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National Writers FOrum: Publishing Tips

25/9/2016

The National Writers Forum
17 – 18 September
University of Auckland Business School

I arrived at the inaugural National Writers Forum (NWF) with a sheath of beautifully printed pitch documents and visions of pressing them into the open hands of delighted publishers.

By the end of the first session I knew I would be doing no such thing – but I also knew I was in for an enriching, enlightening two days. The NWF had a practical focus on improving your writing, placing your writing, building your reputation and finding an audience. A collegial tone was set by keynote speaker Chris Cleave (UK), who spoke of the importance of storytelling and supportiveness in our turbulent times. (You can read Chris’s full speech here. It’s well worth your time.)

During most time slots there was a choice of three different sessions. I’m currently finishing the illustrations for a children’s picture book I’ve written, so I choose the sessions that related to publishing. I wanted to find out more about how to pitch to traditional publishers, and how to self-publish. Below are the key messages I took away from the sessions I attended.

The Perfect Pitch
Melanie Laville-Moore (Allen & Unwin), Duncan Greive (The Spinoff), Kevin Chapman (Upstart Press), Harriet Allan (Penguin Random House), Scott Pack (Unbound).

Publishers differ in the genres they represent and in how they’d like you pitch to them. Check their website before submitting
Your email / covering letter should be succinct, interesting and personalised to the publisher
Include a small biography and a short synopsis (less than one page)
Don’t decorate your submission with glitter or stickers – keep it professional
Let them know if you’re submitting your manuscript to multiple publishers
Feel free to follow up, gently, after 3 – 4 weeks
Be gracious if rejected
If you’re writing for an overseas market, get an agent

Copyright and Contacts

A contract is a starting point – you can negotiate
If you sign your copyright away, you won’t get it back
It’s common to licence publishers so that they are licenced to use the work for a certain timeframe in certain parts of the world

The Future of Publishing
Scott Pack (Unbound), Dominic Hoey (Boosted)

Finding distribution is the key
When you’re working out your self-publishing costs for a platform like Kickstarter, figure out your costs (publishing, distribution, publicity, marketing, accounting, design, 10% kickstarter fee...) – and add 15% idiocy padding

Publishing 101: Making a book
Kalee Jackson (Kalee Jackson Design), Karen McMillan (Publicity), Malcolm Nell (Kobo), Martin Taylor (digitalpublishing101.com), Jenna Todd (Time Out Bookstore)

If you’re self-publishing, make sure you own the copyright at the end
Start at the end of the process. What’s your desired outcome? How are you going to get there?
Don’t print physical copies without a plan and a distributor
Be aware of global prices when pricing in overseas markets
Make sure your name and the book’s title are on the book spine
Make sure the book is durable and the design is incredible
Make sure your book is listed on Nielsen
Give your designer a brief focusing on what the book is about and who your audience is
Begin publicity 2 – 3 months before launch
Get a professional author photo taken
Use the internet to participate in conversations

Masterclass: Publicity
Elizabeth Heritage, Publicist

What is interesting, noteworthy, timely and special about your book?
Make a media kit that’s available online. Include a media release, a blurb, cover image and professional author photo in both jpgs and tiffs (clearly labelled, with rights statements and in two different sizes), puff quotes and key details (author, ISBN, title, RRP, availability for sale, publication date, number of pages, format, location)
Build the cost of review and giveaway copies into your budget
Make audio file of someone interviewing you so people know what you’re like on radio
Approach people individually by name, do your research, be specific about what you want, eg I’d like you to review this book
Be professional, courteous, specific, persistent, easy to work with, gracious, grateful

Support, sustain, survive
Siobhan Harvey (Writer), Malcolm Nell (Kobo), Anne O’Brien (Auckland Writers Festival Director), Rachel Jean (South Pacific Pictures)

Submit your work globally. The more you submit, the more likely it is that fortuitous things will start happening
Take the business side seriously
Be part of communities of interest
Collaborate
Be curious – don’t have pre-judgements
Assume you have the right to enter any world
Back yourself and be tenacious
Contact festivals
If you write for free, you need other things to sell to your readers

I wish I knew when I didn’t know…
Patricia Grace, Stephen Daisley, Kate Pullinger, Chris Cleave, Paula Morris

Don’t be naive about publishing - it’s an industry that you’re dependent upon
Librarians and booksellers are important – they are your friends
When you have writer’s block, think deeply about what is causing it

Along with these notes I also took away new ideas, new confidence and new friendships. The NWF was superbly well-organised and well worth the time and money.

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