·
Write
the best possible book – and keep writing.
·
Buy
the Writers’ and Artists’ Year book – every year.
·
Be
proactive and network both online and with real human beings.
·
Keep
up-to-date with new developments in agencies and publishing houses. Get free
emails from The Bookseller
·
Set
up your own blog, Facebook page and Twitter account. Connect with other blogs,
comment and share useful information.
·
Go
to conferences and festivals and find out what is going on, particularly in the
small presses and new agencies. Example: Winchester Writers' Conference.
·
Enter
short story completions, first novel awards etc. Submit work to the literary
press, both online and in paper format.
·
Agents
are useful in a crowded market, and invaluable when it comes to deal making. So
try and get one, both by getting known and approaching agencies direct.
·
If
you can’t, make the small press your next target. Again, keep up to date with
new appointments, new lists etc. Example: Myriad Editions in Brighton.
·
Consider
self-publishing – but don’t make this your life’s work. Useful websites: Lulu.com and Grosvenor House Publishing
