54067 Courses in Congleton delivered Online

LOOKING FOR: YA/NA FANTASY, SFF, HORROR, ADULT FICTION John Baker (he/him) joined the Bell Lomax Moreton agency in 2019, cultivating a list shaped around his passion for science fiction, fantasy, and horror, though has lately also branched out into action/adventure fiction. John focuses on authors writing in the Adult, New Adult, and YA spaces. John leads the wider agency's film & TV desk, is the Secretary of the Association of Author’s Agents, and the co-chair of the AAA’s Bridge Committee. He also serves on the Kingston University MA Publishing Advisory Board. Under the umbrella of speculative fiction, John is looking for fantasy, science fiction, horror, romantasy, or literary speculative fiction. He has built a reputation as a champion of underrepresented voices and stories, be it from creators hailing from the global majority and their diasporas or neurodiverse authors, and naturally gravitates towards this kind of storytelling. In short, if he’s never read a story like yours before, he wants to see it. Adult fantasy: John loves beefy epic fantasy, especially non-Anglo Christian-inspired. Give him an immersive world, a fresh magical or mythic system, and an exciting cast of characters and he’ll be happy. He is a broad church in the genre so loves a political fantasy, swords and sorcery, courtly intrigue, monster hunting and dastardly villains. John is keen to find an urban fantasy that feels fresh and fun and he’s a sucker for a heroic quest narrative. He’s also very open to fantasy that isn’t easily categorised, but it is playing in that world. John is keenly hunting for more historical fantasy, especially inspired by modern history. He’s had fun with mythological retellings in the past, but as ever, let’s make sure it’s shining the spotlight on new stories. He would also love fantasy that centres on types of relationships less celebrated in fantasy, such as established and secure married couples, or siblings. NA/YA fantasy: In this genre, most importantly, John wants to have a good time, whether it’s swoon-worthy kisses in lush ball gowns, or gruesome gore and monsters, so send him pacy, plot-filled adventures. He’d love more books that teenage boys would love: Skullduggery Pleasant forever! Romantasy: The thriving new romantasy genre comes with its own set of challenges, so John wants to know what makes your romantasy different; what will set it out from the (very crowded!) market. Give it completely barmy stakes, cool and unique new settings, or a love story that will make your jaw drop. To be clear, he’s happily sorted for a human person meets a fae creature in the spooky woods. Also, cosmic romance is the genre of the future. Give him romantasy in space. Easy. Horror: John and horror are old friends. He loves horror inspired by myth and folklore, subversive weird horror that leaves your eyebrows in your hairline, historical horror that pulls from ghastly true stories, and anything that you’ll be reading with the light on. He also loves a gothic element and is particularly looking for horror with a strong romantic throughline, fun YA horror, and female & NB horror authors. Science fiction: SF is coming back! And John has been shouting about that. He loves to see an adventurous found-family romp through space or an epic, crunchy space opera. Speculative near-future is fun too, in the vein of Black Mirror’s more uplifting episodes, (e.g. San Junipero). He loves YA science fiction as well; the more creative the better. Literary: John is open to finding more rich magical realism or something character-led yet supernatural and would love a high-concept mystery, in the vein of Stuart Turton. He also loves spec fic that uses the speculative lightly as a way of confronting a deeper truth in society today. Weird stuff: John wants books that will blow people’s minds and defy categorisation. This is hard to describe, but think Gideon The Ninth, The Library At Mount Char, This Is How You Lose The Time War. John loves a pitch that leaves the editors baffled but intrigued. Action/Adventure, Historical Adventure, Espionage: John is branching out into non-speculative adventures, such as John Le Carré, Lee Child, Ian Flemming, and Mick Herron. More as his taste develops, but the hunt is on! Not looking for: military sci-fi or hard SF, or anything with biblical “character wakes up in purgatory/heaven/hell” narratives. The right comedic fantasy has yet to hit his inbox, but please don’t comp Douglas Adams or Sir Terry. John would like you to submit a covering letter, 1-2 page synopsis and the first two chapters of your manuscript in a single word document. (In addition to the paid sessions, John 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 15th July 2025

LOOKING FOR: ADULT FICTION, NON-FICTION Florence has been at A M Heath for five years and represents a range of commercial fiction and non-fiction. For fiction, comforting, funny and warm reads, as well as gripping page-turners, will always be Florence's cup of tea. Her favourite thing is to escape with a story she can’t put down. If you think your book fits that, then do send it to her.  Books in this vein that really left her wanting one more chapter include Marian Keyes’s character, Rachel, from Rachel’s Holiday that left Florence with a compassion for addiction that only the most skilled of writers can conjure. Florence finds Catherine Newman to be a genius for making hospice care so funny in We All Want Impossible Things. Smart page turners such as Anatomy of a Scandal, Such a Fun Age, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, wowed her with clever, gripping prose and complicated, flawed characters she hadn't met before. She also loves older classics like the Cazalet Chronicles and Georgette Heyer’s Regency novels. Florence is actively looking for writers who are under-represented in the publishing world, through non-traditional channels, as well as her submissions. She’s keen to find non-fiction and fiction writers who speak to a millennial and younger audience, be that a journalist who is looking to expand an idea, a screenwriter who is looking to try their hand at fiction or perhaps an activist with a social media platform.  She is also interested in environmental and social issues. The authors she represents include Jaspreet Kaur, Salma El-Wardany, Rachel Thompson, Annie Lord, Angelica Malin and Phil Ellis. Their books range from the heart-breaking and profound to the inspirational, funny and wise, with almost everything in between. Florence does not wish to receive, YA, Fantasy or Sci-fi.  Florence 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, Florence 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: Wednesdy 16th July 2025

Following Jesus could leave even St Paul saying, ‘now we see dimly’. It is altogether too wonderful and beyond human understanding to be reduced to questions and answers. We find ourselves in the quirky, even contradictory world of parables, led down apparent side tracks, losing and finding, as we trace the gifts and movements of the Spirit. Each relationship of accompaniment must find its own way of making this journey as we seek the wisdom and guidance of Christ together. We will be exploring this together in the context of the New Testament and our work and experience as spiritual directors. David Runcorn calls himself a ‘free-range priest’. He is a theological teacher, speaker and spiritual director and trainer. He is the author of a number of books – including The Language of Tears and Playing in the Dust - a pilgrimage with the creation stories.

Leadership and Management development, Leadership training, management training, Leadership development

Motorsport is as much a business as it is a sport. Our new master’s programme will provide students with a broad range of modules which examine the national and international aspects of the industry from a commercial perspective. From governance, structure and international sports law, through to the importance and interdependence of commercial rights holders, promoters, manufacturer, teams, sponsors and the role played by the media, this course is aimed at enhancing the professional and career prospects of those with an aspiration of working within this exciting and challenging global industry. Our programme will help you to develop as professionals with a strong grounding in ethics and a clear sense of how motorsport relates to various cultures, stakeholders and the sectors it interacts with.

Communication is the essence of leadership. This programme is the flagship of our leadership courses, focusing on creating a culture of positive interaction and clear, respectful exchanges whilst maintaining high-performance productivity, ownership, and innovation. Prior to the learning session, delegates complete the TruTalent™ Learning & Productivity (TTL & P), a 20-minute online survey assessing individual productivity preferences and learning styles. This assessment identifies work and learning preferences across 4 styles and 12 environmental and mindset preferences. These elements significantly influence how individuals achieve and perform in work-based learning environments. They also affect how people concentrate, make decisions, solve problems, process information, approach and complete tasks, retain new and complex information, develop new skills, and interact with others. Throughout the course, delegates will learn how to: Utilise the TruTalent™ Learning & Productivity assessment to increase productivity and maximise performance Set meaningful professional goals and celebrate success for incremental progress towards achievement Inspire innovation within teams to increase ownership and accountability Empower employees and increase engagement through effective, positive feedback Focus on positivity, setting an example for others that the organisation embraces a "yes" and solutions-oriented approach Improve spoken and written communications, creating an authoritative image of expertise This Leadership Skills course is a 4-hour interactive virtual class. Upon registration, delegates will receive online login instructions prior to the class date. This format allows for a collaborative learning experience from the comfort of one's own home or office, enabling leaders to enhance their skills and drive organisational success.

EFQM Performance Improvement Practitioner Course A 2-day deep-dive workshop on RADAR and how to use it as an agile project performance framework. The essential course for anyone wanting to learn more about the RADAR logic and how to build a continuous improvement culture and mindset across your whole organisation.   Who is it for? This course is suitable for anyone who wants to understand the RADAR logic and how it can be used to make their organisation more effective. Whilst this training is effective as a stand-alone course; it is also a Level 1 option for anyone considering one of the EFQM qualification routes as a way of progressing their management development and career.   Benefits By the end of the course, participants will be able to: Explain the overall RADAR logic Explain the main principles of positive culture and mindset for driving performance Describe how RADAR can be implemented into an organisation to improve performance at every level Identify how to use RADAR to drive the management agenda Apply RADAR across day-to-day initiatives and key projects as an agile project performance framework. Programme The main topics covered during the EFQM Performance Improvement Practitioner training are: RADAR logic and examples of how it can be used Using RADAR to drive the management agenda Using RADAR to drive strategic initiatives Using RADAR to set up strategic KPI’s RADAR as a Performance Improvement Framework Case studies and group exercises RADAR Improvement Matrix self-assessment The training is spread over two days and is delivered in a virtual classroom setting (Zoom or Microsoft Teams), using videos, group discussions, case studies and activities in breakout rooms and presentations from the trainer.   Further Development The EFQM Performance Improvement Practitioner training provides core knowledge about the RADAR Logic. In some cases, the training will have fulfilled an individual's learning needs. In many cases, the individual will want to consolidate their learning by applying the theory to a practical task. We encourage you to apply RADAR to a practical, work-based project, and we provide guidance on how to approach and complete your project.    Completion of the RADAR Performance Improvement Project also allows you to progress to one of the advanced EFQM qualification programmes: EFQM Performance Improvement Leader, EFQM Assessor or EFQM Organisational Change Leader.   EFQM Performance Improvement Leader If you successfully complete the EFQM Performance Improvement Practitioner training and the subsequent project, you are invited to apply for the EFQM Performance Improvement Leader assessment. You will be guided and coached by an EFQM trainer and asked to present your project to the EFQM expert panel. Here you will answer questions about how you applied the RADAR logic and principles (we provide participants with templates for running the project, as well as a high-level mid-term review). You will also receive feedback on how to improve and maximise the use of RADAR for future endeavours. Dates and time: This is a two day on-line workshop delivered on the 12th of June & 18th of June from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM GMT Cost: £1000 + VAT

LOOKING FOR: ADULT FICTION / NON-FICTION Ciara McEllin is building her list as a Junior Agent at Watson Little. She reads widely across book club, upmarket and literary fiction. Within these areas, she is drawn to novels that examine family and relationship dynamics, sexuality, identity, and vulnerability. Ciara is keen to hear from writers who take a fresh approach to these themes, whether that be a new perspective on a traditional narrative or a focus on characters and voices that remain underrepresented: think Kairos by Jenny Erpenbeck, Asymmetry by Lisa Halliday or Monkey Grip by Helen Garner. She will always want to read beautifully written novels with a strong sense of place, tangible characters and an essence that stays with you – living deep in your bones – long after you’ve finished reading. Recent reads Ciara has enjoyed include: Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry, Enter Ghost by Isabella Hammad, Close to Home by Michael Magee, Siblings by Brigitte Reimann, Trespasses by Louise Kennedy, The Idiot by Elif Batuman, Highway Blue by Ailsa McFarlane and My Phantoms by Gwendoline Riley. At the moment Ciara is particularly eager to see: - Sexy, sensual and seductive stories that explore desire and sexual boundaries not often represented in literature such as Little Rabbit by Alyssa Songsiridej, Cleanness by Garth Greenwell and Mrs. S by K Patrick - An atmospheric and existential thriller in the vein of Intimacies by Katie Kitamura, In The Cut by Susanna Moore and Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk - An intoxicating coming of-age-tale that captures the aliveness, intelligence and wildness of girlhood like Brutes by Dizz Tate, The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides and The Girls by Emma Cline - Books that are joyful or brutal, particularly those that are both, similar to Headshot by Rita Bullwinkel, Kick the Latch by Kathryn Scanlan and Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan - Stories exploring an Australia or Ireland that is rarely seen in literature for example A Loving, Faithful Animal by Josephine Rowe and Wild Houses by Colin Barrett In non-fiction, Ciara enjoys narrative, memoir and essay collections. She is interested in hearing from experts, academics, critics and journalists writing about society, culture and food, and excited by writers seeking to revise, reshape or revolutionise the conversation in their area of expertise. Some of her favourite non-fiction titles include How To Survive A Plague by David France, The Transgender Issue by Shon Faye, the Living Autobiography Series by Deborah Levy, Last Witnesses: Unchildlike Stories by Svetlana Alexievich, King Kong Theory by Virginie Despentes; and she particularly enjoys the work of M.F.K Fisher, Annie Ernaux, Natalia Ginsburg and Helen Garner. Ciara is not looking for Children’s, YA or Fantasy. Ciara 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, Ciara 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: Thursday 17th July 2025

A practical approach to Data Governance, giving you the information you need to design and implement successfully a Data Governance Framework that is right for your organisation.

The PAM® can make a valuable contribution to assessing a patient’s ability to self care at any given time. This assessment helps support next steps on what would be needed to increase their levels of knowledge, skills and confidence in order to improve their health and wellbeing outcomes. It can be used to tailor interventions to individual needs, significantly increasing the likelihood that people will adopt behaviours that contribute to better health. It can also help commissioners to make available the kinds of interventions needed, especially for those with low levels of activation who have most to gain. Though this course is offered to you fully funded, please make every effort to attend once you have enrolled, or make us aware so that someone else may benefit. Thank you!