Saturday 24 March
Pitch and Pen
Ever wondered whether that idea you have for a novel, or a poetry or short story collection could fly?
Would you like the chance to pitch to a team of publishing industry professionals?
You’ve seen Dragons’ Den, so now Headingley Litfest invites you to pitch your ideas in front of an audience and a panel of professional writers and publishers. Not only is this a great chance to see whether your idea is sound, it also gives you a chance to see what the competition is like out there. What makes a great idea stand out from the pile?
The winning pitcher(s) will be invited to submit a synopsis and sample of their work for consideration by either Valley Press based in Scarborough, or Sheffield based And Other Stories. Regardless of whether a publishing contract is offered, feedback will be provided on the submission package.
The panel of judges will be made up of:
Jamie McGarry Publisher/Director - Valley Press
Anna Glendenning Editor - And Other Stories
Alison Taft - Novelist and Editor for Cornerstones Literary Consultancy
£5 to pitch -
places to pitch are limited and to apply for a ticket you must please
email litfestpitchnpen@gmail.com stating whether you want to pitch poetry/short stories or a novel.
£2 to attend - on the door.
4.00pm - 6.00pm New Headingley Club, St Michael’s Road
Valley Press (est. 2008) is a thriving independent publishing house based in Scarborough, North Yorkshire. With authors from all corners of the UK, as well as Canada, the USA, India, Bermuda and China, it brings the world to Yorkshire and Yorkshire to the world. There are more than 100 titles currently in print, including poetry (collections, pamphlets and anthologies), fiction (novels and short stories) and non-fiction (travel writing and memoirs). 2018 will see further expansion, with musical history and graphic novels appearing on the shelves. Valley Press’s most important belief is that great literature and great publishing is for everyone and anyone. Get in touch if you agree.
And Other Stories publishes some of the best in contemporary writing. It aims to push people’s reading limits and help them discover authors of adventurous and inspiring writing. And Other Stories is its readers, editors, writers, translators and subscribers. While all its books are distributed widely through bookshops, it is subscribers’ support that makes the books happen. The press now has about 1,000 active subscribers in over 40 countries, receiving up to 6 books a year in advance of publication date.
Wednesday 21 March
Oxfam Literary Quiz
Partnership event with HEART Centre and Oxfam
The mind-bending Oxfam Quiz at HEART will bring a bit more of a literary focus in March. In conjunction with the LitFest there will be something for bookworms and the literati, as well as those who like pictures and brainteasers! HEART Centre Manager Mike will be the Quizmaster par excellence.
It’s just £1 per person, with a maximum of five in a team.
There will be a raffle too.
8.00pm Assembly Bar and Kitchen,
HEART Centre, Bennett Road