How to get published

Simple. Do it yourself.

That's the short answer, anyway—but it's probably not the answer you're looking for. What you really want to hear about is a fast track to fame and riches. What you want to hear about is an alternate route to the traditional path of working hard, struggling for years, persistence, shrewdness, devotion—and a little bit of luck.

And talent.

Trouble is, there isn't really any other way. Not for most of us, at least. Word processors have turned us all into "writers". Desktop publishing programs have turned us all into "editors". Self-help books have made us all into armchair experts. But the road to publishing paradise is still a tough one, even when you handle it all yourself, and probably not one in a thousand writers—or possibly one in ten thousand—are going to make much of an impact.

Which isn't to say you shouldn't try. Writing a novel is a tremendously rewarding experience. I know because I've written a dozen or more of them, and each one came with a huge sense of achievement.

If not any hard cash.

Yet.

But I'm still out there campaigning my books and improving my batting average in terms of positive response from literary agents and publishers, and I'm still reasonably hopeful that sooner or later I'll make the breakthrough.

Maybe.

In the meantime, I'm publishing my own books. Not novels, mind. Instead, I'm publishing a range of more specialised tomes in various fields. And it pays. Not a fortune. But it's early days for this project, and in the current economic climate, people are understandably being very cautious with their money.

So watch this space.

Want to read more?

There are over 25,000 words of writing tips and advice on my website. I've spent months writing these pages, and years refining them. I'm happy to share my professional knowledge with you. But like everyone else, I need to capitalise on my skills and efforts.

For just £1.99 I'll send you my entire MR EDIT'S WRITING ADVICE FOR AUTHORS as a .pdf file. Just follow the link below, or above, and you'll be taken to PayPal. You don't need an account; just a credit card or a debit card.

You'll generally receive my writing guide within an hour. But occasionally technical glitches from PayPal delay this for up to 24 hours.

Either way, you'll receive 25,000 very helpful words that will make you a better writer, will give you fresh insight into your work, and will improve the chances of a literary agent or publisher accepting your manuscript.

Mr Edit YouTube videos

Meanwhile, here are some of my You Tube videos that might be of interest to you. Hope you enjoy them.
 

Mr Edit. Let's talk about dialogue

https://youtu.be/KG0CLm1S9Rs

Mr Edit. Pitching fiction to a literary agent.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yy698w2Ooc8

Mr Edit. 5 Minute Fiction Fix.

https://youtu.be/y6OPUfcDH90

Mr Edit. Let's talk about tautology.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zhoBLImV6U

Links for writers

Preditors & Editors. Here's where you can check out the credentials of literary agents and publishers. A must for any writer.

http://pred-ed.com

Creative Helps. Helpful resource for the creative community. Articles, links and tips.

http://www.creativehelps.com/products.htm

Nick Daws' Writing Blog. Lots of useful posts on all aspects of writing, both for print and online, plus a guest post for anyone who wants to make a contribution. Check it out.

http://www.mywritingblog.com

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Creative writing

● Writing tips

● Plotting a novel

● Finding a literary agent

● Choosing a literary agent

● Agent query letters

● Inspiration for writers

● Rejection letters

● Manuscript critique

● 5 minute fiction fix

● Proof reading

● Writer's block

● How to get published

● Active & passive voice

Special features

Darley Anderson, top UK literary agent, on books,
publishing and success

Zoë Sharp, creator of the

action-packed Charlie Fox series of books

Jeff Kleinman, New York literary agent, talks shop

Crème de la Crime:

An interview with

Lynne Patrick,

publisher and managing editor of a smaller—but

essential—British

publishing house.

How to get published tips

Tip 1

1. Be professional at all times. This can't be overstressed. If you sound like, or look like, an uncommitted amateur, you'll be treated as such. It doesn't matter that you are an amateur; in your mind you're a professional. Everything you do should be of top quality.

Tip 2

Decide from out the outset what your true goals are. Do you want to write commercially, or academically? It makes a real difference. Broadly speaking, commercial writers write for the market. Academic writers tend to write more for their peer group. Or for posterity. That's not to say that either type of writer is less committed or doesn't care about their product. But the focus is different.
If you're trying to write commercial fiction, keep your mind's eye on the money. Contrary to some advice, this is actually more important than putting your manuscript and characters and story first. Commercial writers learn to write what sells even if that goes against their personal ideals. Prostitution? That's exactly it. The only thing you need to worry about is how far you're prepared to compromise your ideals.

Tip 3

Study the market and the market trends. Things can change rapidly, and you need to adapt to those changes. You may be "out of step" one year, only to find that things are changing the following year. Can your work be quickly adapted? Can you "spin" your query letters and synopses to embrace a new style or trend. Look for opportunities and seize on them.

Tip 4

If you're considering self-publishing, first try writing for a smaller, more select market. It's a more cost effective way to learn the mechanics of publishing without losing your shirt on an expensive flop. If you can demonstrate to the trade that you've successfully self published a number of titles, the mainstream trade is likely to take you more seriously. That in itself will not guarantee a publishing deal. But a successful track record of producing and selling books will inspire confidence in you.

Also, it will help develop a "commercial mindset", which is something most amateur writers simply do not have.

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