‘Full of useful stuff. It
answered my every question’
Reader FAQs
J.K. ROWLING
My publisher won’t put me forward for the literary festival that is
Serious about
geographically closest to me, saying they don’t have the time and in
any case my book is not new.
This is the spin-off of authors understanding that literary festivals
getting published?
sell books: there are more authors seeking the chance to talk
than there are slots available. Publishers now compete to get their
own authors taken on, and so are inevitably making an initial cut
themselves from the wide span of talent open to them.
The bestselling Writers’ & Artists’
If the festival is close to where you live, it may be worth making
Yearbook presents its fi rst
a direct approach to the organisers. Be pragmatic, and don’t ask
for an event on your own if your work is little known. Is there one-day conference
another author you could suggest you do something with? Make
sure your approach is well argued and professional – and don’t
keep ringing up to check out how their programme planning THE INSIDER GUIDE TO
is going. Above all, don’t share with them the news that your
publisher is doubtful of the value of putting you forward – rather
HOW TO GET PUBLISHED
stress in your application that you are applying direct as a local
author, who has attended many events, and would like to play a Saturday 13th March 2010
fuller part in what is going on. For those making a longer term plan
(always a good idea) volunteering and attending are a good way to Free Word Centre, Central London
build a relationship with the organisers.
For further information visit
www.writersandartists.co.uk
Why doesn’t the bookshop at the literary festival offer discounts
like the high street stores do?
Let’s try and turn this question around, and examine what is really
going on (rather than just measuring the experience against your SPEAKERS INCLUDE:
usual buying behaviour).
Choosing books at a literary festival is a pure experience.
• Chairperson
Uninfluenced by discounts the buyer chooses what they really
Liz Calder, co-founder, Bloomsbury Publishing
want as opposed to ‘making up weight’ to reach a spending target
that qualifies them to an offer they are less than committed to.
Discounts are cheapening the product by association, and seriously
• How I got published
affecting the perceptions of those who do not buy books very
Julie Myerson, journalist and author
often – and assume that if they can buy two paperbacks in a
supermarket for £7 that is all they are worth.
• What to submit and how
Rather rejoice: that the festival organisers have borne the cost
Editor, Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook
of putting up the tents; that they have filled them full of books you
would like to buy, and given you the opportunity to have them
• Is your writing any good?
personally signed by your favourite authors.
Co-founder, The Literary Consultancy
If you would like to submit a question to Alison about marketing, please
send it to
marketing@writers-forum.com
• Why manuscripts get rejected
Senior Commissioning Editor
signed, the less people will be ■■ Don’t forget to spot the ben-
inclined so to do. Leave promo- efits to yourself. You may have
tion to the person chairing your been engaged to deliver, but
event, and resist being offended literary festivals offer the oppor- Book before the end of December
if people ask you lots of ques- tunity to nourish the writer as
2009 to secure a place and receive
tions but then pass up the chance well. It’s great to be surrounded
to have a copy of your book to by all that energy and so many
your early bird discount
sustain them in future. wonderful ideas – and as your
■■You are on show – as much pass usually allows you access
when delivering your talk as to anything you fancy attend-
when informally chatting to those ing (provided it is not sold out,
who seek a word between events. and even then additional ‘house
GUIDING WRITERS AND
Smile and look pleased to be there. seats’ may be found) it’s a fan-
ARTISTS FOR OVER 100 YEARS
Resist the opportunity to tell tastic opportunity to refresh your
them you would rather be stay- writing brain. My recent trip to
‘Essential reading ... how
ing in a different hotel or that you Cheltenham included a work-
to survive in publishing’
think the catering in the writers’ shop with a quite extraordinary
room is less than superb. You are group of people, with whom I – KATE MOSSE
a guest and guests behave well have been in touch ever since.
if they want to be invited back. You know who you are.
Alison Baverstock has run seminars at a wide variety of festivals, and
still reckons it is one of the most pleasurable things you can do as a
For a full programme of the day
writer. Her latest book, with Gill Hines, It’s not fair, parenting the bright
and challenging child (Piatkus, 2009) was launched at Cheltenham. and to book your place, visit
www.writersandartists.co.uk
WF99JAN52.indd 2 26/11/2009 09:38:24
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