What are literary agents really looking for? Well, I’ll give you a clue, and it’s not what they say they’re looking for. It’s the character, stupid….
Imagine a world where good and bad book reviews were as random and unpredictable as a lottery, and had little or nothing to do with the book the were supposed to be describing. Terrifying, isn’t it?! Now think again. What’s the difference between that… and this thing we call Now?
Have you ever been half way through your major writing project, only to suddenly suspect…. it’s all been done before? Here’s some handy advice with the benefit of hindsight (and some surprising news on that old cliché – top Amazon genres involving fish).
I watched a TV show which packed more excellent writing and publishing advice into 50 minutes than you’d see in 5 literary festivals. And because it involved little or no thought on my part, I collated it into a blog post. You’re welcome.
If we were really okay with Women’s Fiction, would we ever need to justify it? And why do I change so much on the inside every time I get my hair done? This and other truly shocking revelations in this week’s tardy but multi-tasking blog post extravaganza.
Famous writers are regularly asked to provide glowing blurbs, or one-line reviews, for other people’s books. While many find it difficult to say no, it’s impossible for an Irish writer to say no. So because I am always generous and charitable, I decided to write a few honest blurbs which might help them through this particular diplomatic minefield.
The way that publishing works today is unrecognisable in comparison to 15 years ago. For many readers and writers, it hasn’t changed for the better, resulting in much weeping, wailing, and a deluge of think pieces pretending to know what they’re talking about (just like this one). But you know what else changed as much in that time? Television. And it’s kicking ass. Why can’t publishing?
As we are now in a post-thinking society, I’ve decided to pose some questions relating to the publishing world after Brexit, and what it’s all going to mean for writers and readers. Warning: this post contains no fake news, and one shocking lean towards optimism.
There’s a new trend in successful book covers – but has it made its way into indie publishing, and if not, why not? And on another note, can I interest you in some psychedelic wallpaper designed by Delia Smith in a fever dream?
Arguments about positive discrimination usually get very negative, and the current one in publishing is no different. Some people think that promotion should be based on merit alone, no matter who you are. But are they missing the point?
