7 February 2022 - What's new
7 February 2022
- ‘We are getting more and more manuscripts in English from all over the world. A decade ago we'd get two but mostly from scientists or journalists but now we get a lot in fiction and YA... But also with a lot of fan fiction in Holland and Scandinavia, these people will write in English straight away because they also want to get published in the UK or US. Back in the day the largest goal for authors was to be published in their own language but nowadays... if they write in English, the world is their audience.' Paul Sebes, founder of Amsterdam-headquartered Sebes & Bisseling Literary Agency, which has just opened a London office, in the Bookseller.
- A must-read for children's authors is Suzy Jenvey's special series for WritersServices, the four-part Essential Guide to Writing for Children. The first article looks at the all-important question of age groups and what you should be aware of in writing for each one. The second part is - Before You Write: What is My Story Going to be? The third part deals with Starting to Write and the fourth part is about Submitting Your Work to Agents and Editors. This series by a hugely experienced children's editorial director and agent helps you get started on your own story or develop what you're already working on.
- Our Writer's edit is a top-level new service for writers who want line-editing as well as copy editing. Does your manuscript need skilled professional input from an editor to help you get it into the best possible shape for submission or self-publishing? This may be the service for you, offering the kind of editing which publishers' senior editors used to do in-house on their authors' manuscripts and which is now hard to find. Our other copy editing services.
- The Caterpillar Poetry Prize 2022 is for adults writing poetry for children. It's open to all poets across the world over the age of 16. The entry fee is €14 per poem and the prize is worth €1,000. Closing 31 March 2022.
- There's an interesting crop of links this week. From the publishing world: not unexpectedly, year one of the pandemic was an e-book bonanza, The Bookseller - Features - Digital sales contract by 13% at the Big Six as large houses report e-book dip; the hot topic of the week is AI and audiobooks, AI Influence on Audiobooks Grows-As Does Controversy; more on this, Synthetic Voices Want to Take Over Audiobooks | WIRED; at last there's some movement on improving accessibility, Publishers Are Increasing Accessibility to Content; and the extraordinary growth of a challenger to Amazon, Interview: Andy Hunter on Bookshop.org's Second Anniversary.
- From our Endorsements page: 'I am delighted with the feedback and so pleased with all the great suggestions which were so much more than I expected. A really brilliant service.' Sally Gibbins , Birmingham, UK, on her children's copy editing.
- Are you struggling to get someone to look at your poetry? Our Poetry Critique service for 150 lines of poetry can help. Our Poetry Collection Editing service, unique to WritersServices, edits your collection to prepare it for submission or self-publishing. Both can provide the professional editorial input you need.
- Links about writing: a surprising new trend, Tales of the unexpected: the surprise boom in UK short stories | Short stories | The Guardian; beware sites which charge thousands of pounds upfront for ghostwritten books, The Bookseller - News - Okri warns authors over ghostwriting sites claiming to have written string of bestsellers; you'd think that being a senior publicity manager at a children's publisher, I'd be in a great place to do PR for my own book, Putting on my second hat; and the ring of the doorbell, the pop of a champagne cork, a peal of laughter from another room, The Art of Throwing Truly Memorable Parties - In Suspense Novels ‹ CrimeReads.
- Why has my manuscript been rejected? It is demoralising to get your manuscript rejected by publishers or agents. Here are some of the reasons why this happens and suggestions of what you can do about it. Avoiding rejection.
- More links from writers: they're often the star of the show, but Why Do We Feel So Much Empathy for Villains? ‹ CrimeReads; a desperate resolution - get up an hour earlier than necessary six days a week and spend those sixty minutes writing short fiction, Here's What Can Happen When You Resolve to Write a Little Every Day | Jane Friedman; those who have mastered the art of influence, attracting social media followers and fame, do have a book inside them - and it seems publishers don't want to let it stay there, Writing under the influence: how social media stars are taking over publishing; and an extraordinary story from WWII, The Diabolical Witchcraft of MI9: How British Intelligence Encouraged POWs to Escape and Gather Intelligence ‹ CrimeReads.
- Which service should I choose to help me get my work into good shape for submission or self-publishing? Our editorial services have been added in response to demand, so whatever you want we've probably got it covered with our 20 different services.
- 'Our lives are spent plopped on the gluteal upholstery for eight hours a day with only imaginary friends for company, spinning lies, marinating in envy, and wondering when the Pulitzer committee is going to twig to our brilliance.' Sarah Bird in our Writers' Quotes.
