Saturday 17th May dawned fair and it was off to Newcastle Writing Conference in The Common Room , Neville Hall. Clutching our tote bags and lanyards (handily with our names and booked sessions included) plenty of us were taking the time to improve our writing craft.
The Man From Kilmarnock Did Good
In a packed Wood Hall, with its stunning stained-glass window, Booker Prize shortlisted author Graeme Macrae Burnet took to the stage. And what an entertaining forty minutes with his humorous, no-nonsense views on writing, red wine and much more besides.
Post-Publication: Life as an Author
It was then the first breakout session and I was in Stephenson Room for Post-Publication: Life as an Author with Naomi Kelsey and Seth Insua. Thank you both for sharing your successes, struggles, hopes and future projects. Here’s to your ongoing and future successes.
Writing Dialogue with Ishy Din
My pre-lunch breakout session was in the Map Room with Writing Dialogue with the passionate Ishy Din. Again, lots of useful tips and also very comforting to know that a lot of what was recommended, I already do.
Practice Your Pitch Makes Perfect
For the second year in a row the sun was cracking the tiles, so perfect for a pavement picnic with Northern Promise TLC Award winner Paula Blair. And with a full tummy, it was back to Wood Hall for Practice Your Pitch. Rosie Gailer of John Murray Press and Alice Murphy-Pyle from HarperNorth who listened and gave guidance to Letty Sharpe pitching Veiled Enchantments, Jo Scott with The Home For Lost Souls and Abby Walker with The House in Order. Three totally different novels but all sounded brilliant. I wish them every success in gaining publication and allowing us all to enjoy them.
Meet the Agent with Julie Fergusson
My final breakout session was Meet the Agent with Julie Fergusson from The North Literary Agency. And with plenty of useful advice on submitting your manuscript to an agency, may her advice serve us all well.
Detective Virdee and A.A. Dhand You Rock
The final fascinating talk was back in Wood Hall with crime writer A. A. Dhand about being true to yourself and saying yes. After binge watching Virdee on Sunday afternoon, here’s to the Bradford detective appearing in many more BBC series.
Time to Toast Taking the Time to Improve Your Writing Craft
All too soon the conference was over but not before I’d caught up with familiar faces and chitty-chatted with new ones. Here’s to everyone achieving their dreams and to round off a big shout out must go to Fertile Ground author Sally Grey, Demelza Rice Is Not Very Nice author Sarah Millington, the awesome Rachel Dunlop, Jess Brook, Laura Tisdall, Jo Kemp, Mookaite Jasper, Ellie Julings, Kate Baker, Kelly Railton, Monica Tuffs and Gareth Hewitt.