We will kick off the day with a welcome, health and safety briefing and summary of what authors can expect over the course of the day.

The world of book production and illustrations can seem very confusing when looking from the outside in. But they're also such crucial, brilliant and transformative parts of the book journey, bringing your text to life in more ways than one. This session will see Carolina, Production Controller, talk you through the production process, including the art of cover design and typesetting. Hannah, our Illustration Project Manager, will then tell you more about our vibrant Illustration Service, for any author interested in creating bespoke illustrations for their book with a talented artist, and how to go from tentative first steps to final print-ready artworks.

Getting a self-published book into bookshops is a major challenge, but the right approach can greatly improve your chances. In this session, Troubador’s Marketing team will share expert insights on how bookshops decide which titles to stock, the importance of accurate bibliographic data, and the best ways to pitch your book. You'll also learn what to do (and what to avoid!) when approaching bookshops, giving your book the best possible chance of making it onto the shelves.

Ensuring your ebook is accessible not only expands your readership but also improves its marketability. In this session, we’ll cover key strategies for creating ebooks that meet accessibility standards, making them more inclusive and user-friendly. You'll learn best practices for formatting, metadata, and distribution, as well as how to optimise your ebook for different platforms. Additionally, we’ll explore proven techniques to boost ebook sales, from effective pricing strategies to marketing and discoverability tips. Whether you're a first-time author or have published previously, this session will help you with the tools to maximise both accessibility and sales potential.

Having your book edited by a professional will catch those pesky errors lurking within your carefully crafted words and help to smooth the creases you haven't quite managed to iron out. In this session, we'll clarify exactly what editing is, and what it is not, as well as outline the different types of edit available and which one is right for you. Whether you've written a memoir or a children's book, you're new to writing or a seasoned professional, you'll discover how the editorial process, as one of the first steps in your book's publication journey, can benefit you.

We'll reveal the workshop details soon!

We'll reveal the workshop details soon!

We'll reveal the workshop details soon!

We'll reveal the workshop details soon!

Conference attendees can conclude the day with this final session where Alex will explore the many paths to self-publishing. Building on insights from the day's discussions, he’ll highlight key takeaways and essential next steps. Whether you're considering Troubador or exploring other options, this session will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to move forward on your publishing journey.