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The A–Z of Publishing: An Agent and Editor’s Guide
Wed, Feb 11
|Bàrd Books
Join us for either our London-based event or a live, online event, both featuring Joanna Swainson (co-founder and literary agent at Hardman & Swainson) and Katherine Burdon (commissioning editor at Quercus Books).
Time & Location
Feb 11, 2026, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Bàrd Books, 341-343 Roman Rd, Bow, London E3 5QR, UK
About the event
Join us for either our London-based event or a live, online event, both featuring Joanna Swainson (co-founder and literary agent at Hardman & Swainson) and Katherine Burdon (commissioning editor at Quercus Books).
These two-hour events offer a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the full publishing journey — from the moment a promising novel lands in an agent’s inbox to the day it reaches bookshop shelves.
Drawing on their combined expertise in agenting and editing, Joanna and Katherine will guide you through the A–Z of publishing, breaking down:
What agents and editors really look for in a submission.
How to make your work stand out in a crowded market.
The selection, acquisition and editorial processes inside publishing houses.
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Assistance to writers on low incomes or from under-represented backgrounds
We’re offering a minimum of 20 free entries for UK based writers on low incomes or from communities currently under-represented in publishing. Applications will be reviewed and the most promising submissions will be selected by the BPA team. Please click here to Contact BPA with your application and, if relevant, proof of financial eligibility such as: Jobseeker’s Allowance; Disability Benefit; Income Support; Working Tax Credit; Child Tax Credit; proof of being a full-time student; Housing Benefit; proof of being a full-time carer. All details will be kept confidential.