HOW TO WRITE & HOW TO SELL

'All you know on earth, and all you need to know'


 

If you've got a question about writing or publishing, then you'll probably find the answer here. Every word of advice comes direct from professional authors, editors or agents and is based on our experience in helping 1000s of first time writers. If you've still got questions, then get in touch.

If this info helps you, then please link to us from your website / blog. The more people that know about us the better. Thanks!



Next workshop:

Novels - Getting Started
Saturday 17th January 2009
Led by: Julia Hamilton
Ideal for: anyone who's getting started on a novel, or is thinking of starting soon, or just wants a good grounding in the basics



The World of Agents
For info on "subsidy" publishing, see below


 
How to find an agent

Copyright

 

The Numbers

Money, timings, chances of success, book lengths, etc

Libel

 

Manuscript Presentation

Copy-editing

 

How to Write a Synopsis

Ghost-writers

We also offer Free covering letter review. When you've drafted your covering letter to agents, just email it to us for a quick health check. We normally get back to you in 48 hours.


The World of Self-Publishing
aka: vanity / subsidy / author funded / POD publishing
 


Guide to Publishing

Commercial vs self-publishing


Pirates: a field guide

How to spot a vanity publisher

 

The seven myths of self-pub


Writers Literary Agency

Agents to avoid


Free bandit identification. Got an offer that you suspect may be from a vanity publisher or a dodgy agent? Just get in touch, & we'll tell you all.

If this free info isn't enough, then perhaps you want our Publishing Consultation? For just £20+VAT we'll look at your MS, review your aims and ambitions for it, and conduct a phone consultation with you to advise on your best next steps. We probably know more about the first time writer than any other organisation in the world - and our advice is totally impartial and totally writer-centric. We're run by writers for writers, remember?

How to Write - Fiction
for advice on screenwriting / poetry see below


 


Getting Started

Courses, books, groups, etc

Prose style

 

How to Plot

Inner worlds

How to get inside your characters' heads

 

How to Develop Characters

Dialogue

 

Show, don't tell

Themes

How to give your book soul

 

Points of view

Coming up with ideas

 

More on plotting

 

Creating a sense of place

We also offer in-depth manuscript appraisals. For more info, check out our services for fiction, non-fiction, or children's writers. Do note that there is a charge for these services.

How to Write - Film & TV
 

Getting started

Recommended books

 

Script checklist

Building character

 

Structure, structure, structure

(page under construction)

 

We also offer script appraisals & development advice. Please see our film pages for more. There is a charge for this service.

How to Write - Poetry
 

Poetry market

 

Revision tips

 

Are you serious?

 

We also offer in-depth feedback on your poetry. Please see our poetry pages for more. There is a charge for this service.

Advice on Specific Genres


Please note that we have just started putting together advice from leading authors, publishers & agents on specific genres in fiction and non-fiction. We are expanding these areas all the time, so do keep an eye on these pages.

Children's and YA fiction
 


Children's fiction


Young Adult fiction
 
Adult fiction
 


Historical fiction


Women's fiction

 

 

Fantasy fiction

   
 
Adult non-fiction
 


Travel


Inspirational True Life
('Misery memoir')

 


Non-fiction book proposals


Writing your memoir


Can't find it here?

Then check out our links page


                                


The Writers' Workshop Run by Writers for Writers