FAQ - Writing & Publishing
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I often get asked about my writing journey and how I got published, so I thought it would be useful to collate all that information into one handy page.
I only mention resources I've personally used (although it was a while ago). |
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I want to write a novel - where do I start?
An idea of what you want to write is helpful, but not essential.
Check out Writers' HQ. They have both free and paid courses that will help you with everything from coming up with ideas, writing great characters, to plotting your novel and getting down to write it.
They take an irreverent approach and are rather sweary, so if that's not your sort of thing, give them a pass.
I have a first draft - now what?
You need to learn how to edit and that's a skill in itself. Check out Jericho Writers Self-Edit course. It’s excellent and Debi Alper and Emma Darwin are excellent, experienced teachers . Their publishing success record for alum students is seriously impressive.
How do I get an agent?
Welcome to the world of agent querying. Jericho Writers Agent Match is an incredibly useful search engine which helps you narrow down agents by categories including genre, location and preferences.
Should I go the traditional or self-publishing route?
It’s a personal choice and one that has a lot of different factors. There are pros and cons for both.
How did you get published?
I went the traditional publishing route for The Choice, so I don't have any experience with self-publishing but I do know self-publishing can be a faster process and there's much more in your control. At the same time you have to do a lot yourself or pay others to do work like editing, proofreading and cover design.
How long will it take?
It took me seven years to go from initial idea to published book. Obviously it's different for everyone. I spent four years learning how to write and edit. A year and a half querying agents with no success, then I won the Good Housekeeping Novel Competition. After that it was just under a year and a half from signing my deal with Orion to publication day for The Choice.
I learnt a lot along the way and had to invest time and money to reach the standard needed to get published. There was a lot of work involved and it wasn't always easy, but I'm so glad I did.
I made my lifelong dream come true.
I hope you do too.
Good luck!
Claire
Still got questions?
If you have any other writing or publishing related questions, then book a one-to-one session with me. Find out more and get in touch here...
An idea of what you want to write is helpful, but not essential.
Check out Writers' HQ. They have both free and paid courses that will help you with everything from coming up with ideas, writing great characters, to plotting your novel and getting down to write it.
They take an irreverent approach and are rather sweary, so if that's not your sort of thing, give them a pass.
I have a first draft - now what?
You need to learn how to edit and that's a skill in itself. Check out Jericho Writers Self-Edit course. It’s excellent and Debi Alper and Emma Darwin are excellent, experienced teachers . Their publishing success record for alum students is seriously impressive.
How do I get an agent?
Welcome to the world of agent querying. Jericho Writers Agent Match is an incredibly useful search engine which helps you narrow down agents by categories including genre, location and preferences.
Should I go the traditional or self-publishing route?
It’s a personal choice and one that has a lot of different factors. There are pros and cons for both.
How did you get published?
I went the traditional publishing route for The Choice, so I don't have any experience with self-publishing but I do know self-publishing can be a faster process and there's much more in your control. At the same time you have to do a lot yourself or pay others to do work like editing, proofreading and cover design.
How long will it take?
It took me seven years to go from initial idea to published book. Obviously it's different for everyone. I spent four years learning how to write and edit. A year and a half querying agents with no success, then I won the Good Housekeeping Novel Competition. After that it was just under a year and a half from signing my deal with Orion to publication day for The Choice.
I learnt a lot along the way and had to invest time and money to reach the standard needed to get published. There was a lot of work involved and it wasn't always easy, but I'm so glad I did.
I made my lifelong dream come true.
I hope you do too.
Good luck!
Claire
Still got questions?
If you have any other writing or publishing related questions, then book a one-to-one session with me. Find out more and get in touch here...