Where to hunt a literary agent
There are many ways to track down a literary agent. This article shares some tips on how to power your search.
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Writing
Bestselling UK author Mo Fanning offers tips on how to get published and attract the attention of agents, as well as hints on how to sharpen up your writing. As well as a series of well-received romantic comedies, Mo is a creative writing coach.
Submitting to an agent – what not to say
If you’ve reached the point where you think you’d like to find an agent or publisher for your writing, there’s plenty of advice online. My own book – Please find attached – is rammed to the rafters with tips on how to attract attention, write a query letter, synopsis, bio and generally convince the gatekeeper
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Rejected by a literary agent? You’re in good company
Rejection can be crushing. There’s little joy when you receive an email that wishes you well but declares that your labour of love is ‘just not for me’. If you find yourself rejected, take comfort that you are not alone. I’ve pulled together a list of well-known writers who struggled to find a home for
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Writing great dialogue: Word of mouth storytelling
Inexperienced writers tend to rely on dialogue to deliver the story. It’s an absolute no-no. Victoria Wood satirised this best in her mock soap ‘Acorn Antiques’: “Apparently, being spiteful and having lots of extra-marital affairs could bring back my jaundice, so I’m going to be really nice from now on.” The fancy word for this
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Marketing notes from my editor
Ready to look at marketing your finished book. Maybe I can help? Last time round, I talked about how editorial feedback made me think again about something as basic as the character names and elements of setting. How the current market expects certain things. She went further and gave me helpful tips to help pitch
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Notes from my editor
Monday was one of those nail-biting days. An email arrived with the first thoughts from my editor. She’s quite a big deal name in commercial fiction, so I’d been ready for a mauling. I expected her to brand my efforts as a mismatched jumble of bad ideas and inept delivery. Thankfully the broadside was gentle,
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An unprecedented level of calls
‘You’re getting very dark again. You need to see a doctor.’ That’s how the other half censored me as I launched into yet another tirade about how Theresa May had basically prostituted herself to the DUP to avoid having to move house just when she’d got on top of her geraniums. And so I tried
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Pale, stale and male … and invisible
I give more than a single shit about climate change, and hang my head in shame as other middle-aged white men dictate Britain’s place in Europe and encourage Americans to worship the buck over the book. And yet, I feel invisible.
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The pure hell of writing a synopsis
Nobody likes writing a synopsis. How about if I told you it could actually help you create a better book?
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When leopards change their spots
What happens when you decide to change the personality of a supporting character midway through writing?
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