3 Courses in Manchester

This e-learning / online course looks at: Why services need awareness The law Types of discrimination and hate crime Terminology Forms of anti-LGBT+ prejudice Impact on individuals Barriers to accessing services and reporting issues Meeting the needs of LGBT+ individuals

LOOKING FOR: YA, ADULT FICTION, NON-FICTION Laura Williams is literary agent at the Greene and Heaton Literary Agency [http://greeneheaton.co.uk/agents/laura-williams/]. She is seeking literary fiction, commercial fiction, psychological thrillers and high concept Young Adult. Laura is actively building a fiction list and a small non-fiction list. She is currently looking for literary fiction, edgy commercial fiction, psychological thrillers and high-concept contemporary young adult, as well as narrative non-fiction of all types. Her taste is quite dark, and she loves gothic, ghost stories, horror and anything sinister. She also loves books that make her cry, from big love stories to intense family dramas. She is open to historical or horror YA, but not magical or fantasy.  Meditative or moving novels about modern life, appeal to Laura, sad stories with love and the importance of caring for each other shining through. She also loves stories about female friendships or conversely groups of women who don't get on, such as the hugely fun BAD SUMMER PEOPLE by Emma Rosenblum. She is always on the lookout for a big tragic love story to make her cry happy or sad tears.  At the more commercial end of fiction, think funny novels with warmth and romantic comedies with a bit of depth – think Marian Keyes. Most of all Laura is looking for novels she hasn’t read before – something unusual structurally or thematically, something that shines a light on a subject the author is passionate about, something that’ll break her heart or raise her blood in an entirely new way. Laura is always looking to promote diverse voices from across the globe, and is particularly keen on LGBTQI+ stories. Laura would like you to submit a covering letter, a 1-2 page synopsis and the first 5,000 words of your completed manuscript in a single word document. (In addition to the paid sessions, Laura is kindly offering one free session for low income/under-represented writers. Please email agent121@iaminprint.co.uk [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: Wednesday 10 July 2024

Transgender Awareness and Understanding giving you a good overview of all trans issues, pronouns, workplace equality and so much more

LOOKING FOR: YA, NEW ADULT & ADULT ROMANCE Born to two bibliophiles, Isabel Lineberry could not have grown up to be anything else. She was born and raised in the Southwest United States but always knew she wanted to move to the UK. In high school she set her sights on a job in the publishing industry and hasn’t blinked since. Isabel graduated in 2021 from Barrett, the Honors College at Arizona State University, with dual degrees in English Literature and Business Entrepreneurship. Just a few months later she was in Scotland pursuing an MLitt in Fantasy at the University of Glasgow. She wrote her Masters thesis on Tamora Pierce and is a fan of Ray Bradbury, Octavia Butler and Samantha Shannon.  At Pérez Literary & Entertainment, Isabel looks after foreign rights and audio rights inquiries, assists the Managing Director and is building her own client list of contemporary stories and fantasy, across the YA and New Adult genres and any teen / Adult fiction that features a prominent romantic plot, in any guise. Isabel is particularly interested in Contemporary Romance, Romantasy and Fantasy and is always attracted to the character and voice first, so give her romantic tension that has her giggling, a villain who is as charming as they are evil or a group of characters who have her watching their conversations as if it’s a tennis match. More specifically, Isabel is looking for: Romance –– For YA, updated Meg Cabot or John Green. Those were favorites for her as a teenager but she wants new takes––LGBT characters, diverse backgrounds, complex character development and a deep-dive into what it means to be a teenager in the current world. Give her relatability that doesn’t sacrifice a character’s unique traits. She is looking for the middle ground between the manic pixie dream girl and the buttoned-up character who just needs to take off their glasses. In New Adult, Isabel is a big fan of authors like Elle Kennedy, C. W. Farnsworth, Elsie Silver and Morgan Elizabeth. BookTok romances are the perfect escapism for readers of all ages but especially for college students and young professionals like myself. Her all-time favorite tropes are Grumpy/Sunshine, Fall First/Fall Harder and all the Spice! She is not a fan of cheating storylines, accidental pregnancy, step-sibling romance or unnecessary miscommunication tropes.  Romantasy –– Send her romance with sufficient fantasy worldbuilding. The romantic plot should be the main event but the worldbuilding needs to be able to stand up to scrutiny. The reader should accept the customs and specifics of your fantasy without too much confusion. Recent titles Isabel has loved include Fourth Wing and League of Gentleman Witches.  As for the romance, Isabel loves tropes (especially: Enemies to Lovers, Who Hurt You?), morally grey characters and kick-ass heroines. She loves training montages and dueling as foreplay. Show her spice during high-pressure situations, quick kisses stolen in battlefields, and fantastic banter. She would also love a return to the paranormal romances that dominated the 2010s. Think the 2020s twist on Twilight, Beautiful Creatures, Shiver or Vampire Academy. Isabel is most definitely on the hunt for Romantasy and paranormal romance featuring queer and underrepresented voices. Fantasy –– The worldbuilding absolutely must be believable and purposeful. Fantasy should be a mirror held up to the real world, offering a differing perspective that allows us to examine something about ourselves or our lives in a new light. Isabel has a masters degree in Fantasy from the University of Glasgow so can be a bit of a stickler when it comes to this! The magic/training/military school trope has been nearly exhausted, so be creative with the setting. Her favorite fantasy author is Tamora Pierce - she would love a “girl has to pretend to be a boy to get her knighthood” storyline that Pierce couldn’t do in the 80s such as LGBT representation (although Alanna was definitely gender fluid and Kel was 100% ace), a deeper dive into the social and political implications (no white saviorism!) and more spice. Some of her other favorite fantasy novels include Howl’s Moving Castle, Good Omens, Kindred and Golden Compass. Isabel does not want Tolkien-esque hard worldbuilding with 100k+ quests; instead focus on the pacing and how it can grab the reader. She wants a fantasy plot that compels me to keep reading even if it’s past her bedtime! She adores fairytale retellings, dark fantasy, alternate histories and historical fantasy, and the occasional steampunk/dystopia. When not working, Isabel can usually be found reading or wandering a bookstore. Some of her favorite books include The Hunger Games, Pride and Prejudice and The Mysterious Benedict Society.  Isabel would like you to submit a covering letter, 1 -2 page synopsis and the first 5,000 words of your completed manuscript in a single word document. (In addition to the paid sessions, Isabel is kindly offering one free session for low income/under-represented writers. Please email agent121@iaminprint.co.uk [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 16 September 2024

INTRODUCTION: Unconscious bias is a problem across all industries, and its effects are also felt in higher education institutions. In summary, it refers to a tendency to favour or discriminate against a group of people, such as women, LGBT individuals or those with a different skin colour. Given the significant consequences of unconscious bias, it is important to know how it manifests and how to overcome it. In this course, you will learn about the psychological processes underpinning unconscious bias and how we can make a conscious decision to think differently about others.   WHAT YOU WILL LEARN: * What unconscious bias is, and why we tend to be biased against or in favour of specific groups * Why unconscious bias leads to unfair treatment and discrimination in the workplace * The test we can use to measure unconscious bias and the limitations of this test * How to challenge unconscious bias and judge individuals on their merits, as opposed to unrelated personal characteristics BENEFITS OF TAKING THIS COURSE: * It will help you identify and tackle your own unconscious bias * If you are responsible for equality and diversity training in your place of work, this course will guide you in tackling an important issue in this area * If you have a general interest in psychology, this course will give you an overview of a key concept within the field of social psychology * If you work with people from a range of groups, this course will help you spot unfair treatment and bias in the workplace COURSE MODULES: * Module 01: What is Unconscious Bias and Where Does It Come From? * Module 02: The Consequences of Unconscious Bias * Module 03: Measuring Unconscious Bias * Module 04: Overcoming Unconscious Bias

LOOKING FOR: NON-FICTION Eli Keren started his publishing career at Curtis Brown before joining United Agents as an assistant in 2016. In 2021 he became an associate literary agent, representing a growing list of clients across fiction and non-fiction, actively seeking books that are going to make a positive impact in the world in some way, big or small. His role as an agent at Curious Minds Literary Agency began in 2024. Before working in books, Eli was a research scientist designing and synthesising novel drugs (white coat and everything), and science books remain a particular passion of his. In 2022 he wrote and taught a HOW TO WRITE A PROPOSAL course, and in 2023 was elected treasurer of the Association of Authors’ Agents, and in 2024 he judged the inaugural Bloomsbury Academic Writing Fellowship. Eli specialises in helping academics, scientists and researchers to bring their area of expertise to the mass-market in authoritative, ideas-led books in the fields of smart science and current affairs. He is particularly interested in popular science and cultural history, as well as issues-led books and social justice. Eli only occasionally works with memoir.  He is very keen to see non-fiction LGBTQ+ themed books. He enjoys books written by writers who are obsessed with a niche subject and skilled enough communicators to make others fall in love with their subject too.  Ultimately he wants to find books that are going to change the world for the better.  Eli would like you to submit a covering letter, 1 -2 page synopsis and the first 5,000 words of your completed manuscript in a single word document. (In addition to the paid sessions, Eli is kindly offering one free session for low income/under-represented writers. Please email agent121@iaminprint.co.uk [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: Wednesday 10 July 2024

LOOKING FOR: MG, YA, ADULT FICTION, ADULT NON-FICTION, NON-FICTION FOR 7+ Megan Carroll is looking for writers in a variety of areas, and from a wide range of backgrounds – she is particularly keen to hear from Black, Asian, and LGBTQIA+ writers. Her main areas of focus this year are adult fiction and non-fiction, as well as non-fiction for 7+, and MG and YA fiction. In Fiction, Megan is keen to see high-concept love stories (think The Flat Share or The Lock In) for both commercial and reading group readers. She’d love to see those familiar romance tropes – enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, love triangles, forbidden love etc. – with underrepresented characters at the centre. She is also looking for historical fiction and gothic horror (think Laura Purcell, Stacey Halls and Silvia Moreno-Garcia) – anything that has a creepy, uneasy undertone is likely for Megan’s list. Megan is also actively looking for upmarket fiction and would love to see layered family drama, contemporary stories about life today and darkly comic novels that explore a specific time, place or experience. In Non-Fiction, Megan is keen to hear from experts in their field talking about topics relating to film, music, true crime, popular culture, history and issues from largely unrepresented perspectives. She is keen to see memoir, narrative non-fiction and essay collections. In Children’s and YA, she is keen to see contemporary YA with humour, and romance at the heart – fun and emotional stories that appeal to the interests and issues of the teenage readers. She’d also love to see thrillers and horror stories for this age group too. It’s unlikely that high fantasy novels for YA readers will be right for her, but she is keen to see stories with fantasy elements in a real world setting. On the younger end, Megan is looking for funny, contemporary middle grade – think Louise Rennison and Karen McCombie – and anything creepy and spooky for 8-12 year old readers too. She’d love to find something like Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events and is keen to find original adventure stories in both fantasy and realistic settings. Megan would like you to submit a covering letter, 1 page synopsis and the first three chapters or 5,000 words of your manuscript in a single word document. (In addition to the paid sessions, Megan is kindly offering one free session for low income/under-represented writers. Please email agent121@iaminprint.co.uk [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: Friday 19 July 2024

To give you a good understanding of the long medical journeys a trans person undergoes, together with an understanding of the reference terms in common use, including language and terminology, cis-gender, non-binary, intersex, the pathways from M to F and F to M with the key stages in each pathway, the lived experiences of the facilitators plus a short life story video, LGBT facts, gender clinics, how to support a trans child, equality in the workplace, the laws surrounding gender and equality and how they affect you, and so much more…… -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Who is this course for? Everyone is the simple answer. Everyone and particularly those in a public-facing role, be that the police or other emergency services, to business managers, ship captains and shop floor workers. What will it cost? The 2023 charge per head is £65.00 plus VAT (78.00) for Teams public sessions. From 2024 the price per person will be £75.00 plus VAT (£90.00). Face to face groups are available at a discounted rate. Video training costs depend on the number of licences purchased – please ask for details. How large are the groups? We will only normally accept a maximum of 20 people in each presentation, as this allows everyone the opportunity for questions, and allows us to keep to the 3.5-hour duration. We can, however, work with larger groups by negotiation. How will I benefit from this course? You will learn about the full pathways to allow you to be more understanding, and you will understand how to address a trans person without causing offence Do we get handouts? We will email the list of resources to you after the event What is the course content? Language & terminology, intersex, non-binary, use of pronouns, pathways from male to female & female to male, key stages in each pathway, supporting trans children, facts and figures, personal life stories of the facilitators together with a video presentation, equality in the workplace, important legislation and how it affects you and more How are the courses delivered? We use the Microsoft Teams platform, which you can download for free, and deliver face to face when it is safe and permitted to do so. E-learning is now available on licence, please ask for details There is a lot of hatred towards the trans community, will I get harangued? Yes, there is hatred but by educating people on this subject we aim to achieve a more inclusive society, not just in the UK, but around the world also. I want to book a complete session for my staff, is there a group discount available? Yes, for any large group booking we are negotiable. Is this course recognised? Yes, it is a fully accredited CPD course for which you will receive a certificate upon completion -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- UPCOMING PUBLIC/OPEN COURSES These dates are open to individuals and small groups that want to attend individually. Please request more details using the link provided.  The remaining dates for this year and the first part of 2024 are: * 26th October 2023 – 0930 to 1300. Teams presentation * 14th December 2023 – 0930 to 1300. Teams presentation * 20th February 2024.  0930 to 1300. Teams presentation  * 25th April 2024.    0930 to 1300.  Teams presentation 

LOOKING FOR: CHAPTER BOOKS, MG, YA Katie works closely with Arabella Stein on the Literary list, representing authors across all areas of Children’s, YA, Fiction and Graphic Novels. Before joining the Literary team, she worked for Bright in marketing, with previous experience as a bookseller. She loves working with authors to find their books an audience, and particularly enjoys building lasting relationships with editors and authors alike. Katie spends most of her free time reading, and enjoys a wide range of books across Children’s, Literary Fiction, Science Fiction, Fantasy and Graphic Novels. When she’s not reading, Katie is also a contributor on the Graham Norton Book Club on Audible. Katie adores https://twitter.com/hashtag/MSWL?src=hashtag_clicka wide range of genres but especially magical realism, sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and romance (or any mix of the above!) She has a particular interest in stories with LGBTQ+, disabled and diverse characters. Incidental representation a plus - no more ‘bury your gays’ please! Katie would like you to submit a covering letter, one page synopsis and the first three chapters (Max 5000 words) of your completed manuscript in a single word document. (In addition to the paid sessions, Katie is kindly offering one free session for low income/under-represented writers. Please email agent121@iaminprint.co.uk [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 29 July 2024

LOOKING FOR: YA, NA, ADULT FICTION Helen Lane is a Junior Agent at The Booker Albert Literary Agency. She is also an editor and a writer of Adult Fantasy and Horror. She has a BSc in Environmental Science from the University of East Anglia and a postgrad qualification in Acoustics. She is passionate about books and has spent the last decade working with manuscripts. She lives in London with her family and the world’s naughtiest cocker spaniel. Helen represents Adult Fantasy, Sci Fi, Horror, Paranormal Romance, LGBTQ+ Romance, Action & Adventure & Thrillers. She also represents YA Fantasy. She is slightly obsessed with monster stories (especially if they have giant sharks or squids). And stories set in extreme environments such as the arctic, jungle, caves, ocean, and mountains. She DOES NOT want to read about affairs or abuse in any genre. (My husband likes me to add here that this is nothing to do with him, I just don't like sad stories). Her favourite authors are Mira Grant, Greig Beck, James Rollins, Matthew Reilly, Jennifer L. Armentrout, Darcy Coates, Patricia Briggs & Kelley Armstrong. To make querying more accessible she does not require personalisation in the letter, comparison titles or a synopsis. But if you have them already, please include them. Follow Helen on social media: @HFLane_writing [https://twitter.com/HFLane_writing] Helen would like you to submit a covering letter, 1 page synopsis and first three chapters (Max 5,000 words) of your manuscript in a single word document. (In addition to the paid sessions, Helen is kindly offering one free session for low income/under-represented writers. Please email agent121@iaminprint.co.uk [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: Thursday 8 August 2024