Author: Maggie Doonan
Producing a professional-looking book is critical, especially when self-publishing. Despite being more common than ever, self-publishing still carries the old stigmas: unwanted by 'real' publishers, unedited and unlikely to be any good. A product that's obviously self-published, or amateurish, will raise questions of quality and may potentially discourage readers. …
Identifying your market is critical to the development and potential sale of your manuscript. An infinite number of variables shape a reader's likes and dislikes. In order to maximise your appeal you must know who you are writing for, and how to catch their eye. By understanding your market you can target specific readers …
There is a romantic myth that surrounds writers. This myth is rife with infatuation, possessiveness and protectiveness: a writer is supposed to be obsessed with their work. Utterly absorbed. If their creative process stalls, or in some instances flatlines, the writer should just work harder. More rewrites, more experimentation. They should even …
Think dialogue is just a case of he said, she said? Wrong. Dialogue is much more than a to-and-fro between characters; dialogue is the backbone of your narrative. In a single conversation between characters you can snag a reader and reel them in to shore. On the other hand, if your …
The ability to write a short story, and write it well, is invaluable to any author. Novelists in particular can benefit from regularly immersing themselves in short fiction. Writing short stories... Develops creative and critical skills. Builds portfolios. Provides the opportunity to expand experiences with submissions, editors and professional expectations. Furthers your …
A manuscript appraisal provides a crucial buffer before submission, and enables not only the development of your manuscript but the development of yourself as a writer, helping you on your way as you work towards publication. But how can you tell if this service is right for you and your …
