Pathways to Publication: Panel Discussions for Writers
Date Thursday 05 June 2025
Time 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Price£40 | £35
Development
Calling all writers - new and seasoned! Join us for an afternoon of advice, tips and industry insight.
From fiction to radio, non-fiction and self-publishing, the day includes a series of panel discussions and Q&As with literary agents, industry experts and acclaimed authors.
In the breaks a number of organisations will have info stands where you can seek support, advice, and create connections. Participating organisations include Society of Authors, Society of Young Publishers Ireland, BBC Writers, Fighting Words NI and Libraries NI.
Please note that session times are subject to change.
1.00 - 1.45pm > Pitching fiction: Working with literary agents
Hosted by writer Neil Hegarty, this is a rare opportunity to hear from literary agent Eleanor Birne (RCW Literary Agency) and two of the authors she represents. Belfast writer Michael Magee is the award-winning author of Close to Home, while Patrick Holloway’s debut novel, The Language of Remembering, was published this year to critical acclaim. Expect insights into the author-agent relationship, plus practical tips on preparing fiction submissions and pitching to agents.
1.45 - 2.30pm > Publishing sci-fi and fantasy
Broaden your horizons at this unique event with literary agent Christabel McKinley (David Higham Associates) and Irish sci-fi writer RB Kelly, hosted by children’s author and novelist Sam Thompson. With sci-fi and fantasy dominating the bestseller lists, this event is full of tips on publishing books for adults and young readers – from traditional publishing with an agent to alternative routes such as book subscriptions and fan fiction.
3.15 - 4.00pm > Writing for radio
How does writing for radio differ from writing for the page, stage or screen? Discover how to write and pitch audio at this informative session with RTÉ radio producer and book editor Clíodhna Ní Anluain, BBC audio producer Michael Shannon and Belfast writer Paul McVeigh, author of I Hear You, a dazzling collection of stories written especially for BBC Radio 4.
4.15 - 5.00pm > Pitching and writing non-fiction
Hosted by writer Lucy Sweeney Byrne, this event features expert advice on non-fiction, memoir and personal essays. Learn how historian Maurice Casey wrote his book proposal for Hotel Lux, shortlisted for the Irish Book Awards, and hear Northern Irish author and journalist Katie Goh discuss the genesis of Foreign Fruit, a hybrid memoir using the history of the orange to explore personal identity, globalisation, colonialism and migration.
5.00 - 5.45pm > Self-publishing and self-promotion
From self-publishing to ‘hybrid’ publishers, this event will demystify the process of independent publishing, offering invaluable tips on creating and promoting your own books. Our panellists include speculative fiction writer Byddi Lee, whose books include Barren and the Rejuvenation trilogy, and Angeline King, author of The Secret Diary of Stephanie Agnew and former Writer in Residence at Ulster University.
Following the session, join us for a drink and nibble as the winners of the Mairtín Crawford Awards 2025 are announced.
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