Monday Midday Mini-fests

Monday Mini-Fests are becoming Monday Midday Mini-Fests.

Yes, from 16th March the panels will be gathering at midday (noon UK time) hereafter. I’ve been writing up to midday every weekday (and some weekends) so want to continue this on a Monday. I tried the staggering for different timezones but we had so few overseas (non-UK) attendees that it didn’t seem to matter. And it leaves my evenings clear for family time… who doesn’t want that!

During the first online all-day... actually, soon after it started… I thought what a shame it would be if it only ran once every six months so it’s going to be a regular thing.

Every Monday there are up to five authors and/or self-publishing experts in each session talking about a variety of topics ~ see the dates below. These will all be moderated by Morgen so the participants have the opportunity to chat fully. Authors: If you would, go to the Participate page for details and/or email Morgen for the information pack.

These are free events but we’re raising money for local book-related charities and we’d be really grateful if you would donate whatever you afford via the Charities & Donate page. Thank you so much.

As with Sunday 25th January’s all-day festival, every session is live and the recordings uploaded to YouTube and added to the relevant events and authors pages. Forthcoming dates are listed below ~ with the relevant author pages when they’re booked.

Events that have taken place are at the BOTTOM of this page.

#13 Monday 4th May @ 12pm (UK time ~ bank holiday here): cover design, illustration and formatting ~ Andrea D Woolhead ~ David Wake ~ Jack Chandler ~ two slots remaining

Then Morgen’s taking a bit of a break so please note new dates…

#14 Monday 25th May @ 12pm (UK time ~ bank holiday here): collaborating (writing and/or publishing etc.) ~ David Wake ~ four slots remaining

#15 Monday 1st June @ 12pm (UK time): marketing ~ Damiano Polcaro ~ Denise Beddows ~ HJ Furl ~ Karl W Newton ~ Phil Oddy

#16 Monday 8th June @ 12pm (UK time): the publishing industry ~ Andrea D Woolhead ~ David Wake ~ three slots remaining.

Thereafter the Zoom link will be https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83283293933 with the passcode of ‘Monday’ should it be needed)…

  • #17 Monday 15th June @ 12pm: collaborating revisited ~ Liz Hedgecock ~ Paula Harmon ~ three slots remaining
  • #18 Monday 22nd June @ 12pm: how long is a story? (micro fiction/short stories) ~ five slots remaining
  • #19 Monday 29th June @ 12pm: series vs standalone novels ~ David Wake ~ four slots remaining
  • #20 Monday 6th July @ 12pm: writing for children/YA ~ five slots remaining
  • #21 Monday 13th July @12pm: the Writer’s Toolbox, where to put the hippopotamus scene! ~ David Wake (moderator) ~ four slots remaining
  • #22 Monday 20th July @ 12pm: forms of poetry ~ five slots remaining
  • #23 Monday 27th July @ 12pm: mixing genres (e.g. authors who write more than one genre) and forms (e.g. novels, short stories, poetry)… a repeat of 30th March but with different contributors ~ five slots remaining

Then no panels for a while as I’m teaching at Swanwick (8th to 13th Aug ~ will I see you there?) then we have a family wedding and other commitments

  • #25 Monday 24th August @ 12pm: ask Morgen anything (as it’s her birthday this month!) ~ five slots remaining
  • #26 Monday 31st August @ 12pm (bank holiday here in the UK): do suggest a topic! ~ five slots remaining
  • The Mondays repeat at noon thereafter with few exceptions where I’m booked on a Monday…

The Monday Mini-Fest events that have taken place so far are…

#1 Monday 2nd February 2026: the moderators from the 25 Jan 2026 Festival returned to talk about themselves and their writing ~ BB Elsin, David Wake, Denise Beddows, Donna Morfett, Lee Benson with Morgen Bailey moderating. Below is the recording… enjoy!

#2 Monday 16th February 2026: was Morgen and Jack Chandler talking about ideas…

#3a Hosted by Self-Pub Fest founder Morgen Bailey, on Monday 23rd February 2026: the sessions was on plotting vs pantsing ~ Denise Beddows, Jack Chandler, John Lynch.  Poet and novelist Lee Benson joined us as sadly Alan Meredith and David Wake couldn’t be with us for that session.

I therefore decided to repeat it at 9pm the same day. So…

#3b Monday 23rd February 2026 authors AA Abbott, Alan Meredith, David Wake, Donna Morfett, Ryan Stark joined Morgen for plotting vs pantsing

#4 Monday 2nd March 2026 authors Andrea D Woolhead ~ BB Elsin ~ Denise Beddows ~ Graeme Cumming joined Morgen to talk about characters

#5 Monday 9th March: BB Elsin ~ Graeme Cumming joined Morgen for settings

#6 Monday 16th March: the panel for plots ~ Cristina Loggia ~ David Wake ~ Denise Beddows, hosted by Morgen.

#7 Monday 23rd March: for description vs dialogue Morgen was joined by David Wake ~ Jill Todd ~ Nikki Copleston ~ Phil Oddy

#8 Monday 30th March: mixing genres and forms ~ Andrea D Woolhead ~ David Wake ~ Jack Chandler ~ Janet Pywell ~ Martin Tracey ~ SJ Banham.

#9 Monday 6th April: beginnings ~ with BB Elsin ~ Denise Beddows ~ Esther Chilton

#10 Monday 13th April: the saggy middle of a novel ~ BB Elsin ~ David Wake ~ Jill Todd ~ Karl W Newton ~ Meriet Duncan.

#11 Monday 20th April endings ~ Andrea D Woolhead~ Damiano Polcaro ~ HJ Furl ~ Jill Todd ~ Phil Oddy talked about endings with Morgen hosting.

#12 Monday 27th April @ 12pm (UK time): editing ~ David Wake with Morgen hosting.

These are free events but we’re raising money for local book-related charities and we’d be really grateful if you would donate whatever you afford via the Charities & Donate page. Thank you so much.