This year I got my first ever American book deal. It was for my fourth novel, The Wild Girls, and I had convinced myself that it was never going to happen to the extent that over Christmas I had genuinely forgotten about the submission. We'd had interest in November time, but what with the world… Continue reading On persistence
Category: editorial
What editors worry about…
I was talking to one of my authors last week and she said she couldn't believe that book editors also worry about things - we likely all know that authors do worry about the publishing process, understandably so, as they are giving over their work to a publishing house and essentially relinquishing a lot of… Continue reading What editors worry about…
On submissions…
I thought I'd write a bit about submissions, after an interesting article in the Bookseller the other day. Starting with the basics, what IS a submission? (Most people reading this might know, but I actually don't think everyone does - nor should they!) Submissions are what editors call unpublished manuscripts that are sent to them… Continue reading On submissions…
Why your ‘hook’ matters in commercial fiction
The question I probably get asked the most at work about the books I am publishing is, 'what's the hook?' It's the question that I think about when I am reading submissions, when I'm looking at competitor titles, and when I'm talking to authors and agents about their upcoming works. So, what is a hook… Continue reading Why your ‘hook’ matters in commercial fiction
A day in the life of an editor
As part of continued attempts to de-mystify the publishing process I thought I'd write about a typical day as an editor, inspired by Juliet's brilliant post about her day as a literary agent. The wonderful thing about working in books is that each day is genuinely different, and working across a range of titles and… Continue reading A day in the life of an editor
What it’s really like to change publisher partway through your career
When you're first starting out as an author, all you want is to get a publishing deal. I know - I've been there! But what happens if, a few books down the line, you decide you need a change? There are a myriad of reasons why an author might move publisher partway through their career… Continue reading What it’s really like to change publisher partway through your career
Virtual Book Events in 2020
So for fairly obvious reasons, very sadly a lot of the festivals I was looking forward to taking part in this year have been cancelled. I feel so badly for all the amazing organisers who had worked so hard to set them up - but just think how much fun we will all have when… Continue reading Virtual Book Events in 2020
The editing process – how it REALLY works!
The editing process: interview with Abigail Dean and Phoebe Morgan Abigail Dean is the author of Girl A, which will be published by HarperFiction in 2021. I am Abby's editor at HarperCollins and the author of three psychological thrillers, published by HQ. Abby and I have been discussing the idea of doing a blog post… Continue reading The editing process – how it REALLY works!
Book events in 2020
This year I am looking forward to speaking at several literary events and festivals, and have listed them all here in case anybody wants to come along (also for myself, so that I don't forget to go...) Guernsey Literary Festival 2020: 2nd May, Getting Published: a panel discussion. This will run from 4-5pm and will… Continue reading Book events in 2020
Introducing…The Babysitter
This week I revealed the cover of my third book, The Babysitter, over on Twitter and have had such a lovely response! Thank you so much to everybody who has shared it, it really does mean the world. This is actually my favourite jacket of my three novels - designed by the brilliant Anna Sikorska… Continue reading Introducing…The Babysitter
How to get a literary agent
I thought I'd written a post on this before but somebody asked me about it the other day and I realised I hadn't! I've written about how an agent can help you and how I got my own agent but I thought it'd be helpful for me to write a more general post about the… Continue reading How to get a literary agent
Pitch your book to an editor!
Happy Sunday everyone! Just a quick note to say that myself and my brilliant editor Charlotte Mursell (who works at HQ Stories, HarperCollins) are going to be taking part in a pitching session at Retreats For You writing retreat down in Sheepwash, Devon, on the weekend of 9th/10th March 2019. We will be giving advice on… Continue reading Pitch your book to an editor!
To agent or not to agent
One of the things people sometimes email me about is getting a literary agent, and whether or not they should. Nowadays, with so many new publishers doing exciting things and the self-publishing industry booming too, I can completely understand why you might feel as though you don't need an agent. However - and this is… Continue reading To agent or not to agent
Upcoming book events!
I am speaking at a couple of literary festivals this summer which I'm very excited about! I am also running a workshop on writing a psychological thriller on September 15th at the Chiswick Book Festival, so if you think you have a novel in you, please do come along! Tickets here (booking advisable). For those… Continue reading Upcoming book events!
A day in the life of an Editorial Assistant
This week, I am pleased to bring you a second 'day in the life of' post, this time featuring the lovely Molly Walker-Sharp, editorial assistant at Avon HarperCollins. Being an editorial assistant really is such a vital job - she holds our team together - and it's the first step on the ladder for lots… Continue reading A day in the life of an Editorial Assistant
Phoebe Morgan 