Development Week 2025: Take the Spotlight
BookTrust Represents to host free industry workshops for authors and illustrators of colour.
BookTrust Represents Development Week is back, offering free industry training to aspiring and/or emerging authors and illustrators of colour. With a mix of workshops, advice clinics, and expert Q&As, the training sessions are hosted by well-known children's book authors and illustrators and notable industry experts.
This year's theme is 'Take the Spotlight' and we're focusing on how to navigate the often-daunting side of the publishing industry that is PR and Marketing.
All Development Week sessions will be virtual and take place between March 17-21 2025. Please see the full Development Week programme below.
For authors and illustrators
Marketing guidance
This is your opportunity to ask marketing expert Anna Caig any burning questions you have.
Whether you're wondering how to set up a mailing list, how to give your Instagram a boost, or how to send a press release to your local media, this is your time to get tailored advice.
And if you don't know where to start with your marketing efforts, that's fine too - Anna will have some practical steps you can follow to get you moving in the right direction to connect with people who'll love your work.
Anna's sessions:
- 11.30am-1pm, Tuesday 18 March 2025
- 2pm-3.30pm, Tuesday 18 March 2025
For authors: Editor one-to-ones
Perfect your pitch
Writing to literary agents should be an exciting exercise. Often it is anything but. This clinic is for writers who are ready to start submitting to agents but are not sure if their pitch will make the cut.
We're giving you the opportunity to send your submission package (cover letter, synopsis and first pages) to industry expert and Storymix founder, Jasmine Richards – for honest review and feedback. Sign up if you're looking for expert constructive assessment of one of the potentially most important letters you will ever write.
Jasmine's sessions:
- 11.30am-1pm, Monday 17 March 2025
Opening pages
The opening of your story has some heavy lifting to do to excite and engage a potential reader (or agent).
If you are not quite ready to start submitting to agents but want to work on developing your craft, this clinic will give you the opportunity to receive constructive feedback on your first 1000 words from Eishar Brar, Editorial Director at Knights Of.
Eishar's sessions:
- 1pm-2.30pm, Thursday 20 March 2025
Please note: Jasmine and Eishar will be hosting three 30-minute advice clinics each. Sessions will be delivered via Zoom. Spaces are limited.
For illustrators: Portfolio review
Are you an aspiring illustrator of colour for children's books or a debut illustrator? Sign up to a 1:1 advice clinic with Farshore's Creative Director Tiffany Leeson or Elorine Grant, Art Director for HarperCollins Children's Department.
You'll submit your portfolio in advance for Tiffany or Elorine to review. Each session will allow for deep discussion and an opportunity to get expert industry advice.
Please note: Tiffany and Elorine will be hosting three 30-minute advice clinics each. Sessions will be delivered via Zoom. Spaces are limited.
Tiffany's sessions:
- 10am-11.30am, Thursday 20 March 2025
Elorine's sessions:
- 10.30am-12pm, Wednesday 19 March 2025
Ask Us Anything with Rashmi & Dapo
7pm-8pm, Monday 17 March 2025
Does navigating the publishing industry, feel like an uphill climb? You are not alone! Join us in this relaxed and friendly session where we will answer your burning industry questions.
Suitable for published and unpublished writers of colour, this is a chance to ask about anything from the process of writing to working with publishers and navigating challenges.
Submit your questions for Rashmi and Dapo
Find out more about Rashmi and Dapo
Practical Marketing with Anna Caig
10am-11am, Tuesday 18 March 2025
Does the thought of marketing yourself fill you with dread? Join this session to build your marketing confidence and learn how to create a marketing strategy that works for you.
Suitable for creators at any stage of their careers who want to discover ways to find and connect with people who'll love their work in a way that feels natural and maybe even enjoyable!
Submit your marketing questions for Anna
Promoting your book: In conversation with Jasbinder Bilan
6pm-7pm, Thursday 20 March 2025
You've secured the deal, but how can you help your book find its readers? In this session you will learn what to expect as a debut author and how you can build a strong foundation for your career by effectively promoting your book.
Suitable for creators at any stage of their careers but particularly useful for debut authors wanting to make an impact with their first book!
Submit your book promotion questions for Jasbinder
Literary events with Selina Brown
12pm-1pm, Friday 21 March 2025
Why are literary events important for creators and how can you get involved? Find out everything you've ever wanted to know about bookish events from author and founder of Europe's largest celebration of Black Literature, Selina Brown.
Suitable for creators at any stage who want to find out how festivals and events can support their careers.
Creating Graphic Novels with Chanté Timothy
In this session, you will get a behind-the-scenes look at how graphic novels are made, and the different roles authors and illustrators can play in this process.
Suitable for both authors and illustrators at any stage who are wanting to tap into this growing area of children's books.