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Bruce Stanley, Aoife Murray, Oisín McGann, Helen Carr and Matthew Parkinson-Bennett in conversation with Sarah Webb In Partnership with Children’s Books Ireland The Next Step: Information and Advice for Newly Contracted or Recently Published Children’s Writers and Illustrators Chair: Sarah Webb Speakers: Bruce Stanley (Accountant), Aoife Murray (Children’s Books Ireland), Oisín McGann (Author), Helen Carr (Editor, The O’Brien Press), Matthew…
Bruce Stanley, Aoife Murray, Oisín McGann, Helen Carr and Matthew Parkinson-Bennett in conversation with Sarah Webb
In Partnership with Children’s Books Ireland
The Next Step: Information and Advice for Newly Contracted or Recently Published Children’s Writers and Illustrators
Chair: Sarah Webb
Speakers: Bruce Stanley (Accountant), Aoife Murray (Children’s Books Ireland), Oisín McGann (Author), Helen Carr (Editor, The O’Brien Press), Matthew Parkinson-Bennett (Publisher, Little Island Books)
Congratulations! Your children’s book has been accepted by a traditional publishing house. But what’s next?
If you’d like information about contracts, taxes and keeping accounts, the artists’ exemption, dealing with publishers, including editors and the marketing and pr person/department, finding an agent (and why you might need one), sustaining a long-term career, how to handle rejection and more, this is the event for you.
Designed with the newly contracted or traditionally published children’s author or illustrator in mind, it will also be of interest to authors and illustrators with several children’s books under their belt. Newer children’s writers and illustrators are also welcome!
Come with questions, leave with answers!
Programmed by Sarah Webb and Aoife Murray.
Please note, Dublin Book Festival and Children’s Books Ireland want everyone to be able to enjoy ProperBook and the opportunities it has to offer, but we understand that an event like this can be hard to budget for. That’s why Children’s Books Ireland is offering some financial support for anyone who may require it towards travel, accommodation or child-care costs to be able to attend ProperBook at Dublin Book Festival. Children’s Books Ireland can also cover the cost of a limited number of ProperBook tickets.
To let them know about your needs and what level of financial support would allow you to come along, email info@childrensbooksireland.ie
Helen Carr is a Senior Editor at The O’Brien Press. She edits a broad range of bestselling fiction and non-fiction for adults, young adults and children.
Oisín McGann studied at Ballyfermot Senior College and Dun Laoghaire School of Art and Design, and went on to work in illustration, design and film animation. He now works full time as an author and illustrator. He has written and illustrated numerous books for all ages including the Mad Grandad series and eight novels, including The Gods and Their Machines. His non-fiction book, A Short, Hopeful Guide to Climate Change, was widely acclaimed.
Aoife Murray is from Co Louth and lives in Dublin. She holds an MPhil in Popular Literature from Trinity College Dublin and worked in public relations before joining Children’s Books Ireland in 2011 where she works as Programme and Events Manager.
Matthew Parkinson-Bennett is Publisher with Little Island Books, a Dublin-based independent publisher of books for young readers. He has spent most of his career working in editorial roles, across trade, academic, educational and legal publishing.
With over 25 years’ experience in the sector, Bruce Stanley is a partner with HLB Ireland and HLB’s Global Arts & Entertainment industry leader. With a practice specialism of working with creatives, he also serves as a board member of both the Irish National Opera and Rough Magic, Ireland’s leading independent theatre company. In addition, Bruce is a former Chairperson of Graphic Studio Dublin, Ireland’s oldest fine art print studio. A Fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland, an AITI Chartered Tax Advisor, and member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, Bruce has a wealth of experience in corporate and personal tax planning.
Sarah Webb is an award-winning Irish children’s author. She teaches creative writing and programmes children’s book events for various festivals and organisations, including the Properbook events for Children’s Books Ireland. She is Events Manager at children’s bookshop Halfway up the Stairs in Greystones, Co. Wicklow. In 2023 she set up the Discover Irish Children’s Books campaign to help highlight and promote Irish children’s books.
Children’s Books Ireland is the national charity and arts organisation that champions every child’s right to develop a love of reading. Our mission is to inspire a love of reading in children and young people in Ireland, to share our expertise and enthusiasm with the adults who guide and influence them, to champion every child’s right to excellent books and live literature events and to support the artists who make that goal possible across the island of Ireland.