Today we are joined by the internationally bestselling author Kerry Fisher to hear her insights into this tricky business of publishing, how to get your foot in the door and make it stay there. Read on for her six top tips…<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019re going to have to back yourself long before anyone else does. That means you have to take your writing seriously because, at first, no one else will. (I\u2019ve been published for 12 years, and people are still puzzled that I\u2019m not free to meet up during the day because I have a book to write\u2026) Stop waiting for the perfect moment to begin \u2013 you really don\u2019t need a new notebook, desk or summerhouse. Give yourself a word target \u2013 two, three, five hundred words a day. Set a timer for twenty-five minutes and write without stopping to check anything. Opinions differ but, for me, a detailed plan saves a lot of time in the long run. If you\u2019re not a plotter, at least write a list of fifteen things that have to happen in your book to give yourself a framework.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s human nature to want to hear, \u2018Work of brilliance, nothing needs doing\u2019 but feedback doesn\u2019t stop once you get published \u2013 if anything it increases as your editor\/copyeditor will work with you to make the book the best it can be. That doesn\u2019t mean you have to accept every comment from your mum, friend, writing group or even manuscript critique, agent or editor. But you do need to be open to listening to suggestions. Ask yourself if there\u2019s any merit in what they\u2019re saying. Your gut will probably recognise when a criticism is valid even if your brain is saying, NOOOOO, that\u2019s so much work to put right!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The initial enthusiasm has worn off, the end seems a long way away, doubts start to crowd in. Write the scenes further along the line that you\u2019re excited about and fill in the gaps later. Brainstorm with other writers. Read what you\u2019ve written from the beginning \u2013 sometimes you\u2019ll be surprised by how good some of it is! Make notes about what needs to change, expand or improve. Often the writing goes flat because there\u2019s not enough conflict. What can you do to increase the stakes for your characters?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Be punctual, hit your deadlines, be polite, say thank you but don\u2019t be a pushover. Opinions vary on this but I think it\u2019s perfectly reasonable to ask an agent who\u2019s requested a full manuscript for a likely timeframe for a response. If you are offered a publishing contract, try to pin down key dates for the editorial schedule up front. I\u2019m published by Bookouture – my editor and I agree everything from first manuscript delivery to proofread dates before I write a word. It\u2019s not pushy, it\u2019s professional \u2013 no book is going to benefit from the stress of edits turning up out of the blue the day before you go on holiday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s nothing quite like seeing your book in on the shelves in a supermarket or bookshop \u2013 glorious feeling! But do not dismiss digital-first (ebook) publishers such as Bookouture, Boldwood, Storm, Canelo and Joffe. You can submit directly without an agent and although most don\u2019t pay advances, the royalties are usually much higher than a traditional deal. It\u2019s a great option if you write quickly because the time between manuscript delivery to publication tends to be much shorter than in traditional publishing. And if you do exceptionally well, some digital-first publishers will also do a print run and try to get physical copies into shops (not guaranteed for anyone, even traditionally published authors).<\/p>\n\n\n\n