Events 2020
MysteryFest 2020
Saturday 7th March 10am-4.45pm
Third Floor Portsmouth Central Library
£15 includes a light lunch of sandwiches and soft drinks
MysteryFest with Charlie Cochrane, Jeff Dowson, Mia Emilie, Donna Fletcher Crow, Dot Marshall Gent, Christine Hammacott, Becky Milne, Barbara Nadel, Jennifer Palmer, Linda Regan, Sally Spedding, Linda Stratmann, Peter Tickler, Len Tyler, Carol Westron and Debbie Young.Christine will be taking part on a panel at the Third Annual MysteryFest Day Conference. Speakers include Guest of Honour, award winning author L.C. Tyler in conversation with successful actress and author Linda Regan; Professor Becky Milne talking about Police Interviewing – the Reality; two exciting author panels discussing Belief and Superstition in Crime Fiction and how authors choose ‘The Right Place to Kill’, plus three short talks on crime fiction topics.
Talk: Getting to grips with Genre – why understanding genre is so important.
Tuesday 10th March 2020 at 7.30pm
Venue: Stripe Theatre Building, University of Winchester, Sparkford Road, Winchester SO22 4NR
Christine will be giving a talk on the importance of understanding your genre whether you are trying to get a mainstream book deal via an agent or going down the self-publishing route.
Events 2019
Portsmouth Bookfest Publishing Weekend
Sat 2-Sun 3 March 2019
Swan Building, University of Portsmouth
After the success of the 2018 Publishing weekend, the 2019 weekend is better than ever.
Saturday:
10am: Welcome and introductions
10.15am: Christine Hammacott- Your book as a product developing the right mindset
11.30am: Helen Garvey – Editing
12.30pm: Laura Williams: Getting an agent
1.30pm: Lunch and networking
2.30pm Author panel self-publishing authors discuss their decisions
3.30pm: Self-Publishing with Ingram Sparks
4.30pm: Close
Sunday:
10am: Welcome and introductions
10:15am: Author Susie Wilde: Researching your book
11:15am: Tea/Coffee
11:30am: Unbound – The crowdfunding option
12.30pm: Author Wendy Metcalfe: Dealing with rejection
1.20pm: Lunch and networking
2.20pm: Scott Pack – Masterclass: Perfecting your submission
4.20pm: Questions and feedback
4.30 close
MysteryFest
Saturday 9 March
I will be taking part in a panel event at Portsmouth MysteryFest along with Diana Bretherick, Simon Brett, Judith Cranswick, Jeff Dowson, Donna Fletcher-Crow, Dot Marshall-Gent, Graham Minett, Jennifer Palmer, Linda Regan, Leigh Russell, Sally Spedding, Lesley Thomson, Laura Weston and Carol Westron.
Pompey Writes Showcase of Local Literature and Publishing
Tuesday 5 March7.30pm-9.30pm
Portsmouth Central Library
Star & Crescent – Portsmouth’s only independent news, commentary and creative writing website – and Portsmouth BookFest- invite you to an evening of readings, discussions and networking opportunities focused on the vibrant and growing Portsmouth literary scene. Meet and listen to successful novelists, award-winning poets and journalists who have been published in the national and international press. Local independent publishers will have stalls at the event and there will be plenty of useful advice on offer about getting into professional writing and publishing.
Sunday 2 March
Taking part in Radio Solent programme with Nick Girdler talking about self publishing and the Bookfest Publishing Weekend.
Events 2018
Monday 16th June, Littlehampton Arts Festival Events
Monday July 16th 7.00pm. Littlehampton Baptist Church Hall, Fitzalan Rd.
A Contemporary Crime thriller panel with authors Helen Christmas and Michael Parker of Chindi
Welcome to the world of Crime writing, where the mystique is brushed aside and we open the door to becoming a self-published author. From action thrillers to psychological suspense, we unravel the secrets of getting fiction into print with tips on research, character development, plot structure and cover design. Tickets £5 – Disabled Access.
Saturday 2 June 10.15am-5pm Third Floor, Portsmouth Central Library
Mystery People Crime Day – postponed from March
A Contemporary Crime panel with authors Linda Regan (Participating Moderator,) Angela Arney, Christine Hammacott, Linda Regan, Leigh Russell, Peter Tickler and Carol Westron. This panel will discuss Why Crime? Crime is one of the most popular fiction genres. Why do so many writers enjoy writing crime and why do so many people enjoy reading it?
Portsmouth Bookfest
Publishing Weekend
Saturday 17th-Sunday 18th February, The Swan Building, New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth
This event will be useful to anyone looking to research and edit their writing, publish their work and build their author brand. Whether you are thinking of self-publishing or going down the traditional route, understanding the process is essential. Our range of experienced experts will be sharing their wealth of knowledge on all aspects of the publishing journey and there will be plenty of opportunities to ask questions.
Saturday: Working towards Publication: The focus on Saturday is working towards getting ready for publication with talks and practical workshops on researching, editing and pitching your ideas to publishers.
Sunday: Publication and being a published author: On Sunday we focus on the publishing process and how to build your author brand through book cover design, book reviews and the use of social media.
As part of the Sunday programme Christine will be talking about Judging a book by its cover –a book as a product
In traditional publishing producing a book is all about creating a saleable product. Whether you are aiming to be traditionally published or are self-publishing the marketing and selling process starts with the cover. This workshop is designed to give an understanding of book cover design and formatting, and why getting to grips with genre is so important by publication stage. It will also cover positioning your book in the marketplace, and the all important considerations when producing your ‘product’.
2017 Events
Winchester Writers Conference 2017
Saturday 17th June, Winchester University
Christine Hammacott, Carol Westron and Wendy Metcalfe will be speaking at Winchester Writers Conference. As Pentangle Press they will share their experiences of self-publishing. They will discuss what you need to consider and what corners you cannot cut, plus advice of cover design, blurbs and how to take the next step.
Chichester Independent Authors Crime & Thriller Panel – Chichester Festival
Tuesday 20th June 6.30-7.30pm
Hennings, 53 North Street, Chichester, PO19 1NQ. Spoken Word
Welcome to the world of Crime Thrillers. From action thrillers to psychological suspense, join three local authors Michael Parker, Helen Christmas and Christine Hammacott as they discuss research, character development, creating exciting plot-lines and what keeps a reader ‘on the edge of their seat’. This promises to be evening full of intrigue!
BOOk launch
Saturday 22nd April 2pm
Blackwells Bookshop,
University of Portsmouth, Cambridge Rd, Portsmouth PO1 2EF
Please join me for the much overdue celebration for The Taste of Ash.
Owing to illness in the family the debut novel never had any kind of book launch. So please come and help me celebrate with a glass of wine and nibbles. All welcome.
FREE (no ticket needed)
Portsmouth Bookfest
Saturday 4th March 2pm
Room F, Third Floor, Portsmouth Central Library
Book cover design and creating your author brand with author and graphic designer Christine Hammacott from The Art of Communication
If you are an author or writer considering self-publishing, this workshop will give you essential information on what you need to look at when positioning your book in the marketplace and designing a great cover, as well as lots of useful tips on how to create your author brand with both marketing material and online.
2016
16th August – Selsey Meet the Author Event
The Selsey Centre
Selsey, West Sussex
Over 30 authors booked
22nd April World Book Day Portsmouth Library
Guest of The Deadly Dames
Aka Charlie Cochrane, Joan Moules, Eileen Robertson, Nicola Slade and Carol Westron
I am delighted to have been included in The Deadly Dames World Book Day event at Portsmouth Library.
Programme
6.30pm: Doors open/refreshments
7pm: Two round crime fiction quiz starts
7.30pm: Deadly Dames panel
8.30pm: Audience questions
9pm: Finish
Portsmouth Bookfest Event 27 February 2016
Indie Publishing with Pentangle Press at Portsmouth Bookfest.
Saturday 27th February 2016 11am Third Floor, Portsmouth Central Library, Portsmouth.
For further information see the Bookfest website.
http://www.portsmouthbookfest.co.uk/2014-programme
Carol Westron, Christine Hammacott and Wendy Metcalfe are Pentangle Press, a local, self-publishing co-operative. Three years ago they decided to combine their skills, in the belief that this would bring more success than publishing individually. In this talk they will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of being an Indie author and the doors that have opened for them by having their books out in the world. They will explain why they made certain publishing decisions regarding printing and promoting, paperback or e-book. They will also talk about the separate processes that the author has to go through after the book is written in order to prepare it for publication. These include copy editing, line editing, branding, lay-out, cover design, the back blurb and pricing the book. There are then the fresh challenges of promotion: website, Facebook, Twitter, blogging, book signings, panels and other public appearances; every author has different strengths but it is useful to know the options. There will be opportunities for audience questions and discussion.
Carol Westron, Wendy Metcalfe and Christine Hammacott with Claire Forsythe organiser of the Portsmouth Bookfest, author Pauline Rowson and other Portsmouth authors.
