These days, all writers need to know who their potential readers might be, or at least to hope they have some potential readers. A good way to find out is to generate your own publicity material, and one new method that's catching on fast is the publicity trailer, which might end up opening up a whole new raft (can you open a raft?) of opportunities for wannabe actors as well as established ones.
It's soon going to be imperative that all novelists know people who can make short films and get those short fims in front of potential readers via the web.
Gemma Burgess, a writer of women's fiction, has blogged about her experiences making a trailer on this link: bookbrunch.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5732&Itemid=117 and she tells me she's definitely going to make a trailer for her second novel, because since making her first trailer her sales have spiked rapidly.
So yes, good plan, might not be possible in all cases, though - my own new novel is set during WW1 and I'm not too confident about turning my back garden into a representation of the Western Front.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Pitching your book to publishers - big success story
It's so difficult, or make that nigh on impossible, to get a publisher interested in a book by an unknown author - isn't it? Well, not always! Jackie McGregor had a great idea, pitched it to independent publisher Accent Press, and it was snapped up straight away.
As the primary carer for her parents, who both developed Alzheimer's, raising money for Alzheimer's charities is a cause close to Jackie's heart. Many Alzheimer's victims respond positively to music, so Jackie hit on the plan of asking well known people to tell her about their favourite music and what it means to them. She now has a great collection of quotes, her book They Can't Take That Away From Me will be published next year, and it should raise lots of money for Alzheimer's charities.
There's an article about Jackie and her work in today's Woman's Own.
So, if you have a good idea for a book, if you have faith, vision and determination, get out there and start pitching - it can be done!
As the primary carer for her parents, who both developed Alzheimer's, raising money for Alzheimer's charities is a cause close to Jackie's heart. Many Alzheimer's victims respond positively to music, so Jackie hit on the plan of asking well known people to tell her about their favourite music and what it means to them. She now has a great collection of quotes, her book They Can't Take That Away From Me will be published next year, and it should raise lots of money for Alzheimer's charities.
There's an article about Jackie and her work in today's Woman's Own.
So, if you have a good idea for a book, if you have faith, vision and determination, get out there and start pitching - it can be done!
Monday, June 14, 2010
Exeter Writers - short story competition results
The results of the Exeter Writers short story competition 2010 are now on the Exeter Writers website at www.exeterwriters.org.uk. Many congratulations to first prize winner Rowena Macdonald - and to all the runners up!
You can read Rowena's winning story on the on the website now.
You can read Rowena's winning story on the on the website now.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Sunshine
Hurrah, the sun came out for five minutes this morning, so I rushed outside and took a photograph of my garden, just so that I could be sure summer happened this year. Well, sort of happened...
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Creative Writing Course - Exeter
Sophie King, published novelist, journalist and author of many short stories for magazines, is offering a course in creative writing at the Exeter Phoenix Centre in September. Sophie's approach to teaching is down to earth, friendly and accessible. She's a very experienced tutor and a successful writer herself, so she knows what she's talking about!
To book a place on Sophie's course, ring either 07810 480995, or the box office at the Phoenix, on 01392 667080
To book a place on Sophie's course, ring either 07810 480995, or the box office at the Phoenix, on 01392 667080
Monday, June 7, 2010
Winter again
Hmm, looked out of my bedroom window this morning to see summer has packed its bags and gone to Tahiti, and winter has returned in the form of pouring rain and howling gales. My tomato plants look distinctly hacked off.
I blame the people who bought sundresses and sparkly sandals last week. You know who you are!
But the wintry conditions in Exeter meant I had a good excuse to meet up with my writing friends Linda Mitchelmore and Sophie King for a warming lunch and gossip in Strada. So mustn't grumble, eh?
I blame the people who bought sundresses and sparkly sandals last week. You know who you are!
But the wintry conditions in Exeter meant I had a good excuse to meet up with my writing friends Linda Mitchelmore and Sophie King for a warming lunch and gossip in Strada. So mustn't grumble, eh?
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Gorgeous June and Gorgeous Vampires
Where is summer, then? It's not doing very well so far, is it? I live at the seaside, and I needed a padded jacket and winter boots on the beach today.
Today, I asked an editor if the Vampire Craze was over, and she said NO!!! She said she was desperate for a paranormal novel which would take the genre to the next level, wherever that might be.
So, unlike June, vampires and werewolves, or their next generation incarnations anyway, are still hot, hot, hot.
Today, I asked an editor if the Vampire Craze was over, and she said NO!!! She said she was desperate for a paranormal novel which would take the genre to the next level, wherever that might be.
So, unlike June, vampires and werewolves, or their next generation incarnations anyway, are still hot, hot, hot.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)