John Hennessy's Blog - Posts Tagged "first-time-writers"
Go with your gut feelings if you want to get published
At least, that's what I would do.
I came across this piece and wondered what you thought about it:-
"Bear in mind that there is a difference between making a manuscript good, and making it a commercial/publishable proposition. If the consultant talks about changes required to fit the genre, and you ignore those suggestions because you can't see there's anything wrong with what you've written, then it's probably not going to be publishable however well written it may be. "
I accept that.
But I think you have to go with your gut feeling too. That does not mean slavishly defending a concept that will not work.
It means that your book has to straddle two horses (yes, it's THAT difficult) !
My first book was martial arts related, very niche. I had no idea how it would do. Editorial suggested changes, and about 70% of their recommendations were implemented.
I wish I had been more stronger. My concepts were good. I didn't have to cower to fit the market, in my head.
But you tend to listen to editorial evaluations blindly, at least I did, for this text.
But you learn also, and I learned that
editorial critique is pivotal to your book being the best it can be.
That in itself does not guarantee monetary success, but write with passion, and do your homework, and I believe you will be amongst the best sellers.
Wishing all writers, published and soon-to-be, well!
I came across this piece and wondered what you thought about it:-
"Bear in mind that there is a difference between making a manuscript good, and making it a commercial/publishable proposition. If the consultant talks about changes required to fit the genre, and you ignore those suggestions because you can't see there's anything wrong with what you've written, then it's probably not going to be publishable however well written it may be. "
I accept that.
But I think you have to go with your gut feeling too. That does not mean slavishly defending a concept that will not work.
It means that your book has to straddle two horses (yes, it's THAT difficult) !
My first book was martial arts related, very niche. I had no idea how it would do. Editorial suggested changes, and about 70% of their recommendations were implemented.
I wish I had been more stronger. My concepts were good. I didn't have to cower to fit the market, in my head.
But you tend to listen to editorial evaluations blindly, at least I did, for this text.
But you learn also, and I learned that
editorial critique is pivotal to your book being the best it can be.
That in itself does not guarantee monetary success, but write with passion, and do your homework, and I believe you will be amongst the best sellers.
Wishing all writers, published and soon-to-be, well!
