ABSW briefing

ABSW Briefings 2008 are sponsored by - The Geological Society of London

How to write a popular science book

Thursday 13th March 2008
Welcome drinks: 6.30pm
Talk: 7.00-8.00 pm
Venue: The Council Room, The Geological Society of London, Burlington House, Piccadilly, LONDON W1J 0BG

(Entrance on Piccadilly, opposite Fortnum & Mason
+44 (0)20 7434 9944. W: www.geolsoc.org.uk)

Aimed at science communicators, writers, broadcasters and students this year’s briefings aim to provide an introduction or refresher to some of the basic skills that underpin the daily activities of a writer and broadcaster to help you develop your career.

Writing a popular science book can be a daunting challenge. Many journalists and communicators talk about wanting to write a popular science book; few manage to do so successfully.

We’ve found some that have. Joining us to share their expertise and anecdotes about how they wrote their successful science books are:

Gabrielle Walker

Gabrielle Walker is an author and broadcaster specialising in environmental science. She has a PhD from Cambridge University and has been visiting professor at Princeton University, Associate Editor at Nature, and Features Editor at New Scientist. She is a frequent presenter for BBC radio, and writes for many newspapers and magazines. She has written three popular science books: ‘Snowball Earth’ (2003), ‘An Ocean of Air’ (2007) and The Hot Topic (January 2008, co-written with Sir David King). She is currently working on her fourth book, which will be about Antarctica

Peter Tallack

Peter Tallack studied Genetics with Steve Jones at University College London, before working for nearly ten years on the editorial staff of NATURE, where he was, among other things, book review editor. He left to become Science Publishing Director of Weidenfeld and Nicolson, and, more recently, a partner of the London-based literary agency Conville & Walsh Ltd, where he specializes in popular science. Peter is also the author of IN THE WOMB (National Geographic, 2006) and the editor of and contributor to THE SCIENCE BOOK (Cassell, 2000).

Richard Hollingham

Richard Hollingham is a BBC current affairs presenter, author and writer, specialising in science and environment. He has filed stories from more than 40 countries including Antarctica (twice), Libya and Vietnam. He presents the BBC World Service environment programme One Planet and regular series on the network including Science Hotspots and Discovery. Richard is a former senior producer on the BBC’s flagship news programme, Today, and was its first dedicated science producer. Together with his wife, Sue Nelson, also a successful journalist, they wrote How to Clone the Perfect Blonde.



We hope to see you there.
Please RSVP by email to: briefings@absw.org.uk