Publishing Panel and Networking Event

The fast-paced world of publishing is forever changing and as writers, those involved in the industry or just interested in keeping up, it can be tough. We wanted to bring together an esteemed panel of experts to talk about the challenges and joys of the publishing world today. The discussion will allow plenty of time for audience questions and be followed immediately by a drinks reception to allow writers and all publishing aficionados to meet each other.

The ticket price includes one glass of wine or alternative soft drink.

If you wish to send in questions in advance to form part of the panel discussion please email to wayne@hastingsbookfest.org

The panel will comprise of Hannah Sheppard - Literary Agent, Justin David - publisher at Inkandescent, Patrice Lawrence - award winning writer and festival patron, and Kelly Thompson - book doula.

We expect a lively discussion and (knowing a lot of local writers) a mass of great questions. And who doesn’t want a glass of wine on a Sunday in September afternoon.

Member of the Hastings Book Group will be opening and closing the panel.  

More about the panel: 

PATRICE LAWRENCE is an award winning writer. She was born in Brighton and brought up in an Italian and Trinidadian household.

Her first book for young adults, Orangeboy, was shortlisted for the Costa Children’s Book Award and won the Bookseller YA Prize and Waterstone’s Prize for Older Children's Fiction. Indigo Donut, her second book for teenagers, won the Crimefest YA Prize. Both books have been nominated for the Carnegie Medal. Patrice has worked for more than 20 years for charities supporting equality and social justice. She now lives in Hastings.

JUSTIN DAVID is a writer, photographer and publisher. His debut novella, The Pharmacist, was described in the Times Literary Supplement as ‘the perfect introduction to a singular voice in gay literature.’ Tales of the Suburbs and Kissing the Lizard are the other books in the Welston World Sagas.

Justin is one half of Inkandescent with Nathan Evans. Their first offering, Threads, featuring Nathan’s poetry and Justin’s photography, was long-listed for the Polari First Book Prize. Inkandescent were a finalist in the Small Press of the Year category in the British Book Awards of 2022.

HANNAH SHEPPARD worked in-house in editorial for a decade (at Pan Macmillan and Headline Publishing Group) which gives her valuable insight into the workings of a publishing house and an ability to explain the industry and the publishing process from both sides of the business.

She moved to agenting in 2013 when she realised the more senior she got in-house, the less she got to do the bits of her job she really loves – working directly with authors to develop their ideas for commercial success. After working with DHH Literary Agency for a decade, she launched her own agency, Hannah Sheppard Literary Agency in 2023.

KELLY THOMPSON worked in non-fiction book publishing for over 25 years, Kelly has developed, commissioned and edited books on everything from travel, fitness, food, drink and the arts, to yoga, meditation, positive psychology and spirituality – for publishers including Dorling Kindersley, Penguin Random House, Carlton and Quarto. Kelly now works as a book doula from her home, in sunny Hastings. Specializing in the areas of holistic health and wellness, she helps budding non-fiction writers to nurture and shape their book ideas into well-thought through propositions.