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Insider tip
If your strength is for black and white illustration, include pieces in your portfolio with and without tone and with or without a wash. Some publishers want line and tone and some want only line.
Maggy Mundy-
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5. Joining your profession – societies of authors and other support organisations
Once you have had a book accepted for publication and have a contract from a commercial publisher (not from a vanity or self-publishing firm), you are eligible to join a society of authors (www.societyofauthors.org in the UK), and this is a very wise move.
As well as holding regular meetings they also offer a contract-checking service – a detailed examination of the legal terms of publication – which is immensely useful. An agent can do this too, but the Society’s advice is free. Attend their events and parties; listen to the speakers. Writing can be a lonely business, and it’s reassuring to meet others in a similar situation.
You may also decide to join a relevant organisation for your type of book (e.g. for crime or romantic fiction, or for academic authors) and to start reading the publishing industry press.
Buy the 2011 Yearbook
The Writers' & Artists' Yearbook is available at a discount from our online bookshop. Get all the information, contacts and advice you could need.On camera: Jon McGregor
"Being longlisted for the Booker Prize changed everything - it was the launchpad for my writing career." Click to view our video with novelist Jon McGregor »
On camera: Justin Cartwright
"Just write... If you're any good you may not know it, but certainly someone else will." Click to view our video with novelist Justin Cartwright »
On camera: Julie Myerson
The novelist and journalist Julie Myerson on how she got that all-important first publishing deal. Click here to view our video exclusive »