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Insider tip
Trying to create a comedy game through dialogue or regular one-liners when the gameplay takes itself too seriously is likely to give the player the feeling of a game at odds with itself. Writing for Video Games by Steve Ince-
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Trying to tweet
Filed under: Marketing Yourself
I am quite comfortable with technology, but it takes me some time to get started. I remember clearly telling my physics teacher that I would never need to use a computer because I was going to work with books…
I’ve got fond of blogs, and like updating my website. (Only after getting blow-by-blow instructions from my web designer. And then another set of instructions after the first ones didn’t stay in my brain.)
Twitter remained a mystery. It sounded nervy, I knew Stephen Fry spent a lot of time on there, Read more
When self-publishing makes sense – and how to market your book
New chapter online now – and free to read
If you’re a fan of our Writers’ Zone, you’ll almost certainly be following our serialisation of Alison Baverstock’s Marketing Your Book: An Author’s Guide.
Alison’s book is essential reading if you plan to see your work published.
From the moment you reach the first page, Alison is by your side guiding you through the labyrinth of the publishing world.
She provides you with practical and proven tips every step of the way – from submitting your manuscript, finding an agent and approaching a publisher, to working with booksellers and even organising a great launch event.
We’ve now added a new chapter – the eighth – where you’ll find advice on Read more
Have you thought about self-publishing?
Filed under: Getting Published, Marketing Yourself
If you have not had the time or energy to keep going in your search for a publisher, or simply want to get a manuscript into a finished format quickly, self-publishing ought to be a convenient option. The reality can be much less positive.
At a recent literary conference, the room where the various self-publishing firms were displaying their wares had all the charm of the first day of our holiday in Tenerife when Read more
You are so beautiful to me
Filed under: Authors and Books, Marketing Yourself
There are days when I get inundated with photos. I open submission after submission and they fall out, showing me stunning author after stunning author.
Nice as it is to put a face to the work, it’s really not necessary. Very few readers will judge a book by the author photo – it’s all about the writing. The one exception to this might be Read more
Roll up for the DIY book tour!
We often ask successful authors what else they do besides write. Writing the book is just the beginning. Well it is, if you want to get your work out there, across to the public at large, and selling in large amounts.
What’s striking is not only the many and varied things that are done in the name of promotion, but also those that aren’t generally done, but could be, if you put your mind to it.
Here are some of the things that authors have told us Read more
The 7 secrets of a covering letter
Filed under: Marketing Yourself, Writing Advice
You’ve written your masterpiece. You’ve conquered the synopsis stress. And now it’s just a case of sending it off to the publisher or agent you have identified as your target.
But suddenly it strikes you that the last thing you have to think about, the covering letter, is the first thing your audience is going to see… Read more
Free marketing advice: read it now!
Filed under: Marketing Yourself
If you’re a new author you’ll want people far and wide to read your book (especially after you’ve put so much serious effort into writing it!), which means you’ll also want to know how best to market it.
That’s why here at Writers & Artists we’re running a special serialisation of Alison Baverstock’s ‘Marketing Your Book’ (A&C Black), an essential read on Read more
Writing’s just half the story
Filed under: Authors and Books, Marketing Yourself
There’s more to being a children’s author than writing, says today’s guest blogger Liz Martinez:
I’ve never been one to sit behind a desk for days on end. As a medical negligence lawyer I was always out there talking to groups of doctors, helping Grays Inn train their barristers, or speaking at conferences, and in that sense, not much has changed about me since I’ve become a writer.
As a children’s writer I have learned that there is great fun to be had dressing up as a witch, visiting a junior school, reading my story to lots of little children (in the presence of lots of supportive teachers – essential), and then getting them thinking about being writers themselves.
Small children have such confidence in their ability to do anything. Invariably when I ask them who Read more
A waste of time
Filed under: Getting Published, Marketing Yourself
Aspiring authors often do something which is very kind of them, improves my day, but has no positive effect on their chances of publication whatsoever.
When you send in a submission and you enclose folders, document wallets, nice paper clips and sometimes even pretty ribbon, and then ask for your small SAE to be returned – I am the unworthy recipient of your lovely stationery. It’s very kind, but it’s not necessary! So, at the risk of depleting my stocks of these items (what am I saying?!), you only need Read more
Book, blog and beyond …
Filed under: Marketing Yourself
Want to ‘talk’? Need a new ‘friend’? I’m pleased to say that you can find the Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook not just here, but also on MySpace and Facebook, where we’ll also be running special offers and giveaways. Add us to your favourites!
Warm wishes, Jo
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 »