In recent posts, we pointed out the value of being a thought leader and offered tips on getting your thoughts published.

Those posts concerned non-fiction. But one speaker at the recent ASBPE (American Society of Business Publication Editors) meeting on getting published was a literary agent who exclusively represents authors of fiction for children. Upon reflection, we concluded that every writer would benefit from some of her pointers, especially these:

Be very clear who you are writing for; many [books] never find a home because they don’t speak clearly enough to any section of the market.

Work out a structure to your story, especially the ending, so you know where it’s going when you start writing. A good outline will not only ensure your story doesn’t run out of steam – it will also help you pitch your work to an agent or publisher.

Start your story strongly so that the reader is grabbed from the beginning. You could start with a dramatic moment, or a moment of change or discovery. If you’ve bored readers in the first 20 pages you’ll probably never get them back.

Get your first draft down, then take time out to distance yourself. Reread as objectively as you can, then polish your writing as much as possible so you submit your very best work.

Sarah Davies of the Greenhouse provides the full list of 10 tips on her agency Website.

Regarding the last tip above, note that a non-fiction writer enjoys the advantage of being able to hire a specialist to do the polishing. But as “book doctors” like to say (full disclosure: Magnificent Publications accepts such assignments), we’re editors, not mind readers. The author needs to supply the concepts and facts and help us understand the book’s underlying logic.
Sarah Davies adds an 11th tip that applies to non-fiction writers as well as novelists. Whether writing about a cause, an interpretation of history, a management technique, or a software solution, persuade the reader to feel as enthusiastic as you do.

What made your heart beat faster? Writing that makes the reader feel things is great!

Posted in Framing content in print and on the Web