LOOKING FOR: ADULT FICTION Marilia Savvides founded The Plot Agency in 2024. She began her career in publishing at Peters Fraser and Dunlop, where she spent eight years, first as International Rights Agent, and later as Literary Agent, building her own list of authors. In 2019, she joined 42MP, where she worked as Literary Agent for four years, helping to launch and set up the Book Division. She is particularly interested in fiction that is beautifully written and cleverly constructed, but still accessible to a wide readership. She is often drawn to darker tales that weave together excellent characters and an impossible-to-put-down story, from immersive book club novels with a splash of suspense, crime and thrillers, accessible horror, and speculative, genre-bending or dystopian stories. She also adores smart, witty contemporary rom-com in the style of Emily Henry. In the thriller, crime and mystery space she is interested in most areas, except military thrillers and organised crime/ mafia / mob stories. Big hooks and clever set ups are a big bonus! She adores Karin Slaughter (especially her standalone novels) and Gillian Flynn. In the book club / reading group space, she’s particularly drawn to fiction in the vein of Jodi Picoult, Liane Moriarty and Celeste Ng, and absolutely fell in love with Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll, both for the incredible voice, and the exquisite use of structure and time. Complicated family dynamics, empathetic and smart approaches to controversial issues, stand out protagonists (like Elizabeth Zott in Lessons in Chemistry or Bernadette in Where D’You Go Bernadette), long buried secrets, complicity, the road to justice, and impossible decisions, are all themes she finds herself drawn to. In the horror space, she’s a sucker for amazing female-centric stories in the vein of Yellowjackets, and the kind of contemporary, accessible horror that Stephen King always nails. She wants to get lost in a world that feels within reach of ours. In the speculative and dystopian spaces, she’s interested in genius ideas that set up big questions or reflect the most broken (and sometimes hidden) parts of society. She loves Octavia Butler, Margaret Atwood, George Orwell, and also adored The Leftovers, Station Eleven, Wanderers, and The Power. The what-ifs of life and fiction fascinate her. In the grounded sci-fi space, she’d love to find a smart, immersive, and accessible story like The Martian. She doesn’t represent fantasy or romantasy. In regards to sci-fi, unless it’s very grounded and has crossover potential to a mainstream audience, it’s not for her. In the romance space, she’s particularly drawn to smart, complex and witty characters, where the chemistry is jumping off the page. She loves contemporary settings and all the tropes, though the voice and characters must come first to make the reading experience fully immersive. She wants to be cackling, and rooting for the characters with all her heart. She is very hands-on editorially, and loves working with her authors to shape their manuscripts, and brainstorm ideas. The best part of the job is discovering debut authors, and helping them find a home for their books. Marilia would like you to submit a covering letter, 1 - 2 page synopsis and the first 5,000 words of your manuscript in a single Word document. (In addition to the paid sessions, Marilia 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 22nd April 2025
Historical Association webinar series: Making history accessible Presenters: Gemma Hargraves and Sally Lonsdale From a special school perspective, Sally Lonsdale will explore how history is encountered at her school. With secondary students working at Key Stage 1 age related expectations, history is seen as an ‘enriching subject’ with a strong focus on literacy and vocabulary. The session will explore how students with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities and those with EHCP outcomes are supported and show how history teaching can be effective and joyful when directed by student experience and interests and focusing on skills rather than specific knowledge. To use your corporate recording offer on this webinar please fill in this form: https://forms.office.com/e/bdNUSwLNrL Image: A Squire "Old English" padlock on a gate latch in Devon (Image: Partonez/Wikimedia Commons)
CRRUK equips professionals with the concepts, skills and tools to build conscious, intentional relationships, and to coach relationship systems of any size.
LOOKING FOR: PICTURE BOOK TEXTS / ILLUSTRATIONS 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 has developed and edited books for children with Alan Ahlberg, Quentin Blake, Mariajo Ilustrajo, Kristjana S Williams, Bob & Roberta Smith, Yuval Zommer and Joe Coelho among others. She is the author of The Cat Family series, and many non-fiction titles for children. She is interested in the history of picture books and is always looking for innovative ways to use the book format. Her favourite books are funny, deceptively simple, thoughtfully written, distinctively illustrated and encourage a love for reading both words and pictures. Lucy would like you to submit the following depending on whether you are a picture book writer / illustrator or both. ABOUT YOU Include a covering letter, in a word document, telling Lucy about yourself and your sources of inspiration. If you have one, include a link to your website. She is keen to read stories she hasn't seen before or see artwork with a distinctive style rather than something that fits with trends. She has particular experience with picture books and illustrated narrative non-fiction. AUTHORS Please send a full manuscript (or 3), in a word document, starting with a short summary/blurb. Make the summary punchy and engaging. Remember that the best picture book stories are simple and every word should count. Do you see this book as part of a series? ILLUSTRATORS If you have a picture book idea please send a story board and a summary of the story. Please send a diverse selection of artworks from your portfolio. It is useful to see examples of the following: people of different ages and ethnicities, character studies showing a range of clothes and expressions, animals, a selection of everyday objects, wide-angle vistas, an example of a book cover (i.e. a classic book reimagined). Please send these in PDF where possible. (In addition to the paid sessions, Lucy is kindly offering one free session for low income/under-represented writers. Please email agent121@iaminprint.co.uk to apply, outlining your case for this option which is offered at the discretion of I Am In Print). By booking you understand you need to conduct an internet connection test with I Am In Print prior to the event. You also agree to email your material in one document to reach I Am In Print by the stated submission deadline and note that I Am In Print take no responsibility for the advice received during your agent meeting. The submission deadline is: Wednesday 23rd April 2025
LOOKING FOR: YA, ADULT FICTION, NON-FICTION Laura Williams is literary agent at the Greene and Heaton Literary Agency. She is seeking literary fiction, commercial fiction, psychological thrillers and high concept Young Adult. Laura is actively building a fiction list and a small non-fiction list. She is currently looking for literary fiction, edgy commercial fiction, psychological thrillers and high-concept contemporary young adult, as well as narrative non-fiction of all types. Her taste is quite dark, and she loves gothic, ghost stories, horror and anything sinister. She also loves books that make her cry, from big love stories to intense family dramas. She is open to historical or horror YA, but not magical or fantasy. Meditative or moving novels about modern life, appeal to Laura, sad stories with love and the importance of caring for each other shining through. She also loves stories about female friendships or conversely groups of women who don't get on, such as the hugely fun BAD SUMMER PEOPLE by Emma Rosenblum. She is always on the lookout for a big tragic love story to make her cry happy or sad tears. At the more commercial end of fiction, think funny novels with warmth and romantic comedies with a bit of depth – think Marian Keyes. Most of all Laura is looking for novels she hasn’t read before – something unusual structurally or thematically, something that shines a light on a subject the author is passionate about, something that’ll break her heart or raise her blood in an entirely new way. Laura is always looking to promote diverse voices from across the globe, and is particularly keen on LGBTQI+ stories. Laura would like you to submit a covering letter, a 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, Laura 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 23rd April 2025
CPD Accredited, Interactive Short Course 2 - 3.5 hr sessions What is Attention Deficit Disorder? How can you best understand, and thus cope and help those affected? Course Contents: What is ADHD ADHD as part of the Autistic Spectrum How to help you cope if you have ADHD How to cope with children who have ADHD Great for teachers and TAs in schools, others who work with people who have ADHD, and of course, those with ADHD themselves Benefits of this Short Course: Boys are around 4 x as likely to have ADHD Worldwide, 5% of people have it - that is 1 out of every 20! The figure for this is estimated to be higher in the UK This means that every single classroom in the UK will have at least one child or young people with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Learn more about the condition and how you can help them cope and take part in 'normal' life.
Front-line communication plays a vital role in shaping the public perception of every organisation. This course is designed to help delegates organise their ideas and communicate clearly and effectively through email. By improving written communication skills, delegates will become more concise, communicate with conviction, and foster meaningful dialogue with their audience. These skills are essential for professionals who interact with the public, as improved communication leads to greater internal and external customer satisfaction. Delegates will learn how to: Write clearly and professionally, enhancing public perception of expertise Communicate more efficiently in writing, reducing wasted time and increasing profitability Craft concise, rapport-building messages for internal and external customers, fostering productivity and a positive workplace environment Topics Covered: Benefits of using email Determining the purpose of an email Steps to take before writing Inflection in written messages Effects of instant messaging and text messaging on communication Basic email structure and planning Writing effective subject lines Paragraph structure and organisation Including relevant details and summarising problems effectively Proper use of CC and BCC fields Why typing in all caps is considered shouting! Proofreading techniques This Email Etiquette course is a 90-minute interactive virtual session. Upon registration, delegates will receive online login instructions prior to the class date. This format allows delegates to enhance their skills conveniently from their home or office while improving their professional communication abilities.
This highly interactive workshop will give your management team the skills and the tools necessary to understand relationships and behavioral styles of employees, improve performance and efficiency, and adopt solutions and strategies to increase your competitive edge. Optimised for tailored audiences Built for groups of 20+ Led by experienced and certified professionals Specialised to address issues around inclusivity and equity in all industries Program Details Peak Performance Part I: Observation, Assessment and Determination The final objective of this workshop is a full understanding of how managers can assess their employees for optimal behavioral team communication and assignments. Peak Performance Part II: High Efficiency Teams The final objective of this workshop is a full understanding of how managers can create High Efficiency teams taking into accounts skills and behaviors. Peak Performance Part III: Self-Learning Teams The Final objective of this workshop is KPIs agreed upon and commonly shared by employees and managers to allow employees to self-manage their learning and measure their progress monitored by managers. Investment Fee: £50,000 25 participants max per 12-week cohort TRAINING FORMAT : 12 - Week Cohorts Delivered in 1-hour sessions Virtually Facilitated Sessions Corporate Peak Performance Program One Pager
This online course covers how technical communicators can use Generative Artificial Intelligence to help them: Be more efficient Create better deliverables for their users We went through all the key stages in a technical writing project. At each step, we investigated whether AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude could make a Technical Writer's job easier and better. After a lot of research and testing, we ended up with the content for this course. The course provides a framework that attendees can use to identify opportunities and best practices for integrating ChatGPT, Claude, LLaMA, and similar tools into their technical authoring processes – creating, managing, and delivering technical content. Why attend this course? Integrating AI and natural language processing technologies promise to make Technical Writers more efficient and more effective at what they do. By attending this course, you’ll gain a better understanding of how generative AI can be used by technical communicators. You learn a framework you can use for using tools such as ChatGPT at the different stages of a technical writing project. Who is this course for? This course is for people who have some experience of technical writing, and who want to improve their skills. What will I learn? You’ll learn and practice: What are AI technologies and their relevance to technical writing? Career opportunities and threats How you can use AI at different stages of the documentation process. We cover topics such as planning, writing, reviewing, and production. How to work more efficiently. How to work more effectively. The course does not go into much detail about using generative AI to create images, audio or videos. Learning Materials The course comprises online training modules (4.75 hours of video, plus handouts), which you can complete at your own pace. The course modules are delivered over the Web in small, manageable video presentations. You can pause the videos at any time and return to the course at times that suit you. The course is roughly equivalent to a 1.5 days long classroom course. Examples The modules describe practical examples and techniques you can use right away. Demonstrations The modules contain demonstrations of the techniques and tools when they’re applied to technical writing. Exercises You’ll be given exercises to work on throughout the course. This is a great way to put your learning to practice. Your Instructor Cherryleaf Cherryleaf is a technical writing services company formed in 2002 by people with a passion for technical communication and learning development. Cherryleaf is recognised as a leader within the technical communication profession. Our staff have written articles for the Society for Technical Communication's (STC) Intercom magazine, the Institute of Scientific and Technical Communicator's Communicator journal and tekom's TCWorld magazine. They've also written books on technical communication. We've presented webinars for Adobe, Madcap Software or the STC, and we've spoken at various conferences around the world. Today, organisations throughout Europe use Cherryleaf’s services so they can provide clear information that enables users and staff to complete tasks productively. Course Curriculum Introduction Introduction (0:56) ChatGPT and AI Basics What do the buzzwords mean? (18:19) Using ChatGPT and similar tools - Software and Websites (15:30) Prompt Engineering (17:23) Why use generative AI? Why use generative AI? (5:37) The limitations of Large Language Models (LLMs) and AI systems (7:48) Data security (10:09) Legal considerations (2:59) Quiz Section summary Frequently Asked Questions When does the course start and finish? The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.How long do I have access to the course?After enrolling, you have 12 months access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.What if I am unhappy with the course?We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 14 days and we will give you a full refund.