Litopia After Dark 006 - Shrooms

In this second programme of 2008 we are again live on Ustream and the chat room is open for comments during the recording of the Podcast. This week the panel discuss the rather depressing news that further cuts are being made to funding for the Arts. The British Council has effectively been dismantled, its 20 specialist officers (including the much-respected Susie Nicklin, Head of Literature) have been made redundant and invited to re-apply for their jobs. Also is POD (Print on Demand) the future for mainstream publishing? Will the fast turnaround in printing and lack of warehouse costs be the answer to the environmental problems currently faced by publishers? The panel discuss self-publishing and the pro’s and con’s of doing it yourself. And lastly, writing for Children and Young Adults. What is the secret to writing a successful children’s book? What aspects should writers be concentrating on and are there any pitfalls to avoid? The panel give their opinions on hitting the big-time in this increasingly competitive and lucrative marketplace. This weeks guests are Dave Bartram, Berverly Gray, Richard Howse and Donna Ballman (who is joining us from the SCBWI conference in Miami).