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
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
Whether it is for your personal development, your own career or your business, this life-changing training is for everyone who would like to develop their skills such as communication, confidence, entrepreneurial thinking, flow-state and creativity – the future skills every human needs to master.
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
This Digital Electronics Course is designed to give practical knowledge of the type of electronic circuitry used in a modern Computer System or in any type of Computer Controlled equipment such as Photocopiers, Cash Registers, Tablets, mobile phones and many other types of IT equipment. Digital Electronics involves the use of Silicon chips (Integrated Circuits). The internal structure of a computer is to a large extent comprised of Digital Electronic Circuits.
CRRUK equips professionals with the concepts, skills and tools to build conscious, intentional relationships, and to coach relationship systems of any size.
Sales and trade exist because people need and are looking for that which is better than what they have. Sometimes, they don’t even know that they have a need. The critical piece of this process is “connecting the dots.” We must demonstrate that we have listened respectfully, and, as experts, show how the needs are tied directly to our answer. Just because they have a need and we have a solution doesn’t mean that it’s a guaranteed sale. Connecting their needs to our solution is precisely what the Sales Presentation Skills class is all about. Outcomes – Participants will be able to: Research and understand each unique customer to demonstrate expertise; Conduct productive meetings to discover useful information to formulate the most effective solution(s); Propose plans that are fully aligned with the target’s situation and needs; Increase abilities to engage and motivate the prospect/client through compelling presentations; Convey emotional intelligence enthusiasm and sincerity to get client buy-in; Strengthen professionalism through dynamic story-telling, elevating the level of rapport; and Create positive messages even from negative, modeling a problem-solving, can-do attitude for the audience. Online Format—Sales Presentation Skills is a 4-hour interactive virtual class. Register for this class and you will be sent ONLINE login instructions prior to the class date. Overall, your professionalism, your teaching style, and the content of the course kept it interesting and easy to follow. We believe in what you have taught us, having tried it first hand, I can honestly say, your course works; your methods and ideas have proven themselves. I look forward to working with you again and again in the future. Alan M. Kriegstein, PresidentALA Scientific Instruments, Inc.
About this training course This 5 full-day course provides a comprehensive understanding of the inspection, diagnostic testing, troubleshooting, maintenance, overhaul and refurbishment of all steam and gas turbines. This course will focus on maximizing the efficiency, reliability, and longevity of this equipment by providing an understanding of the common problems and repair techniques, preventive and predictive maintenance of all steam and gas turbines. This course is a MUST for anyone who is involved in diagnostic testing, troubleshooting, or maintenance of steam and gas turbines because it covers the various maintenance strategies, troubleshooting techniques, and the latest testing and refurbishment methods of all steam and gas turbines. The course provides also guidelines and rules that ensure successful refurbishment of all types of steam and gas turbines. In addition, this course will cover in detail advanced fault detection techniques, critical components and all preventive and predictive maintenance methods of steam and gas turbines in order to increase their reliability and reduce their operation and maintenance cost. This course will provide the following information for all types of steam and gas turbines: Diagnostic Testing Techniques Troubleshooting Methods Latest Maintenance Strategies Modern Refurbishment Methods Enclosures and Sealing Arrangements Codes and Standards Common Operational Problems All Predictive and Preventive Maintenance Methods Performance Surveillance Methods Training Objectives Equipment Maintenance: Gain a thorough understanding of the latest maintenance strategies of steam and gas turbines Equipment Diagnostics and Inspection: Learn in detail all the diagnostic techniques and inspections required for critical components of steam and gas turbines Equipment Testing: Understand thoroughly all the tests required for the various types of steam and gas turbines Equipment Troubleshooting: Determine all the troubleshooting activities required to minimize the downtime and operating cost of steam and gas turbines Equipment Repair and Refurbishment: Gain a detailed understanding of the various methods used to repair and refurbish steam and gas turbines Efficiency, Reliability, and Longevity: Learn the various methods used to maximize the efficiency, reliability, and longevity of steam and gas turbines Equipment Performance Surveillance: Gain a detailed understanding of the various methods used to perform performance surveillance on steam and gas turbines Design Features: Understand all the design features that improve the efficiency and reliability of steam and gas turbines Equipment Enclosures and Sealing Methods: Learn about the various types of enclosures and sealing arrangements used for steam and gas turbines Equipment Commissioning: Understand all the commissioning requirements for steam and gas turbines Equipment Codes and Standards: Learn all the codes and standards applicable for steam and gas turbines Equipment Causes and Modes of Failure: Understand the causes and modes of failure of steam and gas turbines Target Audience Engineers of all disciplines Managers Technicians Maintenance personnel Other technical individuals Training Methods Your specialist course leader relies on a highly interactive training method to enhance the learning process. This method ensures that all participants gain a complete understanding of all topics covered. The training environment is highly stimulating, challenging, and effective because the participants will learn by case studies which will allow them to apply the material taught to their own organization. Each delegate will receive a copy of the following materials written by the instructor: Excerpt in digital format of the relevant chapters from the 'POWER PLANT EQUIPMENT OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE GUIDE' published by McGraw-Hill in 2012 (800 pages) Excerpt in digital format of the relevant chapters from the 'POWER GENERATION HANDBOOK' second edition, published by McGraw-Hill in 2011 (800 pages) Steam and Gas Turbines Maintenance Manual (300 pages) Trainer Your specialist course leader has more than 32 years of practical engineering experience with Ontario Power Generation (OPG), one of the largest electric utility in North America. He was previously involved in research on power generation equipment with Atomic Energy of Canada Limited at their Chalk River and Whiteshell Nuclear Research Laboratories. While working at OPG, he acted as a Training Manager, Engineering Supervisor, System Responsible Engineer and Design Engineer. During the period of time, he worked as a Field Engineer and Design Engineer, he was responsible for the operation, maintenance, diagnostics, and testing of gas turbines, steam turbines, generators, motors, transformers, inverters, valves, pumps, compressors, instrumentation and control systems. Further, his responsibilities included designing, engineering, diagnosing equipment problems and recommending solutions to repair deficiencies and improve system performance, supervising engineers, setting up preventive maintenance programs, writing Operating and Design Manuals, and commissioning new equipment. Later, he worked as the manager of a section dedicated to providing training for the staff at the power stations. The training provided by him covered in detail the various equipment and systems used in power stations. In addition, he has taught courses and seminars to more than four thousand working engineers and professionals around the world, specifically Europe and North America. He has been consistently ranked as 'Excellent' or 'Very Good' by the delegates who attended his seminars and lectures. He written 5 books for working engineers from which 3 have been published by McGraw-Hill, New York. Below is a list of the books authored by him; Power Generation Handbook: Gas Turbines, Steam Power Plants, Co-generation, and Combined Cycles, second edition, (800 pages), McGraw-Hill, New York, October 2011. Electrical Equipment Handbook (600 pages), McGraw-Hill, New York, March 2003. Power Plant Equipment Operation and Maintenance Guide (800 pages), McGraw-Hill, New York, January 2012. Industrial Instrumentation and Modern Control Systems (400 pages), Custom Publishing, University of Toronto, University of Toronto Custom Publishing (1999). Industrial Equipment (600 pages), Custom Publishing, University of Toronto, University of Toronto, University of Toronto Custom Publishing (1999). Furthermore, he has received the following awards: The first 'Excellence in Teaching' award offered by PowerEdge, Singapore, in December 2016 The first 'Excellence in Teaching' award offered by the Professional Development Center at University of Toronto (May, 1996). The 'Excellence in Teaching Award' in April 2007 offered by TUV Akademie (TUV Akademie is one of the largest Professional Development centre in world, it is based in Germany and the United Arab Emirates, and provides engineering training to engineers and managers across Europe and the Middle East). Awarded graduation 'With Distinction' from Dalhousie University when completed Bachelor of Engineering degree (1983). Lastly, he was awarded his Bachelor of Engineering Degree 'with distinction' from Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. He also received a Master of Applied Science in Engineering (M.A.Sc.) from the University of Ottawa, Canada. He is also a member of the Association of Professional Engineers in the province of Ontario, Canada. POST TRAINING COACHING SUPPORT (OPTIONAL) To further optimise your learning experience from our courses, we also offer individualized 'One to One' coaching support for 2 hours post training. We can help improve your competence in your chosen area of interest, based on your learning needs and available hours. This is a great opportunity to improve your capability and confidence in a particular area of expertise. It will be delivered over a secure video conference call by one of our senior trainers. They will work with you to create a tailor-made coaching program that will help you achieve your goals faster. Request for further information post training support and fees applicable Accreditions And Affliations
Video conferencing over IP course description A current hot topic in recent years has been the provision of multimedia services over IP networks - triple play. This course investigates the characteristics of video transmission and then studies the impact on IP networks. What will you learn Describe the issues of video and data convergence. Describe techniques, which can be used in IP to provide low uniform delay. Evaluate video technologies. Design data networks, which will support video.. Video conferencing over IP course details Who will benefit: Technical staff. Prerequisites: TCP/IP fundamentals Intro to data communications & networking Duration 3 days Video conferencing over IP course contents Review Traditional video, digital video, video formats, MPEG, brief review of IP, Uses of video: downloading, streaming, TV, CCTV, conferencing. Video over IP issues Delivery methods: FTTH, ADSL, VDSL, 3G and others. Bandwidth, delay, jitter, signalling. Digitising video, CODECS, packetising video, comparison of techniques. IP performance and QOS IP TOS field, queuing strategies; FIFO, WFQ, custom, priority, RED. Differentiated services, diffserv. Video over IP protocol stack RTP, RTCP, mixers and translators, RSVP. IPv6. Conferencing Traditional solutions, Video conferencing over IP, point to point, multipoint, architectures, bridges. IETF - Session Initiation Protocol Comparison with H.323, SIP proxy, proxy server, redirect server. SDP. Multicasting Multicasting compared to unicasting and broadcasting, when to use and when not to use multicasting. IGMP, DVMRP, PIM. Security Impact of firewalls and NAT, ISMA, DRM, DTCP.