Andrew
asked
Nicholas Eames:
Hey Nicholas! Just wanted to say your book is amazing! I love the characters and I just love how unique it is. I am also huge into DND I am so excited for book two!What tips would you have for an aspiring writer trying to get into the publishing game?
Nicholas Eames
Hi Andrew!
Thanks for the kind words about KotW--I hope you like Bloody Rose just as much!
As for writing advice, there's a few things I'd recommend, but take it all with a grain of salt, since what works for one person doesn't always work for another.
The first thing is having another job! I REALLY put all my eggs in one basket, and though I got extremely lucky, looking back I wish I'd pursued a career outside of writing, since it can take a long time to get good, a longer time to get published, and even when you do your income doesn't change that much unless you manage to make it big. This isn't something I realized until after I'd been published--I guess I supposed all writers were afforded the luxury of writing for a living afterward, but in reality about 95% of them rely on their 'day jobs' to keep them afloat.
The second is to write a full and complete book and then strongly consider throwing it in a drawer and forgetting about it. Sounds crazy, I know, but I worked for 12 years on a book that will never see the light of day, and sort of wish I'd moved on earlier to other things instead of trying to make that one work.
Once you've written something you feel is as close to perfect as you're going to get, give it to friends (and strangers) to read, and remember: you're not looking for 'it was good' or 'I'd buy it' because people will say that about almost anything. You're looking for 'holy fuck this was awesome' and 'oh my god I couldn't stop reading it' sort of feedback. When you've got that, and have polished the book as much as you can, it's time to seek out an agent.
Research them, find out what they like, look at their submission guidelines on their website and FOLLOW THEM EXACTLY with no deviation whatsoever. You'll need a 'query letter' that's as perfect and polished as your book, and maybe a little bit of luck!
And those are the basics! Hope this helped to clarify the process a bit! Good luck!
Nick
Thanks for the kind words about KotW--I hope you like Bloody Rose just as much!
As for writing advice, there's a few things I'd recommend, but take it all with a grain of salt, since what works for one person doesn't always work for another.
The first thing is having another job! I REALLY put all my eggs in one basket, and though I got extremely lucky, looking back I wish I'd pursued a career outside of writing, since it can take a long time to get good, a longer time to get published, and even when you do your income doesn't change that much unless you manage to make it big. This isn't something I realized until after I'd been published--I guess I supposed all writers were afforded the luxury of writing for a living afterward, but in reality about 95% of them rely on their 'day jobs' to keep them afloat.
The second is to write a full and complete book and then strongly consider throwing it in a drawer and forgetting about it. Sounds crazy, I know, but I worked for 12 years on a book that will never see the light of day, and sort of wish I'd moved on earlier to other things instead of trying to make that one work.
Once you've written something you feel is as close to perfect as you're going to get, give it to friends (and strangers) to read, and remember: you're not looking for 'it was good' or 'I'd buy it' because people will say that about almost anything. You're looking for 'holy fuck this was awesome' and 'oh my god I couldn't stop reading it' sort of feedback. When you've got that, and have polished the book as much as you can, it's time to seek out an agent.
Research them, find out what they like, look at their submission guidelines on their website and FOLLOW THEM EXACTLY with no deviation whatsoever. You'll need a 'query letter' that's as perfect and polished as your book, and maybe a little bit of luck!
And those are the basics! Hope this helped to clarify the process a bit! Good luck!
Nick
More Answered Questions
Dan Hallington
asked
Nicholas Eames:
Hi Nicholas! Wanted to let you know, I have just finished reading the first two chapters of ‘Kings of the Wyld’, at the back of Tom Holt’s ‘The Management Style of the Supreme Beings’ - and I am totally sucked in! I have therefore placed a reservation with my local library. So far, it feels like a delightful union of the TV series, ‘Zapped’ & Stan Nicholls’ Dreamtime series. You familiar with these?
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