32 Courses in Manchester delivered Live Online

LOOKING FOR: ADULT FICTION Nicky Lovick has worked as an editor for over twenty years, working for top five publishers. She is now an agent at WGM Talent, building the books list. She is looking for commercial fiction, from upmarket women’s fiction, bookclub, romance, domestic noir and psychological thrillers, to crime series. She loves hooky stories such as Freida McFadden’s The Housemaid and Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware set in confined settings, such as hotels. She’s always on the lookout for romcoms with a fresh, contemporary feel to them such as Emily Henry’s Book Lovers. Also historical fiction with a twist and sweeping family sagas. Nicky wants you to make her laugh, make her cry or keep her hooked.  Nicky would like you to submit a covering letter, 1-2 page synopsis and the opening three chapters of your manuscript in a single word document.  (In addition to the paid sessions, Nicky 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: Tuesday 9th September 2025

LOOKING FOR: ADULT FICTION Clare set up the Liverpool Literary Agency in 2020 to help address inequality and underrepresentation in the publishing industry. With more than 15 years’ experience of writing and editing professionally, including the publication of two novels, Definitions (2015) and We Are of Dust (2018 - which has received development funding from the Liverpool Film Office for a TV adaptation), she has developed an in-depth knowledge of what commissioning editors and publishers expect to see from a submitted manuscript. With a background in PR and marketing, alongside teaching on creative writing programmes, Clare also has extensive experience in pitching and promoting writers and has been nominated for the Romantic Novelist Association Agent of the Year Award! Clare would love to see historical fiction, crime fiction, psychological thrillers and women’s fiction, but she is open to all great writing with a strong hook in any area (excluding non-fiction, children’s and YA). She actively encourages submissions from writers who have been traditionally under-represented. Clare would like you to submit a covering letter, 1 page synopsis and the first 5,000 words of your manuscript in a single word document. (In addition to the paid sessions, Clare 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 10th September 2025

LOOKING FOR: PICTURE BOOKS, CHAPTER BOOKS, MG, YA Lil is a Senior Editor at Hachette Children's. She has well over 15 years experience in the publishing industry, working for major publishers and literary agents too.  For twelve years, Lil was a Senior Commissioning Editor at Working Partners Ltd – the creatives behind massive commercial hits such as Beast Quest, Warriors and the Daisy Meadows series. There she created globally successful concepts for every age group and developed storylines so the books were unputdownable. Lil is also an author in her own right: she has written 6 books under her own name, and ghost written many others under various pseudonyms.  In every age level, Lil would like to see originality - particularly in voice. A strong character with depth, venturing on a quest that's never been undertaken before will get her excited. The 'quest' doesn't have to be epic in scale, it could be as small as petting the next-door neighbour's dog, or getting the good looking new kid to notice you, it just has to be something a reader will want to invest in. She also loves humour and is happy to see anything quirky (perhaps even downright silly!).  For picture books, Lil would like you to submit a covering letter, and 1 complete manuscript, double-spaced, with spreads marked out, in a single word or PDF doc. For chapter books, MG and YA, please send a covering letter, the first three chapters and a synopsis, double spaced, in a single Word or PDF doc. Please send EITHER picture books OR another genre, not both in one submission. By booking this session you agree to email your material to reach I Am In Print by the stated submission deadline to agent121@iaminprint.co.uk. Please note that I Am In Print take no responsibility for the advice given in your Agent121. The submission deadline is: Monday 8th September 2025

Course Overview The Adobe InDesign course provides a comprehensive exploration of the software, focusing on its powerful tools for creating professional-level layouts and designs. Whether you're preparing marketing materials, publications, or digital assets, this course equips you with the essential skills to navigate the software with confidence. By the end of the course, you will have developed the proficiency to create visually appealing and highly functional documents suitable for various industries, helping to enhance your creative portfolio and advance your career in design and publishing. Course Description This course delves into the key features of Adobe InDesign, teaching learners how to use the software for creating professional publications. Topics covered include layout design, typography, image management, and mastering InDesign’s advanced tools. You will learn how to build multi-page documents, incorporate interactive elements, and refine text and image formatting for clear, aesthetically pleasing designs. Through a structured approach, learners will develop a solid foundation in creating both print and digital materials, honing skills in composition, design consistency, and brand alignment, enabling them to contribute to a wide range of design projects. Course Modules Module 01: Introduction to Adobe InDesign Overview of the interface Navigating tools and panels Setting up documents Basic design principles (See full curriculum) Module 02: Working with Text and Typography Text tool usage Typographic settings and styles Managing fonts and typography hierarchy Paragraph and character formatting (See full curriculum) Module 03: Image and Graphics Integration Inserting and editing images Working with vector graphics Image cropping and resizing Creating and applying effects (See full curriculum) Module 04: Master Pages and Templates Creating and using master pages Designing templates for consistency Applying templates across documents Effective page layout for multi-page documents (See full curriculum) Module 05: Exporting and Output Options Preparing files for print and digital formats Exporting PDFs and interactive documents Colour settings and file management (See full curriculum) Who is this course for? Individuals seeking to enhance their design skills. Professionals aiming to improve their proficiency in Adobe InDesign. Beginners with an interest in graphic design and publishing. Graphic designers, marketers, and creatives looking to broaden their software expertise. Career Path Graphic Designer Desktop Publisher Layout Artist Print Production Coordinator Marketing and Communications Specialist

Write to Impress: Creative Writing Course Overview This comprehensive course on creative writing is designed to unlock your storytelling potential and refine your writing skills across multiple genres. Learners will explore the foundations of creative writing, from constructing compelling narratives to developing vivid characters and authentic dialogue. The course also delves into specialised areas such as poetry, thriller writing, and business communication, offering a broad and versatile skill set. By the end of the course, participants will be equipped with the ability to craft engaging fiction and non-fiction pieces, prepare polished proposals, and confidently approach the publishing process. Ideal for aspiring writers, professionals seeking to enhance their writing abilities, and those passionate about storytelling, this course emphasises clarity, creativity, and critical thinking, enabling learners to write with confidence and impact. Course Description This course covers a wide range of creative writing topics to provide a thorough understanding of narrative techniques and writing styles. Starting with the history and evolution of creative writing, learners will progress through novel writing, non-fiction, and the art of character creation. Emphasis is placed on writing believable dialogue and exploring genre-specific approaches such as horror and children’s literature. Additional modules address poetry, proposal development, and the importance of critical thinking in writing. The course also includes business writing essentials and guidance on editing, evaluating work, and navigating the publishing industry. Throughout the learning journey, students will enhance their analytical skills and learn to express ideas clearly and persuasively. The structured curriculum is ideal for anyone wishing to broaden their writing expertise in a supportive and well-rounded learning environment. Write to Impress: Creative Writing Curriculum: Module 01: Introduction to Creative Writing Module 02: The Development of Creative Writing Module 03: Novel Writing Module 04: Writing Non-Fiction Module 05: Creating Fictional Characters Module 06: Writing Realistic Dialogue Module 07: Writing Horrors, Thriller and Murder Stories Module 08: Writing for Children Module 09: Writing Poetry Module 10: Proposal Writing Module 11: Critical Thinking Module 12: Business Writing Module 13: Other Writings Module 14: Editing, Evaluating and Getting Published (See full curriculum) Who is this course for? Individuals seeking to develop creative writing skills. Professionals aiming to improve their writing for career advancement. Beginners with an interest in storytelling and literary arts. Writers looking to explore various writing styles and genres. Career Path Author or Novelist Content Writer or Copywriter Editor or Publisher Scriptwriter or Screenwriter Communications Specialist Marketing and Proposal Writer

Course Overview The "Creative Writing Course: Writing Storybooks for Children" is designed to guide aspiring writers through the process of crafting captivating children's storybooks. This course covers essential aspects of writing for a young audience, including coming up with creative ideas, mastering writing mechanics, and understanding the specific requirements of children's literature. Participants will gain insight into various types of children's books and advanced fiction techniques to elevate their storytelling. By the end of the course, learners will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to begin creating engaging, well-structured, and age-appropriate narratives for children, enhancing their confidence in writing for the children's literature market. Course Description This course takes learners through the fundamental steps of writing children's storybooks. It starts with generating ideas for stories, exploring the mechanics of effective writing, and addressing key technical issues that are crucial in writing for younger readers. Learners will examine different types of children's books, from picture books to chapter books, and gain an understanding of how to tailor their writing for different age groups. Advanced fiction techniques will be introduced to help learners develop a unique voice and create compelling narratives. Throughout the course, learners will engage with practical exercises and examples that refine their writing skills. By the end, participants will be confident in their ability to craft engaging stories that resonate with children, understanding both the creative and technical aspects of children's literature. Course Modules Module 01: Introduction Introduction to the course and key objectives Overview of the children's book market Understanding the target audience for children's books Module 02: Coming Up With Ideas Techniques for generating story ideas Understanding children's interests and developmental stages Crafting a compelling central theme Module 03: The Mechanics of Writing Essential writing techniques for children's books Building engaging plots and subplots Developing well-rounded characters Module 04: Important Technical Issues Addressing language and style in children's books Formatting and structure considerations Navigating word count and pacing Module 05: Types of Children's Books Overview of different children's book genres Writing for picture books, early readers, and chapter books Genre-specific writing tips and techniques Module 06: Advanced Fiction Techniques Incorporating advanced storytelling techniques Creating depth and emotional impact Writing memorable endings Module 07: Conclusion Final thoughts on writing children's books Preparing for submission or publication Next steps for budding authors (See full curriculum) Who is this course for? Individuals seeking to write children's storybooks Professionals aiming to develop their creative writing skills Beginners with an interest in writing for children Writers looking to specialise in children's literature Career Path Children's book author Children's editor or publisher Freelance writer for children's media Creative writing teacher or tutor Literary agent specialising in children's books

LOOKING FOR: ADULT FICTION, NON-FICTION Una is a Rights Agent at Susanna Lea Associates and am starting to build a client list. She grew up in London and graduated from the University of Cambridge with a BA in English in 2021. At university, Una was particularly interested in contemporary West African and South Asian literature. She started as an agent's assistant at SLA London in 2022 and now handles some translation rights and provides support with editorial work and submissions. Una's favourite reads always set her at ease right away and draws her in with impressive and accessible storytelling, memorable characters or an original hook. Una enjoys writing which expands her worldview, makes her laugh out loud or keeps her on her toes with its twists and turns. She welcomes submissions from debut authors and would be keen to read across a wide range of genres and styles. She is looking for literary, upmarket and book club fiction, and is always drawn to stories that explores the challenges and complexities of love and relationships in all its forms —within families, between friends or in romantic relationships. Una loves the way in which familial relationships are dissected in The Wren, The Wren by Anne Enright and the impact of the local community in Small Worlds by Caleb Azumah Nelson. She is always drawn to novels with a strong sense of community, whether they are unified by geography, culture, or in other unexpected ways. Una has always loved reading international and translated fiction and welcomes submissions from authors writing contemporary fiction that engages with cultures and traditions from around the world, such as in voices of the deities in Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi or the subversive tales of Sayaka Murata. She is not looking for children’s or YA titles, science fiction or high-concept fantasy, but is open to submissions from authors writing in the speculative fiction space, and books with fantastical or otherworldly elements, be that magical realism or supernatural horror, such as Mona Awad's campus novel with a twist, Bunny. Una would also love to read more writing that engages with the natural world and reminds us of the limitations of human understanding. In non-fiction, Una enjoys books that furthers her understanding of wider societal issues — nature and the environment, culture, and little-known history. Her recent non-fiction favourites are Eve by Cat Bohannon, Doppelgänger by Naomi Klein and Unearthed by Claire Ratinon. Una 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. (In addition to the paid sessions, Una 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 22nd September 2025

Certificate in Intellectual Property (CIP) Why Attend As international trade and business continues to evolve, the importance of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) becomes increasingly vital. With new technologies and products relying heavily on IPRs, governments around the world are competing to offer higher levels of protection in order to attract investments and promote local innovation and production. Due to the complex nature of the scientific, economic, social, and theoretical aspects of IPRs, it is crucial for entities to have a comprehensive understanding of these issues. During this course, through practical workshops, case studies and expert knowledge, participants will gain an understanding of the concepts, theories, legislative and practical elements necessary to develop a successful IP strategy for their organization. Course Methodology In this interactive training course participants will frequently work in pairs as well as in larger groups to complete exercises, and regional and international case studies Course Objectives By the end of the course, participants will be able to: Understand the theoretical background of Intellectual Property (IP) and the various types of IP existence Understand the international and local set of conventions and laws governing IPRs Demonstrate deep knowledge of the conditions that should exist in each type of IPR, their registration, licensing and enforcement Apply knowledge of IPRs in all legal fields including contracts and litigation Participate effectively in building a comprehensive IP strategy for their organization Target Audience This course is suitable for professionals working in the legal and IP filed, including but not limited to; lawyers, in-house counsels, governmental officials, police, customs, health authorities, researchers, university lecturers, publishers, IP agents as well as researchers who are interested in having deeper knowledge about IP in the GCC. It will also highly benefit in-house councils who recently joined their companies in the GCC as it will give them all the knowledge needed to handle all IP issues within the region. Target Competencies General principles of IPRs Trademarks, Patents, Copyright Principles of IP Enforcement Building IP Strategy Note The Dubai Government Legal Affairs Department has introduced a Continuing Legal Professional Development (CLPD) programme to legal consultants authorised to practise through a licensed firm in the Emirate of Dubai. We are proud to announce that the Dubai Government Legal Affairs Department has accredited EMG Associates as a CLPD provider. In addition, all our legal programmes have been approved. This PLUS Specialty Training Legal course qualifies for 4 elective CLPD points. Introduction and basic concepts Types of IPRs Main theories justifying IP protection The role of IP in economic development The Role of IP in innovation and creativity The globalization of IPRs protection International conventions Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) and the World Trade Organization The GCC Cooperation in the field of IP protection Trademarks and copyright Definition and types of marks Scope of trade marks protection Registration procedures and rights conferred to trade mark owner Legal protection of trade marks Subject matter and conditions of copyright Types of protected works Financial and moral rights Fair use, duration of protection and legal protection for copyright Patents and trade secrets Patentable inventions and types of patents Registration process Ownership and rights conferred to patent owner Employer-employee inventions and legal protection for patents Definition of trade secrets and confidential information Elements of trade secrets Utilization of trade secrets commercially Legal protection of trade secrets Building a strong IP strategy and strategic management of IPRs Overview and basic concepts Understand your business and your IP needs IP audit and building the portfolio Onward licensing (licensing process and contracts) IP commercialization mechanisms and maximizing the benefits Practical steps to building a successful IP strategy IP valuation - your gateway to know how much your IP worth Assessment of the IP strategy for further success

Duration 5 Days 30 CPD hours This course is intended for The course provides an intensive hands-on experience for key system administration tasks with the goal of making the system administrator job-ready. Overview Administer the Oracle Solaris 11 Host on an Existing Network Administer Oracle Solaris Zones Control Access to Systems and Files Install Oracle Solaris 11 Operating System Administer User Accounts Administer System Processes and Schedule System Tasks Manage Data by Using ZFS Manage Boot and Shutdown of a System Administer Services by Using SMF Administer Software Packages by Using IPS and Manage Boot Environments Describe the use of IPS in packaging the Oracle Solaris OS Manage boot environments Updating the OS by using IPS The Oracle Solaris 11 System Administration training covers the full range of introductory system administration tasks on Oracle Solaris 11.3 OS. The topics covered range from installing the operating system on a single system, to monitoring and basic troubleshooting. The Oracle Solaris 11 System Administration course is designed to provide new system administrators, as well as enterprise system administrators who are new to the Oracle Solaris 11 Operating System, with the skills they need to perform their job tasks successfully and efficiently. Installing Oracle Solaris 11 Operating System Introduction to Oracle Solaris 11 OS Planning for Oracle Solaris 11 OS installation Installing Oracle Solaris 11 OS by Using the Live Media Installer Installing Oracle Solaris 11 OS Using the Text Installer Verifying the OS Installation Managing Boot and Shutdown of Systems Analyze the boot design and boot process Boot a SPARC-based system Boot an x86-based system Shut down a system Administering Services by Using SMF Describing SMF and its components Administering SMF Services Administering Software Packages by Using IPS and Managing Boot Environments Describing IPS, its components, and interfaces Configuring an IPS Client to Access the Local IPS Repository Managing Package Publishers Managing Software Packages Managing Signed Packages and Package Properties Describe the use of IPS in packaging the Oracle Solaris OS Manage boot environments Updating the OS by using IPS Managing Data by Using ZFS Introducing ZFS Administering ZFS Storage Pools Administering ZFS File Systems Administering ZFS Properties Administering ZFS Snapshots and Clones Administering the Network Reviewing Networking Fundamentals Administering Datalink Configuration Administering a Network Interface Administering Profile-Based Network Configuration Configuring a Virtual Network Verifying the Network Operations Managing Resources on the Virtual Network Administering Oracle Solaris Zones Introducing Oracle Solaris Zones Configuring an Oracle Solaris Zone Determining an Oracle Solaris Zone Configuration Controlling Access to Systems and Files Controlling Access to Systems Controlling Access to Files Securing Access to Remote Host Administering User Accounts Getting Started with the User Administration Setting Up User Accounts Maintaining User Accounts Configuring User Disk Quotas Managing System Processes and System Tasks Managing System Processes Scheduling System Administration Tasks

Duration 3 Days 18 CPD hours This course is intended for Application developers who want to build cloud-native applications or redesign existing applications that will run on Google Cloud Platform Overview This course teaches participants the following skills: Use best practices for application development. Choose the appropriate data storage option for application data. Implement federated identity management. Develop loosely coupled application components or microservices. Integrate application components and data sources. Debug, trace, and monitor applications. Perform repeatable deployments with containers and deployment services. Choose the appropriate application runtime environment; use Google Container Engine as a runtime environment and later switch to a no-ops solution with Google App Engine flexible environment. Learn how to design, develop, and deploy applications that seamlessly integrate components from the Google Cloud ecosystem. This course uses lectures, demos, and hands-on labs to show you how to use Google Cloud services and pre-trained machine learning APIs to build secure, scalable, and intelligent cloud-native applications. Best Practices for Application Development Code and environment management. Design and development of secure, scalable, reliable, loosely coupled application components and microservices. Continuous integration and delivery. Re-architecting applications for the cloud. Google Cloud Client Libraries, Google Cloud SDK, and Google Firebase SDK How to set up and use Google Cloud Client Libraries, Google Cloud SDK, and Google Firebase SDK. Lab: Set up Google Client Libraries, Cloud SDK, and Firebase SDK on a Linux instance and set up application credentials. Overview of Data Storage Options Overview of options to store application data. Use cases for Google Cloud Storage, Cloud Firestore, Cloud Bigtable, Google Cloud SQL, and Cloud Spanner. Best Practices for Using Cloud Firestore Best practices related to using Cloud Firestore in Datastore mode for:Queries, Built-in and composite indexes, Inserting and deleting data (batch operations),Transactions,Error handling. Bulk-loading data into Cloud Firestore by using Google Cloud Dataflow. Lab: Store application data in Cloud Datastore. Performing Operations on Cloud Storage Operations that can be performed on buckets and objects. Consistency model. Error handling. Best Practices for Using Cloud Storage Naming buckets for static websites and other uses. Naming objects (from an access distribution perspective). Performance considerations. Setting up and debugging a CORS configuration on a bucket. Lab: Store files in Cloud Storage. Handling Authentication and Authorization Cloud Identity and Access Management (IAM) roles and service accounts. User authentication by using Firebase Authentication. User authentication and authorization by using Cloud Identity-Aware Proxy. Lab: Authenticate users by using Firebase Authentication. Using Pub/Sub to Integrate Components of Your Application Topics, publishers, and subscribers. Pull and push subscriptions. Use cases for Cloud Pub/Sub. Lab: Develop a backend service to process messages in a message queue. Adding Intelligence to Your Application Overview of pre-trained machine learning APIs such as Cloud Vision API and Cloud Natural Language Processing API. Using Cloud Functions for Event-Driven Processing Key concepts such as triggers, background functions, HTTP functions. Use cases. Developing and deploying functions. Logging, error reporting, and monitoring. Managing APIs with Cloud Endpoints Open API deployment configuration. Lab: Deploy an API for your application. Deploying Applications Creating and storing container images. Repeatable deployments with deployment configuration and templates. Lab: Use Deployment Manager to deploy a web application into Google App Engine flexible environment test and production environments. Execution Environments for Your Application Considerations for choosing an execution environment for your application or service:Google Compute Engine (GCE),Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE), App Engine flexible environment, Cloud Functions, Cloud Dataflow, Cloud Run. Lab: Deploying your application on App Engine flexible environment. Debugging, Monitoring, and Tuning Performance Application Performance Management Tools. Stackdriver Debugger. Stackdriver Error Reporting. Lab: Debugging an application error by using Stackdriver Debugger and Error Reporting. Stackdriver Logging. Key concepts related to Stackdriver Trace and Stackdriver Monitoring. Lab: Use Stackdriver Monitoring and Stackdriver Trace to trace a request across services, observe, and optimize performance.