Storyology: It’s an event you can’t afford to miss

Expressions of interest have now closed on the Walkley Foundation’s annual media conference, Storyology – and frankly, we’ve been dazzled by how many exciting submissions we’ve received from around the globe!

Next week, we’ll start revealing the amazing international speakers and local industry heavyweights we have amassed for our 2013 line-up – we’re bursting to tell you more and it’s hard keeping our mouths shut while the program is finalised …

For now, it’s time to block out the dates of August 6 to 9 in your diary and start pestering your boss for a ticket and time off to attend – registrations will officially open next month.

Trust us, it will be worth your time and investment. There will be amazing professional development and networking opportunities and important discussions about the future of our craft.

All our presenters are brilliant writers, storytellers and digital gurus from across Australia and the globe. They are experts in their fields and passionate about new technologies and tools to make stories sing.

We’ve spent a lot of time talking to journalists and the creative community in Australia about the things they want and need to know to boost their skills and create entrepreneurial new media businesses with a real prospect of survival in the digital age.  At Storyology, you’ll …

... Learn how to create online stories that pack a punch, push their way to the top of websites and capture millions of people’s attention by going viral.

... Experiment with the affordable, accessible and interactive new tools transforming the way journalists and writers are creating and delivering their stories.

... Discover alternative publishing pathways and innovative funding models creating new opportunities for journalists and content creators.

... Hear from leading media organisations in Australia about the ways they are transforming to thrive in a rapidly changing and data-rich online environment.

We could go on and on. We’ve got so much packed into the four days you won’t want to go home to sleep – there will be presentations, panel discussions, workshops, games and corners full of inspiration, short films and fun.

We know our industry is fragmenting and how important networking is to strengthen ties between creative types in Australia, so there will be plenty of opportunities to mingle with fellow delegates and speakers.

With a special focus on our growing freelance community on August 9, industry leaders will share tips for carving out independent careers, covering everything from emerging markets and creative storytelling to capturing editors’ interest and the essential tools needed to run a small business.

Storyology is for those who write words to create compelling narrative; whose imagery and sound conveys a world beyond language; whose technological brilliance allows well-told stories to cross the globe and traverse borders.

Whatever the platform, it always has been and always will be about the story.

We’re expecting more than 300 creative types to attend Storyology – from journalists, authors, graphic novelists and screenwriters to producers, multimedia creatives and entrepreneurs. Will you be among them?

To secure your spot email your name, company, location, telephone number and Twitter account to walkleys@walkleys.com. Don’t forget to join the conversation on Twitter … follow us @walkleys and keep an eye out for #storyology chatter …