5 June 2023 - What's new
5 June 2023
- 'I think a writer's natural style will dictate the form they write in. Some writers can easily bang out a doorstopper - I prefer short, dense and intense, which is why I was drawn to short fiction in the first place. Writing a short story means creating a tiny universe for you, your characters and your readers all to live in for a brief time. It's an intense experience for all involved! Trying to stretch that same process over the length of a novel doesn't really work - you need peaks and valleys, conflict and resolution, to make the story feel satisfying to the reader.' Emily Armstrong, author of short story collection How to Gut a Fish and just-published debut novel Falling Animals, in Bookbrunch.
- As well as our highly-regarded Copy editing service, which will help you prepare your manuscript for submission or self-publishing, we have Manuscript Polishing, which provides a higher-level polishing service, English Language Editing for those for whom English is not a native language, our new Writer's edit, providing line-editing, and Proof-reading. Our new editing services are Developmental editing and The Cutting edit. Get the right level of editorial support for your needs. Our low-cost services represent exceptionally good value. Contact us to discuss what you want.
- Nosy Crow LGBTQ+ Open Submissions 2023 is a new opportunity for aspiring children's picture book authors. Submissions are sought from any writer over 18 but their manuscript must be in the English language and unpublished. There's no entry fee and the editors at Nosy Crow are looking to publish new work in this area. This open submission closes on 30 June.
- Our first set of links offers more on the themes of ChatGPT and social media: the latest generation of AI is a game changer, AI Is About to Turn Book Publishing Upside-Down; is this the most radical change to the internet? "Like dropping a nuclear bomb": Will Google turn digital publishing upside down with AI search? | What's New in Publishing | Digital Publishing News; will this drive young writers' imaginations? The Bookseller - News - Text-generating AI claims writer's block 'could soon be a thing of the past for young authors'; UK publisher piles in on social media, The Bookseller - News - S&S UK launches publishing's first romance TikTok creator house; and what do most people misunderstand about social media? Ghost in the Machine: PW Talks with Tobias Rose-Stockwell.
- 'I used Writers' Services for Editor's Reports three times while I was writing my first novel, The Killing Code, and I must say that their professionalism and expertise was truly impressive. Prices are reasonable and I credit them with helping me to hone my book to a high standard. It's now a top seller on Amazon lists for the thrillers and action/adventure categories, and receiving excellent reviews. Thank you Chris and your team!' Craig Hurren on our Endorsements page.
- Do you want some help with your writing but don't know quite what you want? Are you a bit puzzled by the various services on offer, and not sure what to go for? Choosing a service helps you work out which is the right editorial service for you.
- How to prepare your prelim pages. There is a set order for the pages at the beginning of a book (known in the business as 'prelims') and you will need to send them to the designer with the rest of the manuscript for them to work on if you are self-publishing. Here we provide detailed instructions for preparing your prelim pages, according to standard publishing practice.
- Links from publishing: 'We are looking for stories to compete with the best Netflix documentaries'. The Bookseller - News - Thirst for 'solutions-focused' books as non-fiction plateaus; it can 'unfairly undercut local businesses that take a more responsible approach', Amazon's main UK division pays no corporation tax for second year in a row | Amazon | The Guardian; new research shows a slowdown, The Bookseller - Spotlight - Publishers' development of Black writers questioned as data shows bestseller wane; the UK's first Black woman publisher, The Bookseller - Spotlight - Publishing pioneer and English PEN president Busby on the pace of change; and should there be an international conference for publishing professionals in the United States? The U.S. Needs Its Own Book Fair.
- The seventh set of our pages of Tips for writers deals with informing yourself about what's going on in the book business: 'To improve your chances of becoming a published writer it's important to keep up with what is happening in the book world. The machinations of big publishers, the state of health of bookselling chains and the economic conditions affecting the book business may seem remote from you sitting at your computer, but all of these may have an impact on your writing career...'
- How to get your book translated into English (without it costing the earth) asks writers who are not native English speakers with a manuscript which needs polishing or translating: "If your English is good enough, what about translating your book yourself or writing in English, and then getting your work polished and copy edited by a professional editor who is a native English speaker?" This could be a cost-effective way of reaching the international English-speaking market, using our English Language Editing service.
- Links for writers: it's almost a cliché that spy novels should be dark, gripping, ambiguous, How Espionage Informed This Thriller Writer's Fiction; 'I'm the author of two books, but I'm used to writing on the side of other jobs', Is My Writing a Hobby Or a Career? Supporting yourself as a writer, The side hustle that keeps a literary author's career afloat | Books | The Guardian; translation is complex because it requires very high integrity on behalf of the translator, The Bookseller - Comment - Unsung heroes.
- Jeremy Worman's fictional memoir about his early life living in a London squat, The Way to Hornsey Rise, has received a great local review.
- Our 19 Factsheets from the legendary Michael Legat are full of tips for the new writer or anyone who is trying to get their book published. From Literary agents to Copyright, from Libel to Submissions, this series is full of essential background information. From Submissions: 'Few editors or agents will give any reasons for rejecting your work. However, if in turning it down they pay you any compliments, you can take them at face value. Publishers don't encourage would-be writers unless they mean it. If your work is rejected six times or more, without any snippets of praise, you should look at it again, to see if you can discover what is wrong. It may be a long time since you last read it, and with fresh eyes you may see glaring faults.'
- More links to writers' stories: advancing firmly into this controversial issue, Rebecca F Kuang rejects idea authors should not write about other races | Publishing | The Guardian; and now for some good news about AI, Wearing purple: The end of creativity? Do calm down; and one category has not made the transition from Costa's prizes to Nero's, No rhyme or reason: why is poetry missing from the new Caffè Nero book awards? | Books | The Guardian.
- WritersServices editor Kay GaleWritersServices editor who has worked for many years as a freelance editor for number of publishers. on The Slush pile: 'When I started working in publishing over thirty years ago it was part of my job to check through the pile of unsolicited manuscripts that arrived on a daily basis, and like every other enthusiastic young editorial assistant, I dreamed of finding the next bestseller in the ‘slush pile'. I was soon disillusioned...'
- From our Writer's Quotes: ‘There is no secret to success except hard work and getting something indefinable which we call "the breaks". In order for a writer to succeed, I suggest three things - read and write - and wait.' Countee Cullen.
