Writers' & Artists' Blog

How far can you go before the bond of trust you have with your reader breaks to the degree that they stop reading your book? If your hero-protagonist looks lustfully at a child, or delivers a racist comment, almost certainly. But what if you slip up on factual details?

The world is full of information junkies. Computer use, TV documentaries, and a huge trend in non-fiction reading have created a generation of highly well-informed individuals. Plenty of your readers will know how long bread takes to prove, how much a Rodin sculpture is worth, or what climbing paraphernalia you’ll need to get up K2.

One author I worked with recently self-published a thriller novel - in which his descriptions of a medical lab and the various scientific procedures going on in it felt reassuringly and enjoyably authentic. But then, just as readers were settling into their chairs, relaxed in the knowledge that they were in competent hands, some of them were dismayed to discover that he hadn’t achieved …

Following the success of her blog posted on The Guardian website, the BBC invited publishing industry expert Alison Baverstock to appear on The One Show.  

I often think that the proudest I have ever made my mother was an appearance on Richard & Judy. Never mind four grandchildren, a fair few books, and other media appearances from time to time – it was her daughter sitting on the couch beside the famous duo that really cut the mustard. She still has on proud display the postcard they signed.

Well Mother, I hope I’m about to deliver again, having been filmed for The One Show a little earlier on today.  Unfortunately, I am bound to secrecy as to the publishing-related subject discussed, but it involved being interviewed by Gyles Brandreth and as he is both your favourite contributor on Just a Minute and was formerly your local MP, I hope this next brush with fame gets a similar seal of approval.

My previous involvements with television, mostly for BBC …

We're very excited to announce that Writers & Artists will be joined by one of our favourite authors, Howard Jacobson, for our How To Get Published Conference this July.

As an award-winning writer and broadcaster, Jacobson's novels include the 2010 Man Booker Prize-winning, The Finkler Question, The Mighty Walzer (winner of the Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize), Kalooki Nights (longlisted for the Man Booker Prize), and the highly acclaimed The Act of Love.

His latest book, Zoo Time, is a hilarious novel that deals with the state of modern publishing. It's a book about love - love of women, love of literature and love of laughter.

Watch this video to see him reading an extract from Zoo Time - and to get a feel for what you can expect on the day!

We now have quite the line-up for the conference. Jacobson will be joined by our editor extraordinaire Cressida Downing, The Sunday Times children's books editor Nicolette Jones, Faber editor Sarah Savitt, author Renata Calverley, …

The time has finally arrived! After much deliberating, YA author and judge Laura Powell has decided who our scariest villains are.

All the entries were a great read, so thanks to everyone for contributing. However, these three villains really stuck with us.

We hope our winning entries entertain you, frighten you and – most importantly – intrigue you.

You can read the winning entries, alongside some commentary from Laura below – prepare for shivers down your spine!

And the winner is…

Struan Murray

This one really leapt out at me from the submissions pile – for one thing, the ending creeped me out like no other! The unsettling atmosphere is strengthened by well-judged changes in pace, from shocking violence to quiet menace to surreal horror. Tight story-telling means the extract feels self-contained, and the final twist left me wanting so much more. - Laura

I caught up with Jack at the end of the corridor, where he seemed to have lost his nerve. His fingers trembled beneath the …

Cressida Downing speaks to Amazon's Thom Kephart and Brittany Turner about Kindle Direct Publishing and CreateSpace, self-publishing platforms becoming more and more popular with authors across the world.

Their stall at the London Book Fair was buzzing with prospective authors, glossy brochures, glossy staff – all pushing the Kindle Direct and CreateSpace dream.

With Bloomsbury’s help, I got in touch with Thom Kephart, who is involved in CreateSpace.  He was happy to be interviewed about what Amazon could offer. 

After a bit of international to-ing and fro-ing and email tag, I got some emailed answers from Thom and Brittany Turner – who does PR.   As a result, the answers are fairly corporate but there’s still some useful information to be found here.

We know you as a bookseller, but are you trying to become a publisher or an agent?  If so – why?  If not – what distinguishes you from them?

There are many opportunities for authors, agents and …