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"Yes, the ending was as I planned it." Stephen Poliakoff explained the writing process behind his new thriller, Glorious 39, at his recent Waterstone's signing.
Read the interview with Stephen Poliakoff » -
"One of the most satisfying things about blogging is the immediacy. You think it up, type it out on your keyboard and then publish."
Read more from author Tim Kevan » -
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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
Feel the fear and blog anyway
Filed under: Marketing Yourself
Having your own blog must be one of the easiest ways to reach an audience. Yet for every aspiring writer who is already blogging, there are those who shudder at the thought. And I do empathise with these writers… blogging was new to me until Read more
What a new writer needs to get right
Filed under: Getting Published, Marketing Yourself
Why can some authors do everything badly and get away with it? Do you need to be unique? Or good at branding? Guest blogger Suzanne Collier of Book Careers.com explains all
Careers consultant Suzanne Collier
Even in today’s climate I am still speaking to authors who don’t do their research.
They somehow have gone down the self-publishing route, scraped together the cash to print 3,000 lovely hardback books which are sitting in their garage (or even worse they are paying storage for at a warehouse) without any thought about Read more
Self-publishing vs vanity publishing. Confused?
Filed under: Getting Published, Marketing Yourself
I often get letters or phone calls from confused and sometimes worried authors, unsure whether or not to sign a contract with a publisher who’s raved about their book idea but is asking for a ‘contribution towards the cost of publishing the book’. The amount varies, but frequently it runs into the thousands.
Authors owe it to themselves to be very clear on one point Read more
Can I use a website as my portfolio?
Filed under: Art and Illustration, Marketing Yourself
Advice for illustrators from guest blogger Clare Mackie
By all means do try to get yourself a website so that art directors can look you up online.
I’ve found this invaluable – more important to me now than a portfolio, but I’m not sure it’s a substitute when you’re starting out.
Try to also have a traditional portfolio, and make it as beautiful and enticing as you possibly can.
Your portfolio is your showcase – you will be judged by it – so prepare it in a way that reflects your talents and abilities at their best. Art directors are by nature highly visual and will appreciate a well-presented folio to show to their colleagues and clients too. Read more
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Buy the 2010 Yearbook
The Writers' & Artists' Yearbook is available at a discounted price from our online bookshop. Get all the info, 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 »