Annual Kingston Publishing Conference

Self-publishing: Last resort or heralding a new era of author participation?

• About the conference
• Who should come?
• The programme - Day 1
• The programme - Day 2
• Speaker biographies
• Conference artist
• How much will it cost?
• Contact us

About the conference

Publishing today is at a cross roads. The industry is obsessed by the drive towards digital content, formats and markets, and all stakeholders are nervous. The number of retail outlets willing to sell a range of books is declining at a worrying pace, and disintermediation – the delivery of traditionally organised products and services through new mechanisms – is much discussed. All involved are holding their breath to see whose position is preserved, and financial stake secured, in the new order of things.

Meanwhile, up in the outside lane has crept the author. Disintermediation benefits the position of those whose role cannot be replicated or replaced, and as the creators of content, authors find themselves in a strong position. Authors have been somewhat marginalised from the process of publishing in the past, but new delivery mechanisms are heavily dependent on their contacts and connectedness – and their confidence is growing.

Self-publishing has had a dubious reputation. But Jane Austen privately published her first book, and taking a personal financial stake in your work can be seen as a measure of your personal commitment. Now a range of new products and services for writers means that bespoke publishing (it’s time we reconsidered the name) is returning as an option of choice, not the abandonment of hope. New services allow the author to park a project in a permanent format and then either enjoy the pleasure of sharing (a particularly good option for family memoirs or books of personal significance) or the opportunity to move on with their next project; to return to it in six months time and give it a fresh objectivity. And sharpening a project for preservation, whether as a competition entry, blog or finished book, tends to deliver satisfaction – however it is eventually going to meet its market.

Our two day conference will explore the philosophy of investing in yourself, and the associated mental adjustments required, before moving on to examine the mechanisms that will allow this to happen. It will be engaging, motivating – and completely practical.

A particular feature of the two days will be a self-publishing project. Delegates will also benefit from the presence of a range of key products and services supporting this market, including Anthemion Ltd, who will offer demonstrations of the software they publish for writers to develop and e-publish their work. Both days include free resources, £10 worth of free books per day, delicious sustenance and access to a well furnished bookstall.

Who should come?

We welcome writers and would-be writers of all types of material and from all professional backgrounds: anyone seeking to write, or support the writing of others, would benefit. Our approach will be engaged and prompt self-enquiry, whether you are aiming to write for your own pleasure, reach your readership through conventional publishing means and the investment of others, or self-publish.

The programme - Day 1: Why publish?

Day one looks at philosophies of writing and publishing, traditional and self-, and examines the specific mental and practical attributes needed by those planning to invest their time in writing.

• 9.30 - Introduction and welcome, setting the scene
  Alison Baverstock, Kingston University
• 9.35 - Skype link with Mark Coker of Smashwords
• 9.45 - What do Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Stephen King and James Patterson have in common?
  A short history of publishing
  Judith Watts, Kingston University
• 10.30 - What has changed? Publishing at a crossroads in the 21st century
  How the new accessibility of writing, and much wider spread participation, meant traditional mechanisms could no longer cope. How a new form of publishing grew from author demand.
  Alison Baverstock, Kingston University
• 11.10 - Coffee
• 11.30 - Writing: The path to fulfilment or depression?
  Writing is hard work. We offer a full consideration of the rationale for writing and the personal resources required – and what extreme pursuit will do to you, your family and relationships.
  Keynote speaker: Julian Baggini, philosopher and author of ‘What’s it all about?’ (Granta)
• 1.00 - Lunch
• 2.00 - How do you know if it’s any good?
  Remaining objective about your work; recruiting objective feedback, working with editors. Why this is essential, not optional.
  Gale Winskill, Winskill Editorial
• 3.00 - Tea
• 3.20 - All your own work?
  Books, courses, software and counselling. What is available to help authors achieve their goals?
  Harriet Smart, Creative Director of Writer’s Cafe
• 4.00 - How authors feel about being published
  Keynote speaker: Rebecca Swift, The Literary Consultancy
• 5.00 - Opportunity to visit the bookstall, watch software demonstrations and network.
• 6.00 - Wine reception for delegates.

The programme - Day 2: Putting this into practice

Day two offers a range of expertise on the practicalities involved, and presents some interesting models of how this has worked on both an industry-wide and individual basis.

• 9.30 - Welcome and summary of day one
  Alison Baverstock, Kingston University
• 9.40 - The self-publishing Travelcard
  How self-publishing houses offer authors a complete service
  Daniel Cooke, Authorhouse Ltd
• 10.30 - What the publishing industry offers self-publishing authors
  An overview of how the publishing industry is adapting to these changed market conditions.
  Mark Johnson, Community Editor, The Economist
• 11.10 - Coffee
• 11.30 - The virtual book
  Self-publishing without print – E-publishing your work
  Harriet Smart, Creative Director of Writer’s Cafe
• 12.15 - Presenting a face to meet the world
  What book design and cover choice say about the product – the aesthetics you never previously noticed.
  Andrew Therkelsen, Director of Discovery and member of The Association of Qualitative Research
• 1.00 - Lunch
• 2.00 - But who will buy it?
  Is it possible to make money from self-publishing?
  Assessing your overheads: time, space and money.
  Marketing: the mechanisms by which information is spread, and the responsibilities that are now devolved on writers
  Alison Baverstock, Kingston University
• 3.20 - Tea
• 3.40 - I did it my way
  Keynote speaker: Siobhan Curham, self-published author
• 4.40 - Final summary, opportunity for questions
• 5.00 - Conference closes

Speaker biographies

• Download speaker biographies (PDF file)

Conference artist

David Gifford is one of the UK's leading Graphic Facilitators and Rich Picture artists. He has worked at conferences and workshops for a wide variety of clients, such as the NHS, BBC, Royal Mail, Shell, Carphone Warehouse, Barclays, Lloyds TSB, Yorkshire and Clydesdale Bank, and Sainsburys. With over 30 years experience in publishing, David also has extensive knowledge of the process of producing material for publication and working with authors, designers, photographers and illustrators. His work at this conference will be to listen and capture what the speakers say in cartoon form and to provide a visual memory of the two days.

How much will it cost?

You can choose to attend the whole two day conference or you can just attend for one day.

Two day conference: Includes over £20 of supporting free books (see individual days below for book titles)

• £130 if booked by 6 August 2010
• £150 for bookings made on or after 7 August 2010
• £110 Students (with ID) and Kingston University Alumni

Day one only: Plus a free copy of Is there a book in you? (£8.99 RRP)

• £75 if booked by 6 August 2010
• £85 if booked on or after 7 August 2010
• £65 Students (with ID) and Kingston University Alumni

Day two only: Plus a free copy of Marketing your book, an author’s guide (£11.99 RRP)

• £75 if booked by 6 August 2010
• £85 if booked on or after 7 August 2010
• £65 Students (with ID) and Kingston University Alumni

Prices include refreshments and lunch and all delegates receive a pack of supporting handouts and relevant information plus the opportunity to purchase a copy of the brand new edition of The Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook for only £10 (£14.99 RRP). Please make sure that you reserve a copy during the booking process. We cannot guarantee availability for those who do not reserve a copy.

Contact us

You’ll receive full joining instructions before the conference but if you have any queries please contact Lisa Hall on (0)20 8417 2853 or at L.hall@kingston.ac.uk