Writers' Conference

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22 - 29 June 2012

‘mind-opening, refreshing, fun, friendly, inspiring, simply the best’

More than 60 professional writers, poets, playwrights, commissioning editors, literary agents and industry specialists lead workshops, mini courses, lectures and one to one appointments during this major international event for all writers. Aspiring writers from many parts of the UK, New Zealand, India and Canada descend on Winchester to learn how to harness their creativity, discuss their ideas for children’s books, learn how to re-structure their novels and ‘pitch’ their polished works to editors and agents.

To see a short documentary about the Conference go to www.youtube.com/visitwinchester

News from the 2011 festival:

Top speakers for Big 31st Winchester Writers' Conference - JK Rowling and Me and Special Guest Geoff Holt, International Yachtsman and Author

Barry Cunningham OBE, most famously known for his ‘discovery’ of the young J K Rowling, will give one of the Keynote Talks at the Big 31st Winchester Writers’ Conference. As the creator of the most famous boy wizard said herself, "If it wasn’t for Barry Cunningham, Harry Potter might still be languishing in his cupboard under the stairs. I am hugely grateful to him."
Barry Cunningham has launched the careers of Hilary Martel and Martin Amis as Marketing Director of Bloomsbury Publishing and became closely associated with the success of Roald Dahl. He left Bloomsbury to launch his own publishing company, Chicken House, promoting such leading authors as Cornelia Funke and bestsellers like The Tunnels series.

Not only do we welcome Harry Potter Man, Barry Cunningham OBE, but also intrepid sailor, Geoff Holt MBE, who will describe his ‘Personal Atlantic’ challenge, sailing his 60 foot, wheelchair-accessible catamaran, The Impossible Dream. on a 2,700 mile journey across the Atlantic that took 27 days to complete.

Click here to read more about the top speakers.

For more information, and the 66 page conference programme contact Barbara Large MBE, Centre for Research and Knowledge Exchange, University of Winchester, Winchester, Hampshire S022 4NR, email Barbara.Large@winchester.ac.uk , direct line 01962 827 238, check out our website www.writersconference.co.uk