Newcastle Writing Conference 2024

The Newcastle Writing Conference is back!

The writing conference is an event for writers at all stages of their careers. It aims to demystify the world of publishing and supports you to connect with peers and industry experts. Across one day, the conference offers a programme of panels, breakout sessions and practical workshops. Writers choose their own bespoke journey throughout the day, whether you want a deep dive into the editing process or to dip your toes into flash-fiction and audio writing.

Making connections is just as important as a fantastic programme of events. We encourage attendees to mingle over complimentary tea and coffee, visit our pop-up book stall from Forum Books, and meet other writers during the networking time at the end of the day. And don’t forget to pick up your free NWN tote bag!

If you can’t join us in person, you can still be part of Newcastle Writing Conference. We’ll be live-streaming the keynote, panel events, and selected breakout sessions for remote delegates.

10.30am: Headline Speaker

Janice Hallett is a British author, screenwriter and an award-winning journalist. Her debut novel The Appeal was a Waterstones Thriller of the Month and winner of the CWA Debut Dagger award. Her second novel The Twyford Code won the British Crime & Thriller Book of the Year, and her third novel The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels was an instant Sunday Times bestseller. Her latest novel The Examiner will be published in August.

Before her breakout entry into the realms of crime fiction, Janice Hallett worked as a journalist, magazine editor and speech writer for the Cabinet Office and Home Office, as well as writing for the stage and screen.

Janice will be talking to New Writing North’s Claire Malcolm about her inspiring career to date, as well as offering advice to writers of all genres who are beginning their careers.

This talk will be live-captioned by StageText

Included with the Virtual Pass

11.15am: Breakout Session 1

Breakout 1a: Planning and Structure: Writing Workshop with Kasim Ali

As an editor who moonlights as an author, Kasim Ali has both edited other people’s works and had his own work edited. In this writing session, he’ll lead you in understanding the underlying arc of your work and how to make sure that you don’t lose forward momentum or become stagnant. Whether it’s to do with the plot itself, character motivations, or just simply how do you move a story along, this writing session will help you see your work from above, even when it feels like you’re in the weeds.

Breakout 1b: How to Market Yourself with Lucy Nichol

Lucy is the author of 5 books and has over 20 years’ experience in PR and marketing. She’ll be taking you though her experience of the marketing and PR expectations involved in both independent and traditional publishing, and talking about personal branding, media coverage and reviews, blogging, influencer engagement and digital advertising.

Breakout 1c: Meet the Agent with Rachel Conway

Rachel Conway is a Director of Georgina Capel Associates. She works as an agent for literary, television, and radio. Rachel is interested in a variety of fiction, from children’s and YA, feminist fiction to thrillers and speculative fiction, and loves non-fiction that addresses social issues. Rachel will be offering advice on finding a literary agent for your work, and answering any questions you may have.

Breakout 1d: Staying Resilient as a Writer

How do you stay resilient as a writer? Join Cathy Rentzenbrink and Laura Degnan as they discuss the realities of life as a writer and how to balance your career goals with self-care. Cathy Rentzenbrink is a novelists and memoirist whose books include The Last Act of Love and Everyone is Still Alive. Laura Degnan is a writer and fimmaker based in Middlesborough and the founder of Writers’ Block North East.

12.30pm: Breakout Session 2

Breakout 2a: Flash Fiction: Writing Workshop with Désirée Reynolds

This practical workshop will focus on the essence of flash fiction. What does it mean for the story when you use such few words? In this session, you'll think about how the form impacts narrative, and have the chance to try writing your own flash fiction piece. Désirée Reynolds’s short stories have widely published in various publications and online.

Breakout 2b: How to Edit with Jacob Ross

The first few pages often determine whether your work will be accepted for publication or not. Editors are looking for many things, not least your ability to express yourself in clean clear sentences and well-developed paragraphs. In this session, experienced writer and editor Jacob Ross will show you how to improve your work and enhance your chances of getting published. We will look at common pitfalls to avoid and how to produce a strong engaging work. Jacob Ross is a writer and Associate Fiction Editor at Peepal Tree Press.

Breakout 2c: Meet the Agent with Elliot Prior

Elliot Prior started his role at Curtis Brown two years ago. Before that, he worked in Sweden at Albatross agency, before moving to a role as a scout at Eccles Fisher Associates. Elliot is interested in fiction that is expansive, stylistic, and packed with well-drawn and complicated characters. In non-fiction, he is looking for fresh perspectives on classic topics, as well as absorbing narratives that embed the reader in another time and place; Elliot will be offering advice on finding a literary agent for your work, and answering any questions you may have.

Breakout 2d: The Power of Audio

What does it take to write for audio? For aspiring authors, getting your work into print is one challenge, while getting your book turned into audio can be quite another. Join author Cathy Rentzenbrink and Dom Gribben, Co-director of audio publishing at Hachette UK, as they share their experiences and help you think about what you can do to empower your writing for audio. This session will be chaired by New Writing North’s Audio Development Producer, Lucie McNeil.

1.30pm: LUNCH (1-2-1S WITH AGENTS)

Please bring your own packed lunch or head out into Newcastle City Centre. The Common Room is well located for many of Newcastle’s shops and cafes. Take a moment to visit our book stall by Forum Books.

In addition to the full day programme, delegates at Newcastle Writing Conference can apply for a free one-to-one meeting with a literary agent or agency assistant, who will be available for ten-minute appointments to discuss your work.

The deadline for applying for a one-to-one session is Wednesday 1 May at 9am.

Applications made after this deadline will not be considered. The link to apply for a one-to-one will be available to you after purchase, in the confirmation email. Please note that spaces are limited, and we cannot guarantee all delegates a one-to-one session.

2.30pm: Publishing Your First Book: Author and Editor in Conversation

Eirinie Lapidaki began writing her novel while working as a bookseller at Waterstones. Early chapters of the book won a Northern Writers Award from New Writing North. Now, her debut novel, The Wives of Halcyon, is being published by Legend Press in May 2024. Hear from Eirinie and her Editor Cari Rosen as they discuss the editor-author relationship and what it takes to get a book ready to be published.

This panel will be live-captioned by StageText

3.15pm: Breakout Session 3

Breakout 3a: Writing from Life: Workshop with Jessica Hepburn

It’s said that everyone has a book in them – but should you write it? How do you make your life story interesting to other people? How do you avoid the danger of: ‘This happened. Then this happened. And then we lived happily ever after. The end.’ This practical workshop with will be fun, and funny (hopefully). It won’t involve listening to people reading out something they’ve written about their family (boring). It might inspire you to believe that writing autobiography isn’t narcissistic (well, not always). It might spark a new idea about how to approach it. Jessica Hepburn is the author of Save Me From the Waves and 21 Miles.

Breakout 3b: An Hour with Arvon: Workshop with Russ Litten

Spend an hour with Arvon tutor Russ Litten and get your creativity flowing. Russ will lead a guided writing exercise suitable for writers interested in fiction and non-fiction. This taster session will give you an insight into the creative magic that happens at an Arvon writing house. Bring a pen and paper and leave the session with some fresh writing and perhaps the sparks for a new idea

Breakout 3c: Should I Self-publish? with Emma Hill

Is self-publishing the right decision for your project? Emma Hill is a producer, writer and director, who self-published her award-winning YA novel Baby Girl in 2020. In this interactive session, Emma will guide you through the steps to take and the questions to ask yourself before you get started. You’ll think about the skills needed to self-publish successfully and how to change your approach from writer to publisher.

Breakout 3d: Meet the Agent: Curtis Brown Books

Founded in 1899, the Books Department of Curtis Brown has been at the forefront of international publishing and a leading literary agency for over one hundred years. This session will be led by Agency Assistants Grace Robinson and Olivia Bignold, who will be discussing how to get a literary agent and answering your questions.

Grace is particularly interested in reading work by northern writers in both fiction and non-fiction. Across all genres, she is interested in writing with a strong sense of place, well-drawn relationships and an interesting, surprising use of language. Olivia Bignold is on the lookout for the big hooky thrillers, zeitgeist-y books with crossover appeal, and any story that finds a fresh way to reimagine familiar tropes. She is also interested in convincing voice-driven works and writing from identities on the periphery of society.

4.20pm: What is a Northern Author?

In our final panel, we’ll be joined by two exciting voices in contemporary literature. Karen Powell and Tawseef Khan will be discussing their journey to publication and what it means to be a Northern author.

Shortlisted for the Nero Book Awards, Fifteen Wild Decembers by Karen Powell is an immersive reimagining of Emily Bronte’s life. Tawseef Khan’s debut novel Determination is a heart-breaking window into the world of a UK immigration lawyer and the lives touched by her work.

This panel will be live-captioned by StageText

Virtual Timetable

This year’s Newcastle Writing Conference is open to everyone. The Newcastle Writing Conference virtual ticket gives you access to live-streams of our keynote and panel events.

As well as hearing from our headline speaker Janice Hallett, virtual conference attendees can enjoy panels with industry experts and experienced authors. From writing for audio to resilience as a writer, virtual attendees will have access to a full day of inspiring sessions.

10.30am-11.10am: Janice Hallett

11.15am-12.15pm: Staying Resilient as a Writer

12.30pm-1.30pm: The Power of Audio

2.30pm-3.10pm: Publishing Your First Book: Author and Editor in Conversation

3.15pm-4.15pm: Meet the Agent: Curtis Brown Books

4.20pm-5pm: What is a Northern Author? With Karen Powell and Tawseef Khan

See the New Writing North website for full details https://newwritingnorth.com/event/newcastle-writing-conference/