FOR WRITERS

FIRST STEPS

So, you wish to be a successful writer? Then apply yourself to learning the craft.

• Read extensively books on writing
• Read extensively books on publishing
• Read Self-editing For Fiction Writers by Renni Browne & Dave King
• Humbly learn from any published writer who is willing to share their knowledge and experience with you
• Research the benefits of traditional publishing and self-publishing
• Read Dan Poynter’s Self-Publishing Guide (even if you go the traditional route)
• Establish your web presence at your own domain, which gives you brand recognition and control

PATH TO PUBLICATION

Bring Your Writing To The Next Level!

You have finished your manuscript, and you dream of sending it to a literary agent or to a publisher. You know that they will exclaim for joy when they read your masterpiece, right?
Perhaps, but it is unlikely.
Let me share with you the steps to publication that can lead to your success:

Success in Publication

• RESEARCH
• REVISIONS
• WRITER’S CONFERENCE
• CRITIQUES
• ENDORSEMENTS
• PATIENCE

The popular path to publication is the query letter process, but I advocate “putting your face behind the request.”
Imagine that you are the editor/agent with five hundred query letters on his/her desk. How picky would you be? The truth is that the vast majority of query letters are rejected.
I tried the query process with little success, but I had sales experience. So I researched the writing craft, editing, and traditional vs. self-publishing.
Writers need mentoring to become authors, but those mentors are hard to come by.
I’m here to help you polish your writing, your manuscript, so that it is at its best before you approach an editor or agent.
You need your work, and you, to stand out from the crowd.

Beginning the Journey
You will need professional criticism and mentoring. One option open to you is to hire someone like me to go through your manuscript and give specific feedback. Here are the options I offer:

EDITORIAL REVIEW
I will evaluate your full manuscript (up to 100,000-words) based on plot, characterization, and the structure of your writing.
You will receive from me around 20 pages detailing strengths and weaknesses, along with examples and suggestions for improvement.
Cost: $300 (50% up front, 50% on completion)
Requirements: Manuscript up to 100,000-words, MS Word file, and double-spaced.

FULL LINE-EDIT
Comprehensive edits, line-by-line, including grammatical errors.
Also, an analysis of the manuscript’s plot and characterization.
Cost: $3 per page
Requirements: Manuscript must be submitted as MS Word file, double-spaced, with 1.5-inch margins.

MY QUALIFICATIONS

• Over a decade of professional experience in the Book Publishing Industry
• 3-years as editor at Double-Edged Publishing for their magazines The Sword Review and Mindflights
• Edited the 2010 Children’s Moonbeam Awards winner Kestrel’s Midnight Song
• My short fiction works have appeared in multiple magazines and several of my novels have been published under traditional publishing houses

TO DISCUSS YOUR PROJECT, EMAIL ME AT: SPAPPLETON@GMAIL.COM