SCHREIBEN & LEBEN ExTRA
The project „schreiben&lebenExTRA“ aims at a sustainable strengthening of the economic situation of freelancing authors, translators, editors and event managers in Berlin by providing information on various topics as well as networking events.
Besides the extensive group- and one-on-one consultation programme, its components are the organisation of the Annual Industry Meetup: Literature, as well as a mentorship programme for writers affected by classism. Furthermore, we publish the Berlin Literature Calendar.
Who is behind „schreiben&lebenExTRA“?
„schreiben&lebenExTRA“ is a project of Literaturhaus Lettrétage e. V. in Berlin-Schöneberg. It is funded by the Senate Department for Culture and Social Cohesion and the European Regional Development Fund.
Are the services offered by “schreiben&lebenExTRA” free?
Yes, participation in individual and group consultations, industry meetups, the Winter School, webinars, and mentoring is completely free. “schreiben&lebenExTRA” is funded by the Senate Department for Culture and Social Cohesion and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Are the services offered by “schreiben&lebenExTRA” accessible to people with visual or hearing impairments?
Our services are intended to be accessible to all colleagues. Please contact us immediately if you have any difficulties participating, require sign language interpretation or on-site assistance, or have any suggestions for improving the accessibility of our services.
If necessary, we can offer consultations in German sign language or with a DGS interpreter.
OUR CONSULTATION SERVICES
How do the consultation days work?
We offer ongoing consultations with different advisors on various topics. You can find the current dates on our website. Subscribe to our schreiben&leben newsletter or follow us on Instagram or Bluesky to get regular updates on the latest consultation days.
To participate in a consultation, you can book the date of your choice using our online form. You will receive a Zoom Link, a phone number, or directions to our consultant space in advance of the appointment.
Who are the consultations aimed at?
The consultation services offered by “schreiben&lebenExTRA” are aimed at professional freelance authors, translators, editors, and literary event organisers from Berlin.
What topics do the consultations cover?
Our consultation days are dedicated to various issues that are relevant to self-employed people in the literary industry. Recurring topics include:
- How to find an agency or publisher as an author
- How to find clients as an editor or translator
- How to apply for grants and scholarships
- How to register for Artists Social Insurance Fund (Künstlersozialkasse)
- How to solve problems and organise your work
How long are the consultations?
An individual consultation usually lasts 45 minutes.
Where do the consultations take place?
Consultations take place either online via zoom, on the phone, or in person at our office at Kolonnenstr. 26 in Berlin-Schöneberg, depending on the preference and availability of the consultant.
Are the consultations possible in German only?
No. Consultations are regularly offered in English, French, Spanish, Russian, and many other languages. Contact us to arrange an individual consultation in your language.
Who will advise me?
Consultations are usually conducted by freelance authors, editors, translators, and event organisers who have been active in Berlin’s literary scene for many years. You can find information about our current team of consultants in this overview. If you are interested in an individual consultation with someone who is not currently offering appointments, please contact us by email (anmeldung[at]literaturszene.berlin).
I don’t need detailed advice, but I have a specific question. Can I contact you?
Feel free to contact us. We will try to answer your question ourselves or arrange a brief consultation with one of our advisors as soon as possible. Alternatively, you can come to one of our regular orientation counselings to ask the project team your question.
THE INDUSTRY MEETUP: LITERATURE
What is the Industry Meetup: Literature?
Since 2016, the Industry Meetup: Literature (“Branchentreff Literatur”) has brought together self-employed professionals in the literature industry once a year to discuss current topics and political developments in the literary scene, to network, and to acquire knowledge. The working groups, panels, lectures, and workshops at previous industry meetings have focused on topics such as alternative forms of work organization and cooperation, cooperative models, and the visibility of literature.
The Industry Meetup usually takes place in May. You can find the latest information about the next Industry Meetup (date, registration procedure, program, etc.) on our project website under the menu item Industry Meetup.
How can I participate?
Registration for the Industry Meetup is possible via the website approximately one month before the start of the event.
Are recordings of past Industry Meetups available?
Recordings of the 2020-2024 Industry Meetups are available on our YouTube channel.
Are the events at the Industry Meetup held exclusively in German?
Since 2022, individual information events at the Industry Meetup have been offered in English. However, the majority of the program continues to be held in German.
THE BERLIN LITERATURE CALENDAR
What is the Berlin Literature Calendar?
The Berlin Literature Calendar is a collaborative project by Literaturhaus Lettrétage e.V. and the Literarisches Colloquium Berlin with the aim of highlighting the wealth of literary events in the capital. It is usually published monthly as a printed poster. It can be found all over the city in libraries, bookstores, and literary venues.
How can I get the Berlin Literature Calendar?
If you are able to regularly display the Literature Calendar in a vertical A1-Format in your bookstore, event venue, or in another public place, we will be happy to add you to our mailing list. Please send us an email at karen.suender[at]lettretage.de.
Can my event be included in the Berlin Literature Calendar?
Yes! The contact person for event organisers is Karen Suender (karen.suender[at]lettretage.de).
How often is the calendar published?
The print calendar is published monthly and can be found in libraries, universities, bookstores, and cultural venues at the beginning of each month. The Literature Calendar is also available for download on the website.
Winter School
What is the Winter School and when does it take place?
The Winter School takes place annually at the beginning of November and is a two-day event with longer workshops. The Winter School deals in depth with topics such as digitality, AI, and other future-oriented issues that literary freelancers must continually adapt to. Literary freelancers thus enter the darker months with fresh inspiration and newly acquired knowledge.
Who is the Winter School aimed at?
The Winter School is aimed at freelance authors, translators, editors, and literary event organizers from the Berlin area. There are no specific requirements or qualifications necessary to participate in the Winter School. However, the program is tailored to people who are professionally involved in the literary scene and for whom writing is more than just a hobby.
How can I participate?
Registration for the Winter School is possible via our website approximately one month before the start of the event.
Are the Winter School events held exclusively in German?
The Winter School offers events in both German and English.
Info-Bytes
What are Info-Bytes?
Info-Bytes are short information formats and group consultations consisting of a 30-minute short presentation and a 30-minute Q&A-session to convey and clarify the most important basics on topics such as registering with the Künstlersozialkasse, Verwertungsgesellschaft Wort (German copyright royalties management), applying for scholarships, contract negotiations, etc.
Who are Info-Bytes aimed at?
The Info Bytes are intended for anyone who has general questions that are easy to answer. Once you have acquired the basic knowledge, you can clarify your personal concerns in the respective individual consultations.
How can I participate?
New dates for the Info Bytes will be posted on our website for registration approximately two weeks in advance.
How long do the Info Bytes last?
The Info Bytes consist of a 30-minute short presentation and a 30-minute Q&A-session.
In which language do the Info Bytes take place?
The Info Bytes take place in either German or English.
Webinars
What are webinars and how often do they take place?
Our regular webinars offer participants the opportunity to acquire practical professional skills and know-how. The webinar series allows for a higher and more flexible number of participants than face-to-face workshops and ensures continuous input.
What topics do the webinars cover?
Webinars cover a variety of topics that are frequently asked about in individual consultations and are relevant to many freelance literary professionals. Examples include writing exposés, the Künstlersozialkasse (Artists’ Social Insurance Fund), social media & marketing, self-publishing, and project management.
Who are the webinars aimed at?
The webinars are aimed at professional freelance authors, translators, editors, and literary event organisers from Berlin.
How can I participate?
You can book a webinar online. New dates for the webinars will be posted on our website for registration approximately two weeks in advance.
How long do the webinars last?
The webinars usually last one and a half to two hours.
Where do the webinars take place?
The webinars take place online on Zoom. You do not need your own account to participate. We will send you the Zoom link a few days before the event.
In which language do the webinars take place?
The webinars take place in either German or English.
Open group consultation
What is an Open group consultation and how often does it take place?
Our Open group consultation is a regular open consultation hour at the beginning of each month. Our project team answer general questions on literary industry related topics, inform interested parties about whar our project offers, and discuss suitable consultation days with participants.
Where do Open group consultations take place?
Open group consultations takes place once a month at the beginning of the month in our office at Kolonnenstraße 26.
Who are Open group consultations aimed at?
Open group consultations are aimed at professional freelance authors, translators, editors, and literary event organisers from Berlin who have general questions about the industry and wish to meet other like minded colleagues in an informal setting.
Do I have to have attended an Open group consultation in order to participate in individual consultation?
That depends on the topic of the consultation. For some topics, individual consultations can be booked directly, while for others, registration is only possible after attending the Open group consultation. Many typical career-related questions can already be answered during the Open group consultation. This leaves more time in the individual consultations for more specific and in-depth questions.
How can I participate?
The dates for the Open group consultations will be posted on our website approximately two weeks in advance and can be booked online.
In which language will the Open group consultation take place?
They will be offered in German and English.