So... you want to be a writer
NEVER FORGET TO BACK UP YOUR WORK!
SEE HERE FOR CHEAP USB DATA STORAGE DEVICES
DISTANCE LEARNING COURSES
Register HERE for the opportunity to join us online and have YOUR work considered for publication. It's FREE to register, so what have you got to lose? We take a candid look at the trials and tribulations of writers and, hopefully, help you on your way to fulfilling your hopes, dreams and ambitions. Visit the NYK messageboards where our main news items are posted and don't forget to sign our new guestbook. We also have several public messageboards where you can submit samples of your work then invite friends, family, other members and the general reading public to review or comment upon your work. Whatever you choose, practice, practice, practice. There are literaly hundreds of writing and poetry competitions you can enter and dozens of magazines offering cash payments for articles they print.
You should also request a free copy of our Literary Design Brief, which will give you an idea of what we look for in the makings of a new writer, and save a copy of our FREE money chart, to help you work out the financial implications of relying on your writing as a main source of income. (More FREE stuff can be found here.)
Essentials for writers:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Know your target readership and current market trends - use every available source!
Bestselling
books | Best
selling e-Books | Bestselling
Fiction
Bestselling Children's Books | Bestselling Crime, Thrillers & Mystery | Bestselling Humour
Bestselling
Poetry, Drama & Criticism
|
|
A fertile imagination and / or an in-depth knowledge of your chosen subject is always a help, as is correct spelling, grammar and punctuation - checked before submitting your work to either an agent or a publisher. If you can't do this yourself, recruit a knowledgeable friend, or add a sample of your work to the messageboards along with a request for proofreading.
The ability to concentrate and carry out research, then put your ideas into a readable format.
Get to know other writers - join a writers' group, poetry group or even this group!
Get to know what books are currently selling well in your particular gendre and read them. All too often, writers fail to realise that publishers simply are not interested in just a good story- they need commercially successful books; it's their business. Agents tend to be the same - they only get paid when you do and you only get paid when you or your agent secures a sale of rights.
Expect the worst possible scenario then things can only get better.
Prepare your *synopsis, cover letter and work samples painstakingly well.
Keep on believing and never give up! Writing your 'best-seller' might just be the easy part. Good agents can afford to pick and choose and publishers are never short of good material - whether you accept that or not. A commercially successful book is not necessarily a fantastic read - it has simply generated enough publicity to warrant enough readers to part with their hard earned cash.
One last thought on the subect of pursuing a writing career...
When was the last time you bought a book, why and where did you buy it and did you read it?
* Synopsis - a compelling summary or outline of your work. It's among the first thing that potential agents or publishers read and many base their desire to read more solely on your 'salesmanship' abilities.
Some useful (and discounted) titles for writers
Writers and Artists Yearbook 2005 | Children's Writers' & Artists' Yearbook 2005
The Writers' Guide to Getting Published | The Writer's Handbook 2005
Creative
Writers' Handbook | Poet
Recommendations
The Penguin Guide to Punctuation | The Penguin Dictionary of English Grammar
Basic Editing: A Practical Course: Exercises
Freelance Proofreading and Copy-editing: A Guide
Copy-Editing: The Cambridge Handbook for Editors, Authors and Publishers
The Oxford Dictionary for Writers and Editors | Collins Concise Dictionary and Thesaurus
Comedy Writing Secrets | Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing a Novel
Writing Short Plays | Scriptwriting | Novel Writing | Writing Poetry
Script Writing Software | Novel Writing Software
Research, Research, Research
Our ultimate suggestion is an inspirational holiday to Wigtown. As Scotland's national booktown, it offers various literary and book-related events throughout the year, spectacular scenery, all types of accommodation and plenty of book shops! Amazon offers you more than just discounted books - it is an excellent source of reference with regards to current market trends. Your own books may one day be sold there!
Reading and research - the tools of good writing. Check our other useful links here. Finally, if you REALLY think you have what it takes to produce a top class book then take a look HERE at award-winning works. Did you think any each was a 'good read'? How many of them have you read?
For a list of 1000's of secondhand, rare and out of print books, search AbeBooks or even eBay online auctions for your title.
ON THE SUBJECT OF WRITING...
"I've always thought I could write a book, I have the perfect story, I just don't know where to start." Ever thought that? I certainly have and here is my answer. Stop talking about it, and do it! Every time you whinge about not having time, you could have written half a page.
The problem starts when you have written your book, you have the story, the characters are all in place and it looks impressive. The tricky bit is getting a publisher to take a sniff at it. You could write something that is on par with Shakespeare or Hemingway, but unless you have a name you are not going to get anywhere. Publishers are interested in names that sell, they are interested in celebrities and politicians, and they are not interested in people. Case point; Joan Collins - Legal battles by publishers that had thrown large chunks of money at her expecting, in return, some of the magic brought out by sister Jackie. What they got was unfinished work and waste paper. It was a waste of time, and so are the majority of books penned by the famous. Notable exceptions like Spike Milligan and David Niven are squashed by the likes of Collins, so what has gone wrong? The answer to that is simple; free publicity and greed.
New authors bring fresh blood into the fray, new ideas and styles, what they don't bring are abilities to capture the public's attention at a fast pace. I have read so many ideas for manuscripts and outlays, seen so many people lose heart because, after years of banging on the doors of publishers, they just don't have it in them to carry on doing something they enjoy, or are driven to do.
One of the keys to getting published is to hire an agent, good luck to you. After spending the best part of ten years being robbed blind by charlatans and crooks, I can't get one to take me on because I don't have enough of a name, or status. They would be forced to work for a living at finding me a publisher that is interested. Catch 22 situation - To get a publisher you have to have an agent, to get an agent you have to have been published! It is a wonder anyone gets published at all. There are authors that have been lucky but, and this is a BIG but, they are rare and if I wasn't so stubborn, I would have given up years ago.
Some authors in the past have gone for self-publishing. This can prove costly and hazardous. You then have to find a distributor and a printer, you have to work out publicity and promotional tours; whilst it means you can dance to your own tune, it will also mean that you run the higher risk of failure.
Still want to write? GOOD! If people give up then literature will be the treasure of the elite, written by the elite for the elite, the rest of us will have to be content to read what is laid before us. If you trace the publishing houses back, you find they are controlled by a tiny number of people. They have a set agenda and you are not part of that. If you have the heart and the determination then you can do it, if not, then you might as well stop whining about it. Enjoy what is on the shelf and stop complaining that you can do better. (c) Jordan X
STILL INTERESTED?
Still interested in becoming an author? The following is a list of some important points worth taking into consideration if, and when, you decide to put pen to paper and produce your long-awaited best seller.
1. Make the story interesting and easy to read. Publishers are lazy and will not crawl through a new author's work, no matter how well written.
2. Send them a pitch or synopsis first. There isn't any point in sending a complete manuscript if the publisher won't accept full manuscripts, they will just get thrown in the bin.
3. If you do manage to write a complete story, put a copy of it in a sealed envelope and leave it with the bank or solicitor. Stories do get stolen and if you have some kind of back-up it would be easier to state your case.
4. Aim your book at a publisher or agent that deals with that particular genre. Sending a science fiction story to a company that only publishes textbooks would be a mistake; they will have neither the facilities nor the capabilities to handle it.
5. Check all legal documents thoroughly. Many publishers and agents will not be honest unless they have to be, and they have to be if you are a vigilante. Get a solicitor who specialises in contracts to look over the deal, push to make sure that if you are in for a slice of the profits that you get paid GROSS, not NET.
6. If you do get accepted, make sure the deal suits you and there is room for negotiation. If you pan great books but are still getting the same percentage as your first book, then you are losing money. Make sure you have room to breathe, if they ask for three books, give yourself time to come up with the work that is as good as the one that got you signed.
7. Last, but not least, don't forget fees. Tax, solicitors and agent's fees will mount up and you can bet your bottom dollar that they will all come to you once you are making money. When possible, make sure that you know what they are all going to charge before they do any work for you. That way, you can make allowances and not leave yourself short. (c) Jordan X
I can also recommend a visit to our partner site ~ Scottish Publishing.
Back - Links and Resources - Messageboards
For some excellent US based advice , see Soyouwanna publish a book?
All content copyright NYK Media unless otherwise stated