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Our Guest Author in June 2002 was Jenni Mawter. "JENI MAWTER'S new book, So Gross!, is a hilarious collection of seven of the funniest and most revolting stories ever. So Gross! is for lovers of the fouler things in life. This repulsive collection of demented stories is definitely not for the squeamish, and should not, under any circumstances, be read on a full stomach." (From Website: National Trust Norman Lindsay Festival of Children's Literature). We were entertained to True Horror Stories of the Publishing Industry (my title) or simply Getting Published by the invincible J.A. Mawter ('Jeni' to family and friends), author of 'So Feral' and 'So Gross'. Here is a summary of her talk: A children's author must be three people: a creative person: a marketer of story and self; a good PR person with parents, teachers and librarians. Two big mistakes: targeting the wrong publisher; being too scared to ring and find out what they (the publishers) want. On the creative front: keep honing your skills; learn from others. The members of the group must have the same aims: getting published or hobby. Treat writing like a profession. (Jeni also has a Diploma in Editing and an M.A. in Creative Writing.) Her first published works were book reviews for 'Class Magazine'. Be warned, it is a very difficult profession - it is hard to get just the right tone, length, subject and language for a publisher. "The simpler something looks, the harder the effort and the greater the amount of skill." Networking is very important - it is almost impossible to work solo. Fiction vs. non-fiction 90% of work published is non-fiction, 10% is . . . . . . . She recommends going to the Book Fair. Say that you are an author; take notes on what is being published; approach publishers there with your ideas. 'Australian Writers' Marketplace' - invaluable! Little publishers will not treat you with respect (they changed much of Jeni's work without consulting her), but you must start somewhere. Learn from comments on rejection slips (if they are not too impersonal). Show that you are serious. After being messed around by small publishers, Jeni pitched a collection of 5 stories (20,000 words altogether) and 3 chapters and the synopsis of a YA novel at major publishers. Harper Collins are publishing one (or 2?) stories and the Young Adult novel. Publishers are only interested in backing you if you're professional and produce one manuscript a year. Editing Editors are no longer willing to hold your hand. You must learn to edit your own work. Joke or True Story? A writer and a neurosurgeon meet at a party and talk about their respective occupations. Neurosurgeon: When I retire, I want to write a book. Writer: When I retire, I want to perform brain surgery. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ We will not be having guest writers for a while, so we can get on with the business of critiquing our own writing. I will be sending my writing to my group, hopefully next week. If you think it is your turn to have your writing critiqued, please send it. If you are not sure, yet have something ready, send it anyway. A bientôt, Ruth Thank you Ruth for a beautifully written newsletter! |