Read this about the slush pile!

You know that they say that thousands of book proposals end up in the slush pile?

Well, to make sure yours stays well and truly OUT of it, read this:

Enjoy!

Jo

Serious about writing a novel?

If you are serious about writing a novel – like me – please consider the following, all learned from Anita’s course at Castle of Park:

Join the Romantic Novelists’ Association – I know it sounds naff, but it is for middle market fiction and just has a silly name! They have a new writers’ scheme that gets you a fantastic crit and their meetings allow you to rub shoulders and network with the best.

Also, read Stephen King’s ‘On Writing’
Get a dictionary of slang and another of names, buy The Writer’s Handbook or The Artists and Writers Yearbook.
Know that the average length of time it takes to get a novel published is EIGHT YEARS!
Know that only 1000 authors in the UK can live off their writing
Know that age is no barrier to getting published
and that luck and skill are both vital!

Good luck

Jo

Take a course – I did!

I’ve been away a while I know. In fact I have been abroad for 3 out of the last six weeks, ill with a lost voice (shame) for one week and playing catch up for two. But now I am back I have much to share. Are you ready?

I have been on a novel writing course, at The Castle of Park in Scotland. It was led by a wonderful novelist called Anita Burgh (pronounce it Burra) who did not begin writing until she was 46 and is now on her 24th novel. There were 11 students and, shut away from the world as we were in a fully-catered castle, miles from anywhere had nothing to do but bond, laugh, bond, write and eat and drink too much. It was heaven on a stick. We are all so inspired, by the view, by our new friends, by writing but mostly by the wonderful Anita.

If your muse has gone AWOL please take my advice and go on a course for a big fat fix of inspiration.

Before Scotland I was in France, and I stayed alone while the rest of our party (friends and family) skied. I’m too much of a wuss to ski, and besides, I wanted to have time to write! Fat chance! Being alone and lonely in a place that is tailormade for skiers and nothing else, 30 minutes up a mountain led me to get self-absorbed and grumpy rather than inspired. So, if you go somewhere planning to write write write – do make sure it is somewhere where you a) have a view (I had that one!) and b) can get the things that inspire you easily. For me, I need conversation, action, walks in nature and lots of energy around me. Stuck in a purpose built ski resort was not good!

Before Scotland it was the Families in Global Transition conference in Houston, and that WAS inspiring. Here I was among the gurus of the expat world, many of whom had written books and could learn from role models, while others could learn from me. The ideal learning experience is when there are those around who know more than you and those who know less. At least that’s how it works for me. So, I met Toni Hargis who has published Rules Britannia and Marian Weston who has written At Home Alone and Jennifer Paterson of When Families Cross Borders – at last a book on finance for expats. But of course I also met those who are old hands at the publishing lark – Robin Pascoe, Ruth van Reken, Anne Copeland and many more.

Then I met those who write and run websites, like Andrea Martins and Jill Lengre of ExpatWomen.com, a wonderful new hub for expats. Here they are below:

So now you know why I have been a bit quiet lately.

Jo

Fab reviews on Amazon

Wow! So many people have been buying my new books Expat Writer and Find Your Passion that Amazon is brimming with reviews. Take a look for yourself. Thanks particularly to my fan Anne Huscroft who seems determined to leave no book of mine unreviewed!

Take a look for yourself

Jo

Success for another book cook client

Getting a publisher to accept your manuscript can be a long time coming and few know this so well as Leslie Ann Bosher, who first came to us back in 2004 with her book about her experience of living in a rural part of the UK as an American. Leslie Ann and her husband bought flat in a stately home in Rutland and embarked on a journey of exploration, getting to know the traditions and culture that can be embedded in rural life. Her book has now been accepted for publication. Read on to see what Leslie Ann told me today!

What I would like to tell you is that my first book, ‘To the Manor Drawn’ will be published in August by Murdoch Publishing. I am simply thrilled and as you were so instrumental and encouraging from the beginning I wanted to also tell you that you are acknowledged in the book for that very reason.

The overall experience of conceiving and writing a book was a personal rollercoaster ride but the experience of working with a professional and supportive publishing house has made it all worth while. For this alone I would encourage any new writer to persevere. The feeling of satisfaction when it all comes together is as comforting as a blanket on a winter’s night.

So I thank you today for putting me on the first rung of the ladder and hope to hear from you.

I urge you all to demonstrate the patience of Leslie Ann. And I wish her the very very best of luck.

Write about your passion

I have long been telling clients to write about what they know. Better still they should write about their passion. So, when Jim Wheat was featured in my new book Find Your Passion it started a buzz. His website Go!smelltheflowers is all about passion and doing what you love. His own book (co-authored with wife Emma) is all about taking the plunge and just going for it. Their blog has a real buzz about it, take a look for yourself.

Isn’t time you found your passion and did something about it?

Want to write or obtain book reviews?

One Inspirer recipient, Sandra Maclean told me about a great website where you can get reviews for your books and also offer to read and review them. Find it at www.readerviews.com.

Thanks, Sandra

Jo

Write a review of one of my books and get it free!

I have written more than 20 books over the years but the three latest ones are particularly exciting to me!

If you would like a free PDF copy of Find Your Passion, Expat Writer – Release the Book Within or Expat Entrepreneurs then all you need to do is write a book review of one or more of these titles for an appropriate website or publication – or even a free local magazines.

Not sure how to write a book review? Then email me for details of how to do it! It really is very simple and often a paragraph or two is all you need.

What next?

Email me with the name of the publication or website you hope to write for, and if it’s not been taken already I’ll send you a copy right away as well as a jpeg of the cover.

it’s not every day you get offered something for free.

Go for it. And don’t forget that getting your name in print will give you something else for your clippings file.

Thanks

Jo

Worried about copyright and trademarks?

Lots of our clients get worried about this area. So it is great to know that a new, user-friendly handbook has come on the market from Dorling Kindersley. Jenny Early wrote the following review, which I think you will agree, makes us all want to rush to read it!

‘From Edison to iPod- Protect your ideas and make money’ – Frederick Mostert

At least once during a life time everybody has an idea. Something innovative, different or just plain fun. ‘From Edison to iPod- Protect your ideas and make money’ is for all those who believe they have an idea worth selling. The book takes all the information needed to go about getting to grips with intellectual property and distils it down into easy to understand, plain English. From the striking cover (‘Oh, I’ve got one of those…!’) to the spacious, well laid out pages, the book is easily digestible and informative.
The author, Dr Frederick Mostert, is an ‘intellectual property guru’ and the Past President of the International Trademark Association, so he knows what he’s talking about. Covering topics such as trade marks, design rights and trade secrets as well as tips on protecting your own invention, Mostert encompasses all his knowledge in a book that by no means reads like a dissertation. The graphics and text boxes alone give the book an almost fun feel, and the simple (but not patronising) language makes it equally accessible. Each section contains a further breakdown of ideas, making finding your way round the book a doddle.
And the international praise for ‘From Edison…’ highlights the global field it deals with. The information covers all continents, with a section focusing on international issues faced when registering a trade mark. Mostert has helped a variety of world-wide celebrities with their own intellectual property- from Boris Becker to Nelson Mandela- with positive feedback across the board, surely emphasising the valuable advice he can give!
Friendly, informative and non-threatening, ‘From Edison to iPod…’ is not only helpful but interesting. Did you know Jamie Lee Curtis holds a patent for a nappy with a pocket for clean-up wipes? The book is handy for those wishing to protect their ideas whilst busting the technical jargon, alongside those simply curious as to how the business works. From check-lists to diagrams, ‘From Edison…’ makes sure you can access all you need to know about trade marks, copy rights and all they entail.

Tipz from Suze

I have been much impressed by Suze St Maur’s writing for many years and enjoyed and admired her Tipz from Suze newsletter. Her tips are invaluable and she now has a blog! So, go and take a look right now if you want to keep your skills shiny and polished! 22 back numbers of Tipz are archived too.

Find Suze here here.