GETTING PUBLISHED

15 tips on how to maximise the chances of getting your novel into print
by Nick Fletcher

1. Always aim to write about something which interests you and about which you may have experience or specialist knowledge. You can then write enthusiastically and this will be transmitted to the reader. It is a good idea to try to write the sort of thing you really love to read because you will already have some inside knowledge of this particular genre, and this helps give you a fast-track start to your writing.

2. Don’t try to get it perfect, or even close to perfect, as you go along.  A faster, more efficient and ultimately more inspirational method is to write a first draft as quickly as possible, getting down the basic structure, key characters and dialogue. Don’t try to find the right phrase or adjective, or even the names of the characters, at the time - these can be filled in at a later stage. The result is that you get the essential outline down fast and fresh, and can then begin a process of filling-out, revising and refining. Each time you begin the revision process you then have something to work on, rather than facing a blank screen or page, and this is much more encouraging. I believe this method has the benefit of providing the writer with an immediate sense of satisfaction that something has already been achieved, and gives an injection of enthusiasm often missing from the slow struggle of some more conventional techniques. Try it - it really works!

3. Ensure that you grip and involve the reader right from the first sentence, certainly the first paragraph. It doesn’t necessarily have to be dramatic, just intriguing. Maintain their interest by a combination of significant events, sharp dialogue and the pace of the narrative. Try to end each chapter with a key character facing a problem, or a threat.

4. When you have completed your novel, perhaps after several revisions you may then think it is ready for submitting. It isn’t. Put it aside for a week, and then give it a hard re-edit, aiming to trim at least ten words per page. This sharpening-up process is vital, and the work will be the better for it.

5. Research the market BEFORE you start writing! Most rejection slips are sent out without the manuscript being seriously considered because the work is the wrong style, the wrong length, the wrong subject or genre for that particular outlet. Failure to do the basic research means wasted time for you and publisher.

6. Get a good title. The title of a story or novel is hugely important. It can persuade someone to read the story/buy the book and more significantly, help induce a potential publisher to read your manuscript. Spend time creating the most catchy, intriguing, even enigmatic title that you can. An irresistable title really gives you an edge.

7. Work should always be presented in the industry-standard format - typed or printed on A4, one side only, double-spaced, numbered pages, paragraphs indented. Not only is this style user-friendly, it gives an immediate impression of professionalism. A worn-out typewriter ribbon, patchy photocopying, dog-eared paper all signify amateur. There are various books giving guidelines on submitting work, including The Writers’ And Artists’ Yearbook.

8. If you don’t already have any, get some eye-catching headed notepaper printed. In addition to including your name address and contact number, ensure it boldly states that you are a freelance writer. Again, this points towards professionalism, and thus helps boost your credibility publisher.

9. Carefully target book publishers. Get together a “hit” list of outlets you feel are suitable for your kind of work. (You should already have had some in mind before you started writing, if you followed the advice in Tip 5.) Telephone these targets and ask for the name of the commissioning editor. You can then write to them by name - there is thus less risk of a ‘Dear Sir or Madam’ letter going astray or being ignored.

10. Don’t send your completed book to a publisher or agent. They won’t like an unsolicited six-pound Jiffy bag thudding onto their desk. In any case, they normally make a judgement on the basis of just two or three sample chapters, and a terse synopsis. They probably won’t bother reading your 500-page masterpiece, so don’t send it without being asked to do so.

11. Always send a query letter first, outlining your project to the publisher or agent in just a few irresistably-phased sales-pitch paragraphs (see Tip 12) and asking if you can send a sample to them. Many will say ‘no’ but if you persist, some will be sufficiently interested to take a look.

12. When you do send off your synopsis and sample chapters, it is crucial you include a strong sales-pitch letter. However good the writing may be, the publisher (and agent) needs convincing it will sell. You need to make out a compelling case. This isn’t the time for false (or even genuine) modesty. A certain amount of “hyping up” is required. You need to spell out the wide (or niche) appeal and sales potential of the work, using bold adjectives, and underline your credentials with any personal details that are relevent. Include any special expertise in the subject, any awards you may have won, any publications which have used your work. Build your credibility and you will be taken more seriously.

13. Read as many books as you can on how to write books. They can provide a wealth of information which can save you time and money and increase your chances of getting work accepted. You wouldn’t start re-wiring your home without first reading a manual on electrical DIY, so why start writing without first reading some writing manuals? However good a writer you think you may be, you can still learn.

14. Don’t be discouraged by repeated rejection. It is highly likely you’ll get a number of rejection slips before getting something in print. Rejection slips often don’t mean the work is not good enough, more probably that it is not suitable for that particular outlet for reasons outlined in Tip 5. Always remember that many now-famous writers had their share of initial rejection. Colin Dexter had his first Inspector Morse novel turned down. J.K.Rowling had Harry Potter rejected. Andre Jute had his novel Reverse Negative rejected by 44 publishers. Yet the 45th liked it, published it, and it became an international best-seller. Always remember those 44 rejections. They make the few you will get seem totally insigificant and should inspire you to persevere, and eventually, to triumph!

15. Read the above paragraph again! It’s really important. Dogged persistence is a vital quality essential for all would-be novelists.

Good writing, and good luck.

RECOMMENDED READING
The Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook (A and C Black, £12.99)
Novel Writing by Evan Marshall (A and C Black, £14.99)
Practical Novel Writing by Dilys Gater (Writers News Publications, £9.95)
Plotting The Novel by Michael Legat (Robert Hale, £6.99)
The Writers Handbook (Macmillan, £12.99)
The Creative Writing Course Book (Macmillan, £14.99)
Writing Proposals and Synopses That Sell by Andre Jute (Writers News, £13.95)

NICK FLETCHER is a freelance writer who has had more than 30,000 articles published in the UK and is the author of five books, including a short-story collection, Escaping The Rain, published by South Star at £5.99. His first novel, a detective thriller called The Long Sunset is published in Autumn 2002.

An award-winning writer and literary competition adjudicator, Nick Fletcher is available for lectures and workshops. Themes include novels, short stories and freelance journalism.

Details: NJF Associates 01782 312119 / E-mail: mail@nickfletcher.co.uk
www.nickfletcher.co.uk