An interview with author, Eva Gordon

• This has now been moved to HubPages
  

For more details see www.ravenauthor.com

Next post http://ajbarnett-story.blogspot.com/2008/07/familiar-writing-authenticity.html

Hub http://hubpages.com/hub/Best-Selling-List-for-a-Day

Hub http://hubpages.com/hub/WITHOUT-REPROACH-Virtual-Book-Tour

Writing tips - The place you know!

Jalón - setting for PAST SINS

AJ, I know it might sound strange, but is it acceptable to be writing a story set in the same city where I live? I want to give it authenticity but it seems too familiar - a bit naff - what do you think?

Katie, It’s more than okay, it’s excellent. When writing ANY story, be it short or full length novel, it's important to write about things you’re familiar with – especially when you’re struggling to make your mark - it's what I always advise.

 

Your hometown might seem old-fashioned and uninteresting to you, but it's spanking new for the rest of us.... and an additional benefit is if people have visited the town, they can pick out elements they know and will empathize with the book - if they already live there, they’ll be thrilled.

 

I did this when writing PAST SINS. It’s centred on Jalón on the Costa Blanca, Spain - where I now live. Readers have commented several times that they’ve recognized landmarks, bars etc - it's a good feeling.

 

Writing about a place you're comfortable with means you'll create an authenticity that's impossible to encapsulate in any other way. You should ALWAYS research, but first-hand knowledge is irreplaceable.

Go for it. Write about what you know – the extra zing will make your work shine.

• Next post on Tell Me a Story

The Art of Publicity?

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  So! Today I did it. Today I took the plunge, I put my novel, 'Without Reproach', and myself, into the public gaze - not a simple thing for a die-hard introvert, I'll tell you.
  
  I went out and sold myself. It's not easy for someone like me. I'm a self confessed introvert. I can't help it, I hate being the centre of attention.... BUT today I did it. I went out and sold myself.
  
  Val and I went to Benidorm for the day, and I took a pocket full of bookmarks. I handed them out to all and sundry (after asking if they were British) .... and guess what? People actually THANKED me for them. I couldn't believe it. They actually thanked me for handing them publicity material.
  
  I guess what it amounts to is a bookmark is useful. Everyone needs a bookmark at sometime or other, and I was giving them something they could use.
  
  At any rate, I handed them over, they took them, and gradually I gained more confidence.
  
  The thing is, as a writer I sit behind a computer and write. I don't meet people, I hate selling myself, I put words down and hope people read them .... This time the words were on bookmarks - publicity.
  
  In this case people wanted to have what I was giving. I hope they eventually take on board what's on the bookmark - my novel - Without Reproach. I hope a few go out and purchase. I hope it wasn't a complete waste of time.... At least they didn't tell me to f*** off - which is what I expected.
  
  Maybe I'll try it again sometime. Maybe I'll see you? Maybe I'll be handing a bookmark to you next time. If I do, don't turn your back... please!
  
  Next post on 'Tell Me A Story', Different.
• Bedlam
• Hub http://hubpages.com/hub/Characters-are-important

An introduction to rssHugger

I have just joined something different, - and I'm suggesting you might be interested in it yourself.

I’m not given to venturing forth lightly, so you might ask just what caused this departure from the norm.

What have I warmed to – it's rssHugger http://www.rsshugger.com/ It’s a system to help readers meet bloggers, a showcase for work, a directory for readers.

What are the benefits?

For bloggers:-

• It raises awareness of the blog
• It sends visitors to the blog
• It shares traffic with the community
• The blog becomes part of the RSS community
• It builds links for blog posts to help with search engine optimisation
• It allows new RSS subscribers interested in the blog to view the content on a regular basis.

For readers:-

• You can easily locate blogs of interest
• You can subscribe to several blogs
• You an enormous directory of blogs to choose from
• YOU have control

Give it a try - you might just approve.

If you do, and you find it okay, let me know. I look forward to your views and opinions.

• Next post Story outline.
• Bedlam

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Writing Story Dialogue - 12 Cool Secrets

All About Write - 10 Top Writing Tips

Lens Coating - What Everybody Ought To Know

Planning that Outline

Tell Me a Story - writing tips

Okay, so what is a story outline. It's nothing magical, nothing to be wary of. A story outline is just involves planning a guide to help you during writing - a foundation for your story - a route map.

• A story outline makes the writing journey easier and assists in developing the story’s quality by giving you a complete understanding of its construction.
• Foundations are fundamental to a building; you’re building a story. It’s no different. Devote time and consideration to your plan.
• Foundations should always be deep and strong before construction commences, and your outline needs to be just the same.

Prepare
The first thing you should do is to prepare a sequential order of events, after that, planning each chapter, allowing about half a page for each. Include the most important scenes in it and show how they influence your protagonists.
Preparing the order of events will give you an indication of how each character progresses due to actions they are caught up in. Characters should always develop, without character development the story won’t have moved.

Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance.
You can prepare a later chapter before an earlier one. Route maps don’t need to be prepared chronologically.

1. You won’t write yourself into a corner when you’re finally typing out that precious story – you’ll understand where the story is heading.
2. All difficulties will already have been understood and sorted.
3. The WORST plan is better than not planning at all. You will always know where you're heading.
4. The plan isn't set in concrete. It can be changed at any time - PROVIDING a new plan is made.

Having recognized the problems as you make your outline, you’ll be well prepared to avoid them. When you get down to it, your actual writing will be smoother, faster and far more professional. By planning correctly, you’ll be well on your way to being an author.

• Next post on Tell Me a Story

An interview with author, Gareth R. Roberts

Tell Me a Story - interview.















Gareth R Roberts is one of the writers under the wing of publishing house, Libros International - and they're getting quite excited about him. I wanted to see what the fuss was about, and was lucky enough to get him to chat about the book that looks set to thrust him to stardom.

Hi Gareth, nice to talk to you. Tell me, how long have you been a writer?

• I suppose, like most writers, I’ve been writing stories ever since I learnt to physically put a pen on a piece of paper. When I was 21 I became a speech writer for politicians – this is quite a good learning process as you have to write concisely and keep an audience interested. I have also written poetry and songs for many years, which gave me the opportunity to use language in a more innovative way. I have written fiction for about four years now.

That's quite an unusual and interesting background for an author. It must have honed your writing to a fine point. What actually prompted you to write your latest book?

• Well, Anthony, I set out with the intention of writing a very complex and meaningful political thriller full of social comment and dark predictions. After writing about a million pages I gave what I’d written to a friend to read and he paused and said ‘hmm, there’s not many laughs in this is there.’ And I thought, yeah, he’s right – I should write something which is more honest – and so I started again and this time I was able to write a much more honest piece of work.

Gareth, I suppose this is a bit superfluous, but is your book aimed at men, women or children?

• It isn’t really aimed at anyone – I wrote it as it came to me, rather than with a particular audience in mind. I have heard it described as a ‘blokes book’ and also as ‘Bridget Jones for the twenty first century man’ but women have enjoyed it too (or so they tell me).

So let’s do a quick plug for your book - where can readers pick up it up from?

• Well, at present it’s available from the usual on-line catalogues like Amazon, Waterstones.com, Play.com etc, but it’s to be stocked by Waterstones store in London and Manchester with view to being stocked by them nationwide – which is very exciting.

Wow! That’s a pretty incredible achievement. Most authors would give their eye-teeth to get that sort of status. Do you have any other work in the pipeline?

• Yes, I’m currently writing at a ferocious rate – it is the story of two boys growing up in Blackburn in the 1990’s, one is the school fat kid and the other is the school mixed race kid; to cope with the bullies they take on the personae of Superheroes and become Ferret Boy and The Wasp. It ends tragically.

And the masterpiece that’s wowing the bookstores, can you give us an outline?

• The title is ‘That Immortal Jukebox Sensation’. It is a dark comedy and tells the story of a 30 something lawyer who is facing up to the fact that his youth is behind him and that his future isn’t that bright: he has a crap relationship and little interest in his career – he decides that his only stab at making anything of his life is if he kills an international pop star – so he chooses one he was at school with and with whom he has a certain history with. The story then becomes the narrators journey towards a murder he may or may not commit and the readers journey as to why the narrator wants to kill the pop star in the first place.

Gareth, thanks for your time, I know you must be busy. Your book sounds quite something. No wonder it looks like hitting the mark. I wish you well. Maybe you'll come back in a couple of months and tell us how it's going.

Next post on Tell Me a Story

Question - Should I double space.

Hi Anthony, I'm writing my first book, and I wonder something, should I double space?
I want my book to be about three hundred pages, and if I don't double space, then it's about eighty five pages, its lots of detail crammed onto a page and I'm thinking that might not be right for the first book I have ever written. I think maybe if I keep it double spaced then it will make it easier to read for some people, but I'm not sure. What would your advice be?

• You should certainly always use double line space - (NOT double word space).
• You should type (print) on one side of the paper only.
• You should also leave at least 1" border on both sides, top and bottom.
• All paragraphs should be indented EXCEPT the first one on each chapter or after a scene break (ie line of stars).
• Your dialogue should also be on a new paragraph for each person - a thing new writers often forget - so you might find your page count beginning to expand a little by now.
• For full submission details see my other post Submission Guidleines
• Try http://www.writersandartists.co.uk/ for details of reputable publishers, agents and submission details.

• Next post

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Writing Story Dialogue - 12 Cool Secrets

All About Write - 10 Top Writing Tips

Lens Coating - What Everybody Ought To Know

Question - How do I get published?

Anthony, I'm not a writer, but have found myself writing a book. How do I get published?
I have looked on the interent, but there are so many publishing sites, I dont know what's good and what's not. Can you help ?

Clare, I'm afraid that as a new author you will need to live by the maxim to be not "As Good As" your favourite published authors. You have to be BETTER! The problem is, publishing houses will always go for the safe bet. They're in it to make money, not make you famous. They have a limited number of books they will publish each year. If yours isn't outstanding, I'm afraid you'll not get in, they'll reach for one of their stable of established authors.

To achieve this, you must first of all make sure your manuscript is as good as it can possibly be. Be absolutely certain you've tied all loose ends and make sure you've followed industry standards for presentation.

Edit out ALL unnecessary pronouns and adverbs - nothing screams amateur more than overblown descriptions. Most new writers feel they need to give full descriptions of everything in the book. DON'T. Sometimes what's left out says more than what's in....

When you've cut, cut, and cut; when you've polished it until it glistens, write a short query letter to your chosen publisher. Explain any experience you may have, the genre of the work, the word-count, and present a VERY short synopsis of about 100 words (see book blurbs for examples). Only present a full synopsis IF the publishing house asks you to submit the first three chapters.

In terms of an agent - it's almost as difficult to gain acceptance with a reputable agent as a publishing house. You must go through the same process.

You'll find lists of reputable agents and publishers in several trade oriented books such as Writers and Artist's Yearbook http://www.writersandartists.co.uk/ .

• Next post on Tell Me a Story - Interview.
• My other blog - Bedlam

End of post - How do I get published?

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Writing Story Dialogue - 12 Cool Secrets

All About Write - 10 Top Writing Tips

Lens Coating - What Everybody Ought To Know

An interview with author, Trevor Dalton

Tell Me a Story - Interview

This week I managed to persuade author, Trevor Dalton, to give an interview. He's a big lad, so I hope I get this right, I wouldn't want to end up in one of the horrible situations he dreams up for his novels.

Hi Trevor, to start off with, would you like to tell us how long you’ve been writing?

• Well Anthony, I started writing at 14 and my first book was ready for publication at age 21. It was a book of poetry called, "Blind visions of the Spectrum" It’s title is as pretentious as the poetry. I actually started writing novels in my 50's
  

So just how many books have you written so far?

• I've written two, "Possession Legacy." and "Open Tap.”

And just what was it that prompted you to write these particular books?

• Well, once I found my voice as a writer - it only took me forty odd years - the books just began to flow. I realised two basic truths. Write about where you know, and write about what you know; the rest as they say, takes care of itself.

Trevor, that couldn’t be more true. So your books, are they aimed mainly at men, women or children? Who ought to be searching them out.

• The books are aimed at any gender, but for late teens and above, they’re definitely not for children. Some of the contents is either borderline horror or a little raunchy for the younger market place.

And where are your books available from?

• My books are available from Amazon and most catalogues. If they don’t haveit in stock order it.

So, after all this, Is there any other work in the pipeline?

• Well, I guess I’m 63,000 words into the sequel to POSSESSION LEGACY, its called A DEEPER DARKNESS and picks up where POSSESSION LEGACY finished.

You sound as if you're well into it. Would you like to give us all an outline of your latest published book?

• I think the blurb says it best, Anthony, - “Where can the waste created by this technological age be disposed of. The by-products of our relentless advancement are often more detrimental than beneficial. The necessity for this "waste disposal" has given birth to a number of ruthlessly unscrupulous operatives. OPEN TAP traces the route taken by one such operative and the system he uses to dump the toxic concoctions he has collected.
  An abandoned puppy is exposed over a period to this malevolent concoction. As the puppy grows to adulthood, it develops a strange immunity to the poison it ingests. This immunity comes with a price tag, however. From Wales, Walsall and Worcester the characters in OPEN TAP begin their journeys to a final appointment with the beast that the puppy has become. They are all destined to meet. Some will die; some will live, but all their lives will change because of this encounter.

Wow Trevor, it sounds fantastic. I hope everyone out there rushes to Amazon and orders it right now.

• Yep! Me too, all of you get out there and do it.

Good luck with your sales, then. Keep in touch and let me know how you go on.

next post on Tell Me a Story

Question - Conflict and Quarrels!

Tell Me a Story - writing tips.

AJ, I’m sorry to be a pain, but I’m still not really sure about conflict, what it is and what you mean by it. Can you explain it a little more? I mean, I sometimes read books and there’s no quarrelling or shouting in it, so where’s the conflict then?

Hi Eileen, thanks for visiting. Okay let’s take a deeper look.

What is this thing called conflict?
In one form or other conflict shapes the heart of every story, yet conflict doesn’t automatically mean quarrelling, in fact if that’s all the book is about it would be pretty boring.
Struggle
Conflict really boils down to struggle. Conflict can be divided into three main areas, the struggle between man and man, between man and himself, or between man and nature. Of these, the struggle between man and himself is sometimes the most poignant, the most heart-rending.

Conflict may concern what went before or what’s happening in the present-day; it may come about because of relationships and occupations, or devotion and dreams. Conflict can cause confusion and arguments, but remember; simply having your protagonists quarrelling is not enough. Conflict in books – as in life, should be multi-layered.

Emotion or events
Conflict can be internal – concerned with emotions, or it can be external – concerned with events. Often it can contain both. A relentless internal struggle can be underscored by external events and skirmishes, but remember, inner conflict makes your protagonists seem more realistic.

There will probably be several conflicts in the story, but there should be one and only one BASIC conflict that the story hinges on, and this must continue throughout the story right to the end. Often a story opens with this BASIC clash between protagonists. Their suspicions then give rise to all the other problems that occur through the novel. Minor conflicts are often resolved as the story progresses. The BASIC conflict should not be resolved until the end.

Don’t forget that in a book, conflict equals tension. Without tension the reader simply tosses the book to one side.

• Next post on Tell Me a Story

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SHORT MOMENTS - Short story collection

Book Review Site

I keep meaning to do book reviews but never seem to find time.

I've found a lazy man's way around it. I came across a site today that gives independent reviews. They're not my choice of course, but they aren't driven by commercial dependence either, they're one person's view.

Take a look at http://tucsonguy.wordpress.com/

• Next post http://ajbarnett-story.blogspot.com/2008/07/look-at-kindle.html

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Writing Story Dialogue - 12 Cool Secrets

All About Write - 10 Top Writing Tips

Lens Coating - What Everybody Ought To Know

A Look at Kindle

If you've seen Kindle advertised and wondered what it was all about, wonder no longer. I came across an independent review this morning.

I must say I was mightily impressed and am now wondering whether it's a worthwhile taking it further .... what if my book was on Kindle? Would it help? Time only can tell with these things, but I must say it's given me food for thought.

Take a look and see what your opinion is. I'd appreciate any feedback

http://sasmom.wordpress.com/2008/07/13/revisiting-the-amazon-kindle-e-book-reader/#comment-213

Next post http://ajbarnett-story.blogspot.com/2008/07/editors-view.html

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Writing Story Dialogue - 12 Cool Secrets

All About Write - 10 Top Writing Tips

Lens Coating - What Everybody Ought To Know

An Editor's View

• AJ, as editor of your novel, WITHOUT REPROACH, I've been following your blog with curiosity. I think this may be of interest to your readers. Tell me, what does it feel like to have a third party scrutinise your work?

Wow, Maureen, that’s a bit close to the old heartstrings. First off, you must realise writers are in awe of editors; we look upon you as a different species … beings who exist in ivory towers. We look to you for guidance, yet don’t want you to give it. We realise you’ll be correcting our silly grammar and spelling mistakes, but other stuff …
When it comes to submitting our work … well it’s as if we’re subjecting our sickly babe for analysis by a specialist – not wanting them to find anything wrong, yet knowing there’s no chance. We writers are fragile things, our manuscripts are precious and it’s a blow to our ego when something is wrong.

• So, what about when we make suggestions for slight changes? How do you feel then?

Sometimes, in my writing, I’ve assumed everyone will understand what I mean, but as you pointed out a few times, if YOU don’t get it, other people will have the same problem. In that respect, it’s good to have a professional opinion. I think writers develop a blind spot to their own work, and don’t see errors. That’s when people like you are vital.
I think it’s also important to have a professional editor verify timelines etc, in a novel. I know I was amazed at how much effort you put into the editing process. I hadn’t realised how many checks were made before putting a book to bed. I bow to your expertise.

• Thank you, AJ. As your editor, I want to wish you good luck with book sales.

Thanks Maureen, I think I need it. I hope we can chat on here again sometime.
Next post  Allie Boniface
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Author, Allie Boniface, to hold court in Kingston

If you’re lucky enough to live around Kingston, New Hampshire, and are one of those people who love to meet authors in the flesh, then this could be your lucky week.

On Wednesday, July 30, romantic author Allie Boniface will be attending the Nichols Memorial Library in Kingston, New Hampshire, where she intends to meet readers and talk about her book, Lost in Paradise.

Boniface said, "I've always loved regions surrounding Boston, especially New Hampshire's lakes and Seacoast communities. When I thought about where I wanted to set this story, the charm of a small town like Kingston immediately came to mind."

The novel, Lost in Paradise, investigates two characters who meet one summer in the fictional town of Paradise. Reviewers have called the novel "an emotional love story that draws the reader in".

Ms. Boniface currently teaches in the Lower Hudson Valley, N.Y. She is also the author of the romantic novels "One Night in Boston" and "One Night in Memphis".

Check her web at http://www.allieboniface.com/.

This event will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 30, at the Nichols Memorial Library, located at 169 Main Street in Kingston. For more information, call (603) 642-3521.

Next post
My other blog, Bedlam

Writing Tips - Summary of the Plot

Tell Me a Story - writing advice

Are you going off the rails, are you lost about what your plot should be doing? Look no further. Check out these simple rules and make sure your story follows them.

A plot should always contain:-

1. Action
2. Emotion
3. Balance
4. Tension
5. Momentum

Don't forget that your plot HAS to be plausible, yet larger than life

• Maintain a notebook of ideas and keep it at hand; it will help you plan your story
• If you get stuck, try rearranging other writer’s ideas
• At a basic level, your plot is simply an elaboration of the theme (see earlier post)
• Don’t ignore rules of cause and effect. Your plot must always be rational, don't let things happen without good reason.
• A plot should be based on what you know and are familiar with. If you don’t know, find out - do your research.
• Study other books to find how different authors conduct their plots - don't plagiarize - learn.
• Remember that there is no such thing as a new plot. Become skilled at dealing with old plots in fresh ways.

Follow these simple lines and you'll soon be on the right track

• Next post on Tell Me a Story

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Writing Story Dialogue - 12 Cool Secrets

All About Write - 10 Top Writing Tips

Lens Coating - What Everybody Ought To Know

An interview with author, Agnes Hall

I’m lucky to have several friends who are published authors. In fact a few of us share the same writing group in Jalón. I caught up with Agnes Hall a few days ago. She’s recently had a new novel released into the market place and is still on a high.

• I thought it might be good to share our conversation. Agnes, how long have you actually been a writer?

I only began writing after retiring to Spain. I suppose I started writing about 4 years ago. I attempted to write a thriller, with no tuition whatsoever and realised after attending a creative writing class run by a published author, Jill Lanchbery, that I needed some guidance starting at layout before even attempting the content. Jill and I eventually started a Writing Group here in the valley where we live and I have learnt a great deal both from Jill and other members of the group.

• So is this your first book, or have you published others?

Yes, the first! Apart from the beginning of the thriller.

• And did you dive straight into a full-length book or did you publish other articles/stories first?

I have had nothing published prior to this. I have attempted short stories and my 'greatest' achievment was to have one short story long-listed in a Fish Publishing Competition. Short stories were a good way to start for me personally and allowed me to build up confidence.

• That's what I keep telling new writers. I think short stories are a good way to cut your teeth. I wrote for magazines for about fourteen years before turning back to novels. So what prompted you to write this particular story? Does it convey any special 'messages' to the reader?

It's the old chestnut of writing about what you know. The story centres around Liverpool and Ireland. Being the daughter of Irish parents and spending the first twenty years of my life in Liverpool gave me the basis of my story. Relationships, I think are the same whatever the period and my story begins around 1900.

• And is the story aimed mainly at men or women. What genre would you classify it in?

The story is aimed at both men and women. Male friends who have read it have enjoyed it. As for genre...It is a 'family saga'. My main comment in retrospect is that I think that
I have tried to pack too much into one book. I think that all the characters and relationships could be expanded.....perhaps the next book could do this!

• I think we all wish we'd done things differently, Agnes. You're not alone, it's the bane of a writers life. We're never satisfied with our work. So, was much research involved, did you have to study anything before you completed the story?

There was a reasonable amount of research required. The story talks about the potato famine in Ireland, the conditions of poverty in which the Irish peasant farmer lived, the
English/Irish problems and also spans two world wars...as I said, perhaps I could expand on all this in another book.

• Okay, time for a little push for your book. Who is your publisher, is your book available yet, and if so, where?

'The Canvas Bag' is published by Libros International and is currently available on Amazon and associated sites. There are plans afoot for all libros' authors' works to reach the shelves of some of the major U.K. bookstores e.g Waterstones.

• That'll be brilliant. Would you like to tell everone a little about the writer's circle? How did it evolve, what are the aims?

The writers circle in which I am involved began with Jill Lanchberry and myself getting together to try and get and give feedback from and to other writers. The main aims are to encourage and support and give positive criticism of each others work. Apart from works in progress being discussed, we also have workshops which are often a useful tool to get one's brain thinking in a different way. We meet twice a month and the topics are varied and include not just writing and discussing each others work but everything that goes with writing such as sales and marketing etc. One of the things that we have all found amazing on set projects is that given one topic, the variety of work that arises.

• That's authors for you - no two minds think alike. Okay Agnes, have you any other books in the pipeline?

I have 2 other books in the pipeline at the moment...apart from what might arise as sequels to 'The Canvas Bag'. The first has a working title of 'A Seafaring Man and A Nice Cup of Tea' the second 'Rasberry Summer, I will not tell you what they are about yet...WATCH THIS SPACE!

• Wow! Sounds like you've been busy already. I wish I was so far in front. Right then, Agnes, at this point I generally ask guests to give one piece of advice aspiring authors. What would yours be?

Try and be disciplined....I am not and I know that my next two books would be a lot further on if I allocated a specific time each day to work at my writing.
If anyone wants to contact me they can email me on agneshall@terra.es. My website is not fully constructed yet.

• That's great stuff, Agnes. Thanks for taking the time. I'm sure everyone will have found this inspiring. Good luck with your book sales. Let's talk again soon.

Jockey writes début novel

Ex- jockey, Kris Prather's professional racing career, was called to a halt by injuries. Now she's following her other obsession, writing.

Prather recently published her début novel, "The Horse Tamer's Niece."

Kris makes every effort to impress by drawing on her racing knowledge in her novel. She hopes it's the first book in a series.

Do we have another Dick Francis in the making?

I wish her well.

Next post http://ajbarnett-story.blogspot.com/2008/07/question-does-age-matter.html

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Story Dialogue - 12 Cool Secrets For Story Dialogue
Lens Coating - What Everybody Ought To Know
All About Write - 10 Top Writing Tips

Does Age Matter When Submitting a Manuscript?

Tell Me a Story - advice


AJ, I have two questions. I've heard from various people that some publishers make their choices based on the genre of the book that they are reviewing. My book is, well, it's trying to be fantasy (I'm still in the process of writing it and I should be done in at least five months if I keep working on it consistently). I was just wondering, is that statement true or false? And the last question is should I wait until I'm older to try and get it published? I know I don't know much now, and I'm thinking my thoughts on things may change, but I'm more worried that they won't accept my literature because of my age regardless if it's good or not. Libby J.

Libby J, it's certainly true you should be sure the publisher accepts books in your genre. It would be a complete waste of your time and their's to send a horror story, to a publisher who specializes in romantic suspense ... The best thing to do is check for suitable publishing houses in a trade book such as Writers' and Artists' Yearbook They describe who publishes what, and how to write a letter of submission. They also give information on reputable agents, which might be useful.


In terms of age, publishing houses don't normally question how old an author is. They'll only be interested in whether your work is up to scratch. My main concern is whether you have sufficient maturity of writing. You'll probably be up against writers who have years of experience, so be prepared for rejection - but having said that, rejection happens no matter what the age. It's an unfortunate fact of a writer's apprenticeship.


You certainly show signs of maturity in posing questions about your age and ability, so maybe you ARE ready. I certainly wish you well.
Good luck.

• Next post on Tell Me a Story - Rounding the plot.

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Treachery: a romantic supense 
Without Reproach: a romantic suspense