We run weekly consultation days for authors, editors, translators and literary event organisers. An one-on-one consultation usually lasts 45 minutes. Our schreiben & leben consultants are highly experienced and successful freelancers who went through the same ups and downs as you might have and are more than happy to share their extensive knowledge. They will answer your questions and work with you on possible solutions – whether it’s about signing up for the KSK, the quest for a publisher or agent, customer acquisition, help with grant applications, networking possibilities or even strategies for work organisation and customer management. The consultation days are available in English, Spanish and several other languages.
The consultations take place via zoom, telephone or in our new office in Schöneberg, Kolonnenstraße 26, 10829 Berlin.
These are the upcoming consultation days:
30.01.2025, Getting Started as an Editor
Consultation in German and English
Via Zoom with Claudia Lüdtke
Sample questions: How do I get started as a freelance editor? What do I need to consider when starting out as a freelance editor? How do I attract customers? How do I present myself professionally? Where can I train as a freelance editor? How can I be financially successful as a freelancer? How do I organize my day-to-day work?
12.02.2025, Finding an Agent/Publisher
Consultation in German and English
in person and via Zoom mit Axel Haase
Sample questions: When submitting a manuscript to a publisher, which approach is more likely to lead to success: sending it yourself, or going through an agent? What are the advantages of working with an agent? How important are publications outside the book industry, for example in literary journals?
Should I send the entire text to a publisher, or at first only excerpts?
13.02.2025, Finding an Agent/Publisher for Poetry / Exposé
Consultation in German and English
in Person in our office in Schöneberg (Kolonnenstr. 26, S-Bahn Julius-Leber-Brücke) with Daniela Seel
Sample questions: How do I approach agencies? What does a clear synopsis look like? What funding/grant opportunities are there?
20.02.2025, Künstlersozialkasse (KSK)
Consultation in German or English
in Person or via Zoom with Lucy Jones
Sample questions: What is the KSK? Can I be a member of the KSK and work part-time? Can I become a member of the KSK? How do I go about becoming self-employed as a freelancer? Where can I meet people from the Berlin literary scene?
25.02.2025, Self-Publishing
Consultation in English
via Zoom with Adam Fletcher
Sample questions: How do I produce a self-published book? How do I design an appealing eBook? What makes a successful book cover? How do I find good freelance editors and cover designers? What genres and reader expectations are there? How do I sell my book on Amazon? How does print on demand work? How do I get my book into bookstores?
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