Make the conference weekend a productive one for your writing, reading or research project. Enjoy the facility of our conference suite each morning and work on your project, or catch up on that ever growing reading list. The space will be a quiet one, with a luxurious reception nearby for conversations on books and writing. Still & sparkling water & mints complimentary.

Time: Every morning 7am-9am.

Receive a warm welcome to your boutique conference in Belfast! Discuss your objectives for the weekend and plan through the packed schedule of key craft sessions, industry meeting and interviews.

Time: 9.00-10.00am

Are you an architect or a gardener? Do you like to make it up as you go along, or do you prefer to have all your plot in place before you start? In this session we discuss the challenges of both approaches. Includes short writing exercises.

Time: 10.00-11.00am

In the first of 4 special seminars on writing for younger readers, we travel through the world of writing for younger children. Here we look at the early category of reader or a young-listening-audience! We explore picture books for babies and toddlers. With special exercises and discussion. Seminar style with Q&A.

Time: 11.15-12.00pm

Here we discuss techniques that can help you produce consistently high quality & publishable short fiction. We have completed the first draft. But how do we revise and rework our writing? Revision and self-editing techniques are discussed in this special session. What are the best strategies? What do we leave out and what do we put back in? We explore these and other specific questions of editorial approach in this class. Presentation style with Q&A.

Time: 12.00- 1.00pm

Progress your short fiction/episodic chapter in this special session. what is a short story? Where do we start ? How do we sustain the reader’s interest? How do we conclude? This session gets writers started in the short form. Class style with exercises.

Time: 1.00-2.00pm

Discuss your writing practice 1-1 with an experienced tutor. Ten minute sessions. Book in advance at info@martinkeaveney.com

Time: 2.00-3.00pm

Share your work with other writers and receive feedback.

Time: 3.00-4.00pm

Sweet Cherry Publishing is an award-winning independent children’s book publisher based in the UK. Inspired by their Leicester heritage, where over 25k children live in poverty and literacy rates are amongst the lowest in the country, Sweet Cherry believe that all children should have access to great stories and they work to break down the socio-economic barriers that often get in the way of access to books.

Time: 4.00-5.00pm

The Lilliput Press is one of Ireland’s smallest and most prestigious publishing houses. They specialize in biography, historical non-fiction and memoir, but are also one of the leading fiction publishers in Ireland. They will discuss current titles, what happens when a manuscript is accepted and what they are looking for at present. Presentation style followed by Q&A.

Time: 5.00-6.00pm

In this seminar we enter the world of writing for older children. What are the challenges? How do we write entertaining books for children at this developing age? With examples and special exercises to ignite the beginning of your children’s book. Seminar style with Q&A.

Time: 6.00-7.00pm

Receive a warm welcome to your boutique conference in Belfast! Discuss your objectives for the weekend and plan through the packed schedule of key craft sessions, industry meeting and interviews.

Time: 7.00-8.00pm

In this session, we look at the challenges and rewards of writing a novel and other long form projects. We discuss techniques to sustain a longer project and achieve our ultimate goals.

Time: 9.00-10.00am

If you are planning a historical fiction book or series or a local history book, this session explores some of the challenges and techniques of this fascinating area of writing. With key research and validation techniques. Seminar style with Q&A.

Time: 10.00-11.00am

There are several exciting industry clinics options available to writers over the weekend. Attend this session for some key tips to ensure your session with the industry professional is as productive as possible.

Time: 11.15-12.00pm

Domhnall O’ Donoghue is an actor, journalist & novelist. In 2016, Tirgearr Publishing released Domhnall’s first novel, Sister Agatha: The World’s Oldest Serial Killer. Mercier Press, Ireland’s oldest publishing house, released Domhnall’s second and third novels, Colin and the Concubine and Crazy for You. As an actor, Domhnall appeared as Pádraig in TG4’s Ros na Rún for nine seasons. Interview style followed by Q&A.

Time: 12.00-1.00pm

This session introduces writers to creating books for teenagers, What are the techniques need to engage this audience? How do we put ourselves into the mindset of teenage characters? With carefully designed exercises and discussion. Seminar style with Q&A.

Time: 1.00-2.00pm

Leeona has held numerous production department roles in feature film, TV, corporate, and commercial projects but is mostly found in the producer’s seat.A graduate of The National Film School at IADT she holds a First Class BAHons in Film and TV Production, specialising in production and screenwriting. She has produced over 12 shorts including the multi-award winning “An Crann” and dollar-baby short “In the Deathroom” based on the short story by Stephen King.  Diligently developing as a screenwriter Leeona has been a script evaluator for various production companies and filmmakers.

Time: 2.00-3.00pm

Are you ready to submit your Poetry, Film or TV project, Novels or short stories? Thinking of adapting your story or novel for screen? Get industry insights on your project through a face-to-face meeting with an industry professional. Meet Children’s Book publishers Sweet Cherry 2 SPACES LEFT – RESERVE NOW, adult fiction publishers Lilliput Press JOIN WAITING LIST & Betimes Books, Poetry publisher Salmon Poetry and Screen producer Up on Blue Bridge Productions. Limited to 6 each, please confirm your place on registration form as early as possible to avoid disappointment. One-to one style In-Person / Zoom.

Time: 3.00-4.00pm

Discuss your writing practice 1-1 with an experienced tutor. Ten minute sessions. Book in advance at info@martinkeaveney.com

Time: 4.00-5.00pm

Share your work with other writers and receive feedback.

Time: 5.00-6.00pm

How can we survive economically as a writer? This session explores various ways to successfully practice a career as a professional author even if the work is not commercial in itself. We will also look at supports for authors writing commercially who have not yet secured a contract.

Time: 6.00pm-7.00pm

Donald Finnaeus Mayo was born in London and grew up in Australia and South East Asia, the backdrop for his novel, Francesca. He is the author of Francesca and The Insider’s Guide to Betrayal. He was educated in England, where he graduated with a degree in Politics and Culture. At various times he has worked as a radio journalist for the BBC, a business writer for major corporations, and as a photographer. He currently lives in Hampshire with his wife and three children.

Time: 7.30pm

In this seminar, we introduce writers to the art of writing films, TV series and other visual content. With exercises and samples.

Time: 9.00am – 10.00am

Meet Tanja Slijepcevic of Betimes Books. Betimes Books endeavour to support visionary writing and the making of great literature. They are dedicated to helping authors succeed and creating conditions in which they can continue to create. They will discuss current titles, the process of manuscript acceptance and what they are looking for at the moment. Presentation style followed by Q&A.

Time: 10.00am- 11.00am

Meet Jessie Lendennie, founder of Salmon Poetry. Salmon Poetry, taking its name from the Salmon of Knowledge in Celtic mythology, was established in 1981 as an alternative voice in Irish literature. The Salmon, a journal of poetry and prose was a flagship for writers in the west of Ireland, and Salmon’s first books, Gonella by Eva Bourke and Goddess on the Mervue Bus by Rita Ann Higgins broke new ground for women poets. Since then over 600 volumes of poetry have been produced, and Salmon has become one of the most important publishers in the Irish literary world. By specialising in the promotion of new poets, particularly women poets, Salmon has enriched Irish literary publishing. 

Time: 11.00am- 12.00pm

In this session, we look at techniques for raising awareness of your work online and offline. There will be a step-by-step demo in setting up a variety of platforms including launching a free website.

Time: 12.00pm- 1.00pm

In this session we explore the options open to those who wish to publish their writing themselves. What projects are suitable for this option? We look at aspects of formatting, copyright, ISBN numbers, pricing, marketing and the best platforms for self-publishing. We will also look at the best options available to those who wish to appoint a self-publishing company to publish their work.

This special seminar is for writers intent on writing a highly commercial novel. We will explore in detail perspectives, plot, historical facts, violence, sexual scenes, presentation to publishers and agents  and other important aspects to ensure a highly publishable manuscript  in this key session.  Presentation & Q&A.

Time: 1.00-2.00pm

It’s showtime! Read, perform or have someone else present your creative work in the company of family & friends in this special concluding item.

Time: 3.00-5.00pm