Courses in Birmingham

LOOKING FOR: PICTURE BOOKS, YOUNG FICTION, CHAPTER BOOKS, MG, YA Penny Holroyde has worked in children's publishing for almost 30 years from foreign rights at Walker Books to Rights Director at Candlewick Press in the USA, before becoming an agent specialising in children's books with the Caroline Sheldon Literary Agency. In 2015 Penny co-founded Holroyde Cartey with Claire Cartey, former art director in children's books at Hachette. The agency focuses exclusively on authors and illustrators for the children's book market. Penny has a particular love for picture books but is looking for authors and illustrators working across fiction and non-fiction for all children's ages from pre-school to crossover. She's always looking for humour in picture books and chapter books and heart with some messaging in MG. In YA she's looking for strong character with contemporary settings. She'd also be interested in seeing some horror in YA. Penny is offering 121 sessions for young fiction, middle grade, YA and picture book writers. For chapter books, MG and YA fiction, please submit a covering letter, synopsis and the first three chapters of your manuscript in a single word document. For picture books, please submit a covering letter and two texts formatted in 12 point font in continuous stanzas (and with illustration notes if you wish to include them). Please send EITHER picture books OR another genre, not both in one submission. (In addition to the paid sessions, Penny is kindly offering one free session for low income/under-represented writers. Please email agent121@iaminprint.co.uk to apply, outlining your case for this option which is offered at the discretion of I Am In Print).  By booking you understand you need to conduct an internet connection test with I Am In Print prior to the event. You also agree to email your material in one document to reach I Am In Print by the stated submission deadline and note that I Am In Print take no responsibility for the advice received during your agent meeting. The submission deadline is: Monday 7 October 2024

Rally training webinar covering making pace notes for special stage rallying.

LOOKING FOR: PICTURE BOOKS, MG, YA Clare Wallace joined the Darley Anderson Agency in January 2011 and is building both the Darley Anderson Children’s Agency and the Darley Anderson Illustration Agency lists. As chief talent-spotter, Clare loves to discover memorable new characters, bold and unique voices, strong concepts and gripping storytelling. She represents picture books, middle-grade, teenage and YA. Clare is particularly looking for funny chapter books for younger readers at the moment, as well as contemporary MG, YA fantasy, romance, and rom coms, especially with underrepresented protagonists. Whatever the age range, Clare loves a big hook, a lot of heart, and a standout voice. For picture books she has the widest taste, from daft to lyrical, rhyming to prose. If your submission doesn’t fit a description here, it doesn’t mean Clare doesn’t want to receive it. She often doesn’t know what she’s looking for until she finds it (although she is not the person for steampunk or space opera). Her list gives a good indication of her taste. The clients Clare represents include Perdita & Honor Cargill, Caroline Crowe, Tom Ellen, Martyn Ford, Stewart Foster, Olivia Hope, A M Howell, Polly Ho-Yen, Rachel Ip, Beth Reekles, J.P. Rose, Lindsay Galvin, Dave Rudden, Deirdre Sullivan and Efua Traoré. Clare would like you to send a covering letter, a one page synopsis and the first three chapters (Max 5000 words) of your manuscript. For picture books, please submit a covering letter and up to three completed texts. (In addition to the paid sessions, Clare is kindly offering one free session for low income/underrepresented writers. Please email agent121@iaminprint.co.uk to apply, outlining your case for this option which is offered at the discretion of I Am In Print).  By booking you understand you need to conduct an internet connection test with I Am In Print prior to the event. You also agree to email your material in one document to reach I Am In Print by the stated submission deadline and note that I Am In Print take no responsibility for the advice received during your agent meeting. The submission deadline is: Monday 7 October 2024

Wanna learn something simple yet so amazing that it's going to blow your mind? Good, because this little workshop's a gem. Join Happy Human Training's Cami Rose as she shares her decades of experience as a counsellor and coach with an introduction to the power of noticing and the crucial role it can play in helping us better manage our day to day stresses, challenges and relationships.

Live via Zoom. Fortnightly - 1/15/29 Oct, 12/26 Nov, 10 Dec - 6-8pm UK time Join artist Julie Galante for this course designed to nurture your creative practice. Together we’ll explore ways to create work that reflects your individual interests, passion, and point of view, no matter your experience level. The course content is delivered over six live Zoom sessions, in a small, welcoming group with plenty of opportunities for interaction. Additionally, there will be optional (but highly recommended) assignments to complete in between the live sessions - assignments designed to get you stuck in to your creative practice in new and interesting ways. During each live session, there will be a demonstration focusing on a particular aspect of visual art - this will include various materials, subjects, and considerations such as composition, theme, mark-making, layering, and so on. We will also have a look at everyone’s recent creations, with celebration of the triumphs and suggestions for moving forward with work-in-progress. Together we’ll explore techniques including drawing, painting, mixed-media, and collage, but you don’t have to work exclusively in these media to take part - all creative disciplines are welcome. Each participant will be encouraged to deepen their explorations in whatever direction interests them most - be it a series of drawings, written reflections, sketches, collages, photographs, mixed-media pieces, or a unique, personal combination of all these. There will be an optional Facebook group for participants to stay connected and share their creations with each other between sessions. There will also be discounts available for other workshops and one-to-one mentoring. 

Join Me For This 8 Week Qigong and Breathwork Online Course HARNESSING THE POWER OF THE BREATH The way we breathe affects everything we do, everything we think and everything we feel. It affects our sleep, our digestion, our immune system, our energy levels, our emotions, our ability to think clearly and our relationships, to name but a few. In this course we will be combining my passions of Qigong and Breathwork to help bring us into balance so we can move though Autumn into winter full of peace and vitality. Why Qigong and Breathwork? Qigong is breathwork (Qi is Breath), it is an amazing way of opening and clearing the body, of making space for our healthy energy to flow. It allows us to stay relaxed and receptive without forcing or pushing. It is easy to learn and naturally attuned to your individual body and how it wants to expand, release and recharge. Breathwork is simply bringing our conscious attention to our breath and is one of the most powerful ways we have to change our state at any given moment. In the course i will introduce you to eight different breath techniques to help you to breathe better. Commit to just 10mins a day and you’ll be amazed at the results you can achieve. Everyone is welcome to join the course no matter your experience. When: 8th October 2024 – 5th December Tuesday Evenings 6-7pm and Thursday mornings 9-9.30am (via Zoom) Dates: Tuesdays 6-7pm: October 8th, 15th, 22nd November 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th, December 3rd. Thursdays 9-9.30am: October 10th, 17th, 24th, November 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th December 5th. Price: £110 (Concessions £80: Super concession £60) What is included: Eight live 60min evening zoom classes Eight live 30min morning meditation zoom classes Access to replays of all classes so you can catch up in your own time. Learn a Qigong routine for healthy lungs Learn how to clear the meridian pathways for increased vitality Learn 8 new powerful breath practices Access to private Whats App group to share experiences and ask questions Weekly supporting material for home practice : – A Weekly video with a guided 10min Breath Practice – PDF – explanations of each practice – Key acupuncture points for self massage What will I get out of the course? Reconnect with your breath Learn how to improve your respiration Learn to regulate your own nervous system Access deeper body awareness Less physical tension Reduced pain Improved mental clarity Strengthened immune system Improved sleep Improved digestion Less stress and anxiety, depression and panic attacks Deepening meditation practice More energy Just Breathe Just Be