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: Wednesday 13th August 2025
LOOKING FOR: ADULT FICTION, NON-FICTION Diana joined the prestigious DHH Literary Agency in June 2024. She started agenting with Rupert Heath Literary Agency in 2011 before moving to UTA and Marjacq in 2017. Before that she was senior commissioning editor at Transworld. Diana was chosen as one of The Bookseller’s Rising Stars of 2012, was a nominee for RNA Agent of the Year 2019, and was shortlisted for Literary Agent of the Year 2022 at the British Book Awards. Her list includes a wide range of bestselling and prize-winning authors in the UK and internationally. Diana represents adult fiction and non-fiction. For fiction, she is looking for upmarket women's commercial, with depth and heart, including reading group, historical, saga, uplit and contemporary stories that are irreverent and make her laugh; accessible literary fiction, high-concept crime fiction and thrillers. She has a thing for spy novels and would love to find a great vampire story. On the non-fiction side: memoir, smart, funny feminists, lifestyle, cookery and social justice, and open to anything with a strong, original voice. She also encourages submissions from writers who have been traditionally under-represented. Diana would like you to submit a covering letter, 1 - 2 page synopsis and the first three chapters (a maximum of 5,000 words) of your manuscript in a single word document. (In addition to the paid sessions, Diana 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 13th August 2025
CPD Accredited, Interactive Short Course 2 or 3.5 hour hr sessions What are the autistic spectrum disorder, autism and asperger's syndrome? How can you best understand, and thus help, those affected? Course Contents of the shorter course: What is ASD Autism and Asperger's Syndrome Understanding those on the Spectrum How to approach and help those on the Autistic Spectrum Great for teachers and TAs in schools, and for those working in care with older people with ASD Benefits of this Short Course: About 1% of the population is thought to be on the Autistic Spectrum That is several children per nursery and primary school and a significant amount of young people in secondary schools Many with Asperger's Syndrome will also go to university The way they experience the world is very different to 'neuro-typical' people Understanding their condition helps to support them and give them the best chance
Has the Computer System Validation Engineer left and you’ve been handed their responsibilities? Do the thoughts of your next audit fill you with dread? CSV can be frustrating but this program will show you how to manage electronic data in a regulated manufacturing/laboratory/clinical environment using the GAMP framework and ensure compliance with FDA’s 21 CFR Part 11, EU Annex 11 or other regulatory guidelines.
Understanding commodity codes is vital to internationally trading businesses. Commodity codes are used worldwide to determine the customs duty and other charges levied on the goods when importing and exporting. They also determine any preferential treatments or restrictions and prohibitions that may apply to the goods and are used for monitoring trade volumes and applying international trade measures. This virtual half-day course will provide an insight into what commodity codes are and how getting them wrong can have a big impact on your business. By attending this course, we will ensure you: Are aware of what a commodity code is and what it is used for Understand the process of how to classify goods Successfully classify a range of goods Understand the importance of getting your commodity codes correct. Please note: If you are working towards your British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) Foundation Award, this course will count towards 1 of your 6 modules. Please make sure you select the ‘Yes’ option in the dropdown option for BCC when booking.
CPD Accredited, Interactive Short Course 2 hr session We will look at what manual handling is, and why it is so important And how we can apply proper manual handling techniques in our daily lives Great as an annual refresher! Course Contents: What is Manual Handling Illnesses and Injures arising from incorrect manual handling Manual techniques How to adapt those to our daily lives Benefits of this Short Course: Boys are around 4 x as likely to have ADHD Manual Handling is one of the main causes of work-related musculoskeletal disorders But manual handling illnesses and injuries do not happen in the workplace alone 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.
Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification Program: In-House Training This course is specifically for people wanting to become Lean Six Sigma Black Belts, who are already Lean Six Sigma practitioners. If advanced statistical analysis is needed to identify root causes and optimal process improvements, (Lean) Six Sigma Green Belts typically ask Black Belts or Master Black Belts to conduct these analyses. This course will change that. Green Belts wanting to advance their statistical abilities will have a considerable amount of hands-on practice in techniques such as Statistical Process Control, MSA, Hypothesis Testing, Correlation and Regression, Design of Experiments, and many others. Participants will also work throughout the course on a real-world improvement project from their own business environment. This provides participants with hands-on learning and provides the organization with an immediate ROI once the project is completed. IIL instructors will provide free project coaching throughout the course. What you Will Learn At the end of this program, you will be able to: Use Minitab for advanced data analysis Develop appropriate sampling strategies Analyze differences between samples using Hypothesis Tests Apply Statistical Process Control to differentiate common cause and special cause variation Explain and apply various process capability metrics Conduct Measurement System Analysis and Gage R&R studies for both discrete and continuous data Conduct and analyze simple and multiple regression analysis Plan, execute, and analyze designed experiments Drive sustainable change efforts through leadership, change management, and stakeholder management Successfully incorporate advanced analysis techniques while moving projects through the DMAIC steps Explain the main concepts of Design for Six Sigma including QFD Introduction: DMAIC Review IIL Black Belt Certification Requirements Review Project Selection Review Define Review Measure Review Analyze Review Improve Review Control Introduction: Minitab Tool Introduction to Minitab Minitab basic statistics and graphs Special features Overview of Minitab menus Introduction: Sampling The Central Limit Theorem Confidence Interval of the mean Sample size for continuous data (mean) Confidence Interval for proportions Sample size for discrete data (proportions) Sampling strategies (review) Appendix: CI and sample size for confidence levels other than 95% Hypothesis Testing: Introduction Why use advanced stat tools? What are hypothesis tests? The seven steps of hypothesis tests P value errors and hypothesis tests Hypothesis Testing: Tests for Averages 1 factor ANOVA and ANOM Main Effect Plots, Interaction Plots, and Multi-Vari Charts 2 factor ANOVA and ANOM Hypothesis Testing: Tests for Standard Deviations Testing for equal variance Testing for normality Choosing the right hypothesis test Hypothesis Testing: Chi Square and Other Hypothesis Test Chi-square test for 1 factor ANOM test for 1 factor Chi-square test for 2 factors Exercise hypothesis tests - shipping Non-parametric tests Analysis: Advanced Control Charts Review of Common Cause and Special Cause Variation Review of the Individuals Control Charts How to calculate Control Limits Four additional tests for Special Causes Control Limits after Process Change Discrete Data Control Charts Control Charts for Discrete Proportion Data Control Charts for Discrete Count Data Control Charts for High Volume Processes with Continuous Data Analysis: Non-Normal Data Test for normal distribution Box-Cox Transformation Box-Cox Transformation for Individuals Control Charts Analysis: Time Series Analysis Introduction to Time Series Analysis Decomposition Smoothing: Moving Average Smoothing: EWMA Analysis: Process Capability Process capability Discrete Data: Defect metrics Discrete Data: Yield metrics Process Capability for Continuous Data: Sigma Value Short- and long-term capabilities Cp, Cpk, Pp, Ppk capability indices Analysis: Measurement System Analysis What is Measurement System Analysis? What defines a good measurement system? Gage R&R Studies Attribute / Discrete Gage R&R Continuous Gage R&R Regression Analysis: Simple Correlation Correlation Coefficient Simple linear regression Checking the fit of the Regression Model Leverage and influence analysis Correlation and regression pitfalls Regression Analysis: Multiple Regression Analysis Introduction to Multiple Regression Multicollinearity Multiple Regression vs. Simple Linear Regression Regression Analysis: Multiple Regression Analysis with Discrete Xs Introduction Creating indicator variables Method 1: Going straight to the intercepts Method 2: Testing for differences in intercepts Logistic Regression: Logistic Regression Introduction to Logistic Regression Logistic Regression - Adding a Discrete X Design of Experiments: Introduction Design of Experiment OFAT experimentation Full factorial design Fractional factorial design DOE road map, hints, and suggestions Design of Experiments: Full Factorial Designs Creating 2k Full Factorial designs in Minitab Randomization Replicates and repetitions Analysis of results: Factorial plots Analysis of results: Factorial design Analysis of results: Fits and Residuals Analysis of results: Response Optimizer Analysis of results: Review Design of Experiments: Pragmatic Approaches Designs with no replication Fractional factorial designs Screening Design of Experiment Case Study Repair Time Blocking Closing: Organizational Change Management Organizational change management Assuring project sponsorship Emphasizing shared need for change Mobilizing stakeholder commitment Closing: Project Management for Lean Six Sigma Introduction to project management Project management for Lean Six Sigma The project baseline plan Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Resource planning Project budget Project risk Project schedule Project executing Project monitoring and controlling and Closing Closing: Design for Lean Six Sigma Introduction to Design for Lean Six Sigma (DMADV) Introduction to Quality Function Deployment (QFD) Summary and Next Steps IIL's Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification Program also prepares you to pass the IASSC Certified Black Belt Exam (optional)
LOOKING FOR: ADULT FICTION, NON-FICTION Daisy Chandley joined PFD in 2019 after graduating from the University of Oxford with a BA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics. She is an Associate Agent and assistant to Senior Agent Annabel Merullo and Head of Books Tim Bates as the UK sub-agent for New Directions Publishing in the US. Daisy is actively building a list of both fiction and non-fiction authors across a range of genres. With fiction, Daisy's wishlist roughly falls into three categories – if something feels like it overlaps between them, even better! 1) Sharp, original novels on the literary to upmarket spectrum, all the way from deeply dark and boundary-pushing books like Hurricane Season, Under The Skin or In The Cut to those balancing edge, heart and humour, like Detransition, Baby or A Visit From The Goon Squad. She loves irreverent wit, daring approaches in narrative or form, and seriously unsettling stories in equal measure, and if you can bring a few of those elements into one, it’ll go straight to the top of her. 2) Com-heavy rom-coms, whether in the dry but ultimately sob-inducing vein of Greta and Valdin or a Nora Ephron film, the escapist screwball delight of a Cary Grant classic, or the more unusual, genre-bending style of something like Palm Springs. Daisy is a sucker for Emily Henry and will always be happy to see an innovative take on tropey love stories, but is equally very keen to see to things a bit outside of the box, whether that’s integrating speculative elements, dark humour, or topical issues. In any case, humour and originality are my priority, and affectionately snarky bickering is the best way to make her fall head over heels with a couple. 3) Sleuths! Daisy is not the right person for police procedurals, but loves classic detectives and amateur sleuths. Whether it’s a delightful Knives Out or Nancy Drew homage or an intricate, unputdownable mystery on the darker side, the minute someone finds a good old fashioned clue, count her in! Overall, whether it’s a delightfully fun and scandalous page-turner or something really bold and experimental, if it’s stylish and smart – and maybe even a bit sexy – Daisy would love to see it. Daisy is definitely interested in literary speculative fiction, though not generally looking for hard SFF. Across the board, she is always looking for stories that explore sexuality, race, gender, and disability, and would particularly love to hear from writers whose voices and experiences aren’t given enough space in publishing. On the non-fiction side, Daisy is looking for bold new insights and underrepresented voices on popular science, nature writing, relationships, social issues and politics, and am always especially interested in fresh, playful and exciting writing on pop culture, love and the internet. She’d also love to see illuminating narrative non-fiction, whether a beautiful and lyrical exploration, or an enthralling and explosive deep-dive. A (large) handful of authors past and present whose work Daisy loves include Patricia Lockwood, Toni Morrison, Elif Batuman, Gillian Flynn, Shirley Jackson, Raven Leilani, Max Porter, Carmen Maria Machado, Virginia Woolf, Sayaka Murata, Kiley Reid, Sally Rooney, George Saunders, Joan Didion, Amy Liptrot, Ottessa Moshfegh, J.D. Salinger, Donna Tartt, Bret Easton Ellis, and Fernanda Melchor. Daisy is not the right fit for Children’s or YA authors. Daisy would like you to submit a covering letter, 1 page synopsis and the first 2,500 words of your manuscript in a single word document. (In addition to the paid sessions, Daisy 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 14th August 2025
https://www.optima-ect.com/fast-track-course
LOOKING FOR: MIDDLE GRADE, YOUNG ADULT & ADULT FICTION AS WELL AS NON-FICTION FOR ALL AGES Prior to joining DKW in 2023, Camille worked at David Higham Associates as Agent’s Assistant to Jane Gregory and in the Children’s Translation Rights team. She has also worked in editorial for an academic publisher, in rights and marketing for an audiobook publisher and as an intern at Felicity Bryan Literary Agency. Camille loves engaging with narratives on a structural level in order to draw out their best qualities. Camille has an MSc in Publishing from Edinburgh Napier University and an MA in English Literature from the University of Edinburgh. She was Secretary of the Association of Authors’ Agents, as well as Co-Chair for the AAA’s Bridge Committee for early career agents and assistants, from late 2021 to early 2024. She also previously volunteered at the Story Museum in Oxford. Camille is looking to grow her list with a particular focus on middle grade, young adult and adult/crossover fiction, as well as non-fiction for all ages. Books that she has loved and that speak to her taste include Lockwood and Co by Jonathan Stroud (MG), I’ll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson (YA), Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros (crossover) and Every Summer After by Carley Fortune (adult). For more information, please visit Camille's page on the Diamond Kahn Woods Literary Agency website. Camille 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, Camille 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 13th August 2025