EMBARGOED: 00.01 [GMT] Wed 18th January 2012

THE LITERARY CONFERENCE

FRI 8TH – SAT 9TH JUNE 2012
FREE WORD CENTRE

Hari Kunzru and Kate Mosse join leading agents, publishers and developers in the UK’s first digital conference aimed directly at writers

The Literary Consultancy (TLC), the UK’s leading manuscript assessment service, is proud to announce a new cutting-edge conference programme aimed at writers practising at all levels. TLC is working with a wide range of exciting associate partners including Arvon Foundation, Commonwealth Writers, Free Word Centre and The Literary Platform, whose combined expertise, broad reach and understanding of the issues is set to culminate in a first-rate series of discussions, case studies and debates.

TLC’s Director Rebecca Swift says: "When The Literary Consultancy was founded in 1996, the publishing landscape looked totally different from how it does today. We need to keep up with the times to help writers in the best possible way, and this conference will address the questions we are all asking ourselves about the future of writing."

Highlights include:

• A keynote address by Hari Kunzru: does new publishing mean new writing? Says Hari: “Writers know only too well that new technologies are shifting the ground beneath our feet. The changes in distribution, promotion, and reading platforms are only part of the story."
• Authors Kate Mosse, Nicola Morgan, Linda Grant and the Guardian’s literary editor Claire Armitstead explore how established writers are making the ‘digital age’ work for them. How active a role are their publishers playing?
• Sophie Rochester, Founder of The Literary Platform, will host a session demonstrating that innovative digital projects are not just the play-field of bestselling authors and established publishers. There are many routes to experimentation and publishing digitally. We'll hear from writers who are working in interesting and imaginative ways with narrative and technology.
• A masterclass on successful self-publishing strategies (including how to make and sell ebooks) with American writer Robert Kroese, author of Self-Publish Your Novel: Lessons from an Indie Publishing Success Story.
• An examination of international market opportunities in the age of the internet, in association with Commonwealth Writers
• The return of Canon Tales, a fast-paced look at what is driving ten of the country’s top publishers and agents, including Simon Trewin, Maria Rejt, Cathryn Summerhayes and David Godwin. They’ll reveal the stories behind some of their favourite discoveries, using a series of rapid-fire visual images: 7 minutes each, with 20 images each lasting 21 seconds. A unique and hugely entertaining experience that will bring writers closer to the key people beyond the slush pile.
• “PEN FACTOR”: two panels made up of agents and publishers from Canon Tales will critique five fiction projects, submitted by delegates in advance of the conference and chosen by TLC. Each panel will in turn be voted on by the author/delegate audience– whose feedback will they agree with the most?

“It's great to see TLC pioneering a long overdue digital Conference for writers, as it's so important to know our options in changing times. I can't wait to see what comes out of it.”  Kate Mosse

“Too often the writer’s perspective is under-represented at digital publishing events. At Writing in the Digital Age, writers will share their experiences with other writers, putting them at the centre of the debate. We’re delighted to be working with TLC on this as it supports our own 2012 commitment to create a suite of resources aimed specifically at writers interested in digital publishing.”  Sophie Rochester, Founder, The Literary Platform

“An exciting opportunity for writers to take part in the most urgent conversation of our times. Be there.” Ruth Borthwick, Chief Executive, Arvon

“Commonwealth Writers is excited to be part of TLC’s digital conference at a time when we’re helping emerging writers to identify and secure their place in a fast changing international publishing market.” Lucy Hannah, Programme Manager, Commonwealth Writers

"There are already conferences for publishers about the impact of new technology on their industry, but Free Word is delighted to host The Literary Conference that is primarily focused on what new technology means for published and unpublished writers, both practically and imaginatively." Rose Fenton, Director, Free Word Centre

Location
Free Word Centre
60 Farringdon Road
London EC1R 3GA

Conference booking information:
Prices for the conference are £390, £240 for concessions.
www.literaryconsultancy.co.uk/events
Email: info@literaryconsultancy.co.uk; tel: 020 7324 2570

Media queries contact:
Jon Slack, jon@amphora.org.uk; 07747 732995

Notes to editors:

• Arvon is a charity that works to ensure anyone can benefit from the transformative power of writing. It offers life-changing creative experiences to anyone who writes, from beginners to published writers, from school age upwards and from all backgrounds. Founded in 1968, Arvon today has a leading position in the world of creative writing. The programme centres around its residential creative writing courses, run at four rural centres in the UK. Arvon also offers residential creative writing courses for schools and communities. 

• Commonwealth Writers – a World of New Fiction, develops, connects and inspires writers. By awarding prizes and running on-the-ground activities, it works in partnership with international literary organisations, the wider cultural industries and civil society to help writers develop their craft in the fifty-four countries of the Commonwealth. With an online writer in residence, interviews with authors and guidance from publishers and industry experts, www.commonwealthwriters.org is a forum where members from anywhere in the world can exchange ideas and contribute to debates. Commonwealth Writers is one of the cultural programmes from the Commonwealth Foundation.

• Free Word Centre is where reading, writing and free speech come together; a dynamic production house for literature, politics and ideas. Located in the heart of London but with an international outlook, the Free Word Centre is home to nine resident organisations and over 25 associates working across literature, literacy and free expression. Free Word runs a diverse programme of events, lectures and performances. Free Word encourages debate and discussion across the worlds of culture and politics, committed to promoting openness, community and intellectual enquiry in a rapidly changing world.

• The Literary Consultancy was the first company to offer writers working at any level the full attention of a professional editor. Since inception it has flourished and diversified, and now offers an international mentoring service and a range of literary events. TLC sees its role as more important than ever as it offers writers independent access to first-class editorial help, and continues to find innovative ways to advise writers about their publishing options and keep track of literary value. TLC is supported by Arts Council England and exclusively recommended by the Guardian’s online books pages.

• The Literary Platform was founded in 2010. Created initially as a free online resource for anyone interested in looking at projects at the intersection of literature and technology, it has since grown into an organisation working on a wide range of digital literature projects. It now offers a range of services to writers, literary organisations and publishers and works with clients such as the Royal Society of Literature, the National Literacy Trust and Pan Macmillan.