DEMON STRIKE by author ANDREW NEWBOUND

How to get published

2010-03-21T02:57:00.000-07:00

One of the first things people often ask me is, 'how hard was it to get published?'

Well, it took me over 25 years of trying, so I guess it ws quite difficulty, but it wasn't hard to find a publisher/agent for Demon Strike. In fact that was quite easy. How? Why? Well, let me tell you...

If you can write, the hardest part about finding an agent or publisher is getting noticed, and getting read.

My agent recently told me she receives over 100 submissions each week. Now, getting through that lot (known in the trade as the 'slush' pile) has to be challenging and I think it's fair to assume that not every submission an agent or a publisher receives will get read. Not in full, at least.

And this is the crux of the issue. Agents and publishers tend to know exactly what they're looking for and if they don't find it as soon as they delve into your submission, you're history.

I once read that they only read the first five pages. Horlicks!! I reckon many agents and publishers only read the FIRST page. And if you don't grip them or give them the flavour of what they want, your work is OUTA there!!! Disappointing? Frustrating? You betchya; but often true.

So, what can you do? Easy! Make your first page, the best page in your book. Make it exciting, gripping, engaging and dramatic. Create an unavoidable hook that makes everyone want to read on. And then roll that out across the next five pages. If you do, they'll read on, and if you can keep it going throughout the entire chapter, you're in. Common sense really, isn't it?

There's a bit more to it than that. You've gotta write with flavour, with colour and with layers, but I'll come onto that in later posts. What you've really gotta do, is make that first page and first chapter the very best it can be.

So, if you're currently thinking of submittig to an agent or publisher, go back to your MS and start reviewing it. Polish that first page and chapter until it gleams. Hope that helps a little.

Next, I'll talk about your submissions letter. That's almost as important.

Later!

Demon Strike Book Launch - the aftermath

2010-03-19T13:59:00.001-07:00

Amazing! That's the only word I can use to describe the official launch night of Demon Strike.

Waterstone's was jam-packed with so many familiar faces, and almost as many unfamiliar faces too. Everyone gave me and the book their best wishes and then went and bought every single copy Waterstone's had in stock. They also bought my own personal copy (you're welcome, Clare) and placed orders for almost as many books again.

At last count, I think nearly 100 were sold.

Made some fantastic new friends too, and I've had requests for school and library visits dropping into my email box ALL day. Seriously!! And that's wonderful.

Just as good, Waterstone's have asked me to return on a Saturday afternoon soon to do a public signing session in-store. Now that's fantastic.

Had a lovely greek meal with my family and editor afterwards too. Great times:)

So it's all good and we're on the up!!

Watch our for pictures being posted any day soon, and perhaps a video. Oh, and you know how people say that the camera adds around a stone? Well, it's not true - it adds 5 STONE. I am not THAT porky!!! Am I??

Official Book Launch

2010-03-18T07:01:00.000-07:00

Well, today's the day of the Official Demon Strike Book Launch at Waterstone's bookshop in Doncaster.

If you're local, pop along and have a chat. If you're not, keep checking back in the next day or two for photos and updates.

So, am I nervous. Yhep, a little. This is my first (of many, hopefully) book launch and I'm not sure what to expect, or do. Guess I'll be making a little speech (GULP!!) and reading from the book.

After that, what? Mingling, chatting, signing books?

Shouldn't worry; everyone who's coming is a friend or colleague, so it should be fun. Then out for dinner with my editor after. Perhaps we can talk about my next book :)

Author of the Week. Moi?

2010-03-14T10:26:00.001-07:00

At least my publisher knows a good thing when it spots one. Guess who's Author of the Week with Book of the Moment. Me, of course!! Check it out right here - http://www.doublecluck.com/home

Can you 'learn' how to write?

2010-03-14T05:38:00.000-07:00

Hmmm, can you learn how to write? Well, you can certainly be taught how to put words in the right order, be given the the rules of grammar, and let then loose on a blank sheet of paper. But does this mean you'll be equipped to write a novel, and get published. Sadly, no.

Personally, I think you have to have a degree of ingrained ability. It has to come naturally. But you can certainly add polish.

Working as an advertising copywriter helped me. I learned how to make my sentences shorter and punchier. I learned the value of structuring my work and planning ahead. And I learned how to use words and phrases in their most powerful way; economically too. So, do I recommend everyone learns the craft of copywriting. Well, it would certainly help. But it may not be practical.

Instead, just follow a few certain rules. Try keeping your sentences short. If you're fond of using commas, see how many you can replace with full stops. Use the same rule with paragraphs - try inserting line breaks wherever possible.

And when crafting your dialogue, really try to write as people talk.

Oh, and remember, you CAN start your sentences with the words And, But and even Because. And nobody is going to kill you if you have a one word sentence. Really! See.

It all adds punch to your writing, helps you craft readable prose, and in my case, it helped me find a tone of voice that I was comfortable with.

I know this all probably sounds really light and you were expecting some blinding revelation that would change your work forever. Well, for some of you, this may be enough. It certainly worked for me.

Actually, I'm not being entirely straight with you here. There were a few other things I did to improve my writing too. And I promise to share those with you here. Honest. Just not right now.

So watch out for my next blog post. I'll tell you more then.

Demon Strike trailer

2010-03-10T08:23:00.000-08:00

Did I mention that the film director sent through some actor shots last night. A couple look really good. I can see the Demon Strike trailer being really good. We're hoping to begin filming in April, although it could be May. The director is a massive talent; not long before we see him in London, directing features. More details soon.

New story idea

2010-03-10T04:18:00.000-08:00

I just love it when new story ideas hit me smack between the eyes. But I love it even more when I have to work with the germ of a story, fettle it in my note book, push and pull the characters and work the plot with a writing wrench.

That's what I've been doing recently. I had the scattered bones of a story idea and started to flesh it out. At first, nothing happened. I went down more dead ends than an estate full of cul-de-sacs and even fell out with my characters. But slowly and surely, the story started to grow. Thoughts, threads and ideas dropped into my head from nowhere and now I've got something I just might be able to work with.

I'm excited too and have started to give my characters names and personalities. Soon, the whole thing will be bubbling away like a boiling stew and I'll be itching to spew it all out through my fingertips. Can't wait!!

So watch out for Theo Rook - coming out way soon.

Writing Tips

2010-03-10T03:22:00.000-08:00

A few months back, I started to put writing tips onto Twitter to share with the world. I think they were quite well received. So I'm going to start doing the same here on my blog.

My first tip covers the process of getting published. Naturally, this assumed you've got a finished or at least part finished manuscript. I'll cover the nuts and bolts of writing - at least as I see them anyway - in future posts.

Perhaps the best way to do this is to let you know how I did it. I'd spent years starting and never finishing novels, all for a variety of reasons. But when I started writing what was then called Alannah Malarra, but later became Demon Strike, I suspected I was onto something good.

So, when I'd gotten to the magic 100 page mark, I decided to polish up the first three chapters to what I thought was close to perfection (well, as good as I could make them anyway.) I then thumbed through the Writer's & Artist's Yearbook to find all the literary agents who specialised in children's fiction. There were more than I'd imagined - over 40 - so I whittled them down to 11 (why 11? Don't know; seemed like a good idea at the time) and then set about crafting a knock-out letter.

Now, you may think that this isn't important. WRONG!!! It's probably THE most important thing you can do. My agent recently told me that she receives up to 100 unsolicited manuscripts EVERY WEEK, so you've got to stand out.

If I was doing this again now, I'd go even further and make my envelope stand out. Send your work in a box, or a golden envelope, or wrap it in parchment and string. Do anything to make it stand out because if you don't, there's every chance you'll be lost to the slush pile.

But now, back to the letter. Keep it short. Make it relevant. Grad their attention and make the agent realise you're commercially minded. Don't tell them that your brother loves the book so they should too. Tell them where your book fits in the market place, why it's different and appealing, who will want to read it and why.

Then tell them about you. This is your pitch, so make it exciting and interesting. Big yourself up, without over doing it. Tell them what makes you unique and special. Why should they represent you? Perhaps you're great at public speaking, have had work published before, or have a unique insight into your subject matter. If you're a ghost hunter writing about ghosts, tell 'em - it all counts.

One more thing; don't send them the full manuscript. Send them three sample chapters, a BRIEF (1 page) synopsis, and your letter.

They will probably take up to 2 months to get back to you - earlier if you're lucky - so don't push them for an answer until then. Agents are very busy people!!

For more tips, grab the Writer's & Artist's Yearbook and devour it. Look at each agent's listing and bide by what they want from you. If they ask for your manuscript in Times New Roman (and some do) then send it in Times New Roman. Otherwise you'll just annoy them and end up with a rejection.

I hope that helps. In the coming days and weeks, I'll talk about the writing process itself. So keep visiting :)

Book Launch - Thursday 18th March

2010-03-10T03:18:00.000-08:00

Great news! Just heard back from all those invitees to my book launch - and they're all coming. Some very like-able extras and added guests too, so it should be quite a nice little gathering.

It's very humbling that so many people have agreed to come along and give me and my book such support. I can be a grumpy little you-know-what so I'm going to say a big thank you to everyone who shows up for keeping the faith and putting up with me :)

Demon Strike the trailer

2010-03-09T12:31:00.001-08:00

Here's a link to my fantastic filmaker's showreel -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2otOMzAQSd8

Would you believe it, one of the shots is from a viral film that I wrote the script for; won't tell you which one though. You could try guessing :)

If the trailer has camera work half as good as the stuff on Paul's showreel, it will be fantastic. Scheduled for early April/May.

Hello from me, Alannah and Flhi

2010-03-09T12:12:00.000-08:00

Wow, my own blog and my very first post. Hmmm, where to start. Blimey, there's lots I'd love to share and we'll get to that down the line. but first, there's the fantastic news that I'm going to be interviewed for a local Lifestyle Quarterly. Now, anyone who really knows me will tell you that I am the leass 'Lifestyle' person around, but heck, it'll be a hoot, right?

So we're frantically fussing around the house, desperately trying to tidy all the cluttter away (two kids and a puppy dog sure make a mess at times) and I'm sure it will all be ship shape by the time the nice reporter comes round. Eeek :)

More good news today; I've arranged two visits to schools in Leeds. I love visiting schools and chatting with young readers. They have so much energy and creativity. Can't wait.

I've also spent today rounding up the Demon Strike massive for the forthcoming book launch on 18th March - Waterstone's, Doncaster. (The location is incredibly ironic, but telling why will have to wait.)

Finally, and perhaps most fantastically exciting of all, I spent yesterday evening talking to a red hot young film maker in York about putting together a book trailer for Demon Strike. He's full of incredible ideas and already, he's sent me some mug shots of potential actors. This could be incredible.