Making Your Pitch with Virago Workshop

Have you ever been asked ‘What’s your book about?’ only to be self-deprecating, trip over your tongue, or waffle nonsensically? Learn how an editor pitches books to her team and the publishing industry, and how this can help you get attention, summarise your work and present yourself confidently. A fun, interactive, and aim-driven session.

Booking opens 4 October.

Rose Tomaszewska has worked in publishing for ten years, helped to set up riverrun, the literary imprint of Quercus, and is now Editorial Director at Virago, where she publishes fiction, non-fiction and graphic novels. Her authors have included Kim Sherwood, the winner of the Bath Novel Award, Catrina Davies, longlisted for the Baillie Gifford Prize and Heather O’Neill, shortlisted for the Women’s Prize. She runs workshops for creative writers at literary festivals and universities, helps run the Virago podcast, OurShelves, and launched the Virago Speakeasy at Pages Cheshire St in 2019. She grew up in Leicestershire, graduated from UEA and lives in Brighton.

Booking Information

Booking opens on 4 October.

Booking is managed by Watershed’s Box Office. Book online or call 0117 927 5100.

Events start punctually and, out of consideration to other audience members and speakers, our policy is not to admit latecomers. 

Keeping Everyone Safe

Watershed wants to ensure that it is a welcoming and inclusive place for all. Please note that:

• You are required to wear a mask when moving around the building, and when seated in either the cinemas or Waterside spaces (unless exempt).
• The capacity of the cinemas and event spaces is at 50%, ensuring there is a minimum of 2 seats (1.5 metres) between you and other customers on your row.
• You should not visit you’re feeling unwell and have COVID symptoms.
• Watershed will continue with measures currently in place, including increased and enhanced cleaning regime, provision of hand sanitiser throughout the building, maintaining air flow management plans to ensure adequate ventilation throughout, staff wearing face coverings, perspex screens at the desks and bar, and keeping contactless payments. If you would like to check in via NHS Test and Trace please feel free to do so, although it will no longer be required to enter the building.

Accessibility

• Watershed’s main entrance and Box Office are both on the ground floor which is accessible via a ramped, electronically assisted entrance door.
• There are two Blue Badge parking spaces to the rear of Watershed on Canons Road.
• Guide dogs and hearing dogs are very welcome.
• The first floor of Watershed is accessible via lift from the main entrance and includes level access to all areas, including the cinemas and event spaces.
• The cinemas and event spaces have induction loops.
• There is an accessible toilet (with baby changing facilities) near Cinema 1. Follow the signs for the Cinemas and the accessible toilet is just on your left through the double doors before Cinema 1.
• There are gender neutral toilets in the cinema corridor on the first floor.
• We offer companion seats without additional charge if required.

Visit Watershed’s Access page for more information.

Image: Kimberley Farmer, Unsplash