Swimming the Savage Waters of Publishers and Sharks

A couple of weeks ago I attended a book launch for an author who was presenting her first novel, a romance.  Although this is not a genre I would normally choose, I finished reading it over the weekend.

 

At the launch the author asked us to excuse her nerves, this was her first book and everything was new to her. I know how hard it is to stand in front of strangers, friends and relatives to talk about your first novel. To help the gathering move along, I asked some of the questions other people had asked me at my first launch. I was keen to hear her tell us about her process of writing a long work.

Listening to her discuss publishing I wanted to know more. As someone who had hawked his novel, Kundela, to mainstream Australian publishers through their numerous e-mail slush piles without luck. I wanted to know how, as an unknown author, they were able to get their book into print. The writer said that although she had approached  a few Australian publishers, all of them had knocked the manuscript back. I probed a bit more and the author disclosed she had no trouble finding an American publisher to help her to get her manuscript into print. I later checked the publisher's website and deduced that theirs is a more of a printing service, similar to the many who flood my inbox with offers to publish at a price.

I asked about the process of preparing the manuscript for printing in particular the pressure an author faces when receiving back recommendations after the copy editing. The author explained that the publisher's editor was pleased with the manuscript as it stood and said it only required a small number of changes. The author went on to praise the editor who helped with some punctuation and a few minor points. This surprised me as I know from the edits of my first book just how much work goes in to keeping a story tight and pacing the flow of the story. The group learnt that the publisher led the author to believe this novel would be in bookstores around the world, but to date this is not the case.  This has left them feeling disappointed and more than a little deflated. Knowing the marketing of the book is now up to them, I sense they have a tough road ahead.

I purchased a copy, as I do at book launches, and set about reading it. The first few sentences set the tone for the rest of the book. Unfortunately this writer had chosen a publisher who, in my opinion, was mainly interested in taking their money and played to a novice writer's vanity. I found the text very flowery, and that may be the way of romance novels, but her overuse of adjectives made it difficult to read. The formatting confused the dialogue, I was often lost as to who was speaking and where. The basic story structure was okay, but a the writer had employed a lot of characters who had several different names. This made the story hard to follow, it often confused me as to just who was doing or saying what, and when.

The storyline was good and subplots added to the intrigue, however the overuse of description and stilted dialogue ruined the telling of the tale. I am convinced this writer has a great ability to tell a story but would find the next book easier to write when they gain some more skills to hone their craft.

This novel is one that needs a good copy edit, and the value of copy editing is something every novice writer needs to be aware of. Finding a copy editor who is not only qualified but respected  to help ready your work for publishing is essential.  Unfortunately this editor has failed both the author, and the story on this occasion.

Since beginning to write I have found there are two parts to remember when writing. One is the creative side where you let ideas flow and the other is the skilled part where you frame the story into an easy to read document. These skills can be learnt by attending workshops or writing groups, and then applying these new found skills to your writing process. Over time you learn to edit and tighten your prose as you type. Things become a habit, and in the end these hard won lessons reduce the amount of editing required. 

I know the publishers slush piles are deep, and after having a silent response to my manuscript I self published Kundela. However I was fortunate, I did it with the help and knowledge from others. I had support of like minded writers who steered me past the pitfalls. Sure I was tempted to go with one of several online publishing houses, all making promises to make me an overnight writing sensation, but sanity and guidance prevailed.

 

Sometimes it is too easy to fall for the overseas caller's spiel and go with one of these publishers. However if this regency romance is evidence to the quality of their copy editing, then this writer has been duped and I feel sorry for them. Again I must say I was tempted to travel the same path. Calls from America to check on my progress played to my ego and made me feel important. I am glad I resisted.

 

Through my local writing group I was able to gain an insight into what is required  of an author when writing. By attending a Longitudinal Writing Workshop presented by Merlene Fawdry, I came to understand what would be required if I wanted to get my story into print. Critiquing groups like ours can be hard on your ego, but you learn a lot from your fellows too, and all of our members are at different stages of their writing careers too.

As for me, I will now have to read another bloody romance novel to see if they are all the same, and if so, I’ll need to retract some of these comments.

 

Writers looking for help with their writing, wanting to get published or need a copy editor, you can find my more than capable copy editor, Merlene Fawdry by visiting her website: http://merlenefawdry.blogspot.com.au/ 

Click on the link now to find excellent information and links to all things writing.