dlr Writer in Residence in association with Children’s Books Ireland and supported by Words Ireland

Sat 4 February 2017
10:00 – 16:45
dlr LexIcon
Dún Laoghaire
Co. Dublin
Tickets available here

All children’s writers and illustrators are welcome to this information-packed day, new, emerging and established alike. How much do children’s writers get paid? How important are events and social media? What are publishers and agents looking for in 2017 and beyond? Come with questions and leave with answers.

Sarah Webb is the dlr Writer in Residence for 2016/2017. Her residency focuses on children and young people age 8 to 18 and during her term she is running book clubs, writing clubs, teen workshops, writing clinics for children and adults writing for children and programming many events, including this one.

This event is part of a suite of events marking Children’s Books Ireland’s 20 birthday and celebrates 20 years of CBI providing support and professional development services to Irish children’s authors and illustrators.

10am Registration

10.30am – 11.20am Help, I Need Somebody! Where to Find Assistance and Information

Chair: Sarah Webb, dlr Writer in Residence

Join Aoife Murray, Programme & Events Manager at Children’s Books Ireland, Valerie Bistany, Director of the Irish Writers Centre, and Colleen Jones from SCBWI Ireland (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) for a wide ranging panel discussion on where to find information about publishing, agents, authors’ rights and where to connect with fellow writers and illustrators.

11.20pm to 12.30pm Show Me the Money: Royalties, Events and the Financial Side of Writing

Chair: Elaina Ryan, Director, Children’s Books Ireland

How much do children’s writers and illustrators earn? Find out from a range of writers, programmers and publishing experts: Sinead Connolly, Dublin City Arts Office and ILFD (International Literary Festival Dublin), Grainne Clear, Publishing Manager and Art Director at Little Island Books, Maedhbh Rogan McGann, Executive Librarian, Meath Co Council Library Service, and Alan Nolan, writer, illustrator, designer and a regular at festivals and school book days.

12.30 to 1.30 Lunch and chat 

1.30 to 2.15pm My Life in Pie: Life as a Children’s Writer 

Award-Winning Writer, Sheena Wilkinson

Sheena will talk about the real life of a writer: how much time is spent writing, teaching, doing accounts and posting social media snippets.

Sheena Wilkinson has written a number of award-winning books for teenagers and older children, the most recent being Name Upon Name, set in 1916 Belfast. She was the inaugural Bringing to Book Writer in Residence at CICE, and is a Royal Literary Fund Fellow and Ireland’s first Patron of Reading, for Trinity Comprehensive School, Ballymun.

2.15pm to 3.00pm If I Could Tell You Just One Thing: Children’s Writers, Illustrators and Booksellers Share their Experience 

Authors and booksellers talk to Elaina Ryan about the most important things they have learned over their years working in the book industry. Oisín McGann is an award-winning writer and illustrator who has published thirty-five books for a range of age levels. Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick is an award-winning writer, illustrator and picture book maker. Her latest picture book is Owl Bat Bat Owl.

3.00pm to 3.20pm Coffee Break 

3.20pm to 4.30pm Is It Me You’re Looking For? What Agents and Publishers are Looking for in 2017 and Beyond

Chair: Patricia Forde

Join our panel of publishers and agents who will discuss the publishing landscape in 2017 and beyond. Agent, Penny Holroyde has worked in publishing for over twenty years and founded Holroyde Cartey with Claire Cartey in 2015. Nicki Howard is Director of Gill Books, home to recent children’s bestsellers Pigín of Howth and Historopedia. Helen Carr has worked in publishing for nineteen years and is currently Senior Editor with The O’Brien Press. Conor Hackett set up Hackett Flynn Publishers’ Agency in 1999 after many years working in the publishing and retail industry. He represents Walker Books and Little Island Books as well as many other publishers.

4.45pm Drinks Reception

Launch of the Mountains to Sea dlr Book Festival Children’s Programme and viewing of the festival’s Chris Haughton and Beatrice Alemagna exhibition.