Free workshop for members

The time
11am to 5pm

The venue
Musicians' Union
2 Sovereign Court
Graham Street
Birmingham
B1 3JR

Whether you work in the field of performance, music, journalism or other forms of writing, many freelances have written - or intend to write - a book. It may be non-fiction, based on your expertise, skills and experience. Or, it could be a fiction title: that novel you’ve always wanted to write. Getting a book published has a reputation for being difficult and this puts people off trying. The truth is that it is challenging but thousands of books are published each year. Why can't one of them be yours?


Apply online by 20 April


Workshop Content

This one-day workshop aims to give you a realistic idea of how to go about writing your first book, and how and where to sell it. It covers:

  • What’s your idea? Will it make a book?
  • Your markets – know them and exploit them
  • The writing plan – discipline and practice to get the book written
  • Networks and networking – being part of a writing community
  • Selling you the writer – who you are and what you offer
  • Selling the idea – the synopsis
  • Who’s buying? - Agents, publishers, self-publishing and e-publishing

Who should attend?

Anyone who has written, is writing, or wants to write a book and sell it (you should have at least a basic idea of the book that you want to write).

Learning outcomes

You should expect to leave this workshop understanding where better to focus your book/book idea; how to fit the writing around your lifestyle; how to present and prepare you and your book for market.

Tutor: Sue Walker

POLITE REQUEST: if you are successful in obtaining a place on this workshop and, due to unforeseen circumstances, you are unable to attend, please let us know asap because we have others on the waiting list who we can allocate your place to. If you do not let us know this will disadvantage another member. Also, we may lose the funds that enable us to provide these workshops to all members including yourself.

NOTE: 1. If we were to postpone or cancel this workshop due to unforeseen circumstances (this has happened only twice in five years due to tutor illness and a tube strike), we will be unable to reimburse any costs such as pre-booked travel expenses. If this were to happen in the future, we will email and telephone you as soon as we know that there is a cancellation and attempt to re-schedule the workshop asap. 2. We are required to undertake a short equality & diversity survey, which you will need to fill in before or at the workshop. The information provided will be treated in the strictest of confidence and processed in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and will help in our commitment to E & D.

IMPORTANT: Unfortunately we cannot always offer everyone who applies a place due to high demand. We set up a waiting list and contact people if there are cancellations. If you do NOT receive confirmation that you have secured a place, please do not turn up on the day because we will not be able to admit you. However, please keep applying because we work hard to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to attend at some point.


Apply online

To apply for a place on this free, one-day workshop, please fill in the short application form below. You will need to login or register if you have not done so already so have your Union number to hand.

All events have been over-subscribed to date so successful applicants will be chosen randomly after the cut-off date. We will let you know if your application has been successful within a couple of days of this date.


Further enquiries
e: kate@feutraining.org
t: 07464 306 542

Business skills training
for creative freelances