Calling budding writers, artists, booksellers and publishers! How do you publish and get published? Want to apply your art and design skills? Then this is the event for you!

Everything you need to know about publishing in one place on one day! Cover art, designing books, writing them, editing, commissioning, selling . . . find out more from professionals.

Chat to northern based experts for advice, inspiration and to answer all those burning questions.

A modern market style atmosphere in a historic centre of northern literature and journalism. Join us for relaxed and informative talks and performances.

Open to young people aged 14 +

Programme

Marketplace:

·      The Antiques Roadshow of Books comes to the Portico! Experts Alice Measom and Jim Duff are on hand to help.  

·      Commonword. Meet the team, sign-up to a writing workshop or join Cultureword’s Queer Black Book Club, browse our latest publications, pick up our exclusive £5 book bundles! www.cultureword.org.uk / @cultureword

·         Mirror Me Write - Bookseller Meet founder Ayesha Ansari-Choudhury, browse and buy books and ask Ayesha why and how she opened her bookselling business specialising in representation and inclusion. https://www.mirrormewrite.com/  @mirrormewrite / @mirror_write 

·         ZunTold Publishers –If you want to be a book reviewer or blogger, come and talk to Manchester-based publisher, ZunTold. Founder, Elaine Bousfield will show you how the industry works and how to help your CV. Their award-winning books will be available to buy too. https://zuntold.com/

·         Artist Chellie Carroll will be found at the drawing table under the dome, so sit, draw, pick up tips and ask all you want to know about a career in book illustration. 

Performance:

Poets and spoken word performers ready to thrill and inspire, including Ella Otomewo and Hallie Fletcher!

Ella has facilitated creative workshops for universities, community groups, libraries, schools, and festivals, and has performed her poetry all over the UK and in Europe.  

Hallie’s poem, Apple of my Life based on Alan Turing was her first publication. Now with two poetry anthologies published, Hallie performs her work both digitally and at events. 

The Reading Room:

11.30 – 12.10. Why Children’s books? Why the North?

Hear from Children’s Books North – Picture Book Development Director, Hachette Children’s North, Emma Layfield, Editorial Director, Golden Egg Academy and Freelance Editor, Tilda Johnson and Freelance Children’s Book Publicist, Liz Scott about the varied routes into children’s publishing.

12.30 – 1.10 – Is a career in publishing for you?

Debbie Williams, MMU Publishing and founder of UCLan Publishing will lead a workshop to help you find out if a career in publishing is right for you.

1.30 – 2.10 – No Compromise

3 Commonword writers discuss self-belief, authenticity and finding your network. Talk to script writer and poet, Afshan d’Souza-Lodhi, author, screenwriter and MMU lecturer, Danielle Jawando, and founder VAGUE digital / Within my Locket Morayo Sodipo.

2.30 – 3.10 – Book illustration from start to finish 

Artist Chellie Carroll reveals how she went from drawing on her bedroom walls to being a full-time illustrator. Chellie will take us through digitally building images and how the composition of images create story. https://www.chelliecarroll.co.uk/ @chelliecarroll 

3.30 – 4.10 – Why are Northern publishers essential?

The Northern Fiction Alliance are award winning risk takers who love words. Meet Kevin Duffy, co-founder of Bluemoose Books, Nia Thomas of Comma Press, Adam Lowe of Peepal Tree and Ellie Croston of Saraband. https://commapress.co.uk/about/northern-fiction-alliance/