Posts Tagged With: literary agents

Answered: Your Most Burning Questions About Editors

Posted on February 13, 2019 by Laurence MacNaughton

James Persichetti, Developmental Editor at Lost Hat Editorial Services

For every brilliant manuscript that grows into a best-selling novel, untold thousands of others get dumped into the recycle bin. What’s the crucial difference between them?

Ask Jamie.

Over the years, James Persichetti has seen more unpublished manuscripts cross his desk than most people could read in a lifetime. He started out at the incomparable Nelson Literary Agency (Bird Box, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, etc.).

Now, he’s launched Lost Hat Editorial Services, a boutique editing business that helps writers like you succeed. Here he is, in his own words, to tell you how to find the right editor, polish your book to perfection, and avoid the biggest mistakes aspiring writers make. Continue reading →

Categories: For Writers | Tags: aspiring writers, editors, for writers, how to get published, how to write a novel, literary agents, Publishers, writing a novel, Writing Coach, Writing Tips | Leave a comment

8 Secrets to Pitching Your Novel Like a Pro

Posted on November 20, 2018 by Laurence MacNaughton

When it comes to publishing a novel, the actual writing is only half the battle. In order to get the attention of a publisher, you have to know how to “sell” your book.

I think we can all agree that most writers are not natural-born sales professionals. So it’s easy to understand why the idea of sitting down across the desk from an editor and pitching your novel might make you break out in a cold sweat.

No worries. There are basically eight big pitfalls you have to avoid — all you have to do is navigate around them, and let your story shine through.

I’ve explained how to do it here, on Fiction University.

Categories: For Writers | Tags: editors, how to pitch, how to publish a book, literary agents, pitch fest | Leave a comment

Functional Nerds podcast: now featuring Yours Truly

Posted on August 3, 2016 by Laurence MacNaughton

Functional Nerds podcast Laurence MacNaughton _ It Happened One Doomsday SF Signal will be missed.

But the science fiction/fantasy world has always been chock-full of innovation.

The vacuum left by SF Signal creates more room in the spotlight for fresh, entertaining podcasts like Functional Nerds.

Listen in for free as I chat with the ever-entertaining and informative John Anealio and Patrick Hester about:

“Wait, wait, JJ Abrams said WHAT?!”

• Fantastic new movies (and possibly some bad ones) including 10 Cloverfield Lane…

• The free & easy mind-mapping software that you absolutely need right now…

• The new Neil Gaiman book you can’t miss…

• Why you need to check out Humble Bundles right now…

• A secret look behind the scenes in my new book…

And oh, so much more.
Check it out on Functional Nerds now. >

Oh, and one more thing:

Don’t forget to join my author newsletter for bonus free stuff, including the new short story MAGIC CARPET RIDE, a prequel to my new book! >

Categories: For Writers, It Happened One Doomsday | Tags: author interview, how to write a book, how to write a novel, It Happened One Doomsday, Kristin Nelson, literary agents, podcast, Writing Tips | Leave a comment

Deepest secrets revealed on RMFW podcast

Posted on July 7, 2016 by Laurence MacNaughton

OK, so maybe not my “deepest secrets.” But this is possibly the most interesting interview I’ve ever done.

When the unstoppable Mark Stevens from Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers invited me onto the RMFW podcast, I had no idea he’d ask me such thought-provoking questions.

A few of the many, many things we talked about:

• the nuts and bolts of working with a literary agent (Kristin Nelson, in fact) and a team of New York editors

• what it’s like to get your book featured on the front table display at Barnes & Noble

Continue reading →

12 Bestselling Authors Taught Me This

Posted on May 12, 2014 by Laurence MacNaughton

The light bulb moment for me was meeting an African storyteller and learning the universal truth of story.

Over the years, I’ve interviewed dozens of bestselling authors — and they all had the same advice.

I’ll tell you what it is in this interview at the Littleton Writers Critique Group.

I’ll also reveal the surprising advice my literary agent gave me . . . the “old school” trick to stop procrastinating and get more done . . . and the secret to writing every day.

Plus, I’ll talk about the African storyteller who taught me the key to writing a good story.

And I’ll even share the hidden formula to every story ever told — no kidding.

Click here to read the interview on the Littleton Writers Critique Group website >

What was your “light bulb moment”? Leave a comment!

Don’t forget to join my mailing list — you’ll get free e-books and other cool stuff in your email. Just click here.

Categories: For Writers, how to write a book, how to write a novel | Tags: author interview, Bestselling Authors, literary agents, The Spider Thief | Leave a comment

How to Outline a Novel (Even If You Hate Outlines)

Posted on April 7, 2014 by Laurence MacNaughton

Outlining a novel is kind of like building a wall — one brick at a time. Flying monkeys optional.

Getting overwhelmed at the prospect of starting (or finishing) your novel? Feeling the pressure of hundreds of blank pages staring at you, waiting to be filled?

No sweat. Planning out a story is like building a wall:

You just do it one block at a time.

Just like a towering brick wall is made up of individual bricks, your manuscript is made up of individual parts.

You just have to break it down into small, easy-to-handle chunks, and then build it up from there. Here’s how.

Continue reading →

Categories: For Writers, how to write a book, how to write a novel, writing, writing a book, writing a novel | Tags: how to write a book, how to write a novel, Laurence MacNaughton, literary agents, Publishers, Story Coach, Story Editor, writers, writing, writing a book, writing a novel, Writing Coach, Writing Tips | Leave a comment

How to revise a novel until it’s perfect (or not)

Posted on February 15, 2013 by Laurence MacNaughton

By Laurence MacNaughton

Dear Laurence: I recently got a request for pages from an agent that I pitched to at a conference. At the same time, I had also submitted my query to a workshop, and that editor emailed me and requested pages, too. I didn’t realize I would get this kind of response, so I was caught unprepared. What do I do? Continue reading →

Categories: For Writers, how to write a book, how to write a novel, writing a book, writing a novel | Tags: how to pitch, How To Revise, how to write a book, how to write a novel, Laurence MacNaughton, literary agents, perfectionism, writing a book, writing a novel, Writing Tips | Leave a comment

The Surprising Secret to Snappy Scenes

Posted on September 14, 2012 by Laurence MacNaughton

Got a scene in your novel where a group of characters argue and discuss, but no matter how important the subject is, somehow the tension falls flat?

You can fix this scene, and I’ll tell you the trick right up front: get rid of some of your characters. Why? Continue reading →

Categories: For Writers, how to write a book, how to write a novel, writing a book, writing a novel | Tags: fiction writing, how to publish a book, how to write a book, how to write a novel, http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post, literary agents, Writers Block, writing a book, writing a novel, Writing Tips | Leave a comment

This Saturday: Instant Plot – Plan Out Your Novel the Easy Way

Posted on September 7, 2012 by Laurence MacNaughton

Hate outlining? You’re not alone. Tomorrow (9/8/12), I’ll be teaching Instant Plot at the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers conference. Here’s what’s in store: Continue reading →

Categories: For Writers, how to write a book, how to write a novel, writing a book | Tags: Class, Free Writing, how to publish a book, how to write a book, how to write a novel, Instant Plot, literary agents, Outline, Plotting, Structure, Synopsis, Writers Block, writing a book, Writing Tips | Leave a comment

Don’t Kill Your Pitch: 5 Ways You Might Be Sabotaging Your Story

Posted on August 24, 2012 by Laurence MacNaughton

Nervous about pitching your work to an editor or literary agent? Just avoid these five deal-breaking mistakes and you’ll put yourself well ahead of the competition. Continue reading →