The Literary Agent

Elizabeth Cochrane talked to a packed house around 60 people, hosted by ourselves and Leicester Writers Club earlier this month. She works for Greene & Heaton literary agents and was giving tips on how to submit fiction writing to an agent (or publisher). Here are a few:

1. Buy the Writers & artists yearbook for a full list of agents and contacts
2. Target agents who deal with writers with a similar genre/style to your own (see acknowledgements pages of relevant books).
3. A submission for a novel will include: letter, synopsis & sample:
   □ The Letter: give some background info on yourself; genre of the book (eg psychological thriller); why it should be published; why you have chosen this agency. Be business-like. Don’t mention the ‘slush pile’ or copyright issues. Do mention other writers who might be in a similar market.
   □ Synopsis: Maximum 2 pages. Make the font and spacing easy to read. Do give the whole plot.
   □ Sample: Send the first 50 pages (setting up the plot). Realistically maximum 3 pages will be read - about the same amount as a customer in a book shop.
4. When writing you need to be clear about the market for your book. It is best to fall into a defined genre (eg romance). Most books lose money and don’t ‘earn out’ their advance (ie make any further royalties than that given as an advance).
5. It may take months to get a response. Receiving a standard rejection letter doesn’t mean to say that the work hasn’t been read or discussed.

Loughborough Creatives Night Out

Our first ever meeting in the Orange Tree pub in Loughborough with a few creatives went well last night. About 13 of us were there in all including Chloe (www.barndoortheatre.co.uk), Ian (www.ianmitchellart.co.uk) and David (www.escapetunnel.co.uk) . Hoping to repeat the event in the new year.

Performing Arts Leicester news

Great news that the Performing Arts Leicester group of venues, promoters and dance/music/theatre companies has got £40,000 from the Cultural Leadership programme. This will go on a programme of leadership training, group discussions, Go & See visits and an annual programming meeting. Most importantly the PAL Christmas drinks are on Tuesday 15 Dec from 5.30pm at the Quarter restaurant near Curve/LCB Depot in Leicester.

Creative Freelancer Guide

We're launching our new Freelancer Guide at the LCB Depot tonight with a panel discussion featuring a number of freelancers from different creative backgrounds (dancer, sound engineer, textile designer/maker, writer). The event has a waiting list so we'll be repeating it in Loughborough after Christmas. The guide is a 30 minute read on all the basics of effective freelancing. If you'd like a hard copy please email us, or pick one up at the LCB Depot (31 Rutland St, Leicester LE1 1RE) or you can read it online on the Information page of www.creativeleicestershire.org.uk

Shauna could be an Artist Taking the Lead

Shauna Richardson, one of this year's CL bursary winners, is on a shortlist of 5 to create a Cultural Olympiad artwork for the East Midlands for 2012. Her plan is one of huge rampaging crocheted lions. Here is her life-sized crotched bear! See more at http://www.artiststakingthelead.org.uk/

And the Winners Are ...

This year we have awarded over £47,000 to 27 organisations/individuals from Leicester(shire) & Rutland:

Chorus Theatre - Theatre Company from Loughborough http://www.chorustheatre.co.uk/

Andrew Scattergood – Musician & Comedian from Broughton Astley

Faya Wurks Records - Record Label from Leicester

Andfold Design – Design & Illustration from Leicester http://www.andfold.co.uk/

Catharine Ashdown - Script Editor from Bottesford

From Dusk to Dawn - Culture & Arts Magazine and Website from Leicester http://www.fd2d.com/

Donald Edwards - Freelance Choreographer from Leicester

Blue Butterfly Glass – Stained Glass Business from Lutterworth http://www.bluebutterflyglass.com/

Helen Rhodes - Visual Artist from Loughborough http://www.helenrhodes.com/

Virtual Motion Dance Co - Participatory Dance Company from Leicester http://www.virtualmotiondance.com/

Jo Cope - Fashion & Accessory Conceptual Designer from Glenfield http://www.jocope.com/

Shot for Meat – Illustration Company from Leicester http://www.shotformeat.com/

Kajal Nisha Patel – Photographer from Leicester http://www.kajalpatel.com/

Point Blank Photography – Photography Business from Melton Mowbray http://www.pointblankphotography.co.uk/

Linda Marie Young – Textile designer specialising in handmade boxes from Braunstone http://www.lindamarie.co.uk/

Foxtail Lily Designs - Wedding & Event Dressings designer from Farm Town http://www.foxtaillilydesigns.co.uk/

Jenny Clarke Design – Creates and supplies tattoo designs from Loughborough http://www.jennyclarkedesign.com/

Hive Films - Film production company from Leicester http://www.zombieundead.com/

Rosetha Claxton - Freelance Choreographer & Dance Teacher from Leicester

Ruth Wood - Jewellery Designer from Kibworth Beauchamp http://www.ruth-wood.com/

Sally Renner - Visual Artist from Oakham http://www.dottysally.co.uk/

Archives Crafts – Jewellery Designer and Silversmith from Eaton http://www.archivescrafts.co.uk/

Shauna Richardson – Sculptor creating life size animals using crochet from Stoughton http://www.crotchetdermy.co.uk/

Talking Rhythms – Holds rhythm and music workshops from Countesthorpe http://www.talkingrhythms.co.uk/

Art Cell – Participatory Visual Artist from Hinckley http://www.art-cell.com/

2 Funky Arts Ltd - Urban Arts Company from Leicester, headed up by Vijay Mistry http://www.2funkyarts.co.uk/

Ekit - Web Design from Goadby Marwood http://www.e-kit.co.uk/

Image by Paul Hurst Photography - www.paulhurstphotography.co.uk

Loughborough Uni graduate winners

As part of the Student Business Plan Competition we have awarded graduate bursaries of £1k plus business support to:

Chloe Hampson, Barn Door Theatre Company (a participatory artist running projects with older people in care homes to youth theatre workshops)

Jonathan Fenton, Biopod (an industrial designer whose Biopod stores kitchen waste ensuring it is sealed in and doesn't have to be emptied on a daily basis www.jonathanfenton.co.uk)