Ten Random Things I’ve Learned About Publishing

TEN RANDOM THINGS I’VE LEARNED ABOUT PUBLISHING (WITHOUT THE CYNICAL STUFF!)

When my new middle-grade novel ‘Zak Monroe Is (Not) My Friend’ (UCLan) comes out on April 3^rd it will be my tenth published work of fiction. To mark that milestone (well it feels like a milestone to me) I thought I’d make a list of ten random things I’ve learned about publishing and writing since my first book appeared in 2008.

1. It’s much easier to write about something you genuinely care about. The settings and characters might be different, but I’m always drawn to the themes of injustice, bullying, sympathy with the underdog and the transformative power of friendship. Plus, I’d never want to write a book that didn’t make people laugh.
2. Buy yourself the most comfortable writing chair you can afford.
3. Read as much as you can in your chosen genres. When I started, I stupidly thought that reading other YA and middle-grade fiction would make my own work less original. But knowing what’s out there and learning from your peers is invaluable, even when their books are so brilliant that you know you couldn’t possibly compete.
4. There is nothing more valuable to a writer than a good agent you really trust.
5. One of my best and longest selling books is a translation. it’s always worth thinking about removing things that would make your book harder to sell in another country. I’m struggling to think of examples, but I do remember a debate with my agent as to whether seaside piers are a peculiarly British phenomena. (The jury is still out.)
6. You’d probably be better off not reading your reviews, but you will do anyway. The good ones give you a dopamine hit that lasts for about five seconds and the bad ones are burned into your heart for all eternity.
7. Teachers and librarians are the superheroes of the literary universe.
8. You don’t need a special type of computer to write a good book.
9. I know it’s not the same for everyone, but I never start writing a new book until I know what the end will be.
10. My Mum’s in hospital at the moment. At 91, she’s still my first proof-reader and staunchest supporter. I wouldn’t have written a single line without her. Thanks Mum.