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Creative writing

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No idea where to start

5 replies

Iamme2023 · 26/10/2023 08:34

My teenage daughter has been writing as long as she could but over the last few years she's started writing novels, she's currently on book 4 of a 7 book series.
She keeps asking me to see if we can get it published but I have absolutely no idea how to go about this. I know the chance is slim but I've read the first book and it is good so I want to give her a chance.
Any hints tip or suggestions very gratefully received

OP posts:
AnotherCoolName · 26/10/2023 20:48

There is an amazing FB group called 20booksto50k - check it out.

therouge · 30/10/2023 12:37

She can try and get an agent, no reason not to at least give it a go! Normally with fiction you need to have finished the book, which she's done. Start thinking about how the book would be situated in the market - what comparable titles are out there, who would read it? Then look at the agents that are representing this kind of stuff, and go to their sites and find out whether they're open to submissions at the moment and, if so, what information they need. Some will want an overview and a few chapters, some will want something different. Don't try and deviate from what they've asked for because you'll just get chucked to the bottom of the pile. Query a lot of agents - it will be work and take time but once you've got one then they can help to refine it all to submit to publishers.

Loads of useful info out there on blogs and other writing sites, just start googling how to get an agent and follow the breadcrumbs.

Midwinterblues · 30/10/2023 13:03

You need ‘The Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook’ comes out every year (in July) - it’s a red book (Children’s edition in green, ie writing books for children). It tells you everything you need to know and is invaluable. There are articles by writers, editors, agents etc and lists of agents, publishers, prizes etc. Start there - you can buy it from bookshops or borrow from a library.
NB getting an agent is the first step, it isn’t easy though. Good luck!

Drinagh · 01/11/2023 08:50

It sounds to me as if she's missing the bit about trying to get it published! (Or is that what you mean she means?) Has anyone else read her work? Does she belong to a young people's writing workshop or has she attended any writing events aimed at her age group? Does she self-edit intensively?

Obviously, she can self-publish, very easily, otherwise, if she wants to try to get an agent, she needs to revise and revise and revise the first novel in her series, research agents as @therouge and @Midwinterblues have explained, and do exactly what each agent wants as a submission package. I would also make sure she's aware of how difficult this process is.

Iamme2023 · 01/11/2023 20:00

Hi thanks for the advice
she has edited her first book lots, I have told her it's not that simple to get it published and we might not be able to but she really wants to try.
She doesn't belong to any writing groups as she has so many other activities she can't fit them in
Apart from me the only other person beside her friends to read her 1st book is her English teacher and she phoned me to tell me she was amazed as it was really good.

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