Category Archives: getting published

The Thumbs Down Publishers List

Posted on November 1, 2015 by Danielle de Valera

What indie writer trying to juggle the demands (and costs) of cover design, ebook design, print book design, and possibly a full time job as well, hasn’t been tempted to toss the lot to one of those publishers who promise … Continue reading →

Posted in advice about writing, advice for writers, Australian manuscript appraisers, Danielle De Valera, editing, editors, getting published, indie publishing, manuscript appraisers, manuscript assessments, manuscript assessors, Patrick de Valera, publishers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Smashwords Develop Metadata-only Preorders

Posted on July 7, 2015 by Danielle de Valera

Below is reprinted with Mark Coker’s permission his 17 June post on the where, when, why and how of metadata-only preorders. For anyone intending to publish with Smashwords, it’s well worth reading. Smashwords Introduces Assetless Preorders (aka “Metadata Only” preorders) … Continue reading →

Posted in advice for writers, Danielle De Valera, getting published, indie publishing, manuscript assessors, metadataless preorders, Smashwords, Smashwords preorders, the pros and cons of preorders | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Spontaneity in fiction

Posted on September 14, 2014 by Danielle de Valera

How important IS spontaneity in fiction? The answer is: It depends. Some works benefit from having a style that appears spontaneous. However, in my experience, when emerging writers talk about spontaneity and the fear of losing it by redrafting, they … Continue reading →

Posted in advice about writing, advice for writers, Australian manuscript appraisers, editing, editors, fear of losing spontaneity, fiction editing, getting published, manuscript appraisals, manuscript appraisers, manuscript assessments, manuscript assessors, traditional publishing | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Manuscript Layout for Australian Publishers

Posted on June 25, 2014 by Danielle de Valera

The advice below is meant to serve as help for writers trying to have their work traditionally published in Australia. It can also be used by short story writers entering Australian competitions.  ~ Do not align the RH margin — … Continue reading →

Posted in advice about writing, advice for writers, getting published, manuscript layout, manuscript presentation, short story competitions, traditional publishing | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Ten Ways to Make Certain Your Novel Won’t be Published Traditionally

Posted on June 15, 2014 by Danielle de Valera

1.   Don’t redraft on the grounds that you don’t want to lose the spontaneity of your work. 2.   If you do decide to do the 8+ drafts necessary to make someone take you seriously, you insist on doing them online, … Continue reading →

Posted in advice for writers, editing, editors, fiction editing, getting published, manuscript appraisals, manuscript appraisers, manuscript assessments, manuscript assessors, traditional publishing | Tagged , , , , , , , | 10 Comments