The sure-fire way to getting your book published, according to one of UK’s top literary agents
bigissue.com – Sunday January 28, 2024
The saying goes ‘everyone has a book in them’, and these days it really is possible to get published as there are multiple routes to seeing your book in the shops.
The traditional way to get your book published is via a literary agent like myself, who’ll endeavour to find you a publisher. Then there’s the self-publishing route, which is becoming increasingly popular and gives you ultimate control of your publishing journey. If you self-publish on Amazon, eBook sales can also be far greater than sales of a physical book and financially very lucrative.
Reading is such a subjective business and the digital marketplace means that the traditional gatekeepers are no longer blocking the way to publication. There’s a wealth of information online and in publications such as The Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook, an excellent source of literary agents you can approach and what genres they represent, updated each year.
If you’re reading this, you may be in the process of writing a book or you have written a book and are trying to get published. Agents prefer writers to have completed a manuscript before they consider representation, but initially we’re only assessing the first three chapters and a pitch, so these need to give us a good sense of your story. If you’ve written a first draft and have read it out loud without wanting to skim any passages(!) then this is the time to start sending it out to agents, but research them carefully.
The key to finding a good match is by submitting to agents who represent authors writing in a similar space to you, or who are actively building their lists and are on the lookout for new talent. Are you able to list two or three established authors writing in a similar space? Successful writers tend to be avid readers with a greater sense of who they are writing for. Some have drawers full of unpublished short stories and manuscripts that never found a publisher, but no word is wasted… they were honing their craft.
New Publishing Imprint Listing: Roseway
firstwriter.com – Friday January 26, 2024
Publishes works of fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry, memoirs, biographies, and politically infused literary compositions. Publishes primarily for an adult audience but has occasionally published material for younger readers. Through diverse content, aims to spark critical thought and inclusively engage readers.
New Sci-Fi/Fantasy Publisher Gungnir Hopes to Hit Its Target
publishersweekly.com – Thursday January 25, 2024
Gungnir, a new sci-fi/fantasy publisher helmed by two comics veterans, will launch in April 2024.
In Norse mythology, Gungnir was the staff of the god Odin, which always hit its target. The name relates not only to the publisher’s sci-fi/fantasy orientation, the publisher said, but also to its ambition to foster a new creative ecosystem for writers and artists. The company has partnerships with Herø Projects, a creative studio headed by former Heavy Metal publisher Matthew Medney that will publish graphic novels through Gungnir, and Iconic Arts, a multimedia studio that will develop the properties for games, film, television, and more.
Gungnir plans to publish four to eight titles a year, primarily in the science fiction and fantasy categories, with a mix of graphic novels, prose novels, and art books. Distribution to the book channel is via Diamond Book Distributors, and Gungnir will publish digitally via Globalcomix.com and release audiobooks via Amazon’s Audible.
Marion Boyars Publishers acquired by Equinox Publishing
thebookseller.com – Thursday January 25, 2024
Marion Boyars Publishers and its food history and cookery imprint Prospect Books have been acquired by Equinox Publishing.
Marion Boyars was founded in 1975. Boyars’ daughter, Catheryn Kilgarriff, took over when Boyars died in 1999. Kilgarriff, who had been running the company single-handedly, is now retiring.
She said she was “delighted to have found such a good home for the ground-breaking Marion Boyars titles, the social science list which includes the works of Ivan Illich, and for the prestigious food history imprint, Prospect Books” adding "I am sure that Janet Joyce and her colleagues at Equinox Publishing will enjoy the future as these books find wider audiences".
New Magazine Listing: The Geographical Journal
firstwriter.com – Thursday January 25, 2024
Academic journal founded in 1893. In order to minimise environmental impact, online only from 2024.
New Literary Agent Listing: Nina Leon
firstwriter.com – Wednesday January 24, 2024
Knew from a young age that the magic and power of stories was something she would always need in her life. She now proudly champions authors whose magic shines through every story they write. Works closely with her clients from day one. Editorially focused, she enjoys the collaborative back and forth of polishing a manuscript before guiding clients through the publishing process. Believes that all voices have value and deserve to be heard.
New Publisher Listing: Kitchen Press
firstwriter.com – Tuesday January 23, 2024
Cookbook publisher founded in 2011. We work with food writers, chefs and restaurants throughout the UK. We take our food and drink seriously. Our aim is to publish the freshest food writing, with recipes that work and images that make you hungry.
How To Become A Published Writer
forbes.com – Sunday January 21, 2024
Becoming a published writer is difficult, but it’s definitely possible. From newspapers to magazines, there are plenty of places to pitch. And pitching is super competitive. Some journalists have decades of experience and are more likely to have pitches accepted than writers who haven’t been published.
Before you decide to email an editor, make sure you do your research to craft solid pitches. For people who’ve never pitched it can be severely disappointing. Out of my first one hundred pitches I got one response— and it was a yes. If I had given up after my initial ninety nine rejections I wouldn’t be writing for this publication today.
So, before you throw in the towel, think about all of the possibility. The possibility of getting published. The possibility of writing such powerful words that you move the masses. The possibility of writing for prominent publications for the rest of your life. If I can give any advice on pitching it’s this— don’t stop pitching. Are you interested in becoming a published writer? Here are a few tips.
New Literary Agent Listing: Lynette Eason
firstwriter.com – Friday January 19, 2024
I am looking for Christian authors wishing to write and sell to the Christian market. This means that I’m searching for clients who adhere to the teachings of Christ and Scripture. I’m looking to represent authors of all types of Christian fiction. I’m also interested in YA nonfiction and may be interested in some adult nonfiction, depending on the topic. I am not looking for children’s books.
Influx Press ends acquisitions hiatus
thebookseller.com – Friday January 19, 2024
Independent publisher Influx Press has ended its acquisitions hiatus, with several new titles scheduled for 2024 and a plan to resume full operations by 2025.
Co-founders Kit Caless and Gary Budden founded Influx Press in 2011, seeing significant success with the James Tait Black-winning Attrib. by Eley Williams in 2017, Eliza Clark’s Boy Parts in 2020, and Percival Everett’s Booker Prize-shortlisted The Trees in 2022.
Caless is stepping back from day-to-day operations to pursue academic interests, but will remain on board as editor-at-large.
Budden will be spearheading a new list and new direction for the press. He said: “I’m delighted to have made the decision to continue Influx, after a necessary period of rest and reflection deciding the future direction we wanted to take the press in. I am very excited about our 2024 titles and to be continuing our commitment to publishing bold and innovative literature."
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