120 Publishing courses in Whetstone delivered Live Online

LOOKING FOR: ADULT FICTION, NON-FICTION Publisher / editor Scott Pack is now in his third decade working in the world of books. During that time he has been Head of Buying for Waterstones, worked for publishers big and small - including a lengthy spell at HarperCollins - and taught numerous workshops and classes on all aspects of writing. These days he splits his time between writing his own books, editing other people's, teaching the editors of tomorrow as part of the Oxford Brookes University MA in Publishing, and he is one of the question setters for BBC's Mastermind. His latest book, Tips From A Publisher, is out now.  As a publisher, Scott has published across most genres in fiction and a wide range of non-fiction and is happy to read any style of writing. He will assess your sample and provide feedback on any issues he identifies, the manuscript's commercial potential and what steps he would advise before you submit to agents or publishers. Scott is very direct with his feedback, so expect robust, but always constructive, comments! Scott would like you to submit your fiction as a covering letter, 1-2 page synopsis and the first 5,000 words of your manuscript in a single word document.  For non-fiction, he would like to see:- 1-page synopsis – to give an overview of what the book will offer the reader and how it's different from other books out there on this topic A detailed proposed contents list, including proposed sub-section headings as well as chapter headings – to give a sense of the overall reader journey 1000-1500 words of intro text - to showcase context, tone etc 1000-1500 words from later in the book - to showcase the progression of the book (In addition to the paid sessions, Scott 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 26th August 2025

Music industry advice sessions are back! Sound Gallery studios are proud to host once again music industry advice seminars led by Integrity Records Record label owner one of the U.K.’s longest running truly independent record labels and known for finding & nurturing cool new talent.  Find out how to pitch your music to music industry professionals, how to build and sustain a career as a professional musician, how to set up your own record label, how to protect your creation including copyright and music publishing, how to get airplay and more from Integrity Records CEO and founder Nick Tarbitt.  Nick has many years experience as a media & entertainment lawyer, advising musicians, management companies and record labels on contractual issues, but with a particular interest in assisting new artists, musicians and performers with their early steps in the industry, including their first band agreements, management contracts, recording deals, licensing and publishing agreements. Integrity Records releases, spanning various genres from punk to drum & bass via indie-folk and quirky pop, have been heard on BBC Radio 1, BBC 6 Music and BBC Radio 2, alongside XFM/Radio X, Q Radio, Amazing Radio and numerous regional stations in the UK and abroad. Many of their artists have played live sessions from the BBC Maida Vale studios for Steve Lamacq, Jo Whiley, Zane Lowe and more. Suitable for: unsigned and emerging artists, singer-songwriter, bands and musicians. Bookings: call the studio: 01392-495301 or email: marketing@sound-gallery.net Venue: Sound Gallery Studios, Exeter Phoenix, Gandy street, Exeter, EX4 3LS Costs:  £120 / 2 hr session for 1:1 sessions - £150 / 2 hr session for small groups 4-8 people

LOOKING FOR: ADULT FICTION Clare set up the Liverpool Literary Agency in 2020 to help address inequality and underrepresentation in the publishing industry. With more than 15 years’ experience of writing and editing professionally, including the publication of two novels, Definitions (2015) and We Are of Dust (2018 - which has received development funding from the Liverpool Film Office for a TV adaptation), she has developed an in-depth knowledge of what commissioning editors and publishers expect to see from a submitted manuscript. With a background in PR and marketing, alongside teaching on creative writing programmes, Clare also has extensive experience in pitching and promoting writers and has been nominated for the Romantic Novelist Association Agent of the Year Award! Clare would love to see historical fiction, crime fiction, psychological thrillers and women’s fiction, but she is open to all great writing with a strong hook in any area (excluding non-fiction, children’s and YA). She actively encourages submissions from writers who have been traditionally under-represented. Clare 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, Clare 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 10th September 2025

LOOKING FOR: ADULT FICTION, NON-FICTION Amanda Preston has been a literary agent for over 20 years and co-founded LBA in 2005. She won the RNA Literary Agent of the Year award in 2018.  She represents commercial and reading group fiction, as well as a range of narrative non-fiction and memoir. She loves working with authors, championing them every step of the way, and works with them and their publishing teams to build them into brand names and award winning and bestselling authors in the UK and internationally. Whether commercial or reading-group, she loves innovative and well-written stories that hook her in from the start and whose voice stays with her. She is looking for novels that demand to be talked about and shared, whatever their genre, and that she is still thinking about days after finishing.  She is on the hunt for a high-concept thriller which is character and plot driven, but also has a discussable issue at its heart i.e Elizabeth is Missing by Emma Healey and Girl A by Abigail Dean. She loves thrillers where the location is as integral to the plot as the crime i.e The Dry by Jane Harper and The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse, and would love a good locked-room thriller but is only looking for fresh and unique ideas in this area.  She is also on the hunt for a glorious book club love story that is doing something a bit different and special i.e Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus or anything by Taylor Jenkins Reid or Liane Moriarty! Or smart, contemporary, observant romcoms with a very strong emphasis on diverse / own voices.  Finally, she would love a historical that vividly brings that period to life as well as having a stunning plot i.e, The Familiars by Stacey Halls and The Doll Factory by Elizabeth MacNeal. Amanda would like you to submit a covering letter, 1 page synopsis and the opening three chapters (max 5,000 words). (In addition to the paid sessions, Amanda 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: Monday 1st September 2025 by 12 noon UK BST

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: Wednesday 27th August 2025

Novel Writing: From Idea to Publishing Course Overview This course offers a comprehensive journey through the entire novel writing process, from the initial spark of an idea to the final step of publishing. Learners will explore essential elements such as idea generation, audience identification, genre selection, and the craft of creating compelling plots and memorable characters. The course emphasises effective drafting and editing techniques to enhance storytelling quality. Additionally, it addresses common challenges like writer’s block and provides strategic guidance on publishing options. By the end of this course, learners will be equipped with the knowledge and confidence to develop their novel-writing skills, enabling them to create engaging narratives ready for publication or submission. This course is ideal for those wishing to develop their creative writing capabilities and gain a thorough understanding of the novel writing journey. Course Description This course delves deeply into the core aspects of novel writing, guiding learners through a structured approach to develop their stories from conception to publication. Topics include identifying and refining ideas, understanding target readers, and choosing the appropriate genre to maximise impact. The course covers narrative structure, setting development, and characterisation to build rich and immersive worlds. Emphasis is placed on writing the first draft with clarity and purpose, followed by detailed editing strategies to improve flow and coherence. Learners will also explore methods to overcome writer’s block and explore various publishing routes, from traditional to self-publishing. Throughout, the course fosters a professional understanding of the writing process, enhancing creativity, discipline, and market awareness essential for success in the literary field. Novel Writing: From Idea to Publishing Curriculum Module 01: Getting Started with Novel Writing Module 02: Finding Ideas and Selecting Your Audience Module 03: Selecting Your Genre Module 04: Planning and Plotting: Using Stories, Narrative and Setting Module 05: Bringing Your Characters to Life Module 06: Making That First Draft Module 07: Editing Effectively Module 08: Overcoming the Dreaded Writer’s Block Module 09: Getting Your Work Published (See full curriculum) Who is this course for? Individuals seeking to develop novel-writing skills and storytelling expertise. Professionals aiming to enhance their creative writing for career advancement. Beginners with an interest in literary creation and narrative development. Aspiring authors looking to understand the complete novel writing and publishing process. Career Path Novelist and Fiction Writer Creative Writer for Publishing Houses Content Creator and Story Developer Literary Agent Assistant Editorial Assistant in Publishing Self-Publishing Author

Microsoft Active Directory course description A thorough understanding of this system is essential for anyone managing enterprise MS networks. Essential theory is complimented with a high level of hands on practice allowing delegates to observe the idiosyncrasies of Active Directory and Group Policy at first hand. Delegates learn the fundamental theory of AD and progress onto building a multi-domain network in the classroom. The course includes troubleshooting methods, and essential maintenance procedures. This course is designed to teach you the skills needed for day to day management of these technologies. What will you learn Install AD on multiple PCs. Use the tools to create and manage objects. Create appropriate group policies to restrict selected user's desktops and network access. Install DNS to support Active Directory without loosing Internet Connectivity. Maintain and troubleshoot AD problems Backup Active Directory. Microsoft Active Directory course details Who will benefit: Technical staff working with AD based networks. Prerequisites: Supporting Windows server. Duration 3 days Microsoft Active Directory course contents Introduction to Active Directory Network authentication methods, Active Directory defined, AD naming conventions, network management with AD, AD structures: Domains, Organisational Units, Forests & Trees, Sites, The Global Catalogue. Windows 2003 new features, installing AD. Hands on Installing an AD network. Windows overview Management methods Server management tools, installing the additional tools, Terminal Server: Administration mode, Administrator accounts in AD, Local Security Policy. Hands on Install the management tools, Management using Terminal Services. Creating & Managing Objects (a quick look) AD management tools, AD users and computers, Creating & managing OUs, User Accounts and groups, controlling access to AD objects, moving objects, Publishing resources, locating objects in AD, delegating authority. Hands on Creating a control OU structure and delegating authority. Introduction to Group Policies What are Group Policies? Where Group Policy data is stored, security, Group Policy flow. Hands on Implementing Group Policies Working with Group Policies Local security templates, administrative templates, scripts, folder redirection, software deployment. Hands on Scripts, redirecting the start menu, creating a secure, robust desktop environment. Implementing DNS DNS basics, troubleshooting, implementing DNS zones. Hands on Building a unified DNS solution. Maintaining and managing the AD database AD support tools, database internal structure, replication, replication tools, Single Operations Masters, tools for maintenance, maintenance techniques, Backing up AD, Directory Services restore mode, NTDSUtil, Authoritative & non-authoritative restoration, rebuilding. Hands on NTDSUtil.

Face to Face training customised and bespoke. One to One Online or Face to Face

Duration 2 Days 12 CPD hours Overview Identify and configure basic functions of Tableau. Connect to data sources, import data into Tableau, and save Tableau files Create views and customize data in visualizations. Manage, sort, and group data. Save and share data sources and workbooks. Filter data in views. Customize visualizations with annotations, highlights, and advanced features. Create and enhance dashboards in Tableau. Create and enhance stories in Tableau As technology progresses and becomes more interwoven with our businesses and lives, more and more data is collected about business and personal activities. This era of "big data" has exploded due to the rise of cloud computing, which provides an abundance of computational power and storage, allowing organizations of all sorts to capture and store data. Leveraging that data effectively can provide timely insights and competitive advantage. The creation of data-backed visualizations is a key way data scientists, or any professional, can explore, analyze, and report insights and trends from data. Tableau© software is designed for this purpose. Tableau was built to connect to a wide range of data sources and allows users to quickly create visualizations of connected data to gain insights, show trends, and create reports. Tableau's data connection capabilities and visualization features go far beyond those that can be found in spreadsheets, allowing users to create compelling and interactive worksheets, dashboards, and stories that bring data to life and turn data into thoughtful action. Prerequisites To ensure your success in this course, you should have experience managing data with Microsoft© Excel© or Google Sheets?. Lesson 1: Tableau Fundamentals Topic A: Overview of Tableau Topic B: Navigate and Configure Tableau Lesson 2: Connecting to and Preparing Data Topic A: Connect to Data Topic B: Build a Data Model Topic C: Save Workbook Files Topic D: Prepare Data for Analysis Lesson 3: Exploring Data Topic A: Create Views Topic B: Customize Data in Visualizations Lesson 4: Managing, Sorting, and Grouping Data Topic A: Adjust Fields Topic B: Sort Data Topic C: Group Data Lesson 5: Saving, Publishing, and Sharing Data Topic A: Save Data Sources Topic B: Publish Data Sources and Visualizations Topic C: Share Workbooks for Collaboration Lesson 6: Filtering Data Topic A: Configure Worksheet Filters Topic B: Apply Advanced Filter Options Topic C: Create Interactive Filters Lesson 7: Customizing Visualizations Topic A: Format and Annotate Views Topic B: Emphasize Data in Visualizations Topic C: Create Animated Workbooks Topic D: Best Practices for Visual Design Lesson 8: Creating Dashboards in Tableau Topic A: Create Dashboards Topic B: Enhance Dashboards with Actions Topic C: Create Mobile Dashboards Lesson 9: Creating Stories in Tableau Topic A: Create Stories Topic B: Enhance Stories with Tooltips

Aspiring author? We know how frustrating it can be to have a brilliant story idea but feel stuck on where to start. The blank page can be intimidating, and finding the time and confidence to write can seem impossible. This Two-Day Creative Writing Workshop is designed specifically for beginners like you, ready to turn your novel dreams into reality! 🚀✍️