The Pathway to Publishing

On Saturday 21 September 2024, join us for the Irish Writers Centre Publishing Day at our Georgian Headquarters in Dublin. Throughout the day, we’ll be hearing from a variety of industry professionals who specialise in different areas of the publishing journey, from the role of the literary agent to the role of the publicist. This jam-packed day of seminars will provide an introduction to the world of publishing. All welcome!

Ever wondered what the difference is between a copy editor and a commissioning editor? Have you thought about seeking a literary agent for your unpublished manuscript? Do you actually need a literary agent or should you submit directly to the publishers? What does the publishing journey entail? When your magnum opus is finally on the shelf, how will it be marketed and publicised?

For the answer to these and other questions, come along to the Irish Writers Centre Publishing Day and meet top industry professionals!

TIMETABLE: Irish Writers Centre Publishing Day (Saturday 21 September 2024)

Welcome: 10.00 – 10.30am Tea, coffee and chats

The Literary Agent: 10.30-11.40am: Faith O’Grady, Literary Agent at Lisa Richards Agency. Faith will explain how literary agents help writers get their stories made into books. She will discuss how to find an agent; the role of the agent as a conduit between writer and publisher such as negotiating book deals and contracts.

The Publisher: 11.50am-1pm: Deirdre Nolan, Publishing Director Bonnier Books. Deirdre will give an overview of the publishing industry in general and then place a particular emphasis on the Irish and UK markets.

BREAK 1-2pm

The Editor: 2.00-3.10pm: Brian Langan, freelance editor and literary agent, who is founder of Storyline Editing and Storyline Literary Agency. Brian will discuss the role of the in-house editorial process and speak about freelance editing also.

The Publicist: 3.15-4.25pm: Elaine Egan, Publicity Director at Hachette Ireland. Elaine will explain the role of the publicist in the book world and take us through the process of creating and delivering wide-reaching publicity campaigns for marketing books.

Guest Speakers:

Faith O’Grady is a Dublin-based literary agent with Lisa Richards www.lisarichards.ie She represents fiction and non-fiction, and her authors include Marie Cassidy, Christine Dwyer Hickey, Paul Howard(aka Ross O’Carroll-Kelly), Michelle McDonagh, Mick Clifford, Vicki Notaro, Aoife Dooley, Sheena Wilkinson.

Elaine Egan is the Publicity Director of Hachette Ireland which is a division of the leading international book publishing group, Hachette UK. Elaine works on the Irish publicity campaigns across the entirety of the UK group, as well as on their local publishing list. Some of her recent work includes, publicity campaigns for authors such as Michael Harding, Marie Cassidy, John Connolly, Blindboy, David Nicholls and Naoise Dolan.

Deirdre Nolan is Publishing Director at Eriu, the Irish imprint of Bonnier Books, where she has published authors such as Charleen Hurtubise, Molly Hennigan, Leeanne O’Donnell, Richy Craven and Miriam Mulcahy. She has worked in publishing for over 25 years and loves discovering new voices and bringing them to the world.

Brian Langan is a freelance editor and literary agent, and founder of Storyline Editing and Storyline Literary Agency. Brian has over 25 years’ experience in publishing, including as editor at Transworld Ireland, an imprint of Penguin Random House, where his authors included Donal Ryan, Hilary Fannin and Conor O’Clery. As an agent, he has worked with writers including Niall Bourke, Mel O’Doherty, Luke Cassidy, Olivia Fitzsimons, Hesse Phillips and Jennifer McMahon. Brian is also a published author and is currently Vice Chair of the Association of Freelance Editors, Proofreaders and Indexers of Ireland.

Access our Building

Tá Áras Scríbhneoirí na hÉireann i 19 Cearnóg Pharnell, Baile Átha Cliath 1. Is teach Seoirseach é agus, ar an drochuair, níl ardaitheoir ann. Tá cúig chéim isteach ón tsráid. Bíonn bunús na n-imeachtaí i Seomra Kiely ar an chéad úrlár agus is gá tríocha céim a dhreapadh chuige sin.

The Irish Writers Centre is currently housed in 19 Parnell Square, Dublin 1. This is a Georgian building which unfortunately does not have a lift. There are 5 steps into the entrance level. The majority of the event’s activities will take place in the Kiely room which is on the first floor and requires climbing 30 steps in total. Please do inform us of any accessibility requirements you might have before the night so we can make any necessary arrangements.

If you have any questions about the event, please email info@irishwriterscentre.ie.