Courses in Cardiff

LOOKING FOR: PICTURE BOOKS, CHAPTER BOOKS, MG, YA, CHILDREN'S NON-FICTION After a childhood buried in library books and Beanos, Lydia started her career in the editorial team at Egmont, where she commissioned books such as the Carnegie Medal-winning The Poet X. She joined the Darley Anderson team in 2018, and as well as building an engaging and diverse list of authors and illustrators, she was promoted to Director in March 2024. With experience on both sides of the commissioning desk, Lydia loves working editorially with her clients and developing ideas from an initial spark into a full manuscript. She represents clients across all age groups, including picture book, chapter book, middle grade and YA, and has a particular focus on non-fiction. Lydia reads and considers widely, and among other things she is looking for snort-inducing stories for younger readers, clever and contemporary teenage and YA fiction, and non-fiction projects that take big ideas and make them easily navigable, accessible and fun. No matter the story, Lydia is drawn to voice above anything else and will always be sucked in by a strong hook. Lydia represents clients including Soofiya, Gina Blaxill, Mark Bradley, Ryan Hammond, Alice Harman, Joyce Efia Harmer, Catherine Jacob, Hannah Moffatt, Rachel Morrisroe, Nick Sheridan, Rashmi Sirdeshpande and Eva Wong Nava. If you could sum up her tastes in three words, they would be curious, characterful and heartfelt, and in three books, they would be One of Us is Lying, Nevermoor and You Are Awesome. Lydia would like you to submit a covering letter, a 1 page synopsis and the first 3 chapters or 20 pages of your completed manuscript in a single word document. For Picture Books please submit a covering letter and texts for two completed stories. (In addition to the paid sessions, Lydia 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 17th June 2025 at 23:59 UK BST

Become a META-Health professional with our 6 months intensive training! Do you want to learn the scientific background of body-mind-interactions and how to integrate this knowledge in your practical work with your clients? This course contains both self-study and live training in online classes and covers the META-Health Level 1 and 2 material. It will take 6 months including 24 live sessions, 2 hours each, mainly in a weekly rhythm. You will get preparatory videos, reading material and tasks that help to understand and integrate the content, while the group sessions focus on demonstrations, discusion of the material, and practical exercises for you. All the time, our trainers and tutors will support you and we’ll be a learning family with an active chatgroup. Altogether you should reckon approximately 5 hours per week.

LOOKING FOR: CHILDREN'S: PICTURE BOOK TEXTS, NON-FICTION, POETRY Lucy Brownridge is Editorial Director at Wide Eyed Editions and Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, and formerly Thames & Hudson where she helped to establish the Children’s list. She specialises in highly illustrated picture books and non-fiction (including poetry) for children. She has commissioned and edited books which have gone on to win the Carnegie Awards, The British Book Awards, the Klaus Flugge Prize, the Blue Peter Prize and have been translated into over 30 languages. She has been editor to Alan Ahlberg, Quentin Blake, Mariajo Ilustrajo, Yuval Zommer and Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho among many others. She is the author of The Fantastical Safari and The Cat Family series, and many other books for children. She is interested in the history of illustrated children’s books and is always looking for innovative ways to use the book format. 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. PICTURE BOOKS Please send one or two (max) full manuscripts, 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? NON-FICTION PROPOSALS Please send a paragraph explaining your idea, a contents list, if appropriate, and a sample piece of text. (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: Wednesday 18th June 2025

A beautiful hour of connection, guidance and fun! Join together with other like minded women, to feel held supported and seen.

LOOKING FOR: PICTURE BOOKS, MG, YA, ADULT FICTION Clare Wallace joined the Darley Anderson Agency in January 2011 and is building both the Darley Anderson Children’s Agency and the Darley Anderson Illustration Agency lists as well as taking on adult fiction for debut authors. Clare is particularly looking for funny chapter books for younger readers at the moment, as well as contemporary MG, YA fantasy, romance, and rom coms, especially with underrepresented protagonists. For picture books she has the widest taste, from daft to lyrical, rhyming to prose. As well as being busy with the children’s and illustration agencies, Clare is open to debut adult fiction submissions that could be described as book club, rom-com, romance, saga, reading group, fantasy or historical fiction. She often doesn’t know what she’s looking for until she finds it (although she is not the person for steampunk or space opera). She represents picture books, middle-grade, teenage and YA and debut adult fiction. The clients Clare represents include Perdita & Honor Cargill, Caroline Crowe, Tom Ellen, Martyn Ford, Stewart Foster, Olivia Hope, A M Howell, Polly Ho-Yen, Rachel Ip, Beth Reekles, J.P. Rose, Lindsay Galvin, Dave Rudden, Deirdre Sullivan and Efua Traoré. Whatever the age range, Clare loves a big hook, a lot of heart, and a standout voice. She loves to discover memorable new characters, bold and unique voices, strong concepts and gripping storytelling. This list gives a good indication of Clare's taste but if your submission doesn’t fit a description here, it doesn’t mean Clare doesn’t want to receive it. Clare would like you to send a covering letter, a one page synopsis and the first three chapters (Max 5000 words) of your manuscript in a single word document. For picture books, please submit a covering letter and up to three completed texts. Please send EITHER picture books OR another genre, not both in one submission. (In addition to the paid sessions, Clare 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: Wednesday 18th June 2025

LOOKING FOR: PICTURE BOOKS, YOUNG FICTION, CHAPTER BOOKS, MG, YA Alice set up Alice Williams Literary in 2018 after representing children's books for over ten years at David Higham Associates. She is especially keen to consider playful, funny books for all ages, and is on the lookout for heartwarming, empowering stories, whether in a realistic, contemporary setting, or a wildly imaginative fantasy world - or somewhere in-between. Alice is offering 121 sessions for young fiction, middle grade, YA and picture book writers. For chapter books, MG and YA fiction, please submit a covering letter, synopsis and the first three chapters of your manuscript in a single word document. For picture books, please submit a covering letter and two texts, or for illustrators one dummy and examples from your portfolio or a link to your website. (In addition to the paid sessions, Alice 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 19th June 2025

Our Virtual (via Zoom) course provide the same high-quality tuition as our classroom-based sessions. Quarterly meetings will take place at the Academy Dental Nursing Diploma with National Examining Board for Dental Nurses (NEBDN) is an internationally recognised qualification that will allow you to work as a Dental Nurse in hospitals, NHS and private dental practices. Successful completion of Dental Nursing Diploma course will enable you to register as a Dental Care Professional with the General Dental Council (GDC) and practice as a qualified Dental Nurse. Discover the exciting world of dental nursing and be a part of a growing field that offers endless opportunities for growth and development. How will you learn? In addition to our traditional class-based tuition, we also offer Virtual (via Zoom) Learning courses to cater to different learning preferences. Our Virtual Learning courses provide the same high-quality tuition as our classroom-based sessions. To participate, you will need a laptop, PC, smart phone or tablet with a built-in or external camera and microphone. From the comfort of your own home, you will have the opportunity to communicate with your tutor and classmates through video chat, using your phone or computer camera. This allows for seamless interaction, discussions, and collaborative learning. Quarterly meetings at the Academy To ensure a well-rounded learning experience, you will be required to attend face-to-face lessons at the Academy on a quarterly basis, which means every three months. These sessions serve several important purposes: Practical Units: Some aspects of the course require hands-on practical training. The face-to-face lessons will cover these practical units, allowing you to gain valuable experience and apply the knowledge you have acquired during the virtual learning sessions. Tests and Mock Exams: These assessments are important for evaluating your progress, identifying areas for improvement, and preparing you for the final exams. The Academy will provide a controlled and supervised environment to ensure the integrity and fairness of these assessments. Attending quarterly face-to-face lessons provides a balanced approach to your learning journey. It combines the convenience and flexibility of virtual learning with the benefits of in-person interactions, practical training, and assessments. By participating in these sessions, you will have the opportunity to reinforce your knowledge, receive personalized feedback, and build a stronger connection with your tutor and classmates. The Academy is dedicated to supporting your growth and success in dental nursing field, and the face-to-face lessons are an integral part of that commitment. Being a Dental Nurse can be an exciting and fulfilling career that allows you to make a positive impact on people’s lives while enjoying a variety of work and opportunities to learn and grow. You’ll get to work with an amazing dental team and get to know patients, helping them to feel at ease and comfortable during their visit. You’ll be the one behind the scene making sure everything runs smoothly, and you’ll be the one that patients will turn to for assistance. You’ll also get to be a part of the latest advancements in dental technology and treatment. And on top of all that, you get to have a flexible schedule and a good earning potential, with the potential to advance in your career. All in all, being a dental nurse is one of the most exciting and fulfilling career that you can have, and you’ll get to leave work every day knowing you’ve made a real difference in the lives of others. The course is delivered by Team of Dental Professionals who are examiners, dentists and experienced Dental tutors with years of experience in teaching Dentistry. Dental Nurses are involved in a wide range of procedures, from routine check-ups to complex surgeries, which can make the job interesting and varied. Patient-centered care: Dental Nurses have a direct impact on the patient’s experience and can make a positive difference in people’s lives by providing them with quality care. Professional development: Dental Nurses have the opportunity to continue their education and expand their skills, leading to advancement and new opportunities in the field. No previous experience required – we will teach you from A to Z. Do you need a job? Yes, you will have 3 months’ time from the start of your course to find a placement. The Academy provides a list of Private and NHS Dental Surgeries, who are regularly contacting us when looking for more Trainee Dental Nurses, so you can contact them directly as a registered student at the Academy. This is a paid job, unless you would like to work voluntary for personal reasons. We also provide a reference letter to the employee in case you need it. The course is ideal for you if: You are looking for a qualification that leads to employment You intend to participate within dentistry and make a positive contribution to the dental health You wish to learn how to maintain high standards of hygiene, cleanliness, health & safety You enjoy interacting with multidisciplinary team and different people The curriculum is based on the GDC (General Dental Council) registration requirements for dental nurses. It sets out the knowledge, skills and behavioural requirements that should be developed and demonstrated. These are set out in terms of professional competencies, with the assessment method clearly outlined (e.g. how the skills and knowledge will be assessed in the final examinations – via written questions such as multiple choice (MCQ) or extended matching questions (EMQ) or via Objective Structured Clinical Examinations – OSCEs). We are proud to announce that our Dental Nursing students has the highest examination pass rate in OSCE examinations! Free services– workshops, mock exams, eRoE marking and internal moderation. Earn while you learn could be another benefit for doing this course. We provide a list of Private Surgeries who have been working with us for the last 14 years and looking to recruit more Trainee Dental Nurses. Working together – At our Dental Department, we prioritise working together with our learners every step of the way. We firmly believe in providing unwavering support, equipping you with the necessary tools, skills, and assistance to ensure your success. We take immense pride in the achievements of our students, with a long list of graduates boasting remarkable success stories. Our commitment to your success serves as the foundation for our own accomplishments What Can You Expect to Earn as a Dental Nurse? Compared to other caring professions, Dental Nursing is well paid and offers plenty of opportunity for continued training and development. This is great for those looking on a the long-term plan for their career and those who wish to work their way up the ladder through continued learning, experience & hard work. Trainee Dental Nurse salary for standard working week will be around £23,000 per annum. Average wage for a qualified Dental Nurses between £40,417 to £42,350 p.a. When are the exams? There are two exams: 1. Multiple choice theory exam. November and March. 2. Practical exam. January and June. Record of Experience (eROE) To be eligible to sit your first exam, you have to complete your electronic Record of Experience (eROE). The eROE has to be submitted to your tutor by 31st Jan for March exam, and 31st August for November exam. London Waterloo Academy supports Mouth Cancer Research Foundation and encouraging learners to raise the awareness and participate in annual 10k walk. Study mode – virtual (via Zoom) live stream lessons combined with a quarterly meetings Saturday/Sunday at the Academy Duration – 1 year (part time) Virtual (via Zoom) classes – once a week Quarterly meetings at the Academy – date are discussed with the group in advance Next Intake/start dates (please choose one for your course to start): 21 September 2024, Saturday classes from 9am to 11am Registration fee – £300 (includes: administration, workshops, mock exams, RoE marking, internal moderation of RoE) Tuition Fees – £1,400 (we offer payment plan, and accept instalments) Exam fee – £510 will be charged at the point of candidate registration with NEBDN One day introduction course – for those who are considering/not sure whether to step up into the Dental Industry £50.00 Call us +44 (0) 7484 014980 or email to info@waterlooacademy.co.uk or Facebook – London Waterloo Academy Office location: The Foundry, 156 Blackfriars Rd, London SE1 8EN (Southwark Station (2-3 min walk) and Waterloo/Blackfriars Station (10 min walk))

Time and space for you to reconnect with your intuitive guidence in gentle restorative community.

LOOKING FOR: MG, ADULT FICTION Jo Williamson has been in publishing for over 25 years. Having worked in Children’s books PR for Dorling Kindersley, HarperCollins and Orion, she started as an agent with Antony Harwood in 2008. She feels very privileged being with authors at the very start of their publishing journey and enjoys close working relationships with all her clients. From editorial help, general advice on the publishing world, guiding careers long-term and general cheerleading, she feels she has the perfect job. Although nothing is off limits and she loves being surprised by submissions. In middle grade children's fiction, Jo is particularly looking for books with heart, epic adventures with voice-led characters, and younger funny fiction with series potential.  In adult fiction, page-turning Commercial Women’s and Book Club fiction are right up Jo's street, including psychological suspense, thriller, cosy crime and books that don’t quite fit the mould. Above all, she wants stories that linger long after the final page has been read. Jo is not the right fit for police procedurals. Jo 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, Jo 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 24th June 2025

LOOKING FOR: ADULT FICTION Louise Buckley has worked in publishing for well over a decade. She was inspired to enter the publishing industry after completing an MA in Creative Writing and then spent a hugely enjoyable year working as a bookseller for Waterstones, wishing that she could have a hand in publishing books. After a year working at Dorling Kindersley, she then spent almost five years working in the commercial fiction division at Pan Macmillan, where she published a mix of commercial bestsellers and award-winning authors. Most recently, she was an Associate Literary Agent at Zeno Agency Ltd. As an agent she represented a roster of commercial and literary fiction, including Anne Griffin’s When All is Said, which spent five weeks at number one in Ireland and sold into 17 territories. She is delighted to be working with Hannah at Hannah Sheppard Literary Agency. Louise is looking for:- Literary and upmarket fiction that focusses on the underdog, the repressed, the suppressed. Louise is especially interested in novels that represent working-class people or children going through difficult circumstances (think Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart, My Name is Leon by Kit de Waal or Boys Don’t Cry by FÍona Scarlett). Irish literary and book club fiction. Think Claire Keegan, Louise Kennedy or Anne Griffin. In commercial fiction she loves novels set during the Second World War, such as The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christi Lefteri or The Midwife of Auschwitz by Anna Stuart. Louise recently read and loved The Last List of Mabel Beaumont by Laura Pearson and would love to see anything in the same ‘older person going on a journey’ category, a more recent The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. Louise had a lot of fun publishing a ‘pet fiction’ novel as an editor (Molly and the Cat Café) and would love to find an author who can write an Alfie the Doorstep Cat/Dog. She has a soft spot for novels featuring time-travel or parallel universes, a ‘what if’ that plays around with conventions. At the literary end this would be books like Life After Life by Kate Atkinson, The Shining Girls by Lauren Beukes or This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone. At the more commercial end Louise loved Wrong Place, Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister, Dark Matter by Blake Crouch and Oona Out of Order by Martina Montimore. She also enjoys novels set in the real world but featuring a hefty dose of magic or the supernatural. They can be commercial or literary, present-day or historical. Think Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch, Threadneedle by Cari Thomas, A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness or The Gifts by Liz Hyder. And also cosy fantasy in the vein of Legends and Lattes or The House in the Cerulean Sea. Cosy or humorous crime. Recently, Louise absolutely loved Over My Dead Body by Maz Evans. When she was an editor Louise published the hit Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll and would love to represent incisive, intelligent suspense written by authors such as Jessica Knoll and Gillian Flynn, or something a little more subversive and blackly comic like My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite. More generally, Louise would also love to see novels with a disabled protagonist or someone (like herself) who is living with an invisible disability. As an ex-primary school teacher, she also warmly welcomes submissions from teachers, especially if the submission falls into one of the other categories she has listed. Following-on from this, she enjoys reading stories that follow a ‘beating the system’ narrative. Horror. Louise is currently really enjoying the horror resurgence and would love some more horror for her list. She is looking for all types of horror from the more literary, suspenseful horror along the lines of Andrew Michael Hurley to the more commercial like Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix. Louise is also a big fan of horror mash-ups, especially body transformation horror such as Nightbitch, and horror mixed with, say, vampires, in the vein of Hungerstone or The Lamb. She would also love to see some dark academia. Think If We Were Villains or In My Dreams I Hold a Knife, and is a huge fan of gothic horror, so would love to see something that’s a modern-day Shirley Jackson or Rebecca. Louise is NOT looking for: -romance -romantasy -epic, traditional fantasy -space opera -straightforward women’s fiction -children’s fiction of any kind -non-fiction Louise 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. (In addition to the paid sessions, Louise 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 25th June 2025