Writing My First Book. Any Advice?

Thundera · 03-01-2006, 21:38

I am currently in the middle of writing my first book, a supernatural thriller which I have been working at for over a year. Does anyone have any advice on who to approach to publish a novel? Also I have heard the book needs to be printed in a certain format with lines spaced appart? Is this true?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Thundera.

LordChaverly · 03-01-2006, 21:47

There are guides to publishers, such as the Writers' and Artists' year book which you can consult to find a publisher which specialises in your kind of stuff.

Yes, it should usually be double spaced. The manuscript should be as well presented as you can make it and accompanied by a short covering letter.

Hecate · 03-01-2006, 21:50

There's some excellent advice here . Don't be put off that's it's American-based. Many contributers are from the UK.

Boudika · 03-01-2006, 21:51

Hi

It needs to be doubled spaced, size 12pt text with approx an inch border all the way around. Same goes for the synopsis although that has to be written in the present tense. As for the covering letter when you send off your manuscript to an agent/publisher, it should detail things along the lines of why you chose to write this book, why you think it needs to be 'heard', where your inspiration came from and also about you as a person and professionally. There's loads of excellent books available which go into more detail.

Hope that helps.

Andrea

JoeP · 03-01-2006, 21:58

Hi,

I'd go with what's been said, although I'm not sure I'd bother with too much in the covering letter.

It rarely gets read except to extract the contact details. The manuscript may easily come detached from the letter so make sure you have a title page on the m/s that also includes contact details.

Be careful about submitting to more than one publisher at once; if both like it it can be difficult!

Don't expect a quick reply, and don't hassle them as to whether they've received it or not. If you want to make sure they have send a stamped, self addressed postcard along so that all they have to do is pop it in the post.

Get the m/s as good as you can. You might wnat to approach the publihsers first with a synopsis and two or three chapters, rather than the full m/s.

Joe

sting · 03-01-2006, 22:48

excellent advice. couldn't have put it better myself. so i'll not bother

metalman · 03-01-2006, 23:05

And nothing makes a worst impression than a manuscript that's littered with spelling mistakes, typos, grammatical errors and inconsistencies - make sure you give it a good proofreading first.

LordChaverly · 03-01-2006, 23:16

Don't get too excited if the publishers appear to be keeping your manuscript for a long while. It could be a good sign, in that if they thought it was rubbish or inappropriate on first glance they would return it to you quickly. But if they send it out to a reader, it could take a long time (I read manuscripts myself and often take longer than I should). The 'come on' signs publishers sometimes give you can be misleading. Never forget that for them its a business, and a tough one at that.

TheRedWizard · 03-01-2006, 23:24

I would advise you to get friends/family to read it through first. People are often very shy about their work, or paranoid about letting other people read it. This is all well and good if you are writing for your own pleasure, but you need other people's advice about your work if you intend to take it to a publisher.

Don't be over sensitive when people come back to you. Writing is incredibly personal and when you have spent ages working on something, any comments can feel like a personal attack. Expect criticism and take it constructively.

Which parts were exciting/pacey? Which made heavy reading? Did any of it seem over the top? Was it necessary to recap any sentences or paragraphs due to lack of clarity? Does the overall narrative fit together well? Is it well balanced?

This are all things which it is almost impossible to judge when you are close to the text, having spent months working on it. Ask other people, and build on their advice (ask them to scrawl typos too!)

There might be people willing to help here on the forum. Can't help much I'm afraid, as I'm not really into that type of stuff and I'm really busy at the mo.

Good luck, sounds like a really exciting thing to be doing!

OntarioOwl · 03-01-2006, 23:36

Having had a book published myself, last year, I might be able to assist. Drop me a PM if you like.

All the best

coyleys · 03-01-2006, 23:40

http://www.shavick.com/getpublished.htm

Rentaknight · 04-01-2006, 02:54

Quote:

Be careful about submitting to more than one publisher at once; if both like it it can be difficult!

I don't think he'll need to worry about that

Thundera · 04-01-2006, 07:28

Just wanted to say Thanks to all for there advice. A great response and some excellent information.

BasilRathbon · 04-01-2006, 15:08

Best advice is to join a local writers group, as they can offer useful (and free!) advice before you send it off anywhere - so long as you're prepared to do the same for their work.

I used to be a member of Heeley Writers - if they're still going I can recommend them.....

coyleys · 06-01-2006, 19:19

Quote:

Originally posted by BasilRathbon
Best advice is to join a local writers group, as they can offer useful (and free!) advice before you send it off anywhere - so long as you're prepared to do the same for their work.

I used to be a member of Heeley Writers - if they're still going I can recommend them.....

How do's one get intouch?

coyleys · 06-01-2006, 20:31

http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/show...threadid=81589

bigflesh · 06-01-2006, 20:49

just in case your house burns down or your hard drive fails...

http://www.bt.com/business/demo/datasure/

BasilRathbon · 10-01-2006, 08:09

Assuming it's still up to date, try

"Heeley Writers

25 Victoria Road
Broomhall Park
Sheffield S10 2DJ
Tel. 0114 2665404
info @ www.artcircus.org.uk
johnmalcomson@blueyonder.co.uk
Contact - John Malcomson"

(Taken from http://www.thefwwcp.org.uk/pages/groups_yorkshire.php)