#writeblrreferenceforwriters

If you decide to pursue traditional publishing, what are the steps after you've written and self-edited your manuscript?

1. Querying

For traditional publishing, you'll need a literary agent 90% of the time.

In order to get a literary agent, you need to query a bunch of them. It is also possible to secure representation at in-person pitch events or on Twitter events like PitMad.

For querying, it is important to compile a list of agents who are reputable and who represent your genre and age category. Then, decide in how many rounds you will query these agents.

Follow their guidelines!

For most agents, you'll need a query letter - a one-page cover letter pitching your book. You'll also need a synopsis, which sets out the entire work in a few pages. Some agents may also request extracts from the manuscript.

2. Getting an agent

If an agent likes your submission they will contact you. Most likely, this will be to request part of your manuscript, or the entire work.

If they still want to represent you after reading the book, they will offer you representation.

You will then sign a contract of representation and the agent will get a percentage of the proceeds of your published books.

3. Agent edits

Not all agents are editors, but most are. If you get an editorial agent, the agent will work with you to polish your novel even more.

This will take as many rounds of edits as is necessary for both of you to be satisfied.

4. Going on submission

Once your book is ready, your agent will pitch the book to editors at publishing houses.

This will usually take multiple rounds and a lot of time.

This is like querying, only more excruciating.

Once an editor shows interest in your work, this process comes to an end.

This also means that the power is back in your hands. Your agent will now let the other editors know that you have an interested editor and that they will have to respond within a certain period if they still want to represent you.

5. Acquisitions

Even if an editor wants to publish your work, they need the go-ahead of the entire publishing house.

This is what acquisitions meetings are for.

The editor will pitch your book to the rest of the company. The marketing, financial etc teams will then decide whether they think the book can be profitable.

6. Offer and auction

If the publishing house wants to publish your book, you will receive an offer from the publisher.

If more than one publisher is interested, the book will go to auction, where the interested publishing houses will bid to publish the work. The best offer will then be accepted.

7. Contract

Once you've decided to publish with a certain house, contract negotiations will begin.

Your agent will be in charge of negotiating on your behalf. However, it is probably a good idea to educate yourself on the things to look out for and to consult with an Intellectual Property lawyer.

Once you and the publisher are satisfied with the contract, you will sign.

You will receive an advance, which is the amount the publisher predicts you will earn in royalties from the book. The first portion of the advance is usually paid upon signature of the contract.

8. More edits

Then, you will have various rounds of edits with your editor to ensure that the book is the best it can be.

Once this is complete, you will probably receive the second portion of the advance.

9. Behind-the-scenes stuff

Your publisher is then in charge of certain procedures necessary for publication e.g. formatting and cover design.

The publishing house will also create a marketing plan, which you should supplement with your own marketing.

10. Publication

And, presto, your book is published.

The process from offer to publication can take anywhere between just under a year to 6+ years.

Should you earn out your advance, you will receive royalty cheques from your publisher.

So, those are the usual steps in broad terms. Some aspects may vary, but this is what you can expect when pursuing traditional publishing.

Here are some tips for writing great sub-plots, romantic or otherwise.

1. When to introduce a sub-plot

Of course, every story is different. However, there is some consensus that it's good to introduce your sub-plot a little ways into your book

The main plot needs to be established first. The readers need to know the main character(s) and understand what the story is about. They need to care about the crux of the book and the characters first.

Then, you can introduce an intriguing subplot to keep their interest.

Don't wait too long, though. Anything after 1/3 through might feel forced and misplaced.

2. When to resolve the sub-plot

The sub-plot should be resolved before the main plot is.

Generally, you want your readers' attention focused on the main conflict once you reach the climax.

This means that you want to give them the resolution of the sub-plot a few pages/chapters before the big showdown of the main plot.

You'll see that most TV episodes also follow this guideline and it works.

You can, roughly, aim for the 3/4 mark if you're unsure.

3. Remember the sub in sub-plot

I love a good sub-plot, especially one about characters growing closer. However, if I pick up a sci-fi thriller from the bookstore only to read a 400 page love story, I'm gonna be disappointed.

You classify your genre according to your main plot. What is the main conflict or purpose in your story? That should be the focus.

A sub-plot of whichever variation is always secondary to the main storyline.

If you focus too much on the subplot, it may overpower your real story and bump your book into a whole other genre.

So, maybe have the romance take a backseat when the main plot comes to play.

4. When to indulge

Let's be honest; we all love writing our sub-plots. They often contain the scenes you envisioned when thinking up your story - the conversations and fluff, the banter and depth of character. This, unfortunately, means that it's easy to get carried away, as I made clear in my last point.

However, there is a part of your book in which you can indulge, a point during which you can explore the sub-plot to your heart's desire.

When is that point? The middle.

Often, the main plot slows down in the middle of the book. The characters need training or there's a period of false security etc. Many stories have a lull in the middle where the main conflict isn't in full swing.

And this is where the sub-plot shines. This is where characters fall in love and heroes reunite with long-lost fathers. This is where you get to place your darling scenes.

And no, this doesn't mean that your middle can be 200 pages and you can write an entire romance novel. It also doesn't mean that the main plot must disappear. It's just a stage in the story where you can let the sub-plot loose a bit.

Also don't leave every aspect of your sub-plot for the middle. It should be woven into your story.

But use the middle to let the sub-plot shine.

5. Should you have a sub-plot?

Personally, I think every story needs some form of sub-plot.

There has to be some conflict/story/relationship that develops and adds intrigue aside from the main plot.

Not having one could screw up your pacing, make your characters feel underdeveloped and generally make for a boring read.

But, this is just my opinion. Each unto their own.

That's it. Those are some basic tips on writing a sub-plot. I hope that they could be helpful. As always, my inbox and asks are open for any questions.

My post on writing a perfect OTP remains my most popular. So, I thought I'd expand on it. Here are 5 more tips on writing a couple your readers can't help but ship:

1. Shared struggles

Something that really strengthens readers' love of a couple is watching them get each other through difficult times.

It really shows how strong the relationship is

And it gives the characters shared experiences to reminisce about

Plus, it gives you the opportunity to show the characters being vulnerable in front of each other, as I recommend in Part 1

2. Little moments of fluff

A great way to strengthen your readers' connection with a couple is to show them small, cute interactions whilst other plot points are going on.

Just a character holding the other's hand, making them their favourite drink, laughing at an inside joke etc.

Whatever suits that couple, you can sprinkle into plot-driven scenes once or twice in your novel.

It's even better if it's something very specific to that couple that gets repeated throughout the story.

3. Overcoming conflict

In my first post, I mentioned creating a healthy relationship where most of the conflict is external.

However, this doesn't mean that your characters have to agree on everything.

Showing the couple having a disagreement and, respectfully, working through it can show the strength of the relationship.

Don't have the characters lash out too intensely or say unforgivable things. Don't let it get physical.

Just a normal, healthy disagreement

And don't make them argue ALL the time, since readers will probably be annoyed with this. (unless you're writing enemies/rivals to lovers)

4. Romantic moments after the get-together

In most books with a romantic plot/sub-plot, the characters getting together is the big moment

However, this doesn't mean that your work ends there.

Couples don't get together and then forget about each other immediately.

There's usually a honeymoon phase, where there'll be more romance/PDA.

Give your readers the beautiful relationship they've been waiting for.

5. Quirky details

You will make a lot of readers' hearts melt if your couple has a unique 'thing'

Something they do together. A joke they have. Weird nicknames. Shared oddities etc.

Choose something that would suit who they are as characters as weave it through the story.

This isn't a necessity, but it's a good tactic for getting readers to ship your characters.

So, those are my tips for writing ship-able couples. If you have any questions, feel free to leave me an ask.

I've had a few asks regarding writing characters with mental illness. So, I've decided to make a post with some tips. This post will focus on anxiety and mood disorders, not dissociative or psychotic disorders. (although many of the tips may apply for those as well)

Trigger warning: this post talks candidly about mental health issues and self-harm is briefly mentioned.

1. Research

This is probably predictable advice, but it's important.

If you're writing a character with a specific mental illness, you need to understand how that illness affects a person.

If you suffer from that illness yourself, you can draw heavily on your own experiences. But, I would still recommend doing research, since the same disorder can affect different people differently.

So, to start, you can research the medically-recognised definition and symptoms of the disorder, which is easy to find online.

Then, look for personal accounts. Since the stigma around mental health issues has started to dissipate, this is also quite easy to find. They can be blog posts, poems, short stories etc. You can find many of these on tumblr itself, since this is a platform where people generally feel comfortable to share.

However, do not put your research above your own mental health. If something is triggering to you, rather leave it be.

2. Keep it respectful

As a mentally ill person myself, this is a big one for me. I can't tell you how many times clinical anxiety has been used for humor in fiction - and it becomes hurtful at a certain point.

So, do not use a character's mental illness to make them the villain. Do not infantalise or patronise your mentally ill characters. Do not demonize them or play into stereotypes.

If you want to use mental illness as a gimmick, please just choose a different plot point.

We are not comedic relief or horror stories. We are human beings. Treat your characters as such.

When researching personal accounts, many of these disrespectful stereotypes/stigmas will probably become apparent.

If you're still not sure, ask.

3. Infusing the illness into the plot

If you're writing a book that centres around mental illness, you don't have to worry about this tip as much.

If you're writing any other type of novel, you'll need to infuse the ways mental illness affect people's lives into your storyline.

This means showing the character's anxiety when something triggering happens. This means understanding that the character might become irritable or dissociative. Maybe the character's self-harming scars become visible at some point. Perhaps they experience a manic episode etc.

That research you did about how that disorder feels will assist you here.

You don't have to remind the readers of the character's illness at every turn. Many mentally ill people function quite normally to the outside world. Just lace it through the plot when it becomes relevant.

4. Keep your context in mind

If your story takes place in a world you've created, this isn't as relevant. But it could be something to think about.

Attitudes regarding mental illness have varied across history and still vary across territories. Treatments have changed. Diagnoses as well.

Keep in mind how the outside world might be affecting your characters who are mentally ill. This is once again a matter of research.

You could make this a theme or it could just be mentioned throughout your story.

5. Sensitivity reader

If, at the end of the drafting process, you are not sure whether you've written the character correctly and respectfully, it could be a good idea to hire a sensitivity reader.

A sensitivity reader reads through your book to see whether there's anything that might be offensive to readers.

That's it. Those are my tips for writing characters with mental illness. If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask.

Due to budgeting constraints, I've switched to searching for a critique partner rather than a professional critique:

Hi guys. I'm looking for a critique partner for May 2020. My manuscript is political low fantasy with mature content, and will be around 120 000 words when done editing. If you have decent writing/editing experience, that would be great! I am willing to do an exchange of manuscripts, where I also critique your work (I am an experienced writer and English literature graduate with some experience in critiquing). Please comment below if you're interested.