Discussions

I run a small walking tour company and I have an idea for a non-fiction book about the city I operate the tours in. I have it roughly planned- the themes for each chapter etc. Before I start writing, I wanted to contact agents or publishers about the idea first to ask if they are interested before I started writing. Is it acceptable to do this or would they require the completed book before considering it? Many thanks.

Hello, My name is Sarah and I wanted to get to know newbies like me and people that have just taken their first publishing steps like me... I didn't intend to do but I am doing a writing course that the assignment asked for a mock publication enquiry..So I found a publishers and it was online submission and I pressed send...GULP lol x 

To celebrate the publication of The Right Word, publishing on 15th April, we're encouraging all of our community members to get involved with the word-based discussions we'll be sharing over the next couple of weeks.

Hi Community,

I have a short Children's story that I have been offered two Hybrid contracts for, by Austin & Macauley and also Olympia publishers.

The problem is I do not have an illustrator and I do not have the funds available for one either.

I'm not sure but an Agent seems the right way to go? -any advice is appreciated.

Kindest regards & thank you

Hello. I have a question about using the names of real products and companies in a fictional story I am writing. It is based in England and Scotland and all the characters are purely fictional, but to add a touch of reality I'd like to add some real references, some of which include; The Caledonian Sleeper (train), Pot Noodles, Land Rover, Raleigh bicycles, Dalwhinnie Distillery, Fort George (Historic Scotland). Do I need to seek permission? Are the names protected? Or can I just add them to the story without asking? Thank you in advance for your replies. ANDY