11 Academics courses in Yate

LOOKING FOR: ADULT FICTION Kate Barker has worked in publishing for over twenty years as an agent, commissioning editor and ghostwriter. Before setting up her own company, Kate Barker Literary Agency, she spent ten years at Penguin, where she was an Editorial Director for Viking, acquiring fiction and non-fiction. She has also worked for Orion, Curtis Brown and for digital publisher Bookouture. She is looking for commercial and reading group fiction for adults and would love to find an unputdownable thriller like Rosamund Lupton's Three Hours, a funny, heartbreaking contemporary novel like Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams or a romantic comedy with a unique premise like The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary. She also loves historical fiction and series crime. Kate would like you to submit a covering letter, one page synopsis and the first three chapters (Max 5,000 words) of your completed manuscript in a single word document. (In addition to the paid sessions, Kate is kindly offering one free session for low income/under-represented writers. Please email agent121@iaminprint.co.uk to apply, outlining your case for this option which is offered at the discretion of I Am In Print).  By booking you understand you need to conduct an internet connection test with I Am In Print prior to the event. You also agree to email your material in one document to reach I Am In Print by the stated submission deadline and note that I Am In Print take no responsibility for the advice received during your agent meeting. The submission deadline is: Wednesday 22 January 2025

LOOKING FOR: PICTURE BOOKS, MG, YA, ADULT FICTION Molly Jamieson has been working at United Agents Ltd since 2017, working across adult and children’s books, and before that she worked at Curtis Brown. She has recently started building her own client list which already includes million-copy selling authors and bestsellers. Molly has a particular interest in scifi and fantasy across both adult and children’s books. For a sense of her taste, she has recently read and enjoyed Sistersong by Lucy Holland, Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir, Uprooted by Naomi Novik, The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang, and Once Upon A Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber. She loves anything with high stakes, characters you would follow anywhere, big stories, expansive worldbuilding, breathless romance, and threads of adventure running throughout. She is also looking for commercial romantic fiction in all shapes and forms. She has a real soft spot for classic tropes, a great sense of humour, and anything with a clear pitch that makes you sit up and take notice, but in the end it all comes down to chemistry. In this area, she has recently read and loved The Hating Game by Sally Thorne, Book Lovers by Emily Henry, The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren, and The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood. She also represents children’s authors and illustrators in all genres, from picture books up to YA. In one single word document, Molly would like you to submit a covering letter, 1 page synopsis and the first three chapters or 5,000 words of your manuscript in a single word document, whichever is shorter. For picture books, please submit a covering letter and 2 picture books in a single document. Please send EITHER picture books OR another genre, not both in one submission. (In addition to the paid sessions, Molly is kindly offering one free session for low income/under-represented writers. Please email agent121@iaminprint.co.uk to apply, outlining your case for this option which is offered at the discretion of I Am In Print).  By booking you understand you need to conduct an internet connection test with I Am In Print prior to the event. You also agree to email your material in one document to reach I Am In Print by the stated submission deadline and note that I Am In Print take no responsibility for the advice received during your agent meeting. The submission deadline is: Wednesday 22 January 2025

LOOKING FOR: NON-FICTION Eli Keren started his publishing career at Curtis Brown before joining United Agents as an assistant in 2016. In 2021 he became an associate literary agent, representing a growing list of clients across fiction and non-fiction, actively seeking books that are going to make a positive impact in the world in some way, big or small. His role as an agent at Curious Minds Literary Agency began in 2024. Before working in books, Eli was a research scientist designing and synthesising novel drugs (white coat and everything), and science books remain a particular passion of his. In 2022 he wrote and taught a HOW TO WRITE A PROPOSAL course, and in 2023 was elected treasurer of the Association of Authors’ Agents, and in 2024 he judged the inaugural Bloomsbury Academic Writing Fellowship. Eli specialises in helping academics, scientists and researchers to bring their area of expertise to the mass-market in authoritative, ideas-led books in the fields of smart science and current affairs. He is particularly interested in popular science and cultural history, as well as issues-led books and social justice. Eli only occasionally works with memoir.  He is very keen to see non-fiction LGBTQ+ themed books. He enjoys books written by writers who are obsessed with a niche subject and skilled enough communicators to make others fall in love with their subject too. Ultimately he wants to find books that are going to change the world for the better.  Eli would like you to submit a covering letter, 1 -2 page synopsis and the first 5,000 words of your completed manuscript in a single word document. (In addition to the paid sessions, Eli is kindly offering one free session for low income/under-represented writers. Please email agent121@iaminprint.co.uk to apply, outlining your case for this option which is offered at the discretion of I Am In Print).  By booking you understand you need to conduct an internet connection test with I Am In Print prior to the event. You also agree to email your material in one document to reach I Am In Print by the stated submission deadline and note that I Am In Print take no responsibility for the advice received during your agent meeting. The submission deadline is: Monday 3rd February 2025

This coaching programme is for aspiring women leaders in higher education, delivered in real time, fully online. Five workshops have been designed to support you in a group environment to work actively towards realising your professional goals, whatever they may look like, focused on leadership at all levels in higher education. HE needs leaders like you - workshops with Coach Academic will help to propel you to becoming one. For all academics who are female/identify as female. During this coaching experience you will explore and learn from: - your values and beliefs, and how they impact on your professional identity and actions - your beliefs about higher education, leadership, and yourself - your strengths and how to harness them for impact - your areas for development, and embracing the actions you choose to address these - your internal and external blockers, and how to manage these - your motivation - why do you want to lead in HE? From these you will be able to build your confidence and your leadership identity, and take concrete steps towards becoming the leader you aspire to be.

This coaching programme is for aspiring women leaders in higher education, delivered in real time, fully online. Five workshops have been designed to support you in a group environment to work actively towards realising your professional goals, whatever they may look like, focused on leadership at all levels in higher education. HE needs leaders like you - workshops with Coach Academic will help to propel you to becoming one. For all academics who are female/identify as female. During this coaching experience you will explore and learn from: - your values and beliefs, and how they impact on your professional identity and actions - your beliefs about higher education, leadership, and yourself - your strengths and how to harness them for impact - your areas for development, and embracing the actions you choose to address these - your internal and external blockers, and how to manage these - your motivation - why do you want to lead in HE? From these you will be able to build your confidence and your leadership identity, and take concrete steps towards becoming the leader you aspire to be.

LOOKING FOR: PICTURE BOOK TEXTS / ILLUSTRATIONS Lucy Brownridge is a Commissioning Editor at Wide Eyed Editions and Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, and formerly Thames & Hudson where she helped to establish the Children’s list. She has developed and edited books for children with Alan Ahlberg, Quentin Blake, Bruce Ingman, Sandra Dieckmann, Yuval Zommer and Joe Coelho among others. She is the author of Illuminightmare as well as the Portrait of an Artist and Art Masterclass series. She is interested in the history of picture books and is always looking for innovative ways to use the book format. Her favourite books are funny, deceptively simple, thoughtfully written, distinctively illustrated and encourage a love for reading both words and pictures. Lucy would like you to submit the following depending on whether you are a picture book writer / illustrator or both. ABOUT YOU Include a covering letter, in a word document, telling Lucy about yourself and your sources of inspiration. If you have one, include a link to your website. She is keen to read stories she hasn't seen before or see artwork with a distinctive style rather than something that fits with trends. She has particular experience with picture books and illustrated narrative non-fiction. AUTHORS Please send a full manuscript (or 3), in a word document, starting with a short summary/blurb. Make the summary punchy and engaging. Remember that the best picture book stories are simple and every word should count. Do you see this book as part of a series? ILLUSTRATORS If you have a picture book idea please send a story board and a summary of the story. Please send a diverse selection of artworks from your portfolio. It is useful to see examples of the following: people of different ages and ethnicities, character studies showing a range of clothes and expressions, animals, a selection of everyday objects, wide-angle vistas, an example of a book cover (i.e. a classic book reimagined). Please send these in PDF where possible. (In addition to the paid sessions, Lucy is kindly offering one free session for low income/under-represented writers. Please email agent121@iaminprint.co.uk to apply, outlining your case for this option which is offered at the discretion of I Am In Print).  By booking you understand you need to conduct an internet connection test with I Am In Print prior to the event. You also agree to email your material in one document to reach I Am In Print by the stated submission deadline and note that I Am In Print take no responsibility for the advice received during your agent meeting. The submission deadline is: Monday 27th January 2025

LOOKING FOR: ADULT FICTION, NON-FICTION Liza represents a range of fiction and non-fiction. On the fiction side, she is looking for historical fiction that is well researched, immerses readers in the era, and looks at overlooked characters from the past, or perhaps gives a new spin on someone we think we know. On the literary and upmarket side, she is looking for novels infused with emotions that capture the human experience and make readers think. If your literary novel is something at A24 productions might turn into a movie, this is Liza’s taste. When it comes to fantasy, she loves urban and grounded fantasy (no sci-fi please!), and is always happy to look at anything with a vampire, werewolf, witches, warlocks, fairies, and perhaps a sinister selkie or two. She is also very much looking for romantasy and is the best person at the agency to submit that too. For thrillers, send her anything set in an exotic location, high-concept, or things with a speculative twist. She loves when characters are put in situations she would never want to be in, and then they have to get out of it. Her recent favourite fiction includes: Notes on an Execution, Lady Macbethad, Hamnet, A Discovery of Witches, House of Earth and Blood, The Starless Sea, Piranesi, Our Wives Under the Sea, The Pisces, Such A Fun Age. When it comes to non fiction, she is looking for books that teach her something new or reframe a topic from an alternative point of view. This can include cookery, pop science, and social history. Liza’s recent favourite non-fiction include: The Five, A History of Art Without Men, Messalina, The Authority Gap, Finding The Mother Tree, Cook This Book, Dessert Person. Liza would like you to submit a covering letter, 1 - 2 page synopsis and the first 5000 words of your manuscript in a single word document.  (In addition to the paid sessions, Liza is kindly offering one free session for low income/underrepresented writers. Please email agent121@iaminprint.co.uk to apply, outlining your case for this option which is offered at the discretion of I Am In Print).  By booking you understand you need to conduct an internet connection test with I Am In Print prior to the event. You also agree to email your material in one document to reach I Am In Print by the stated submission deadline and note that I Am In Print take no responsibility for the advice received during your agent meeting. The submission deadline is: Monday 27th January 2025

LOOKING FOR: PICTURE BOOKS, MG, YA With a career that has spanned publishing, literary charities and bookselling, Carolyn May McGlone founded the May Literary Agency in 2024 with a focus on the power of creativity to change the world. She is looking for children’s and young adult stories that encourage empathy and hope, which inspire and/or champion new and diverse perspectives, and which speak to your heart and soul. Carolyn is not the right fit for books that have elements of crime, horror or sci-fi. In one single word document, Carolyn would like you to submit a covering letter, a one page synopsis and the first three chapters or 5,000 words of your manuscript, whichever is shorter. For picture books, please submit a covering letter and up to three completed texts. (In addition to the paid sessions, Carolyn is kindly offering one free session for low income/under-represented writers. Please email agent121@iaminprint.co.uk to apply, outlining your case for this option which is offered at the discretion of I Am In Print).  By booking you understand you need to conduct an internet connection test with I Am In Print prior to the event. You also agree to email your material in one document to reach I Am In Print by the stated submission deadline and note that I Am In Print take no responsibility for the advice received during your agent meeting. The submission deadline is: Monday 27th January 2025

LOOKING FOR: MG / YA / ADULT FICTION & NON-FICTION Steven Evans is an Agent and the Company Manager at Eve White. He grew up in Newcastle upon Tyne and studied French & Italian at Queens’ College, Cambridge. After completing an MPhil in Comparative Film & Literature, Steven lived in Paris, where he worked as a university language assistant and a freelancer for various scouting agencies. He joined Eve White Literary Agency in 2021. Steven reads fiction and non-fiction of all kinds. The non-fiction books he loves most often shed light on under-represented perspectives, communities and histories, while in fiction he seeks novels which might explore new ideas, challenge the reader or play with style, form, character and/or plot. Above all, he likes writing which has a sense of purpose, and likes to be taken by surprise. Items on Steven's wish list might include: Fiction (Adult) : Crime/thriller – might be regional or with an unusual hook/high-concept. Might have a speculative element (think Stuart Turton). A spy thriller appeals. Cosy crime with an original setting/protagonist is also welcome. Literary fiction – worlds, characters, perspectives and histories which haven’t been written about before. Might be formally or stylistically innovative (but with a sense of purpose that links back to the story/characters). Historical fiction – themes and ideas relevant to our current moment are on the list. Might be revisionist. Romance – contemporary: either very heartfelt, cosy, perhaps with older characters. Or, spicy, funny, tapping into current trends. Horror – on the literary end, perhaps with a folk tale element. Fiction (YA) : Thrillers Romance Fiction (MG) : Fun, historical adventure exploring contemporary issues. Might be tied into the national curriculum, though without being didactic. Quirky detective/mystery series. Funny and warm-hearted family-/relationship-based drama with a strong voice. Non-fiction : Voice-driven narrative non-fiction ; memoir ; big ideas. Most of all, Steven just loves to be taken into a world and surprised by what he reads! Steven would like you to submit a short covering letter, 1 page synopsis and the first 5,000 words of your novel in a single Word document.  (In addition to the paid sessions, Steven is kindly offering one free session for low income/under-represented writers. Please email agent121@iaminprint.co.uk to apply, outlining your case for this option which is offered at the discretion of I Am In Print).  By booking you understand you need to conduct an internet connection test with I Am In Print prior to the event. You also agree to email your material in one document to reach I Am In Print by the stated submission deadline and note that I Am In Print take no responsibility for the advice received during your agent meeting. The submission deadline is: Tuesday 28th January 2025

LOOKING FOR: PICTURE BOOKS / CHAPTER BOOKS / MG / YA / NEW ADULT inc GRAPHIC NOVELS Gyamfia Osei joined ANA in 2023 as a Literary Agent in the UK department. She was previously an agent at The Good Literary Agency, where she began building her list of authors. Recent successes include a ‘significant’ 6-figure pre-empt for Busayo Matuluko’s YA debut ‘Til Death, a 5-way auction for Quiet Storm by Kimberly Whittam and the shortlisting of Ebinehita Iyere’s Girlhood, Unfiltered at the 2023 British Book Awards. She was also a Bookseller Rising Star in 2024! At ANA, Gyamfia is focusing on developing the agency’s list of children’s authors, while also representing a bespoke list of commercial adult fiction and narrative non-fiction. In the Children’s space, Gyamfia would love to find contemporary stories that are full of heart and joy-driven books across all genres (think Clare Weze, Kimberly Whittam and Elle McNicoll). Funny middle-grade and YA horror are currently at the top of her list and she is also keen to read more teen projects (think Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging and Glow Up Lara Bloom) this year. She is very interested in finding a graphic novel or illustrated project for either MG or YA readers. In the older fiction space, Gyamfia enjoys well-plotted, fast-paced narratives with authentic characters who lodge themselves in her mind long after she’s finished reading (think Sadie, Verity and Girl A). She’s open to a broad range of genres, but would be particularly keen to see romantasy, cosy crime, contemporary romance and tightly plotted domestic noir. Please note that Gyamfia doesn’t consider literary fiction and, in the commercial space, she is not hugely interested in very high fantasy, trauma-focused stories or particularly gruesome horror. In the non-fiction space, she would be happy to consider commercial narrative non-fiction and cultural history projects (think Brit(ish), It’s Not That Radical and Everything I Know About Love). She is very open when it comes to Children’s non-fiction but would be particularly interested to consider unique cookbooks aimed at young chefs, books exploring mental health/wellness and projects that bring the experiences of marginalised children to the forefront. Gyamfia would like you to submit a covering letter, 1 page synopsis and the opening three chapters (max 5,000 words). For picture books please send two texts and a covering letter. For non-fiction please supply a cover letter and proposal with up to 5,000 words of your sample text. Please send EITHER picture books OR another genre, not both in one submission. (In addition to the paid sessions, Gyamfia is kindly offering one free session for low income/under-represented writers. Please email agent121@iaminprint.co.uk to apply, outlining your case for this option which is offered at the discretion of I Am In Print).  By booking you understand you need to conduct an internet connection test with I Am In Print prior to the event. You also agree to email your material in one document to reach I Am In Print by the stated submission deadline and note that I Am In Print take no responsibility for the advice received during your agent meeting. The submission deadline is: Monday 27th January 2025