Beta Feedback
Simon Whaley chats to one author about how beta-readers can lead to better books. Someone once said to me, “Beta readers are an author’s crash-test dummy. They take your book …
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Beautiful Bath
Dear Reader, As any Jane Austen fan knows, it is a truth universally acknowledged that a visitor in possession of some free time is in want of a day out …
Press Release Protocols
In a promotional world dominated by social media, is there still a place for old-fashioned press releases? Simon Whaley chats with one writer about their experience. Social media dominates the …
Second Edition Solutions
When I first self-published The Complete Article Writer: How To Write And Sell Magazine Articles, most editors still wanted freelance material submitted by post. Who remembers enclosing a stamped addressed envelope …
Threads of Tradition
“When I was a toddler,” says Lawrence Robinson, “Mum would sit me on her knee and operate the sewing machine pedals with her feet, while I made pockets and toys.” …
Exploring Ellesmere
“There’s no inflow or outflow on any of these lakes,” says Stan, leaning on his walking stick. I stare across Cole Mere’s fifty-two acres of water. “You must get a …
AI Authorial Analysis
Can AI help authors with a developmental edit? Simon Whaley explores ProWritingAid’s Manuscript Analysis Service and shares his results. It took only seven minutes for ProWritingAid’s Manuscript Analysis Tool to …
Ask The Agent: Gyamfia Osei
Simon Whaley chats to Gyamfia Osei of Andrew Nurnberg Associates about writing for the middle grade and young adult market. Gyamfia Osei’s career began as a bookseller at Waterstones before …
Negotiation Nightmares
Getting published means dealing with contracts. Simon Whaley explores how to succeed with the negotiation process. I experienced a range of emotions when Hodder & Stoughton sent me the contract …
Virtual Assistants
The problem with the business of writing is that all the business stuff leaves less time for writing. Ultimately, as writers, we’d rather be writing than messing around creating social …