Workshop on Publishing Non-Fiction

Tuesday 31st October 2023

The Buttery, Wolfson College, Oxford

Oxford Writing Mentors, in partnership with the Oxford Centre for Life-Writing, invites you to join us for an exclusive workshop for aspiring non-fiction authors. Delve into the world of publishing with insights from two experienced literary agents, Eli Keren and Kate Walsh, from United Agents. In the first half of the afternoon, receive general advice on crafting compelling book proposals, mastering query letters, and navigating the competitive publishing landscape. In the second half, seize the opportunity to pitch your work and receive feedback on your ideas.

At the end of the afternoon listen to Blake Morrison speak about his publication journey before he then gives the 2023 Michaelmas Weinrebe Lecture.

Whether you are a novice writer or looking to elevate your literary career, this workshop offers expert guidance, personalized feedback, and invaluable networking opportunities.

Click here to register

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Programme

1.30pm: Welcome

1.40pm: Session 1: Eli Keren and Kate Walsh, focusing on the role of agents

3pm: tea and coffee

3.30pm: Session 2: Pitching your work (if you would like feedback on your own pitch please prepare a 3-minute 'elevator pitch' about your project)

4.30pm: Session 3: Blake Morrison on his publication journey

5.00pm: comfort break

5.30pm: Lecture: Blake Morrison in the auditorium

7.00pm: Wine reception (ends 7.30pm)

Prices

Full day, 1.30pm-7.30pm, including tea/coffee/wine reception: £90

OCLW Friends’ rate: 10% discount (£81)

Speakers

Eli Keren

Eli Keren was originally a research scientist here at the CRL in Oxford before starting his career in publishing in 2016. Now an associate literary agent, he takes advantage of his scientific background by building a list of mainly non-fiction clients writing about everything from the science of vaccinations to the history of haunted houses. His interests in non-fiction cover smart science, popular psychology, cultural history and LGBTQ+ books, and he also works on some fiction to keep his list balanced. He teaches Jericho Writers’ How To Write a Proposal course, and is treasurer of the Association of Authors’ Agents.

Kate Walsh

Kate Walsh has been working in publishing for nine years, and in agency for the past seven. Working mainly with non-fiction, her interests are broad: from music titles, memoir and popular culture, to history, politics and some popular science. Recent titles she’s worked on span subject matters from the Welsh independence movement, to a history of royal women who never became a Queen, to several celebrity autobiographies. Ultimately, Kate will always be lured in by a strong sense of time and place, and an author who can convey why they’re the best-placed person to write their book.

Blake Morrison

Blake Morrison was born in Yorkshire and was formerly literary editor of the Observer and the Independent on Sunday. His publications include two bestselling memoirs, And When Did You Last See Your Father? and Things My Mother Never Told Me; the poetry collections Dark Glasses, The Ballad of the Yorkshire Ripper and Shingle Street; and four novels, including The Last Weekend and The Executor. He has won various awards, including the Eric Gregory, EM Forster and JR Ackerley prizes. His latest memoir, Two Sisters, came out this year along with the poetry pamphlet Skin & Blister. He has been professor of creative and life writing at Goldsmiths University since 2003.