As an editor, part of my job is to send authors feedback on their novels and let them know what I think is working well, and what perhaps needs a little more work. As a writer now too, I’ve also experienced this from the other side and I wanted to do a quick post about… Continue reading Responding to edits on your book
Restructuring your novel
Someone on Facebook recently posted to ask me about how to restructure an entire book if it needs a bit of an overhaul. This is something I work with authors on at Avon, and it’s also something I had to do for my own book, so I do have a few tips on the best… Continue reading Restructuring your novel
On being kind to each other
I recently had a bit of an odd experience in an author Facebook group, and it got me thinking about the wider writing community. I suppose I have been lucky – this was the first time I’d ever been subjected to online hate, and let me tell you, it wasn’t a picnic in the park!… Continue reading On being kind to each other
Writing a first draft
I had someone ask a question recently about how to write a first draft and thought I'd do a blog post on this. The short answer is: you just have to write it! That's not the most helpful piece of advice in the world, but it is the truth. Writing out that first draft can… Continue reading Writing a first draft
Writing a Synopsis
When I first started trying to write, I spent ages agonizing over how to craft a good synopsis to send to literary agents. It was before I worked in fiction publishing, so I didn't have as much knowledge about how it all worked as I do now. But after a question from the lovely Rae… Continue reading Writing a Synopsis
Happy new year!
I wanted to just say a huge thank you to everybody who has been following along with my little blog so far - it's been a lot of fun writing about the publishing world and I hope to do more in 2018! This year has been a very exciting one book-wise, and The Doll House… Continue reading Happy new year!
Digital-first vs paperback publishing
As some of you might know, I am a big fan of digital publishing - my Kindle is my prized possession, it goes everywhere with me and the day my old one broke was a very dark day indeed (luckily, I got a new one WITH A BACKLIGHT)! As a commissioning editor, I have to… Continue reading Digital-first vs paperback publishing
Plotting vs winging it
Whenever I speak to other writers, one of the things I'm always endlessly curious about is whether they plot out every stage of their novel, or simply start writing and see where the book takes them. I'm definitely in the latter camp, although I did try to plot as much as I could for my… Continue reading Plotting vs winging it
Your publisher’s decisions
Signing with a publishing house is undoubtedly a very exciting experience, but it can also come with a side of confusion, especially for debut authors. It can be hard to let your work go, because you’ve worked on it so hard and up until now, you’ve been in control (perhaps with your agent too). I… Continue reading Your publisher’s decisions
The 2018 First Novel Prize
I'm really honoured to have been asked to judge the 2018 First Novel Prize next year alongside literary agent and author Sam Copeland. Sam and I will be reading manuscripts next summer and entries open in February 2018, so if you are an unpublished or self published writer (i.e. you own the rights to your… Continue reading The 2018 First Novel Prize
Self-publishing vs traditional: author interview with Mel Sherratt
I'm so delighted to be hosting the wonderful writer Mel Sherratt on the blog today. I've had quite a few people asking me about self-publishing over on Facebook, and because my experience is only in traditional I decided I needed a bit of an expert to step in, and Mel very kindly agreed to answer… Continue reading Self-publishing vs traditional: author interview with Mel Sherratt
Managing your writing time
One of the things people ask me quite often is about time - how there's time to write, especially when you have a full time job/several other jobs/children or a family to look after. I don't have kids so I can't currently comment on that, but I will say that I have the utmost respect… Continue reading Managing your writing time
My reads of 2017
As Christmas approaches (who am I kidding, in publishing Christmas pretty much begins in July!) I've been thinking about all the books I've read over the year, and what my favourites are - the ones I'd recommend to everybody, the ones I'll be wrapping up and putting under the tree. With my job as a… Continue reading My reads of 2017
Halloween giveaway!
The lovely folks over at With Love for Books are hosting a guest post from me, all about what Halloween means to me. They're also giving away a free bound copy of The Doll House, plus some Halloween sweets that I will send to the winner! If you want to check it out, and see… Continue reading Halloween giveaway!
Dealing with rejection
One of the things that crops up again and again when speaking to writers is the idea of rejection. Hand on heart, I don't think I know a single author who has not been rejected in some shape or form, so believe me when I say it is not uncommon and you are NOT alone!… Continue reading Dealing with rejection
Phoebe Morgan 