Writing a Novel and Getting Published For Dummies UK

Learn to: Craft a winning manuscript Troubleshoot and edit your work Prepare your manuscript for publication Find a good agent to represent you Negotiate the best possible deal Turn your aspiration into reality with this completely updated guide If you ve always wanted to write that great novel, but never knew where to start, look no further! With a published author advising you on how to write well and a literary agent providing insight into getting a publishing deal, this updated guide gives you the inside track on the art and science of breaking into the fiction-publishing industry. Taking you step by step from concept to contract, this book provides the tools you need to tell your story with skill and approach agents and publishers with confidence. Dive in check out how to combine your natural talent with the writing techniques used by successful authors Establish a firm foundation construct your basic story, plot and structure Examine the key elements create characters, develop dialogue, explore relationships and insert conflict Fine-tune and finish up discover tips on adding detail, creativity and flair while bringing your work to a close Get published take the next step by weighing up your publishing options, working with agents and negotiating deals Find out more check out additional advice, like the most common mistakes you need to avoid, and tips from published authors Open the book and find: Tips for getting started Creative ways to develop plots, storylines, characters and dialogue The seven basic stories and how to put them to work Tricks for crafting a great ending to your novel How to prepare your manuscript for editing and publishing The lowdown on the business side of publishing

Learn to:* Craft a winning manuscript* Troubleshoot and edit your work* Prepare your manuscript for publication* Find a good agent to represent you* Negotiate the best possible dealTurn your aspiration into reality with this completelyupdated guideIf you've always wanted to write that great novel, butnever knew where to start, look no further! With a published authoradvising you on how to write well and a literary agent providinginsight into getting a publishing deal, this updated guide givesyou the inside track on the art and science of breaking into thefiction-publishing industry. Taking you step by step from conceptto contract, this book provides the tools you need to tell yourstory with skill and approach agents and publishers withconfidence.* Dive in -- check out how to combine your natural talentwith the writing techniques used by successful authors* Establish a firm foundation -- construct your basic storyplot and structure* Examine the key elements -- create characters, developdialogue, explore relationships and insert conflict* Fine-tune and finish up -- discover tips on adding detailcreativity and flair while bringing your work to a close* Get published -- take the next step by weighing up yourpublishing options, working with agents and negotiating deals* Find out more -- check out additional advice, like themost common mistakes you need to avoid, and tips from publishedauthorsOpen the book and find:* Tips for getting started* Creative ways to develop plots, storylines, characters anddialogue* The seven basic stories and how to put them to work* Tricks for crafting a great ending to your novel* How to prepare your manuscript for editing and publishing* The lowdown on the business side of publishing

Introduction 1Part I: Getting Started with Writing a Novel and Getting Published 5Chapter 1: Entering the Writer's World 7Chapter 2: Meshing Your Talent and Technique 13Chapter 3: Getting to the Writing 19Part II: Building from the Basics 35Chapter 4: Following the Hero's Journey 37Chapter 5: Scheming and Plot ting: Using Stories 47Chapter 6: Considering the Grand Concept 59Chapter 7: Structuring the Story 67Part III: Examining the Elements 81Chapter 8: Creating Characters 83Chapter 9: Exploring Relationships 105Chapter 10: Talking about Dialogue 113Chapter 11: Including Conflict 129Part IV: Fine-tuning and Finishing Up 141Chapter 12: Adding Depth and Detail 143Chapter 13: Getting Creative 153Chapter 14: Ending and Editing 163Part V: Publishing 181Chapter 15: Publishing Your Novel 183Chapter 16: Finding an Agent 199Chapter 17: Preparing for Publication 223Chapter 18: Coping with the Business Side of Being an Author 237Chapter 19: Taking Control: Self-Publishing 249Part VI: The Part of Tens 279Chapter 20: Ten Top Tips for Writers 281Chapter 21: Ten Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them 289Chapter 22: (Answers to) Ten Questions Put to Agents 293Chapter 23: Ten Tips from Published Authors 299Index 303