GETTING PUBLISHED: EXPERT ADVICE

As I went to a London Writers Cafe event last week that was all about getting published, I thought I would share some notes from the speakers for other writers looking to get published. I hope you find it useful.

Nicola Morgan, Author

Following 20 years trying and failing to get published, Nicola finally realised that she was writing what she wanted to write and what she enjoyed, not what publishers are looking for and what readers like to read.

“Who is your reader?”

·      If you are looking to be a published writer, you have to remember why you are writing and who you are writing for.

·      In order to become published, your book has to be able to sell. Sounds commercial, but that’s the fact of it.

·      Her blog, ‘Help I need a publisher’, features lots of advice for determined writers and interviews with acclaimed authors. Her latest book Write to be Published summarises key points to getting published.

The Literary Consultancy

Rebecca Swift is a writer and founder of The Literary Consultancy

“A good opening is key to drawing the reader in.”

·      Publishers are looking for finished manuscripts, which have been edited to a fairly high standard.

·      A common trap writers fall into is overwriting - us writers loving adding in lots of adjectives, and description when really being economy is the key.

·      The Literary Consultancy offer mentoring, manuscript assessment and proofreading to writers.

Fourth Estate

Rebecca Ewan is publicity manager at Fourth Estate, literary imprint for Harper Collins UK.

“Have a hook.”

·      It can be very competitive trying to get published as a debut, and so it is really important to create a niche for yourself.

·      Have a hook from the story or own personal back-story that could feature in the news

·      Have small stories/articles published in other magazines. E.g. if you can get a piece published in Marie-Claire this will be a big plus, as you some experience to your name and are not a complete unknown so to speak.

·      Highlight what is marketable about you.

Useful websites (just click each one):

·      Nicola Morgan 

·      Help I Need a Publisher 

·      The Literary Consultancy 

·      Fourth Estate

·      ABC Tales – community for writers 

WHERE DO YOU FALL DOWN?

Last night I went to London Writers Café. Normally during the session members will read out their work and get critique from other members, but last night’s session was hosted by The Word Association, an editorial consultancy who support writers with the editorial process and the writing craft.

They talked about submitting to an agent, what agents are looking for in a manuscript, and the pitfalls that new writers fall into. I won’t list all 10 pitfalls, but I’ll pick out a few which I know I struggle with:

CHARACTERISATION
Characters without clear goals whose dilemmas and choices are not set up. Relationships without conflict.

KEEPING IT RELEVANT
Too much setting up, too much detailed observation that has no relevance to character or plot development.

BACK STORY
Too much background information about characters which does not contribute dramatically to the main story or build anticipation.

The reason why I hit a barrier with my own MS was that I knew the start was far too long and I felt frustrated that it took pages and pages to get where I wanted. At first yesterday I got really disheartened because they were confirming my worst fear: that I’d written far too much before even beginning the story and any agent I might send my MS to would get bored after the first page or two. However I decided to be positive about it, and have now figured out a way to keep enough back-information that is vital to the whole story, but still plunge right into the drama and conflict. Now, I just have to re-write the damn thing!

You can read the rest of The Word Association’s Top 10 pitfalls here.

What pitfalls do you fall into with your writing, and how do you try to overcome them?

INSPIRATIONAL AUTHORS

Having finally decided to write my first novel, last night I went to my first Authors talk organised by Lisa at the 'London Writers' Cafe'. Being completely new to the world of writing and publishing, it was really interesting to hear from three very different authors who have each had very different experiences of getting published. Crime writer, Leigh Russell, talk passionately of how she submitted her work direct to a publishing house and within weeks was contacted for a meeting with them. Sue Moorcroft was very honest about the hard work needed to make a living from publishing short stories and novels. And finally, Karen Mahoney explained how she approached American agents to publish her urban fantasy, Iron Witch, which I can't wait to read! Fiction Editor at Blue Door Books, Laura Deacon, gave her perspective on reading manuscripts and taking on new authors. She is obviously very passionate about books, reading and new writers - I just hope that every publisher is the same!

So as a start to my writing, here is a short poem. I hope you like. let me know what you think...