Ask your publishing questions here

[John Jarrold]

Originally Posted by argenianpoet

Thank you for answering my question; you are always very prompt and I like that.

I think that my first novel falls into the realm of epic fantasy most definitely, but I am not very familiar with the authors that you posted. However, I will most certainly check them out. Actually, my first novel is apart of a series, and I have rough sketches of at least two more possible books in the future.

Terry Brooks created the post-Tolkien epic fantasy genre with THE SWORD OF SHANNARA in 1977, closely followed by David Eddings and Stephen Donaldson. Robert Jordan came along in the late 80s and his on-going series have all been bestsellers. Terry Goodkind is the most recent of the 'classic' Tolkienesque fantasy bestsellers. George R R Martin and Steven Erikson are, for my money, two of the best writers in the epic fantasy field today - which has moved beyond elves and dwarves into darker, more sophisticated territory, as far as new writers are concerned.

One thing I would say - writing fantasy is a commercial business, so you need to do market research. You can't just think 'I want to write in this area' if you don't know what has been published in the area. Authors doing this regularly come up with brilliant ideas...that were used twenty years ago and are now cliches. Be aware of the authors who have broken through recently in sales terms, because they are the people with whom you will be compared by the publishers to whom you submit your work. None of us live in a vacuum, so get on the case and check it out!

[Paradox 99]

Originally Posted by John Jarrold

One thing I would say - writing fantasy is a commercial business, so you need to do market research. You can't just think 'I want to write in this area' if you don't know what has been published in the area.

How long do the results of research stay valid? Some might take George R R Martin as the current benchmark, but how long do you think it would take for publishing tastes to change. And do they change dramatically, or is it usually a more gradual thing?
How much of an impact does the film industry have on these trends?
Considering the length of time it can take to start a novel and take it to a point ready for submission, the marketing trends could have changed considerably.

Originally Posted by John Jarrold

Be aware of the authors who have broken through recently in sales terms, because they are the people with whom you will be compared by the publishers to whom you submit your work. None of us live in a vacuum, so get on the case and check it out!

In your opinion, who is on the cutting edge for Space Opera these days, John?

[John Jarrold]

Bestselling areas don't change overnight. I'm not saying you should write exactly like GRRM, but the first trilogy in his series was sold in 1995, so it's been taken seriously for some time! And although you should take time and get your first book right, remember that if you do get a deal you will be expected to produce a book a year by your publisher, so you can't hang around too much...

It's interesting how little synergy there is between the film and book genres. Until the LORD OF THE RINGS films, SF was much bigger at the box office than fantasy, but the reverse has been true in books for almost thirty years. And horror is big in movies, but in the UK you can't sell a supernatural novel to save your life, unless it's by a long-term bestseller or some variation on Buffy and Laurell K Hamilton.

The main thing is not to start writing something that's already out of date. So kitchen boys who become kings, and elves and dwarves are probably not sensible.

In terms of space opera, I'd certainly include Alastair Reynolds as the best exponent who has appeared in recent years, and longer term Iain M Banks and Peter F Hamilton. Ken MacLeod and Charles Stross have both worked interestingly in it, and Justina Robson's NATURAL HISTORY is a book that stands scrutiny, too.

[argenianpoet]

That's interesting John, but I don't follow trends, I try to write under the concept that I will start a new one, and not continue to feed to a cliche. Good stories are original and for me originality is the pinnacle of my set goals.

[John Jarrold]

Very best of luck!

[SJAB]

Originally Posted by John Jarrold

but in the UK you can't sell a supernatural novel to save your life, unless it's by a long-term bestseller or some variation on Buffy and Laurell K Hamilton.

Now that is down-right disheartening As I have been researching such a novel for a while now..... Oh well, might just write it for myself, to see if I can blend the the historical detail with the supernatural elements.

[I, Brian]

Originally Posted by argenianpoet

That's interesting John, but I don't follow trends, I try to write under the concept that I will start a new one, and not continue to feed to a cliche. Good stories are original and for me originality is the pinnacle of my set goals.

Funnily enough, I had that same idea when I spent 8 years outlining and writing about 750,000 words for a fantasy series.

Unfortunately, I got it completely wrong - I hadn't bothered to read up how the genre, and most of my text was over-written.

I think it's definitely worth underlining the point John makes about being aware of the more recent authors in your genre - not only does it give you an idea what is actually selling, you can also learn from how the authors put information together.

I was always referred to George R R Martin as closest to my aims, and was recommended to read his A Song of Fire and Ice series - so eventually I did and it's definitely been eye opening.

Looking with a technical view at how he constructs scenes and brings information succintly together is definitely helpful, to see how an experienced writer deals with the subject matter.

Overall, I think therefore I can safely say from experience that writing in a vacuum was not at all helpful, and that awareness of the technical aspects of writing, combined with at least a basic idea of what's required by the publishing process, would have done me in far better stead.

UK agent Carole Blake wrote that 90% of what she receives in submissions is simply sub-standard and unprofessional - my original work was entirely that - but I should hope that I'm now a little wiser, and when I finally get around to some editing/rewriting of my fantasy work, just maybe I can get into the 10% that passes the first hurdle.

That may not be a guarantee of being published, but I figure the chances of publishing are much better in the final 10%, then the first 90% rejected.

2c.

[John Jarrold]

Originally Posted by SJAB

Now that is down-right disheartening As I have been researching such a novel for a while now..... Oh well, might just write it for myself, to see if I can blend the the historical detail with the supernatural elements.

Again, Sue, this is about market research. Go into your local Waterstones or Ottakars and see who and what is on the horror shelves. Always worthwhile when writing popular fiction. Make sure it's popular...

[SJAB]

Originally Posted by John Jarrold

Again, Sue, this is about market research. Go into your local Waterstones or Ottakars and see who and what is on the horror shelves. Always worthwhile when writing popular fiction. Make sure it's popular...

Speaking of Ottakers, they are in the middle of a takeover aren't they, is it HMV?

And you are right about the research *sigh* I do need to "get with it more" if I am going to make a good shot of this.

As to Horror, it does seem to be the old best sellers like King, Herbert, Straub, Koontz and the old classics. Oh and anything Buffy related, though I think Steven Savile is producing some good stories, not quite in the traditional horror mould.

[argenianpoet]

Originally Posted by SJAB

Now that is down-right disheartening As I have been researching such a novel for a while now..... Oh well, might just write it for myself, to see if I can blend the the historical detail with the supernatural elements.

Why not try your hand at U.S. Literary Agents; you know, it couldn't hurt, and you never know... Just because it don't sell good in one place, doesn't mean that's necessarily true about another. If I can get published in another country I am going for it, because quite frankly I see that crossover writers are more successful. I know a lot of Americans who read foreign writers, and like their stuff better than the ones in their own country. It's all about perspective, and in the publishing world it doesn't really matter where you are published just as long as you have fans, right? Just be the notion of actual success would be enough for me: seeing my work in print. And who knows, if you became successful enough in the United States then your books would eventually be sold in your home country. Just something to consider...

[John Jarrold]

US publication has happened first for a number of UK writers, including Ian McDonald, Charles Stross and Liz Williams. Of course, one still often incurs the fatal phrase from a US publisher: It's too British...

[John Jarrold]

Originally Posted by SJAB

As to Horror, it does seem to be the old best sellers like King, Herbert, Straub, Koontz and the old classics. Oh and anything Buffy related, though I think Steven Savile is producing some good stories, not quite in the traditional horror mould.

Oddly enough, I just took Steve Savile on as a client, and we're having lunch in London today. Spooky, or what???!!!

And yes, HMV, who already own Waterstones, seem to have concluded the takeover of Ottakars...

[SJAB]

Originally Posted by John Jarrold

Oddly enough, I just took Steve Savile on as a client, and we're having lunch in London today. Spooky, or what???!!!

Way too spooky for a Friday morning! He(Steve Savile) deserves a wider audience, I think he has had a run of bad luck, which has nothing to do with his writing.

And yes, HMV, who already own Waterstones, seem to have concluded the takeover of Ottakars...

I was wondering would this increase the range of books on the high street, or narrow it? Personally, I am buying more and more off the net, especially with the large second-hand market that is available both through Amazon and Ebay. Even with paying for postage it is cheaper for me. I live in the country so any trip to town I have to add petrol and parking costs. Then for a really decent book store I have to go to Birmingham or Manchester, which means adding train fare to the equation.

[John Jarrold]

There is a feeling in publishing that it will narrow the range, as there will be fewer national buyers, whose taste informs the range as well as raw sales data.

I buy lots from Amazon, too...

[Wayne Blackhurst]

Originally Posted by SJAB

Then for a really decent book store I have to go to Birmingham or Manchester, which means adding train fare to the equation.

Manchester's worth the expense, yes? We've got Town itself, with a whole raft of bookshops to browse, The Trafford Centre, with Borders and Waterstones, two huge stores. And the two areas are within a couple of miles of each other, so easy to get to. For me, both are within easy reach and The Trafford Centre is so close I could walk there now, buy a book and still be back by 10.30am. Oh, I'm spoilt.....