Writers' Symposium - Breaking the Code: from published to best-selling author
Breaking the Code: from published to best-selling author
By Suraya Dewing (NZ) and Mat Clarke (AU)
Proudly brought to you by The Story Mint and World Writers Collective
Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 October 2018
The Wheeler Centre, 176 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 3000
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Writers Symposium
Make the leap and attend a writer’s symposium designed to help you take control of your writing career and propel you into the author market.
Yes, it is a tough market! But many have done it, so why can't you?
This is an international forum for writers to exchange knowledge and experiences with editors, social media experts, literary agents, indie publishers, traditional publishers and reviewers.
Writers, learn how to make the transition from published writer to financially successful author!
Speakers are coming from Australia, New Zealand, UK, India, France and the USA. They will present both personally and via teleconference.
Who should attend Breaking the Code: from published to best-selling author?
- writers at all stages of development
- writers wanting to make money from their writing
- bucket list writers (yes, the one's who say that 'one day, I'll write a book')
Who is presenting Breaking the Code: from published to best-selling author?
Jointly presented by:
- The Story Mint
- World Writers Collective
- Our amazing sponsors: The Moat, Sue Ellson
- Our amazing presenters and facilitators: listed below
Opening
We will be opening with a pre-recorded video message from New York-based Founder and President of the successful international literary and film consultancy, Langtons International Agency.
Linda Langton was a co-founder and director of The Ink Company in Australia and New Zealand before moving to New York. She will answer your questions if you submit them to either suraya@thestorymint.com or matclarke.author@gmail.com by 31 August 2018.
What is in the program for Breaking the Code: from published to best-selling author?
We have over 30 speakers from six countries, all experts in their fields related to writing, publishing and promoting. Most sessions are delivered by speakers and panellists happy to take your questions. Others are hands-on workshops in a smaller room. Four sessions are delivered via teleconference from USA, India and France.
Set the agenda of what you learn when you purchase your ticket by choosing the ones you wish to attend. The sessions are listed below.
Please note: The programme may change depending on your feedback.
This is what we currently have in store for you over this outstanding weekend (subject to change):
Compere - Cory Corbett – actor, producer and writer (AU)
Day 1 Saturday 6 October 2018 8:30am- 5:00pm
(There are five minute breaks between each session)
8.00-9.30 Registration. Meet and greet, coffee, tea and biscuits
9.30 Setting the theme. Breaking the code: From published to best-selling author
Welcome and Symposium Opening: Linda Langton, Founder and President of the successful international literary and film consultancy group, New York Langton’s International Agency. Formerly from Australia. Pre-recorded. (US)
Stylefit™ - New Technology and New Possibilities
Suraya Dewing – CEO, The Story Mint, (NZ)
Linda Alley – writer (AU)
Andrew Harris – writer (UK and NZ)
(Early lunch will be served from 11.00am to 1.00pm at The Moat, a fabulous restaurant tucked beneath Melbourne's iconic State Library)
Discussion - A story not sold is a story not told
Part 1 Nishant Kaushik, Shmavon Azatyan, Shriram Iyer,
Editing – Preparing for Publication
Robyn Kindler – TAFE and AMES literacy and numeracy tutor (AU)
Editing – Marketing
Tahnee Hopman – editing and marketing communications (AU)
Jessica Anwyl – writer and marketing strategist (AU)
A Writer’s Journey
Jocelyn Harewood – Author of Romper Stomper, YA novels and travel writer for Lonely Planet (AU)
The Power of PR – Selling You, Your Brand and Your Books
Andrew Harris – author The C Clef and A Litany of Good Intentions (UK)
Session includes a teleconference with Andrew’s PR agency in the USA
Personal brand and content reach
Clare Dea – nominated for Telstra Business Woman of the Year, international performance artist, speaker and mentor (AU)
Davin Clarke – business coach, brand creator (AU)
Tom Ahern – founder of MindMate, Adventurer and Broadcaster (AU)
Dialogue between literary agent, book promoter and author
Hemali Ajmera – writer and Lalitha Ravindran Literary Agent and Book Promoter (IN) (Teleconference)
Indie Publishing: Tools Indie writers have to promote their work (includes demonstration)
Andrew Tesoriero – Up and Up Media and Launch Pad Writers Club (AU)
Day 2 Sunday 7 October 2018 8:30am - 4:30pm
8.30am Developing a holistic digital marketing and social media communications strategy
Rebekah Radice – serial Entrepreneur and Social Media Leader (US) (Teleconference)
Building an online presence through online publications
Azadeh Nafissi – writer, filmmaker and social media manager (FR) (Teleconference)
How social media works for writers
Sue Ellson – author ‘120 Ways To Achieve Your Purpose With LinkedIn,’ ‘120 Ways To Attract The Right Career Or Business’ and ‘120 Ways To Market Your Business Hyper Locally’ (AU)
A writer runs a small business
Anna Cairo – author ‘The Business of Being Social’ (AU)
(Early lunch is served from 11.30am - 1.00pm)
From a publisher's perspective
Blaise van Hecke – Owner at Busybird Publishing
Lazaros Zigomanis – Publications Manager and Chief Editor, Busybird Publishing
Screen writing - writing believable dialogue
Stu Mentha – playwright, blogger, producer (AU)
Noel Anderson – playwright and director (AU)
Question Time
Part 1 Jocelyn Harewood, George Sharp, Cassie Lane (AU)
Part 2 Les Zigomanis, Robyn Kinder, Victoria Blandin (AU)
Discovering the world of imagination
Louise Crossley – ELICOS course coordinator, author, curriculum writer (AU)
Solene Anglaret – founder, writer, presenter of Be Beyond Borders (AU)
Traditional and self publishing (discussion)
Self published: Ana Spoke, Andrew Tesoriero (AU)
Traditional: Rachel Matthews, Cassie Lane (AU)
Wrap up.
Workshops
- Developing your pitch to agents and publishers
- Writing games and editing help from professionals
- What to send in a query letter, and then once you are accepted what to send. Also how to structure each area
- Editing nitty gritty, writing dialogue, mapping out characters
- How to craft a query letter, synopsis, biography
- Pitching to agents and publishers (this session only - $30)
Mat Clark – Author and Founder of the World Writers Collective
Special Activities
- Three-minute pitch to Literary Agent or Publisher (tbc)
- Sunday night dinner with a selection of hosts and creatives (tbc)
Refreshments
Did I hear you ask about free snacks? Carry on the conversation with the presenters and your fellow writers over complimentary morning tea and light lunch.
You won’t have to think about anything else except getting published and how many books you are going to sell...
Venue
The Wheeler Centre is Melbourne’s place to be if you want to know what is what with writing. It is why we have gathered so many experienced people together in this wonderful space to bring you an amazing symposium over one weekend of intensive learning. If your brain does not hurt by the closing on Saturday, then knuckle down because we have so much more on Sunday.
Three minute pitch to a Literary Agent or Publisher
A three-minute pitch session is being prepared for the second day (Sunday) as a separately ticketed event. However, it will only be available if you have bought tickets to the symposium. Planning for this is currently in its infancy. Once (if) it is confirmed we will release details straight away.
Please ensure you attend at least one of our workshops involving preparing your pitch so that you are ready for the big day in front of a literary agent /publisher.
Sunday night dinner with a selection of hosts and creatives
We plan to have an exclusive Sunday dinner with many of the speakers you will hear from over your time with us. This will give you time to wind down and chat with many great people who are excited about writing and publishing. This separate ticket sale will be released closer to August. Stay tuned.
Questions and Answers
The Q&A area about the symposium can be found on The Story Mint and World Writers Collective websites.
Special Membership Offers
Included with your ticket purchase are year-long memberships to The Story Mint (USD$95) and World Writers Collective (AUD$20). These two memberships have enormous benefits to you as a writer and will save you cash and reward you with many writing and publishing benefits.
Special Subscription Lists
You’ll also be added to our subscription lists and receive exciting updates on writing, editing, and publishing as well as have the opportunity to become involved with many free offers, such as writing competitions and serial stories. Each of these comes with the fantastic opportunity of becoming published on either The Story Mint or World Writers Collective.
Tickets are selling fast!
Get in quick - early bird until 19 August. After that date price per ticket increases $50
Community Ticket $199
This ticket is for students and concession card holders. We want you to be able to join us. This is an early bird price which runs until 19 august 2018. All tickets go up by $50 per ticket after that date. Includes GST + Booking Fee
Standard Ticket
This is for aspiring writers, trainees and junior managers. Earlybird price extended to 19 August 2018. All tickets go up by $50 per ticket after that date. Includes GST + Booking Fee
Professional
This ticket applies to senior executives and writers, marketers and associated professionals. Earlybird price until 19 August 2018. All tickets go up by $50 per ticket after that date. Includes GST + Booking Fee
Group (up to 10 people) $2200 Earlybird price until 19 August 2018. All tickets go up by $50 per ticket after that date. Includes GST + Booking Fee
Any other questions?
suraya@thestorymint.com or matclarke.author@gmail.com
Remember, persistence in this enjoyable and difficult creative path will see you through.