We are very excited to hear about the launch of a brand new writers' conference which is to take place in June of this year, here are some more details:

Royal Society of Literature and Alliance of Independent Authors join together for first time at 2014 Writing in a Digital Age ConferenceFRIDAY 13TH – SUNDAY 15TH JUNE

• Kobo Writing Life to sponsor one year ‘talent support’ programme for winner of ‘Pen Factor’ writing competition
• The Guardian confirmed as conference media partner

The Literary Consultancy is delighted to announce the third year programme for the Writing in a Digital Age Literary Conference, with author and campaigner Cory Doctorow delivering the opening keynote, addressing head-on the thorny question of ‘Intellectual Property in a Digital Age’, and bringing us up to date with his own pioneering brand of publishing.

It will set the scene for debate and discussion over two days, with more than 30 writers, journalists, publishers, literary agents, and digital pioneers taking part. In a new development for 2014, conference ticket holders will also be entitled to a third bonus day which will include a Masterclass from the Royal Society of Literature (RSL) in association with Booker Prize Foundation and a dynamic session with literary agents, trade-publishers and author-publishers. A revamped Pen Factor competition, supported by Kobo Writing Life, offers the chance for 15 writers to benefit from professional feedback on their writing and in-group critiquing on June 15th.

• Maggie Fergusson, Director of the Royal Society of Literature, said, “TLC’s third Digital Conference is an opportunity to help build bridges between established and emerging writers, and to look to the literary future with tough-minded optimism.”
• Orna Ross, Founder of the Alliance of Independent Authors, said, “There are conferences about writing as craft & art; the importance of writing & literature; and the opportunities new technologies & platforms are offering today’s writers. This conference offers all of this in one, and is a unique event in the writing calendar.”

PROGRAMMING HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

• A publishing industry snapshot in a year when Amazon claim that 25% of profits were made from self-publishing, with Steve Bohme (Nielsen Book Research), James Gill(United Agents), Stephen Page (Faber & Faber), Diego Marano (Kobo) and the Guardian’s Claire Armitstead,
• A presentation by some of publishing’s visionaries about how writers can carry their stories across a range of storytelling mediums, including Jon Ingold (Inkle) andFrancis Bickmore (Canongate),
• ‘The Writer in the Machine’, a must-not-miss in-depth session led by Orna Ross and entrepreneurial author Joanna Penn, presenting case studies that explore how writers can become ‘creative directors’ of their own careers, and what it takes to succeed in different corners of the market,
• Modern book criticism will be given a full review with book blogging’s first lady,Dovegreyreader and writer and journalist Sam Leith, among others, asking what value book reviews have to offer in today's media landscape,
• And back by popular demand: Canon Tales, a rapid-fire presentation that lifts the lid off what drives nine of the UK’s top players in the world of books and digital, including author Kamila Shamsie, Max Porter (Granta Books), Maggie Fergusson (RSL, and author), Chris Gribble (Writers’ Centre Norwich) and Daniel Cooper (Former Amazon Head of KD Publishing, self-published author)

In addition, this year’s Pen Factor Writing Competition is open to all attending writers who do not have work currently in print with a commercial publishing house. With the help of Kobo Writing Life, the winner will be offered a year’s access to TLC literary and publishing events at Free Word Centre, alongside editorial and advisory support. KWL will also present the winner and two runners-up with e-readers, and a professional photo shoot session. 15 writers will also benefit from advice given during a direct pitching and feedback session with agents.

TLC Director Rebecca Swift said: “We couldn’t be prouder to announce our key associates for 2014, The Royal Society of Literature, and the Alliance of Independent Authors. We feel that this combination, of old and new, represents what’s best of traditional literary values as digital publishing moves forward, as well as the most visionary of what’s to come.”

Location

Free Word Centre 60 Farringdon Road London EC1R 3GA

Tickets

All tickets are for full access to the conference.
Conference pass: £390 (including VAT), Early bird conference pass: £294* (including VAT)
*Available until 31 March 2014
Limited concessions for OAPs and students at a further 15% discount

Media queries contact:

Jon Slack, jon@amphora.org.uk; 07747 732995