Promoting Yorkshire Authors

Development Strategy for PYA  - 2027

Our Promoting Yorkshire Authors Community Group has grown substantially over the past twelve months, with almost five hundred members spread across Yorkshire and the United Kingdom. Growth is positive and always welcome, but to meet the needs of this growing organisation, we need to strengthen and build on our core infrastructure. 

As part of this overhaul, in 2027, we will introduce a non-refundable £10 fee for members who wish to attend PYA events such as the Harrogate and Newby Hall flower shows, as well as other smaller book events as they occur. For events such as Wakefield Book Fair and Barnsley book fair, there will be a small additional charge of £5.

There will continue to be no charge for attending any online events such as Children's Author Group or Writers' Support sessions

Unfortunately, we have had a number of attendee no-shows at several of our recent events. We acknowledge that for some, non-attendance is due to circumstances beyond their control; however, when you can, please inform us as soon as possible.

So far, we have been able to cover the costs of event insurance, promotional material, banners, flyers, etc., with the money raised and through generous donations, but as the number of events increases, so do the costs. 

It is important to note that we are all volunteers. None of the admin staff or event organisers is paid for their time, travel costs, or any work they carry out on behalf of PYA. 

Any additional money raised will allow us to continue funding the following.

• Maintaining and updating the website
• Providing posters, flyers, PYA bookmarks, updating roller banners, and adding further promotional equipment.
• Subscription for our payment system for events
• Yearly insurance fee
• Additional insurance fees for certain events (market insurance in the case of Barnsley and Wakefield)

The above is not an exhaustive list but includes some of the key payments we need to make.

Over the coming weeks, we will share further updates on the strategy to ensure PYA's future development and how we will achieve our objectives.

 

The ancient Ridings of  Yorkshire is a huge area. One key topic we are discussing is to create the role of regional coordinators to help provide local events, such as workshops, writer groups, book launches. To do that, we will need volunteers. More on that proposal and others in the coming weeks.

A big thank you to those who have recently stepped up and offered their skills and time. We will be in touch very soon.

Linda Jones

Voluntary Chair PYA