12 Comments on A taste of success

DavidWard on Jun 1, 2010 at 14:26pm



Ah Jo, the work of the editor is so underated that I thought I’d let you know how much I’ve enjoyed the fruits of your last years labour. As a newbie I think the book & the site set an incredibly high standard & I for one can’t imagine how you’ll improve it – perhaps a little something on the role of editors? Dream on eh? That’s what I’ll be doing in the queue, waiting to buy the next edition.

Fran on Jun 1, 2010 at 17:27pm



I know it’s nowhere near as ‘big’ but am just trying to put the school magazine together. I feel your pain.

Shankut on Jun 1, 2010 at 18:38pm



Jo I was thinking of you when I edited my own manuscript from 150,000 words to acceptable length of 90,000. You have been doing it on a larger scale and that is for nearly a decade, hats off to you madam!

You have set a high standard and it has reflected well in 2010 edition so like DavidWard, I also, eagerly, will be looking forward to see how you will improve on already high standard.

Shankut

DavidWard on Jun 1, 2010 at 22:52pm



Hey Fran – good luck with the magazine. We editors should start our own club – The Invisible Menders! As a student I edited the newspaper for 2 years & it was a nightmare & joy, hope you learn as much from doing it as I did.
Hey Jo – will there be anything in W & A about editing?

Jessica Blake on Jun 5, 2010 at 14:28pm



Dear Jo,
I hope you don’t mind the first name basis thing…
Congrats for the success of finally putting everything in order, wish I was there myself. I hope you don’t mind me asking something.
Lately I’ve been thinking about ordering the yearbook 2010 but I am not quite sure that I need it yet. I’m still writing, I’ve only just begun in comparison to some other people, but I’m going to stick with it until the end. With that in mind, (here comes the question, finally) should I buy it now or in a year or two when I’ve written a bit more and gained a bit clearer view of what’s ahead of me? It doesn’t make sense to buy it every year (who could afford it?).
I already have the “How NOT to write a novel” so is it too soon to be thinking about buying a yearbook as well?
I can’t shake off JK Rowling’s “full of useful stuff, answered my every question”.
I hope I’m not fully out of place by asking this…
All best.

Cressida Downing (Editorial Consultant) on Jun 5, 2010 at 19:45pm



Hi Jessica,

I’m sure Jo would like to answer your question but I’m aware she’s probably a bit snowed under at the moment. It’s up to you of course, but as the Yearbook is more than just a list of useful addresses, you may find some of the advice is relevant now.

Good luck with your writing!

Cressida

DavidWard on Jun 6, 2010 at 10:58am



Hi Jessica, I hope you won’t mind my adding a few words to Cressida’s? You sound committed to writing & determined to get your work published when it’s finished. In your current position: you mentioned the budgetary concern you have and that you are some way from completion, you should pehaps wait for the new edition, but definitely buy it when it comes into the shops, or purchase online if you can. The yearbook is an industry wide reference & guide, containing all the contact information anyone requires. Each year it also contains new interviews & essays by writers & industry insiders, which are guaranteed to educate, inspire & motivate. I’m not employed by or have any connection to the yearbook, but as someone who regularly edits & advises 1st time writers I recommend it to all of them. Becoming published is a 2 part process of getting your work to a suitable standard & getting it to market. Each is equally important & the yearbook is an excellent guide to both, but especially the latter, which is a vast subject. It will allow you to select the correct agents/publishers to approach & teach you how to approach them. Studying it can save you: printing costs, stamps, stationary & prevent a lot of unnecessary rejection letters. It will create a clear pathway for the direction of your work, so save for the new edition. Back copies are usually available in libraries, but will not be completely up to date. Keep writing & good luck.

Jessica Blake on Jun 9, 2010 at 20:32pm



Dear DavidWard,
I’ve been meaning to answer for days but exams keep getting in the way. Those buggars.
Anyway, I had already decided that I will buy the 2011 yearbook and when I finish the book and actually start looking for agents etc, I’ll buy a new one, for the sake of updated lists and what not.
So, thanks for your advice, attention to detail and kind words; you’ve made me even more interested in buying the yearbook than I was before.
All best.

Jo Herbert (Editor, Writers' & Artists' Yearbook) on Jun 17, 2010 at 14:42pm



Hello to everyone who’s taken the time to comment on my post. I’ve been so holed up in my little corner getting the Yearbook to press that positive voices make me feel human again! Thank you.
Jessica, I know I would say this but I truly believe the Yearbook is full of useful stuff at whatever stage you’re at. I always urge writers to get clued up on the ins and outs of the publishing industry – it helps further your understanding of your newly chosen profession, it helps to get a grip on the business side of things and, perhaps most importantly at the beginning, give a unique opportunity to find inspiration and encouragement from the words of authors who were once at the exact same stage as you and made it to the top of their game. Priceless in my opinion.
All the very best to everyone. I’m so glad to hear from you! Jo

Jo Herbert (Editor, Writers' & Artists' Yearbook) on Jun 17, 2010 at 14:44pm



Hi David, do you mean what editors do? Copyediting and that sort of thing? Jo

Jessica Blake on Jun 18, 2010 at 12:22pm



Hi Jo many, thanks for taking the time to reply, it made me want to buy the Yearbook even more, but I will wait until 2011 edition comes out. You are absolutely right, if this is what I’m going to do, I should definitely become familiar with all the ins and outs of the business, though I would find more comfort in the opportunity of life stories of other writers, for the sake of confidence in my own writing.
All best.
Jessica

Xean Puccio on Jul 14, 2010 at 14:21pm



“Keep going. Between us we make the book world go round.”

For writers everywhere, thank you Jo for the encouraging words.

Xean
14/4/7/2010

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