Being in the flow of writing is wonderful. The words rush to our fingertips, barely able to keep up as our brain hurls instructions. That’s why the first draft must never be the last. Book deals and writers’ reputations have been lost when an unedited manuscript has been sent out into the world. Some writers […]
Publishing
‘Rejection’ does not mean ‘Failure’
Publishers are busy people. We know that, because more often than not, they don’t have time to tell us, writers all, how much they loved our book idea. That publishers and agents are muzzled by having to deal with – I kid you not – thousands of submissions a month is not the only factor
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A new way of looking at progress
I help to clarify writers’ goals coaching when they work with me to write their books. The goal of writing a book, I advise, should never—solely—be to publish it. It’s great to want to publish it. It just shouldn’t be your sole reason for writing it because, if it is, you probably won’t get to
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Alternative book systems
When Thomas Jefferson went about arranging his libraries in Monticello, Virginia, he used a taxonomic system based on one created by Francis Bacon. There were three headline categories: Memory Reason, and Imagination Memory was history. Reason was philosophy and emerging science. Imagination was the world of Fine Arts, and also the slowly growing genre of novels. We think a lot about defining
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What’s the return on investment in writing a book?
No writer has ever asked me this question. My clients have deep souls. But if I priced my books based on the time it takes to write them, they’d cost the equivalent of a small London mansion. We know the score. We write our books because we have to. To educate or entertain or question
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It’s scary, putting your book out there.
If you secure an agent, it’s exciting. Really exciting. But expect discomfort to pinprick your excitement. Until now, you’ve shared your book with people you know but now, your book has started its journey into the world. Strangers will have opinions. You’re going to feel judged. That is scary. Can you remember, it’s the book
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The most important Q to ask your publisher?
You’ve written your book. A publisher wants to buy it. The most important question to ask is the one everyone forgets. More important than ‘How much marketing will you do?’ It should even come before, ‘How much will you pay me?’ It’s this: ‘When can I have my publishing rights back?’ Rights reversion is IMPORTANT.
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