Come and join WGGB at The Writers’ Toolkit annual networking conference for emerging and established writers, in Birmingham on Saturday 29 November. Run by Writing West Midlands, the region’s literature development agency, the conference offers attendees the pick of 16 sessions with industry professionals. It is also an opportunity for writers to meet, share ideas and make new contacts.

Speakers include agents, editors, publishers, writers, broadcasters, producers, academics and other industry professionals. WGGB Chair of the West Midlands region, William Gallagher, will be one of the many speakers.

“The Writers’ Toolkit is a longstanding annual event about the practicalities of being a working writer across all media in the Midlands,” said William Gallagher. “It is an event where rubbing shoulders with people is as important as the official sessions, which range from the nuts and bolts of surviving as a freelancer, to more heady discussions about where our industry is going.”

William urges all writers living and working in the region, at whatever stage of their career, to join WGGB. “This year the West Midlands region has had a great time producing events with the Birmingham Rep, the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal Television Society and the BBC,” he said.

“The biggest one of the year though was with Writing West Midlands, at the Birmingham Literature Festival, where WGGB Deputy Chair Tim Stimpson interviewed Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight. It was a public event, a sell-out public event, and seeing a queue to hear a writer talk snaking out across the library – and back again! – was frankly uplifting.”

Full details and bookings for the Writers’ Toolkit event can be found on the Writing West Midlands website.