We’re doing it again! Last year’s self-publishing weekend was so insightful that we’re bringing you another two days packed with great local and interstate speakers talking everything self-publishing. See below for the full program and lineup.
Join local self-publishing success stories and nationally acclaimed experts for a weekend of workshops, panels, networking and mingling. Whether you’ve finished your book and are still considering your options or maybe you want to expand your readership and boost sales, you’ll get it here. After this intensive weekend of workshops, panels and networking, you’ll have so much more knowledge and be on your way to self-publishing successfully.
*Please note, some times have changed*
DAY 1: SATURDAY 9th November
10am – Doors Open
10:15am – Welcome by Writers SA staff
10:15am – 10:30am – Morning Tea
10:30am – 12:30pm – Workshop: Self-publishing Overview with John Birmingham
From first draft all the way through to marketing your book, John will share his knowledge on the processes and software.
12:30pm – 1:30pm – Lunch
1:30pm – 3pm – Workshop: Write to Market with Jane Hinchey
Have you written a book that just isn’t selling? Do you want to write a book that readers line up to buy? You need to learn to write TO market, not write, then market. Writing to market is not a cop out, nor is it a cookie cutter process. Writing to market is figuring out what readers want – and giving it to them.
3pm – 3:15pm – Afternoon Tea
3:15pm – 4:30pm – Panel: My Indie Journey with John Birmingham, Chris Taylor and Jane Hinchey
4:30pm – 5pm – Information Session : How to get your book on the shelf at Dymocks
Dymocks on Rundle Mall are huge supporters of South Australian talent, traditional and indie alike. Learn how you can stock print copies of your indie titles on the shelves of a bricks and mortar bookstore.
5pm – 7pm – Networking drinks (venue TBC)
DAY 2: SUNDAY 10th November
10am – 10:30am – Doors Open
10:30am – 12:30pm – Workshop: Maximising Your Success as an Indie Author with Chris Taylor
Ever wondered why some books seem to take off, hitting high on the charts right out of the blocks, while others languish in Nowhere Land forever? Wonder no more. Join USA Today bestselling indie author Chris Taylor in discovering why there is more to being a successful indie author than just writing a great book. Chris will cover topics such as the importance of creating a professional product, branding, newsletters, marketing and much more.
12:30pm – 1:30pm – Lunch
1:30pm – 3pm – Workshop: Finding Your Audience with Matt J Pike
One of the key ingredients of building a successful writing career is finding your audience. Whether that’s in print or digital, Matt will share his experiences in connecting his work with readers. Topics covered include: Book events, exhibiting, markets, branding, email lists, ebook promotions and marketing, reviews and more
3pm – 3:15pm – Afternoon Tea
3:15pm – 4pm – Information Session: Why a Consultant? with Rommie Corso at Hardshell Publishing
There’s a lot of technical steps to self-publishing stories, from the editing and formatting to marketing and socials and beyond. If you’re time-poor or not very tech-savvy, Rommie will tell you how Hardshell can help out including examples of the fees consultants charge to see if it’s a viable option for your writing business.
4pm – 5pm – Panel: Tips and Traps with John Birmingham, Chris Taylor and Matt J Pike
There are pitfalls with any venture you stick your financial stake into and self-publishing is no different. Hear what these successful authors wish they knew before starting out and some of the potential traps to watch for too. A Q&A will follow.
5pm – 5:30pm – Wrap-up and Farewell
*All participants will be emailed a self-publishing checklist after the weekend.
Register here!
Member Price: $350 (not a member? Membership prices begin at $55 and include 30% off workshops + a host of other benefits)
Non-Member Price: $460
USA Today bestselling author Chris Taylor is an Australian indie author. Since her first book was released in early 2014, she has published 30 romantic suspense novels. During that time, Chris has sold more than 650,000 copies. She is currently working on a five-book Young Adult series which is due for release in late 2019. Chris grew up on a farm in north-west New South Wales. Always a lover of romance and happily-ever-afters, a career as a criminal lawyer sparked her interest in intrigue and suspense. For Chris to be able to combine romance with suspense in her books is a dream come true. She now calls Narrabri home and lives there with her husband, Linden, and their five children.
John Birmingham is a British-born Australian author, known for the 1994 memoir He Died with a Felafel in His Hand, and his Axis of Time trilogy.
Jane Hinchey writes funny cozy mysteries and steamy paranormal romances. Having begun her journey as a self-published author in 2015, she has gone on to publish more than eighteen books as an independent author and has more ideas than she does time to write. She has a passion for giving back to the author community, mentors new writers and manages an online group where she shares her knowledge of writing, publishing, and marketing as an independent author. She has a wicked sense of humour and loves cats – a must for a cozy author.
Matt J Pike is an international award-winning author, who writes Aussie-voiced dystopian and science fiction stories. He tours Australia and overseas exhibiting his work and has a readership around the world. His bestselling Apocalypse: Diary of a Survivor series is set in Adelaide and the final book – 4 – is in new release. He has also just launched Zombie RiZing: Dragon’s Wrath, which brings his total published works to 15 .
Rommie Corso is the Director of Hardshell Publishing and an experienced Senior Marketing Consultant. She is a degree qualified visual communication specialist with 18 years of professional experience with national design and publishing firms and Not for Profit PR and marketing consultancies. Her business, Hardshell Publishing was established 10 years ago, to provide assisted self-publishing services. Authors are encouraged to stay in control of their own projects and retain copyright, whilst being guided with consulting support and professional book publishing services.
