic ideas but also advanced tips and tricks learned through the experience of the panellists, all of whom are experts within their topics, backed by real-world experience within the Independent Author arena.
Early bird ticket prices (1st October to 30 November) will be:
Morning or afternoon pass: £50
An all-day pass: £90
After 30 November, prices will be:
Single panel tickets: £25
Morning or afternoon pass: £55
An all-day pass: £100
Morning Sessions
Going Wide - What's in it for you?
Looking at the choices available for Going 'Wide' on the distribution of your books, this panel will consider the reasons to maximise your distribution and the options available. We will discuss:
-
selling and order fulfilment direct from your own website,
-
offering extra incentives like book bundles or other enhancements,
-
why it may be key to go wide in order to sell / supply your books into book shops
-
what are the positives and are there any "negatives"
Facilitated by Ian Hooper (Exec Dir of The Book Reality Experience that has assisted over 150 authors in going wide on their distribution) panellists will include Ingram Spark's Business Development Manager, (UK, AU & ROW) as well as indie authors including Author/entrepreneur Caroline Goldsworthy.
Book Illustrations- Choosing the right solution for you
Answering the knotty question of what makes a good cover is something that many indies authors struggle with. The issues become more complex if you decide to have illustrations within your book as well.
Mark Giles, (co-founder of the Indie Author Book Festival) joins us alongside designers and illustrators Katie Bass, Elmira Georgieva and Krysta Maria Micallef from xorxcreative to discuss the challenges below:
-
finding the right cover solution for you
-
what makes a "good" cover
-
exploring options and their constraints
-
how to brief an illustrator or graphic designer in the language they need
-
internal illustration – children and adults
-
designing your own book cover - should you... really?
-
what is a genre specific cover?
From Book to Screen - How do you get into the 'movies'?
Have you ever wondered what the process is to have your book even considered for making the journey onto a "screen near you". Then this session is for you.
Be it TV or film, how does a book get turned into a screenplay?
What are the steps to take, the tools to use and the jargon of the producers?
Afternoon Sessions
Making Audio Books - Should you and how do you?
Audio Books are one of the biggest growth sectors in the publishing world, but how can independents get into this burgeoning market?
The experienced panel of authors and voice artists will be facilitated by Philip Battley (As well as narrating over 150 audio books, his TV / Film credits include: Downton Abbey, Emmerdale, Doctors, Mia and Me, Art in Heaven, the award-winning Sogni D’Oro (Dreams of Gold) and the comedy feature Wild Target. Stage credits include Agatha Christie’s Partners In Crime).
The panel will discuss:
-
Why do it
-
How to do it - the technical details
-
Working with a professional voice actor/narrator
-
How to distribute
-
The perils
-
The pitfalls
-
The profits
Marketing - The Hard Yards
Just when you think all the hard work is over and your book is published, comes the cold shock that no one will buy it if they do not know about it. That means Marketing, in all its guises. And that is where the hard yards really start.
Join Collette Parker (a journalist, writer, sub editor, PR and community engagement specialist) and other PR / indie publishing and promotion experts, including Ian Hooper, (co-founder of the Independent Author Book Festival), as they discuss:
-
What can you do (with a budget in mind)
-
What is your message
-
Pitching to professionals, including press releases, engaging with journalists, bloggers and reviewers
-
Using Social Media effectively
-
The common errors indies make and how to avoid them
Getting into Comics - 101
This speciality panel, facilitated by James Patricks, (Teeside University lecturer on the Batchelor of Arts, Comics & Graphic Novels program, writing credits include The Magician's Curse, Green Kid Adventures and The Stranger) will provide a fascinating glimpse into the world of writing and illustrating for comics, and especially how new creatives can forge their own pathway towards a breakthrough success in such a crowded arena.
With expert tips and recalling on their own experiences as writers,
-
H.L. Roberts (INFECTION, Sticker Knight, BloodyWeen, Tournament Tour: Fighter),
-
Theo Pickering (AzeVentures) and
-
Tom Philipson (CoCo Comics, creator of Complicated Young Man and one of Broken Frontier's Big 6 to Watch)
will be joined by illustrator,
-
Katie Bass (Reverie, A Crown of Cursed Love).
Do not miss this chance to hear from some of the brightest new names on the comic scene:
Topics covered will include:
-
Starting out in the industry
-
The importance of networking with others
-
From a writer’s POV - working with illustrators
-
From an illustrator’s POV – working with writers
Free Workshops
Saturday - 3rd May
Draw a manga self portrait with Katie, a local comic artist
Join artist, Katie Bass, for a FREE Manga Self-Portrait Workshop where you can explore the fun of drawing yourself in manga.
All skill levels and ages are welcome.
This laid-back session will guide you through the basics of capturing your features with a creative, manga-inspired twist. It's all about enjoying the process and expressing yourself in a new way while learning something new.
Join us at 11am on May the 3rd at the Commemoration Hall, Huntingdon.
Sunday- 4th May
Breathing life into your characters and the habitat they call home
Join artist Katie Bass, for a FREE workshop where you will build upon your characters' visual identities, and deep dive into their environment, adding visual richness to your tales.
This workshop is designed specifically for seasoned authors, and budding writers wanting to explore their characters' homes to enrich their storytelling. Whether you're developing a new world or enriching an existing one, this workshop will help you add depth and detail to your story, ensuring your lore explodes through the pages.
Join us at 1pm on May the 4th at the Commemoration Hall, Huntingdon.