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?
novels
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
Novel Writing: Getting started
I am in awe of people who can write a novel. It is no simple task to write that many words – let alone tell a compelling, well-written story. And it certainly isn’t always easy to commence writing your novel either. Even for the most experienced writers, writing a novel is no … [Read more...] about Novel Writing: Getting started
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
Structuring Your Novel by Karen Wood
Karen Wood is a much-loved MAA appraiser, and an outstanding person who we feel privileged to work with. She also happens to be a devoted published author of teen fiction and a committed supporter of other emerging writers. In this article, that we pinched (with permission) from … [Read more...] about Structuring Your Novel by Karen Wood