A chance for me to read your writing...
A competition, and a run-through of what you may have missed...
Hello everyone, happy Monday!
I thought today I would do a quick recap for new subscribers of what you can find in The Honest Editor, and also offer up a little competition! I used to do this on X a lot (back in the day!) and I ended up reading some amazing writing as a result.
So, I’m offering one reader of The Honest Editor the chance to have your work reviewed by me, if you subscribe and comment on this post by midnight on Wednesday 1st October GMT. To enter, just make sure you’re subscribing (free or paid is fine) and that you share it wherever you’d like to, and comment on this post with ‘shared’ to let me know that you would like to enter the competition.
I will then choose a winner at random on Thursday morning and get in touch with the winner then.
I will review your first 10,000 words and synopsis, providing notes as I would for an author on my list. I do specialise in commercial fiction, so keep that in mind, but if you’ve written something else I am very happy to have a look too. I love working with writers and I have 12 years of experience in the publishing industry, working with multiple bestselling authors, so hopefully I can help you a little bit! Any questions, just comment below or DM me.
And here is what you might have missed since the Honest Editor launched:
Editorial Topics
Why the submission process takes so long
What really happens in an acquisitions meeting
How the editorial process works
How to respond to edits on your book
Sales topics
All about book sales and bad track records
What authors can do for themselves
The book covers process - if this is of interest to you, I am speaking at an event at the Stratford Literary Festival in November, in conversation with an illustrator and another author, and we’ll be discussing book jackets in much more detail! Tickets here.
Book titles and how publishers come up with them
To recontract or not to recontract
Book pricing, retailer space, and promotions
All about comparison titles (comps)
The bestseller charts and how they work
Mental health topics
How to build back from a disappointing publication
Dealing with rejection as a writer
Interview Series
Independent bookselling with Tom Rowley
The publicity perspective with Alison Barrow
Literary agenting with Sue Armstrong and Nelle Andrew
Foreign rights with Melis Dagoglu
Being a book doctor with Gillian Stern
Literary agenting with Juliet Mushens
Book reviewing with Nina Pottell
All about US publishing with Sarah Cantin
Your own questions answered honestly
Your publishing questions answered honestly!
When agents leave and editors don’t like your books - more of your questions!
Thank you so much to everyone who reads this newsletter and particularly to those who have kindly become paid subscribers. I so appreciate you giving something back in that way. I hope this Substack is helping those who find this industry hard, and am always open to feedback, too.
Look forward to reading your writing, and remember to comment below if you want to enter! And if you don’t but you know someone who might, do send them a link to this piece.
Phoebe x
Your newsletter is chock full of interesting, helpful insights. Thanks for taking the time to support writers.
Shared! Your newsletter is one I always read the second it hits my inbox <3