The eighth Industry Meetup: Literature

The eighth Industry Meetup: Literatzre took place from 2 to 4 May 2024 at Refugio in Berlin – and we’re still buzzing from those three intense days! Once again, the solo freelancers of the Berlin literary industry came together – to exchange ideas, learn from each other and discuss topics that affect the entire industry.

Under the overarching theme of “Public”, there were various focal points in this year’s programme that were dedicated to the requirements, challenges and opportunities of freelancers in the literary public sphere. For example, the workshops with Christian Dittloff focussed on social media presence and how literary professionals can use the various platforms to their advantage. On the other hand, Caroline Intrup focused on the “analogue” side of public appearances, e.g. at readings.

The three-part programme item “From manuscript to book” was a particular highlight. The participating authors first honed their exposés in a workshop with Gunnar Cynybulk, then learnt how to present their projects in the form of a pitch with Stephanie Manz in the next part of the programme and were then able to try out what they had learnt directly in speed matching with editors and agents on Friday afternoon. This gave the participants direct professional feedback on their writing projects – from insiders in the industry.

After the great response to our first literature bar camp at the last industry meetup, we organised another one this year: Throughout Saturday, participants were able to decide on the topics themselves, offer sessions and discuss them with other literary professionals. The sessions focussed on the classism of the literary industry, innovative reading formats, autofiction, founding a publishing house, finding a publisher and more. In other words, the whole spectrum of everyday literary life. The day was moderated by Alexander Lehnert and Katy Derbyshire.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who made this such a wonderful event – the speakers, the audience, the team and the many “Magical Fairies”, without whom none of this would have been possible. Thank you! We’ll see you again next year.

Here are some impressions of the eighth Industry Meetup: Literature, captured by Maik Schulze.