Interview with WriteNow participant Nels Abbey
WriteNow, Penguin Random House UK’s programme to find, mentor and publish new writers currently under-represented on the nation’s bookshelves, is back for 2017.
Tag: author
What’s it like to be an Unbound author?
What’s it like to be an Unbound author? Norah Myers interviews Jennifer Pierce to find out.
1) What appealed to you most about working with Unbound?
I like the idea of giving readers a say in what gets published.
When I first heard about Unbound, I thought that this method of publishing had a lot of potential for YA audiences. The YA marketing segment is largely made up of a generation that is even more connected than ever. They’re connecting with publishers, authors, and other readers to have conversations about books and publishing in social media spaces. Many of these readers run successful blogs and YouTube channels about books. These platforms give them an opportunity to share their thoughts about what they’re reading and what they want to read. There are so many new ways that readers can engage with literature, and this is a way of engaging with the publishing process itself.
I think it’s great that Unbound is using that engaging nature of social media to be more inclusive and allow anyone to become involved in the process, from selecting which books they want to see published, to gaining access to author updates, and receiving exclusive content or rewards for investing in projects. Additionally, Unbound functions as a traditional publisher once the crowdfunding phase is over–having marketing and editorial support from experienced industry professionals is a huge advantage as a debut author.
2) What’s been the most challenging part of the crowdfunding process?
This is my first experience with crowdfunding–it is much more of a roller coaster than I expected! Although being your own promoter is time-consuming and sometimes frustrating, the amount of support and encouragement I’ve had from family, friends, other Unbound authors, and even strangers has been incredible.
3) You hold an MA in Publishing. How has your knowledge of publishing helped you as an author?
My MA provided me with an overview of all aspects of the publishing process so I know what to expect going in as an author. My marketing class and work experience have been useful throughout the crowdfunding stage.
4) What advice would you give an American who would like to work with Unbound?
Go for it! Although Unbound and most of their authors are UK-based, don’t let geography limit you. Unbound has been doing amazing things lately as they grow their list and it’s a really exciting time to be an Unbound author.
Jennifer Pierce is a graduate of Oxford Brookes University’s Publishing MA and currently works as an Editorial Project Manager at Elsevier. Her debut Young Adult novel, Slow Motion is now crowdfunding with Unbound.
How to write a business book readers will come back to again and again
This is a guest post by Ginny Carter. Ginny is a business book ghostwriter, book writing coach, and author. She’s on a mission to transform entrepreneurs, coaches, and consultants from everyday experts into respected thought leaders and in-demand speakers, through the book that grows their reputation and expands their business.
A business book, like any other, isn’t a one way street; it’s a powerful communication tool. As such it needs both a talker and a listener.
In J.K. Rowling’s words: ‘No story lives unless someone wants to listen’.
As a business author, how can you make this happen? To answer this, we have to ask one further question:
1) What makes your book readable?
Is it what’s in the book, or what you say about it, or both? Let’s break it down so we can see the elements that need to be in place in order to create a book that’s read time and time again.
2) Your book’s got a big idea
Your business book needs to reflect that big ‘something’ you offer which is unique and effective, in the way that only you can do. Base it around that (and that alone), and your readers will want to listen.
3) You’re so passionate about your idea you’ve GOT to write a book about it
The most inspiring books – the ones we recommend to our friends and read over and over again – are the ones we can just tell the author was fizzing with excitement to write.
4) Your topic is a killer one
In order for your readers to choose to give up their precious time for your book, you need to be clear on the distinction between what they need to know and what they want to know. What they don’t want, they won’t buy. And what they don’t buy, they won’t be able to read.
You can still tell your readers what they need, but just make sure it’s written from the perspective of what they want to learn. Angle your content, title and marketing so it approaches it from the perspective of want, not need.
5) Your book is relevant and helpful for your readers
Again, a deceptively simple concept, and of special relevance if you’re basing your book or memoir on your own personal story.
Your own experiences are no doubt of huge value to your audience, but only if you approach them from the point of view of what your readers will learn, and not just from the perspective of your own life.
6) People know about your book
The biggie! You’ll notice I avoided using the ‘m’ word (‘marketing’, if you haven’t twigged). But that’s actually what I mean. Your story won’t live unless people listen to it, and if they don’t know it exists, their ears are closed.
Are you using all the channels available to you to get the word out there? Your social media profiles and content, website, email list, blog, interviews, joint ventures, Amazon keywords, and so on? Speaking is a brilliant way to bring your book to life, and you may be an established speaker already who’s using your book to gain you more gigs (and better paid ones at that).
I would so love for your business book to really live, and for that to happen it has to be written about the right thing, for the right people, in the right way.
Do you want to get seen, heard and hired with your own book? Claim your free guide How to Stand Out as an Expert With Your Own Book here: http://marketingtwentyone.co.uk/expert
The Lie Tree wins Costa Book of the Year 2015: Frances Hardinge interview
Frances Hardinge’s The Lie Tree is winner of the Costa Book of Year 2015 award. Here Laura Summers interviews Frances on the book and being a writer.
On crowdfunding your way to a publishing deal
This is a Guest Post by freelance writer and journalist, Sabuhi Gard. Here Sabuhi tells us about her experience crowdfunding for her debut children’s picture book, The Valentine’s Day Cat.
On writing, marketing and self-publishing: Julia Roberts interview
Julia Roberts is a TV presenter and author. Julia has been working for QVC since its launch in 1993 and had her first book, the memoir One Hundred Lengths of a Pool, was published by Random House in 2013. Earlier this year, Julia self-published her first novel, Life’s a Beach and Then …. This formed the first book in the Liberty Sands Trilogy and she is currently writing the second. Here Stephanie Cox interviews her about writing, marketing and self-publishing.
5 top tips for surviving as a freelance author
This is a guest post from Cath Senker, who has 25 years’ experience in publishing and has written more than 130 books for children of all ages. She specialises in history, global and social issues, world religions, human geography and environmental topics. Cath also undertakes all kinds of editorial work for publishers and academic institutions and teaches writing skills and English.
Quick quiz
Are you a freelance writer? How much did you make from your writing last year?
A Under £11,000
B About £11,000
C Over £11,000
If you answered A or B, you’re one of the majority of authors! Professional writers in the UK typically earn just £11,000 a year (ALCS, 2015). So how can you survive as a freelance author nowadays?
Publishing Trends: A Writer’s Perspective
Recently, I’ve been thinking a lot about ‘publishing trends.’ I wrote this piece on new adult lit and soon after attended a panel discussion organised by Children’s Book Circle on ‘Sick-Lit’ a publishing trend identified and bemoaned by The Daily Mail in this article.
A lot of things came up in the discussion but one of the best points was made by author Anthony McGowan. He shared how sceptical he was of trends in general as slapping a label on a group of books that have similar plots or themes deals only with concepts, not characters or writing. Trends mean that books that are widely different can get lumped together, which isn’t what good writing is about.
The first ELT Agent [INTERVIEW]
For anyone who has been reading my previous BookMachine posts you will notice that I’ve been writing a lot about people in the ELT industry. The last post looked at a group of ELT publishing specialists who have set up ‘ELT Teacher 2 Writer’ where teachers register to a database designed to help publishers find new authors and content. They also provide training and development opportunities for authors to help write their materials.
This time I interviewed Nick Robinson about being the first ELT Agent and how he set up his company ‘Nick Robinson ELT Author Representation’.
Help! I Need an Editor! [Nicola Morgan interview]
The relationship between an author and editor is a crucial one. If you get it right, it can help the whole publishing process. Here Becky Hearne interviews Nicola Morgan, author of around 90 books, to find out more.
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