Sydney Writers festival: So you want to be an author?

I will present my popular half-day workshop ‘So you want to be an author?’ This workshop is a must for those who want to understand the big picture of the publishing industry and other issues of vital importance to writers.

Workshop outline:

Why be a writer?
• The book is dead. The cultural context for a professional writer.
• Despite a lot of comment to the contrary, books, publishing and reading are actually doing very well.

The book publishing industry in Australia: An economic background to being a professional writer in Australia
• Value
• Number of books
• Number of publishers
• Imports versus Home-grown titles

Know your rights: Copyright, contracts and other contentious issues
• What is copyright?
• How does copyright work?
• Why is it important?

Know your market: Opportunities for writers
• Getting the words down: Tips for creating your manuscript.

Presenting your work to a publisher or agent
• Do you need an agent?

Date: Wednesday 20 May 2009, 10.00 am - 1.00pm
Venue: State Library of NSW, Target Room, Macquarie Wing, Macquarie St, Sydney NSW
Cost: $70 concession price for ASA members, $80 non-members

To register, phone the Sydney Theatre Box Office on 02 9250 1988.