Freelance Editorial Work

Events and Workshops

Children's Literature Tours

Diversity Training/Consulting

CONSULTING SERVICES

I am available for hire as a consultant in a variety of capacities, and bring a broad range of experience and expertise. From seven years spent in editorial departments at publishers to several years of teaching experience, I am flexible and enjoy working with groups in an interactive context.

FREELANCE EDITORIAL WORK

I am available to do freelance editorial work. I have seven years experience in editorial departments of children's publishers (see the About Me section for more details), and have particular expertise in the areas of picture books, multicultural children's books, and YA fiction. I have a great deal of experience working with authors to enhance their vision and improve their work, so am happy to take-on promising projects that require shaping and development. Use the contact details provided to get in touch.

EVENTS AND WORKSHOPS

For the last five years I have managed conferences, events and summer schools at the National Centre for Research in Children's Literature at Roehampton University. These have included the annual British IBBY/NCRCL MA conference, the annual Child and the Book postgraduate conference, and the biennial Children's Literature International Summer School. This work has involved overseeing all aspects of conference management, including planning the programme, contacting speakers, arranging accommodation, booking teaching rooms, handling AV support and provision, promoting events, and processing bookings. I am available to arrange children's literature events at any stage of planning. Since I am based near Brighton, preference is for events in the southeast of England, but other areas can be discussed. Please contact me if you would like to discuss event, conference, or workshop planning.

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE TOURS

I have been involved in running children's literature tours as part of the Children's Literature International Summer School, including visits to Great Maytham Hall, inspiration for The Secret Garden, Bateman's, home of Rudyard Kipling, and The Manor, home to Lucy Boston and inspiration for the Green Knowe books. I can organise travel, accommodation, and an itinerary for groups interested in planning a children's literature tour in the UK. I am happy to discuss particular areas of interest (either geographical or by genre), and plan a trip accordingly. Please email me if you would like to discuss planning a UK children's literature tour.

DIVERSITY TRAINING AND CONSULTING

For publishers who are interested in working on issues of diversity in terms of authors and artists attracted to their houses, I can help in various ways.

I can be hired to do direct recruitment work for publishers interested in attracting more diverse talent. When I managed the New Voices Award at Lee & Low Books, I was able to attract over 300 manuscript submissions written by non-white authors. I am also the co-founder and on the steering committee for Diversity Matters, run through Arts Council England. We have run our first conference on diversity and children's publishing in June 2006, and as part of this committee I have developed effective contacts. I have also done postgraduate research in the area of multicultural children's publishing in the UK, and have interviewed important figures in the field. I am available to bring this expertise to any publisher who is keen to improve and enhance that side of their business. At the Diversity Matters conference Francesca Dow, Managing Director at Puffin Books, said that by 2010 one in five school children will be from black and minority ethnic (BME) backgrounds. There is a clear marketing and moral imperative for publishers to improve their provision in this area.

I also offer workshops for editorial staff, to discuss strategies for reaching out and attracting diverse talented authors and artists to submit their work. I then lead group discussions about areas of sensitivity that can be helpful in working with people from different backgrounds, based on my own experience working at two multicultural children's publishers, as well the interviews I have done with key non-white authors and editors from the UK (see the About Me section for full details).

Please email or call me using the contact information provided to discuss details and fees for consulting services. I am very flexible, and happy to discuss ways I might be able to work with your organisation.