Sue Divin - Make Your Own Literary Luck COURSE SUMMARY: ‘The harder I work, the luckier I get.’ Samuel Goldwyn. Is getting a publication deal just about pure luck? Can you make your own luck? This course is ideal for emerging prose writers currently working on a novel or hoping to achieve that elusive novel deal. Delivered via discussion and some practical activities over 2 evening online sessions: Submit. Compete. How do get yourself and your writing noticed? Polish until it shines. Learn how to take your work to the next level through exploring self-editing, mentoring, pitching and the world of novel competitions. COURSE OUTLINE: 2 x 2hr online evening sessions Submit. Compete. No matter how brilliant your writing, no-one will come knocking your door to ask to read it if they’ve never heard of you. How do get yourself and your writing noticed? Is it possible to do this on a budget? Author Bio & Pic Writer’s CV (History of Artistic Practice) Connections Submissions Competitions Resilience and purpose Funding Professional Development The session is predominantly discussion based. Participants will not produce new creative writing. There will be one personal, practical activity where they will be asked to think about themselves and their aims as a writer including: Why do you write? What does success look like? (This month, year, 2 years…) Plan A. Plan B. Polish until it shines. Learn how to take your work to the next level through exploring self-editing, mentoring, pitching and the world of novel competitions (including IWC Novel Fair). Self-Editing – including voice, filtering and word-count. Mentoring / Paid Editing Novel openings – first chapter and first sentence. Synopsis Elevator Pitch – Book and Self. Pitching and Agent Hunting Novel Competitions & IWC Novel Fair COURSE OUTCOMES: Participants will be purposeful, focused and active on working to breakthrough. Participants will have: Increased awareness of and purpose driving their own professional development. Increased self-editing skills. A writer’s bio, CV/History of Artistic Practice. Understanding of novel pitching and competitions eg. Elevator pitch, synopsis, agent letter. ABOUT THE FACILITATOR Sue Divin is a Derry based writer, with Armagh roots. As a peace worker, her writing often touches on diversity, reconciliation, borders and the legacy of the Troubles. She has two YA novels (Macmillan). Truth Be Told, shortlisted in the Irish Book Awards, UK Literacy Awards and Children’s Book Ireland Awards, and Carnegie short-listed Guard Your Heart, which won the Great Reads Award (Ireland). Her short stories and flash fiction have been published in The Caterpillar, The Cormorant, The Honest Ulsterman, The Bangor Literary Journal and Splonk. Her writing has been described as ‘Profoundly powerful, subtle and effective’ (The Guardian), ‘Outstanding’ (Irish Examiner), ‘Deeply affecting’ (Irish Independent) and ‘Compelling’ (Irish Times), ‘Laced with dry wit, emotion and self-deprecating humour’ (Irish News). TO BOOK Cost of course is £55. Click here to book.