Publishing Day 2026

After two hugely popular Getting Published events for emerging writers in 2023 and 2024, we're thrilled to bring you Publishing Day 2026 on Tuesday 8 September from 10am to 4pm, with masterclasses on routes into publishing, working with small presses, marketing for authors, using metadata for promotion and distribution, and more. Places are limited, and pre-booking is essential.

The day will start at 10am in The Box Arts Club, Kiln Farm, with a welcome and coffee, and we will then walk (five minutes) to IngramSpark’s state-of-the-art digital print facility, who are generously hosting us for presentations on key aspects of successful publishing, a tour of IngramSpark's printworks in small groups to understand the printing process*, and lunch.

The presentations will include:

• marketing your book
• metadata: what it is and how to make it work for you
• distribution and its various types.

After lunch, we will return to The Box Arts Club for three highly informative events on key aspects of the publishing industry:

Accessing the publishing industry as a writer with Chris Wold of Whitefox (Masterclass)

Publishing has changed dramatically with more options for authors than ever before. Chris Wold from independent publisher Whitefox demystifies the modern publishing landscape to help writers get what they most want from their book, whether that means self-publishing, pursuing a traditional book deal, or exploring a hybrid model. This session will cut through the noise to help you to honestly and fairly evaluate the different routes and decide which path best serves your book – and you.

About Chris Wold
Chris Wold offers three decades of global publishing experience to clients of Whitefox, having led sales (trade & specialist), rights, and publishing teams in the US and UK, with both domestic and international focus. Holding senior roles at Tuttle Publishing, Red Wheel/Weiser, Watkins Media and HarperCollins UK, his experience has enabled Whitefox to offer a truly full-service publishing experience for its clients that extends beyond editorial and design to physical and traditional distribution, national media coverage, and rights & foreign language translation services, as well as strategy and brand advisement.

Working with small presses with Donna Scott of The Slab Press (Masterclass)

Publisher and editor Donna Scott offers a candid, practical look at how small presses operate and what writers should know before submitting their work. Drawing on her experience running The Slab Press and editing award‑nominated fiction, she explains how independent publishers select manuscripts, manage editorial processes, and balance creativity with limited resources. Donna explores timelines, communication, contracts, and the collaborative nature of small‑press editing, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities. Writers will gain realistic, actionable insight into how to approach small presses, build strong relationships, and position their work for success in the indie publishing landscape.

About Donna Scott
Donna Scott is a publisher, editor, and creative facilitator based in Northampton, working across genre fiction and community arts. As founder of The Slab Press and sole editor of the Best of British Science Fiction series, she champions emerging voices and innovative storytelling. She brings two decades of experience in editorial craft, project management, and literary programming, from national awards to grassroots arts events. Alongside her publishing work, she hosts a bookish podcast, The Good Book Life, and has recently taken on co-editorship of ParSec Magazine.

Submitting to literary agents with professional editor, Flora Rees (Presentation)

For writers aiming for the traditional publishing route, it’s crucial to find the right agent for you– and all writers need to think about how to present themselves and their work, regardless their path. Editor Flora Rees will discuss how to prepare your submission for querying literary agents (and publishers) – when to do so, how to get it ready and what you need to include.

About Flora Rees
Flora Rees is an editor with more than 25 years’ experience in publishing, specialising in developmental editing and manuscript assessment. She works with authors including Sunday Times bestsellers Victoria Hislop and Alison Weir, and leads workshops on editing and creative writing. She is also project manager for the Milton Keynes Literary Festival.

Booking this event

*On booking, you will be asked for contact details and dietary requirements for each ticket holder when booking. Everyone taking the print facility tour will also be required to complete an NDA agreement with IngramSpark®.

Please note for Health & Safety compliance that:​

• all visitors to IngramSpark® must wear a visitor badge or other approved name tag
• only closed-toe shoes are acceptable
• shoe heels should not exceed 1 inch in height
• bags are not allowed to be taken into the distribution centre or the plant floor
• photography is not allowed in the facilities
• Hi Viz vests are to be worn on the production floor by all on the tour.

The booking fee enables MK Lit Fest to manage the overall programme and deliver the Publishing Day activities taking place at The Box Arts Club.