Publishers and agents are typically inundated with manuscript submissions from authors seeking publication. And as a result, ‘the authorities’ (as I shall hereby refer to them as) are looking for reasons to reject your book. The standouts are standouts, and speak for themselves. … [Read more...] about Word count by genre: How long should my book really be?
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The myths of getting published
There is a wonderful fantasy around ‘being published’. This includes the process of finding a publisher, the publishing experience itself and the finished product’s shelf life – as well as how it makes its way to the shelf. Being published, while incredibly exciting, isn’t always … [Read more...] about The myths of getting published
Names matter: choosing the right name for your characters
Names matter. Whether they are quirky and memorable, or simply a way of embodying the dullness of a character, it is important to get it right. Some authors, like Ernest Hemingway, use simple names and don't feel that unusual or extraordinary names are key to an outstanding … [Read more...] about Names matter: choosing the right name for your characters
Writing a Synopsis
I am sure it is not surprising, but writing a synopsis is the hardest task for most of our authors. It’s rare to find anyone completely confident in their synopsis and cover letter – even if they think they have written the world’s best book! It’s hard. And we – the industry … [Read more...] about Writing a Synopsis
Writing a Cover Letter
When I wrote my article on Writing a Synopsis, I mentioned that it was one of the most challenging tasks for authors. The cover letter (otherwise known as a Query Letter), by comparison, should actually be pretty simple. The main aim of your cover letter is to give the … [Read more...] about Writing a Cover Letter