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A couple of weeks ago I learned about an event where you got to go inside one of the largest publishing houses in Australia: Hachette. Unfortunately, the event was in Sydney. I ummed and ahhed, but tickets were selling fast and I eventually decided to just go for it. I hadn’t been on a trip in a while, so why not go to Sydney for a couple of days and attend the event?
Event description
“This unique event will take you inside – literally inside – one of Australia’s biggest and brightest publishing houses. Through the day you will have the chance to explore the career of several leading authors, editors and publishers – gaining invaluable insight into the editorial process – to help you on the path to publication.
Proudly supported by Hachette Australia
11.00AM WHAT PUBLISHERS WISH YOU KNEW
You’ve done the hard yards and completed your manuscript, but what’s next? Before you can convince a publisher to buy your manuscript, you’ll have to get them to read it in the first place. This session brings together publishers at Hachette to discuss how they best like work pitched to them. You’ll get an insight into what they’re looking for, hear their perspectives on new work and how to best present your work.
With Robert Watkins (Head of Literary), Sophie Hamley (Non Fiction Publisher) and Vanessa Radnidge (Head of Non Fiction)
11.45AM UNPACKING ACQUISITIONS
So you’ve successfully pitched your book to a commissioning editor, what next? It’s not just your pitch that matters – from the editors pitching it at the acquisitions meeting, to how sales, marketing and publicity will pitch a book to booksellers and readers – this session will take you through the next steps in publishing a manuscript, demystifying the acquisitions process along the way.
With Robert Watkins (Head of Literary), Brigid Mullane (Managing Editor) and Emma Dorph (Rights and Licencing Manager)
12.15 Lunch
12.45 WORKSHOP: PITCH PERFECT
Ahead of the afternoon’s pitching session, whip your pitch into shape with the help of Hachette Publisher Robert Watkins. What’s unique about your book? Why should publishers read it? What is the best way to structure a synopsis? This session will break down the practical side of getting your manuscript in front of publishers and getting them to read it.
With Robert Watkins (Head of Literary)
1.45PM PATHWAY TO PUBLICATION CASE STUDY
With Richell Prize winning novelist, Sam Coley. Sam won the Richell Prize for Emerging Writers in 2017 with his manuscript for his debut novel, State Highway One. His manuscript stood out against 579 entries, winning him the $10,000 prize money and a 12-month mentorship with Hachette.
With Robert Watkins and Sam Coley
2.30pm Break
2.45 PITCH TIME!
Put what you’ve learned into practice and pitch your manuscript to the Hachette team! These publishers and editors are always on the lookout for new and exciting voices, so here’s your chance to show them yours.
With Robert Watkins (Head of Literary), Sophie Hamley (Non Fiction Publisher), Vanessa Radnidge (Head of Non Fiction) and Brigid Mullane (Managing Editor)“
https://emergingwritersfestival.org.au/event/inside-the-publishing-house/
Emerging Writers’ Festival
The event was organised by the incredible people behind the Emerging Writers’ Festival. I was lucky enough to meet Izzy Roberts-Orr, the Artistic Director, and Alice Muhling, the Executive Director. Like me, they’d also travelled to Sydney from Melbourne.
Hachette Australia
I also had the pleasure of meeting many of the Hachette staff, and even had the opportunity to practice pitching my novel. Five minutes to pitch feels like one minute, but it’s always good practice. I had hoped to be able to have a tour around the office – I’m curious to see how publishing houses are organised. Or maybe the architect in me was showing. I did get to see the colourful READ entrance display though.
Event
The event was insightful and encouraging. I’ll take any opportunity to practise my pitching, and we all got to leave with two Hachette books. I’d still like to learn more about the publishing industry and the roles linked to publishing, but I learn more at every event I attend. I was glad to also have the opportunity to network – something I think I’m getting better at (I’ve attended and volunteered at quite a few events now). I know how important networking is, and also… people in the publishing industry or those who love books are just so easy to talk to.
I’m thinking of returning to Sydney sometime for more book-related events. Have you been to any events outside your city?