Let's Get Published by Val Penny

by Val Penny

At last, a book that is easy to read and tells it how it is!
A book written to assist authors maximise their success when submitting work to agents or publishers, to help authors consider their priorities and preferences for getting work into print. To advise authors how to identify the agents and/or publishers they want to approach. It should also assist with editing their manuscript fully prior to submission. The book offers advice about how to prepare a submission package to give an author the best chance of success.
The road to becoming a successful author is not easy, but it is rewarding. Let this book take you on the journey.

94 pages, Paperback

First published May 17, 2020

About the author

Val Penny is an American author living in SW Scotland. She has two adult daughters of whom she is justly proud and lives with her husband and two cats.
She has a Llb from Edinburgh University and her MSc from Napier University. She has had many jobs including hairdresser, waitress, banker, azalea farmer and lecturer.
However she has not yet achieved either of her childhood dreams of being a ballerina or owning a candy store. Until those dreams come true, she has turned her hand to writing poetry, short stories and novels. Her crime novels,The DI Hunter Wilson and Jane Renwick Thrillers are published by SpellBound Books.

Reviews

[Jungian.Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unlike most of the books I review on my blog, this is a non-fiction informative book that address all the information you might need when you decide on publishing your book. Especially for writers who are planning to publish their first book.first time. Val did a great job talking about the writing process, editing, proofreading, deciding on the genre, other books that are similar to the one you are currently trying to publish, finding an agent, and submitted your work for publication.

I wish i read this book before self-publishing my book using kindle direct publishing because it elaborated on the pros and cons of self-publishing and publishing with a company. It also explained a lot about the writing process, character development, the necessity of the character, and the role in the whole plot of the book. Something also stuck with me in regard to the first draft being for the writer and continued corrections to the final products are for the reader.

She also addresses the sadness that a writer might feel after their work is rejected and how it can be improved, "there is no reason to send your romance novel to a publisher that only publishes terror or mystery novels". Identifying publishing houses that have a reputation of publishing books in the genre that you are currently working on. It will just waste your time and that of the publishers.

[Emma Parkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

At only 60 pages, it’s definitely a quick read, but wow, there’s a lot of information thrown in there!!! Val is an author herself and knows the drill. This book is her way of sharing some fantastic tips and tricks, not only to get a book published, but to actually start writing said book in the first place.
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It is packed full of useful information, from the simple “writing a novel is hard work” to the more complex issues of finding the right publishers, dealing with rejections & finding a proof reader.
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Val goes into detail about different genres, aspirations, different types of publishers, self publishing and the many advantages, benefits and disadvantages throughout the process. ..
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This book is highly thought out and pretty damn excellent for anyone who is thinking of writing a novel. I read this on my kindle and I already want a physical copy so that I can use it to it’s full advantage once I put pen to paper!
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It’s on Amazon now... if you like writing, go and get yourself a copy! You won’t regret it at all. .
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Thank you so much to @lovebookstours for sending this over to me. @valerieepenny

[Linda Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A practical guide to getting published.

Val Penny’s Let’s Get Published is a really helpful little book that asks essential questions of an aspiring writer and then steers them to the right answers for them. She considers all aspects of writing from identifying readership and defining genre to publicity and drafting, writing a synopsis and submitting. Val Penny does not shy away from difficulties authors may face, such as being too painfully shy to promote their own books by standing in front of a large audience and delivering a speech or reading, and by raising awareness of the reader as a writer she is assisting the road to publication. There’s a piece of advice about writing a synopsis that was a complete lightbulb moment for me, but I’m not going to share it – you’ll have to read Let’s Get Published to find out what it was!

What I enjoyed most about Let’s Get Published was the way Val Penny gives gravitas and status to all forms of writing and all approaches to getting published. Times have changed and self-publication or hybrid approaches are no longer the Cinderella ways to get your book to a reader. Similarly, her use of quotations by and references to, other authors gives excellent kudos to her advice, making for an entertaining as well as informative read.

Let’s Get Published is a little cracker of a book. Eminently readable and packed with hints and tips, Val Penny has a straight-forward, no-nonsense style that creates confidence in her reader. Coupled with the excellent advice given I would heartily recommend Let’s Get Published to any aspiring author because the book is relevant to writers of any genre. I’m just plucking up the courage to send Val’s suggested questions to a beta reader. See you in print!

[Elizabeth Ducie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Val Penny’s new book, Let’s Get Published, does exactly what it says on the tin. It takes a new author through all the stages needed to get a manuscript ready for submission to an agent or a publisher. It concentrates on aspiring novelists, although much of what is covered would apply equally to a non-fiction writer, too. Starting by defining the genre of the work; and the objectives of the author; it moves on to provide an overview of the various routes to publication, with pros and cons of each. And it emphasises that the manuscript should be completed to a reasonable standard before submissions begin. But it’s from Chapter Seven: Producing a Polished Manuscript that the book really comes into its own. There are detailed chapters on all aspects of editing including structure; point of view; characters; dialogue tags; and show, don’t tell. Finally, there is advice on preparing the submission package.

I said at the beginning this book is aimed at new authors. And for more experienced authors, there is nothing particularly new. However, it provides a well-thought out revision of everything we should do, but don’t always remember to. I found the chapter on planning and synopses particularly helpful.

Val Penny is the author of the acclaimed DI Hunter series of crime novels set in Edinburgh. And she is about to launch the fifth book in that series, so everything in Let's Get Published comes from her own experience. She doesn’t pull any punches; pointing out up front that ‘writing a novel is hard work.’ But this book, written in an accessible, conversational style, goes a long way to easing the process.

[Daisy Hollands · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who here loves to read and would love to write as well? 🙋🏼‍♀️ Yep, most of us I think. Val Penny to the rescue! Val’s first non-fiction book is a must-read. Short and concise but packed to the hilt with hints and tips to guide you on your journey to becoming a successful author. Val doesn’t dress it up in flowery language, instead talks realistically about how to maximise your chances of making it, in a competitive world. Highly recommended ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Allison Symes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given an ARC of Let's Get Published by Val Penny and found it packed full of useful information presented in a down to earth manner. It is a great read and a brilliant guide. I only wish I had had this book when I was starting out as a writer but I still found much in here that will prove useful to any author.

[Fiona Samuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're a writer looking to get published, you cannot go wrong with this book. I've read many 'how to get published' books and this is by far one of the easiest to follow. Full of insightful and useful tips and advice, Val Penny takes you through the entire journey to publication in easy to follow steps. I can't recommend it enough!

[Jules · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a helpful, easy-to-read book. No matter what stage you are with your novel, you will find the advice invaluable. Val Penny is a published author of a number of excellent fiction books so she knows how it is out in the real world of writing, agents, publishing etc. She tells it how it is.
I shall keep this book by my side.

[Joan Livingston · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's writing and then then there's the business of writing. And Let's Get Published by Val Penny helps those unfamiliar with the process of both. Her book gives writers the tools they need — from completing a polished manuscript to submitting it to an agent and/or publisher. This book is a practical guide to becoming a published author from an insider who understands how the business works.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let’s Get Published by Val Penny is a recommended read. It’s a concise but thorough guide that discusses everything a writer needs to think about when submitting work to an agent or publisher. Both new and established authors will benefit from this book, which can be used as a checklist to make sure every submission stands the best chance of success.

[Lizzie Chantree · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a concise and interesting read. Full of tips and advice about how to bring a book to publication. A must read for new authors. Lots and lots of clearly presented information, to walk you through the process of publishing a book.