Publishing on Amazon Kindle is TOO simple.

------------------------------------------------------------
Short Moments: Heartwarming Short Stories
Writing Dialogue In A Story - 12 Cool Secrets
All About Write - 10 Top Writing tips
------------------------------------------------------------

Tell Me a Story - advice

Prospects for new writers to be taken on board by traditional publishing houses seem to be getting fewer. The number of publishers is getting less, and those that remain are becoming more discerning, and have reduced catalogue lists. The remaining publishers often select celebrity writers over unfamiliar, but accomplished writers... yet who can condemn them. Most are desperate to maximise their decreasing profits. Many publishing houses have permanently closed; my own publisher is having financial problems. The future seems depressing – yet does it have to be?

A lot of new authors are turning to self-publication and to e-books, seeing them as their saviour, and who can blame them. Amazon Kindle is rapidly becoming the author’s favourite choice, and has made the publishing procedure very simple.

The trouble when this happens is a vital editing link becomes missing. The numerous and rigorous checks that take place within the publishing house will not be there. The author MUST perform these checks or the quality of the finished product will be low.

Read more: - How to Prepare And Publish a Book on Kindle

Next post


------------------------------------------------------------------
Looking for

• a romantic mystery, 
• a contemporary romance 
• or short stories?

The economic downturn and books

Hello AJ, a question if I may. Some friends are anxious about the economic downturn we’re facing. What do you think it mean in terms of selling books, or getting published? Are we condemned?

• Hi Andrea, I'm no economic expert, no-one can know beforehand but let's be realistic. Do people really stop reading because of lack of money? They might cut back on some luxuries, but reading…. people still read. I know I do. Don't you?
• 
  I suppose there'll be restraints and it might be that advances on royalties reflect a certain fear, but historically, books tend to do well during downturns in the economy. Maybe it's because people need extra release from the reality of a depressed state of life, but books still change hands.
• Publishers will still need to publish new stuff. The industry is not condemned, we authors are not damned. If you dream of being published, don’t give up on it.
• Next post on Tell Me a Story - Fuel.
• My other blog - Bedlam.

End of post - The economic downturn and books

Will publishers accept a book submission by email

Hello, AJ, I love your blogs. If you post this I shall know it’s for real.

Publish a book.

My question is this. I need to find a publisher to publish my book.
It’s somewhere about 10 to 13 chapter and I think it’s ready (I’ve followed your advice in your other posts). Now I would like to find a publisher that I could just send the book to by e-mail. Does this ever happen, or do you have to go and meet them and talk about it? If you have any ideas or know of a publisher that would want to publish a fiction adventure book, please, please, let me know!

• Email, snail-mail
• Hi, Clara. In general my submission letters have always been by email. However, my last publisher wanted two hard copies and a disc copy after acceptance. I was lucky enough to live not too far from the publishing house and was able to hand it over personally, but if you don’t want to do that, what’s wrong with snail-mail? Some of my short stories went by snail-mail, it just takes a little longer that’s all.
  
  Dizzy
• When it came to editing the actual book, it was done entirely by email. The editor would send me a query about a certain part, and I would either alter or discuss what needed to be done. The chapters flew back and forth over the ether until they were dizzy.
  I'd suggest that most publishers would be similar. For a list of publishers try http://www.writersandartists.co.uk/ or similar, and after choosing, ask their permission.
• Next post on Tell Me a Stort - Azincourt.
• Related posts

End of, Will publishers accept a book submission by email

-----------------------------------------------------------

Looking for a good read? Try:-

Short Moments - collection of 10 short stories

or

Past Sins - Contemporary fiction

How do I submit my friend's book for publishing

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Links on Tell Me a Story

• How To Describe - Mastering Descriptive Writing
• To Write A Story - 20 Ways To Write A Story Better
• Story Characters - 7 Cool Ways To Jump-Start Your Writing

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Submit for publication.

Hello Mister Barnett. My friend is fourteen and is writing a book. He’s written sixty pages so far, so is doing quite well. When he’s finished I’m going to be his agent and will want to send it to be edited then submit it for publishing. What I want to know is, how do I go about this? I don't want to let him down.

Not Qualified.

• Hi Brent. Mm…. I'm afraid you're not going to like what I'm going to say.
• 
  
• You realise an agent has to be au fait with all aspects of publishing it isn't just a matter of 'submit a book'. An agent has to be capable of sifting through legal papers, of forcing the hand of the publishing house, of making the most of royalties and advances, and of acting in the author's best interests in all aspects of publishing. I'm afraid you simply aren't experienced or sufficiently qualified to act on his behalf.
  
  I must also point out that a full book will call for somewhere in the range of 85,000 to 100,000 words, not a meagre sixty pages. There is a long way for him to go yet.
  
  For the sake of your friend, click on my previous post How Do I get Published. He'll need to make sure of his work and this MIGHT just help him on his way.
• 
  
• May I wish him all the best with his work. But PLEASE don't try to act on his behalf. If he has talent, he'll need professional help to guide him on his way.
• 
  
• Next post on Tell Me A Story - Brecon Farm.

Publishers and books for children

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Links on Tell Me a Story

• How To Describe - Mastering Descriptive Writing
• To Write A Story - 20 Ways To Write A Story Better
• Story Characters - 7 Cool Ways To Jump-Start Your Writing

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Hi, Anthony, can you tell if it’s true that a lot of publishers are no longer looking for new authors? I’m writing a book for children, and I’ve been told that a number of personalities are writing children’s stuff, so now it’s nigh on impossible to get a foot in the door. I’ve also been told publishers aren’t even looking for new authors. Is this true?

• Hello, Susan, I'm afraid to a limited extent it’s true, especially as far as books for children is concerned. You have to remember, publishers are there primarily to make money. If they make money, you might get a few crumbs, you might even get to be famous, but a publisher’s mandate is financial.
• 
  It's also true that a publisher will take on a celebrity whilst rejecting talented, new writers. The subject pisses me off – I’ve ranted about it several times on my other blog, Bedlam. If you're serious though, and if your work is good, it shouldn’t put you off. You know the saying, “What do you call a writer who won’t give up – published.”
• 
  
• Someday, somewhere, you'll get accepted and all will be forgotten .... well almost.
• 
  
• Keep writing, and keep dreaming. Don’t forget, JK Rowling was a new author just a few years ago. Publishers are ALWAYS looking for books they can sell, but most books submitted to publishers aren't what they're looking for. Either the writer isn’t skilled at their craft or the plot is too recognizable.
• 
  
• The more prestigious the publishing house, the more famous the existing authors, the higher the standard and the harder it is to get in. But they DO still take people on.
• 
  
• Posted by Anthony James Barnett - author of Without Reproach
• Next post, Are authors recluses.
• My other blog, Bedlam.
• Related posts - Publication
• 
  

How to present a Story Synopsis

Tell Me a Story

A synopsis is important
A synopsis could be the most important thing you ever write. Get it wrong and your book might never see the light of day. Make it stand out, make it interesting, and you might well be on the way to becoming a published writer.

A story synopsis can take on many shapes; it has no definite arrangement, but like the manuscript, should be double line-spaced and clearly printed.
The chief component of the synopsis, and sometimes the only element, is a short narrative of the story, and SHOULD:-

• Always be written in present tense.
• Name and describe all major protagonists.
• Sum up key events in the novel.
• Specify the book’s point of view:
• Contain virtually no dialogue:

A background piece might occasionally lead the synopsis itself, but only if the story's framework necessitates explanation, (where the plot may hinge on unfamiliar story elements such as in sci-fi or fantasy).
Brief
Try to keep the synopsis to just a couple of pages. After all, you're trying to entice the editor by presenting a brief sample. The last thing you want, is to bore your tired and weary editor into slinging the synopsis into the bin.

• Next post

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

PAST SINS
A Love Story

SHORT MOMENTS
Heartwarming Stories

Is there a publisher who will look at my novel for nothing?

• Anthony, is there somewhere I can have a publisher look at my novel for nothing?
  I've had good things said about it, and friends are saying I should get it published, but I don't know how to do it, or where to go. I don't want to spend too much money for someone to turn round and reject it.

Well Eileen, it's good that people are saying nice things. It's a great boost to your ego.

First off, don't ever think about paying to have your book published. The idea is that a publisher pushes money YOUR way, not the other way around. If anyone asks for money, it's a scam - run away. It should cost nothing

To ensure your work isn't tossed onto the slush-pile before it's been looked at, it must be presented in the most proficient way you can. Let the publisher understand they're dealing with a professional person and they're more likely to give you a chance. See my blog http://ajbarnett-story.blogspot.com/search/label/submission%20guidelines to get the standard way to present your manuscript. There's no certainty they'll look at it even then, but without, it will be tossed to one side.

You'll find a list of reputable publishers and agents in http://www.writersandartists.co.uk/ Just pick one to suit your genre. When you've selected an agent, or publisher (if you're sure they'll accept work without an agent), send a short, polite, letter of enquiry.

However, before you even THINK of sending the letter of inquiry, check your work again and again. Be certain you've tied all those loose ends, that your grammar is okay, and that you've polished your manuscript until it shines.

Then sit back and offer prayers.

• Next post http://ajbarnett-story.blogspot.com/2008/08/age-limit-publish-publishing.html

-----------------------------------------------------------------
To Write A Story - 20 Ways To Write A Story Better
20 Things You Should Know About How To Format A Book
Mastering Conflict In Your Story Characters