Advice to Lucy on getting a book to publication standard.

Hi Lucy,

 

I got lucky because one of my beta readers raved about my book to the Editor in Chief at Oceanbooks. Remember that if you want your book to be a commercial success, you have to listen to what commercially successful writers say about your writing. That doesn't mean you have to adapt your style to suit their preference. They should respect that you have your own way of writing.

 

Being true to your own voice is essential. It's what makes you unique as a writer. When I first started writing I wanted to be Ian McEwan and tried experimenting with elaborate metaphors, which made my writing contrived. Say what you want to say and don't try to be like anyone else. You'll find you naturally use figurative language so if a metaphor or simile pops into your head, write it.

 

Once you've written what is as good as you think you can make it, send it off to be critiqued by someone who is an accomplished and published author. In your case your tutor at NZWC. He or she will make sure it includes all the elements of good narrative and revise in the light of their feedback.

 

So, your book is complete? Or you think it is. The next step is to pass it around for peer review. By all means let your friends have a read, but really, you need someone who will give an honest and fair appraisal. Send it to writers groups. These people, however, are not editors, so don't allow them to change anything. Listen to their suggestions but only act on them if several readers are saying the same thing, or you agree. Remember, however, that to have passed the Advanced Writing Course, your book needs to be publication standard so you are now an accomplished writer.

 

The next step is to get a professional editor to work on your book. After I had my book accepted at Oceanbooks, thinking it was as good as it could be, the editor went to town on it, but really going through the minutiae of ensuring that the best words were written in the best order. By and large, I took my editor's advice but you have to be the judge of whether the editor is allowing you to be true to your own voice. My editor had a penchant for using the word 'ruefully' and knowing my characters better than she did, I knew the word didn't fit. Not to say that the initial word didn't warrant an alternative. She also slushed up some of the romantic scenes and personally I thought she turned the characters into Blake and Chrystal from Dynasty. The editor can insist you make the changes they suggest and refuse to publish if you don't, but be prepared to discuss it with them. 

 

Sequel needed?

Just got the first proof copy of 'Beneath the Perfect World' back from The Copy Press. I'm really pleased. So the book is good to go!! It's been one hell of a journey and a lot of hard graft, so it's very satisfying to finally hold a printed copy in my hand. You get to this stage and you learn there's more to producing a novel than just writing. Since completing the book in April, my days have been taken up with phone calls to editors, graphic designers and PR consultants. After a two year relationship with the characters in the book, to the point that I dreamt about them, it was sad to say farewell to them. I was pleased when my editor told me another scene needed adding, and I needed to write a little bit more into one of the chapters, because I could reconnect with my characters again. I can see the appeal of writing a sequel, especially if you grow fond of the people you write about.

Meaty Issues

The first review of the novel talks about meaty issues, so I thought I'd elaborate on some of them. There's a lot going on in the novel aside from an age-gap relationship that gets the protagonist into trouble. I've presented a protagonist who has been brought up in a dysfunctional family yet can't break away from the emotional ties that keep him in an unhappy environment. The book exposes the power of the guilt trips and how parents especially can control their children by battering their self-esteem. Alan Bell's subsequent relationships with women follow the same pattern. Throughout his relationship with ex-partner Diane Bishop, he has been continually forced to question his self-worth. His reluctance to pursue a legal battle to see his five year old son owes more to having to face her than the possibility of losing. Her constant belittling of him means that any encounter with her will make him feel so inadequate, he won't take her to court. She has emasculated him and therefore prevented him forging other relationships with women. Catherine, however, plays on his low self-esteem to get him to sleep with her. When it comes to men, however, Alan is far less easy to manipulate, firmly standing his ground when he sees women being treated badly.

Prelaunch News

This is a very exciting time in the run up to the book's launch in October. Once the cover is completed and the manuscript has it's final check, the release date will be confirmed.

At the moment I am busy with the press releases which will go out as soon as the book is available to buy in either as an e-book or print version. I'm really happy with the cover concept The Copy Press have come up with. Many thanks to Mike Horsfield for the black and white photo of Fleet Moss. Had a nice compliment from Dave at The Copy Press who said he found the story engaging when he was reading it to get ideas for the cover. Thanks to Tracy Rowley for the proof read. Glad you 'loved it!'

Feel free to have a browse through the website to find out more about the book and why I wrote it.