Synopses & Reviews
Learn to:- Craft a winning manuscript
- Troubleshoot and edit your work
- Prepare your manuscript for publication
- Find a good agent to represent you
- Negotiate the best possible deal
Turn your aspiration into reality with this completely updated guide
If you’ve always wanted to write that great novel, but never knew where to start, look no further! With a published author advising you on how to write well and a literary agent providing insight into getting a publishing deal, this updated guide gives you the inside track on the art and science of breaking into the fiction-publishing industry. Taking you step by step from concept to contract, this book provides the tools you need to tell your story with skill and approach agents and publishers with confidence.
- Dive in — check out how to combine your natural talent with the writing techniques used by successful authors
- Establish a firm foundation — construct your basic story, plot and structure
- Examine the key elements — create characters, develop dialogue, explore relationships and insert conflict
- Fine-tune and finish up — discover tips on adding detail, creativity and flair while bringing your work to a close
- Get published — take the next step by weighing up your publishing options, working with agents and negotiating deals
- Find out more — check out additional advice, like the most common mistakes you need to avoid, and tips from published authors
Open the book and find:
- Tips for getting started
- Creative ways to develop plots, storylines, characters and dialogue
- The seven basic stories and how to put them to work
- Tricks for crafting a great ending to your novel
- How to prepare your manuscript for editing and publishing
- The lowdown on the business side of publishing
Synopsis
Turn your aspirations into reality.
Want to take that idea or rough draft and turn it into a brilliant novel? Writing a Novel & Getting Published For Dummies, 2nd Edition, provides you with concept-to-contract advice you need to get it done. Our author team — a creative writing lecturer (and published author) and a top literary agent — provide you with the tools to tell your story with skill and the industry advice you need to approach agents and publishers with confidence.
Thoroughly updated to provide an overview of a changing industry, Writing a Novel & Getting Published For Dummies, 2nd Edition, also provides timely advice on digital- and self-publishing options available to authors while focusing on the importance of a well-crafted manuscript.
Discover how to:
- Find a good agent
- Prepare for publication
- Trouble-shoot and edit your work
- Self-publish
- Negotiate a deal
About the Author
George Green is a senior lecturer in creative writing at Lancaster University and the author of two novels. Lizzy Kremer is an agent at David Higham Associates, one of the UK’s leading literary agencies.
Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Part I: Getting Started with Writing a Novel and Getting Published 5
Chapter 1: Entering the Writer’s World 7
Chapter 2: Meshing Your Talent and Technique 13
Chapter 3: Getting to the Writing 19
Part II: Building from the Basics 35
Chapter 4: Following the Hero’s Journey 37
Chapter 5: Scheming and Plot ting: Using Stories 47
Chapter 6: Considering the Grand Concept 59
Chapter 7: Structuring the Story 67
Part III: Examining the Elements 81
Chapter 8: Creating Characters 83
Chapter 9: Exploring Relationships 105
Chapter 10: Talking about Dialogue 113
Chapter 11: Including Conflict 129
Part IV: Fine-tuning and Finishing Up 141
Chapter 12: Adding Depth and Detail 143
Chapter 13: Getting Creative 153
Chapter 14: Ending and Editing 163
Part V: Publishing 181
Chapter 15: Publishing Your Novel 183
Chapter 16: Finding an Agent 199
Chapter 17: Preparing for Publication 223
Chapter 18: Coping with the Business Side of Being an Author 237
Chapter 19: Taking Control: Self-Publishing 249
Part VI: The Part of Tens 279
Chapter 20: Ten Top Tips for Writers 281
Chapter 21: Ten Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them 289
Chapter 22: (Answers to) Ten Questions Put to Agents 293
Chapter 23: Ten Tips from Published Authors 299
Index 303