Writing Club

[FMCC]

Belfast Book Week is the last week in February when NI publishing houses are arranging readings in bookshops, arts venues and places as diverse as the Belfast to Derry train. It's an opportunity to promote local writers and sell their work. An idea worth copying in our own home areas? Especially since a local cluster of writers may include the self-published, community publishing houses, and large publishers across Ireland and the UK.
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Freelance writer working in community arts sector;co-founder of writing/performance group; film maker; published novelist; miscarriage of justice activist

[brendan]

Hiya.

There were several gallops at a book week in Dublin, usually promoted by trade publishers.

It is my impression that while they were supported by the trade and by writers; the great unwashed failed to rise to the occasion and stayed away in droves.

Is Belfast different and how do self-published writers gain access to the promotion?

Brendan
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Write your own book with the help of an Askaboutwriting one-to-one writing course.
Here: www.askaboutwriting.net/academy.htm

[FMCC]

I'll post a reply to the first enquiry after I've seen who turns up for our event!
The structure of events seems to be relatively open- if you have a self-published book, and can organise an 'event'- perhaps with another author?- an hour long reading and Q and A session with a break for sales and signings, for example- the Fest. organisers will include it in their promotional literature and provide you with leaflets, flyers etc to distribute in your home area. It could also be an event which would appeal to local media- why self publish? what was it like, how much did it cost? so I'd suggest offering yourself for interview. If you can persuade a small bookseller to give you a quiet corner one evening and lay on some tea and coffee, on the grounds that they might sell a few of their own titles, then the writers get good, free publicity, and a few sales, for no outlay...worth a try?.
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Freelance writer working in community arts sector;co-founder of writing/performance group; film maker; published novelist; miscarriage of justice activist

[brendan]

Hi

Dates clash for me. I've to be in Galway then and cannot also be in Belfast. Next year in Belfast perhaps.

Dublin Book Festival will run from 06mar09 - 08mar09; but it's concentrated in the City Hall and at least last year it was very like CLE on tour.
The book publishers association showed their wares and various worthy public sessions were presented.
Not the sort of thing for the bootless to concentrate upon.

Brendan.
_________________
Write your own book with the help of an Askaboutwriting one-to-one writing course.
Here: www.askaboutwriting.net/academy.htm

[FMCC]

It went surprisingly well- but then it was a fringe event. Bookfinders bookshop/cafe across the road from QUB which has a regular Friday night clientele and new writers performance spot. Lovely crowd and by our standards, good sales. Four of us did 2 readings each and the feedback was positive- we were invited back and the Derry Scriptwriters group, which is a mixture of hobby and published writers, was also offered a night. Two of the festival organisers came to see and hear us. I'm glad we had a presence, if only to remind people in NI that there is life west of the Bann.
Would do it again on an annual basis, as it was good craic.
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Freelance writer working in community arts sector;co-founder of writing/performance group; film maker; published novelist; miscarriage of justice activist