National Creative Writing Industry Day at Man Met
The National Creative Writing Industry Day at Manchester Metropolitan University , Manchester 4 November 2023 Tickets from £65 — Book now
The National Creative Writing Industry Day promises an opportunity to meet literary agents, commissioning editors and other publishing professionals as well as offering an insider’s view of how the industry works. Back for a ninth year, the National Creative Writing Industry Day is the largest conference of its kind taking place in the north of England, drawing over 150 delegates annually.
Run by Manchester’s Comma Press in partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University, the conference takes place at Man Met’s shiny new Manchester Writing School headquarters and is designed for emerging writers heading towards publication. They are promised an insight into the publishing industry, with experts on hand to offer up advice and help hone the skills needed to make it. Experts will be on hand to offer advice via panel discussions and practical hands-on workshops, helping to sharpen the skills writers need – not only picking the best pen for the job (we josh), but also how to get your wonderful words out there into the world. The organisers say: “This special event is committed to providing participants with a unique introduction to the publishing industry and its professionals.”
The National Creative Writing Industry Day will begin with an introduction and this year’s keynote speech comes courtesy Isabel Waidner, the Goldsmiths Award-winning author of Corey Fah Does Social Mobility , just out with Hamish Hamilton and from which they’re reading the night before at Blackwell’s Bookshop, just up the road. Based in London, Isabel Waidner’s previous books are Sterling Karat Gold (2021, Peninsula Press), We are Made of Diamond Stuff (2019) and Gaudy Bauble (2017), the last two published by Manchester indie Dostoyevsky Wannabe. They are the winner of the Goldsmiths Prize 2021 and were shortlisted for the Goldsmiths Prize in 2019, the Orwell Prize for Political Fiction in 2022 and the Republic of Consciousness Prize in 2018, 2020 and 2022. They are a co-founder of the event series Queers Read This at the Institute of Contemporary Arts, and they are an academic in the School of English and Drama at Queen Mary University of London.
The morning also includes two panels for all participants to enjoy, each an hour in length with 15 minutes set aside at the end for questions from the audience. The first is entitled “Building Your Readership: How to Market Yourself as a Writer” and welcomes publisher and The Book Pitch Doctor James Spackman, writer Rowan Hisayo Buchanan, whose novels include Harmless Like You , which received a Betty Trask Award and the 2017 Author’s Club First Novel Award, Starling Days and The Sleep Watcher , and Christopher Hamilton-Emery, who runs Salt Publishing, which has regular showcases at Blackwell’s . The second panel, “Expanding Your Practice: Writing Beyond the Book”, hears from Laura Barnett, Eli Goldstone and Chloë Ashby.
In the afternoon, participants alternate between two activities: one-to-one meetings with literary agents and industry professionals to refine pitching technique or seek advice on works-in-progress, and workshops tailored to the needs of those looking to enter the current writing industry.
The National Creative Writing Industry Day at Manchester Metropolitan University , Manchester 4 November 2023 Tickets from £65 Book now
Where to go near National Creative Writing Industry Day at Man Met
Championing art, craft classes and local independent makers, Aunty Social showcases the very best of Blackpool’s creative community.
MAYA is a high-end new restaurant on the corner of Canal Street and Chorlton Street in central Manchester.
Popular craft bakery, selling freshly baked goods on Manchester’s King Street.
Winner of the Good Food Award’s coveted Chippy of the Year award on multiple occasions, Harrowside is a great choice for fish and chips in Blackpool.
C Fresh is an old school, decidedly affordable chippy near Blackpool prom, consistently busy with locals – a sure-fire sign it’s doing something right.
Not many chippies have a blue plaque outside, but not many chippies are as noteworthy as Papa’s in Blackpool.
Several time winners of the coveted Chippy of the Year award, Bentley’s serves up some of the finest fish and chips in Blackpool.
Consistently ranked among the top chippies in Blackpool, Lily’s Fish and Chips is a traditional spot that’s tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the prom.
Blackpool’s number one Indian restaurant, Twisted Indian packs a flavour punch and isn’t afraid to mix the traditional with the modern. Their motto? ‘Being normal is boring.’
Dishing up European plates with plenty of fusion flare, Blackpool’s glitzy restaurant Hauze offers an extensive list of sushi alongside a selection of build-your-own burgers, and many a cocktail.
Tucked away behind Blackpool’s famous copycat Eiffel Tower you’ll find Amaro, a popular local restaurant specialising in classic Italian cooking. A great spot for families and couples alike.
Housing six independent food traders, two bars and a coffee shop, Abington Street Market Food Hall is a great choice for… choice! Great when you’re in a big (or fussy!) group.
What's on: Literature
Take your pick from The Little Library’s carefully curated collection of classics and new releases, adding a recently read book of your own as a replacement.
Elizabeth Gaskell’s House and award-winning garden is a must-see for literature lovers, with a book sale on the second Sunday of the month.
The team at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House continues its deep dive into one of the famous 19th-century author’s texts: Wives and Daughters.
Browse a varied and well curated selection of second-hand books at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House in Manchester’s best second-hand book sale.
Young persons writing and performing workshops based at HOME in the heart of Manchester.
As part of the 2024 Farsley Literature Festival, join us in the shop as cosy crime writer Jonathan Hall chairs an evening of discussion with Tom Hindle and Rachel North. The panel will explore the lure of a glamorous location for thriller writers.
Blah! Blah!! Blah!!! Writers For Café Blah: A #SaveCaféBlah Fundraiser is a reading event that brings together loads of fantastic writers serving up wonderful words.
Brand new from Manchester Metropolitan University is a festival of poetry readings, panel discussions and creative workshops led by academics to show how poems can inspire and change minds.
Culture Guides
Film festivals, animation and the art of action are amongst our highlights of a busy month at the cinema.
Alongside experimental performance, new writing and free arts festivals, we take a look at some of the Christmas shows happening in the North.
Before the festive season completely takes over, we've rounded up some of the best exhibitions to see right now.
Munch away the Autumnal blues with this foodie orientated guide of Tours and Activities in Manchester and the North.
Spanning leftfield pop, forward-thinking classical and heady electronica, check out our latest music picks for autumn.
Take some autumnal eating-out tips from this month's guide to food and drink in Manchester and the North.
Read our latest highlights from the live classical music offer in Manchester and the North, taking in a number of the region's most cherished orchestral forces and venues.
As we move into festive season, Manchester and the North is packed with fun events and activities for families, both indoors and outdoors.
‘This incisive, sharply written novel.’ —The Sunday Times
‘Broady brings tubfulls of humour, drama and fizzing exuberance’ –Boyd Tonkin
‘Dramatises a unique period of American history’ —Literary Review
‘Shot through with magic realism. I loved it.’ —Daily Mail
‘I haven’t laughed harder with a book for a long time.’ —Observer
‘A genuine page-turner’ —Yorkshire Times
‘Elegant and eloquent’ —Daily Mail
‘Shadow Lines is a bibliophile’s dream’ —The Guardian
‘Evocative, haunting, masterful.’ —Claire Fuller
‘Fizzy dialogue and a buoyant sense of humour’ —Daily Mail
- X (Twitter)
Item added to your cart
National creative writing industry day 2023, salt will be taking part in the events – hope to see you there., are you a writer hoping to have your work published would you like the opportunity to meet agents and commissioning editors - to learn how the industry works from its experts and sharpen the skills needed to enter it.
Comma Press invites you to attend the annual National Creative Writing Industry Day, in partnership with The Writing School at Manchester Metropolitan University.
Key Information
- Date: Saturday 4th November 2023 | Time: 9.30-17:15PM (registration open from 08:45am)
- Location: Manchester Writing School, Manchester Metropolitan University
- The National Creative Writing Industry Day 2023 is a full day of events for aspiring writers to gain insight into the publishing industry and advice on how to excel in their practice.
This special event is committed to providing participants with a unique introduction to the publishing industry and its professionals.
- A keynote speech from Isabel Waidner , Goldsmiths Award-winning author of Sterling Karat Gold, Corey Fah Does Social Mobility and We Are Made of Diamond Stuff and Gaudy Bauble .
- Two panel discussions: ‘Building your Readership: How to Market Yourself as an Author’ and ‘Expanding your Practice: Writing Beyond the Book.’
- A choice of four workshops (on a first come first served basis) ranging in topics from Writing on Place to Poetry and Performance.
- Two one-to-one meetings with literary agents to pitch or seek advice on your work-in-progress.
- The opportunity to casually network with fellow writers and publishers both during and after the event.
The day will begin with an introduction and a keynote speech from Isabel Waidner, followed by two panels and a selection of workshops tailored to the needs of those looking to enter the current writing industry. In the afternoon, you can meet one-to-one with literary agents to discuss your works in progress and refine your pitching technique with expert advice from industry professionals.
About the speakers and panellists:
Isabel Waidner is a London-based writer, author of Corey Fah Does Social Mobility,Sterling Karat Gold, We Are Made of Diamond Stuff and Gaudy Bauble. They are the winner of the Goldsmiths Prize 2021 and were shortlisted for the Goldsmiths Prize in 2019, the Orwell Prize for Political Fiction in 2022 and the Republic of Consciousness Prize in 2018, 2020 and 2022. They are a co-founder of the event series Queers Read This at the Institute of Contemporary Arts, and they are an academic in the School of English and Drama at Queen Mary University of London.
The full programme and schedule will be announced soon.
If you have any questions please contact [email protected]
Discover the full list of events.
Subscribe to our emails
Be the first to know about new books and monthly updates.
- Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
- Opens in a new window.
The National Creative Writing Industry Day 2023
Sat Nov 04 2023 at 09:30 am to 05:30 pm
Grosvenor East Building, Cavendish Street,Manchester,M15 6BG,GB | Manchester, EN
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
Host or Publisher Comma Press
It's more fun with friends. share with friends.
IMAGES
VIDEO