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My son (Eric), has finished Aussie 42 chapter Sci Fi/Fantasy
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I also write Sci-fi and Fantasy, Alleesia. My own publisher is Hague Publishing (WA). There are a number of small presses in Australia who specialise in speculative fiction - Ticonderoga, Twelfth Planet Press, Fablecroft (but I think it's just paused), and then there's the major publishers.A few tips - if it's only just finished, then encourage your son to put it away for a month, and then take it out and re-read from the beginning. Fresh eyes see more than ones that have been intimately involved in writing the story for a long time. Otherwise, we read what we thought we wrote, not what we actually wrote.
Someone/s other than the author should also read it - someone who will be honest, and comment on all aspects of the story and its writing.
If he hasn't already done so, 'Eric' should join his local writers centre. They can provide advice, contract assessments, and courses to assist in the process of publishing/finding a publisher/editing etc.
Hope that's helpful.
Thank you Leonie, wonderfully helpful. I asked him to join here and he said he didn't want to fog his thought line for his other six following books to this one that are all a set.Nice advice about putting it away for a month then re-reading it. I hadn't thought to say this but you sure are right, I find that about things often even a day or two later on FB, lol.
He has a good friend who is giving it a read, but it hasn't happened since September so he is discouraged that the friend hasn't the time and now is moving to NZ, all our plans can change.
I think he can ask other people also to give it a read that can be objective to help especially in his line of work.
Thanks for all the Press names. I'm an expert getting material to press but not into publishing as such on the money or legal side. Just an expert in papers, colours, costs, contacts of the major Aussie magazine printers as I worked in the Consolidated Press group for years.
But your area I know nothing of. Great for your really fast feedback and all the best with your works. Have you listed your works on here on goodreads somewhere? I'm pretty new on this site so still not at home with it yet...
Absolutely helpful advice Leonie thanks.
Glad it was helpful, Allesia. Hopefully it'll be published one day, and we can all read it!And, yes, my books are listed on here. :-)
And my apologies for calling you Kirsten! I have no idea why I did that! I've now edited my posts to your real name :-)
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Brenda wrote: "That's because she was called Kirsten until the last couple of minutes Leonie! I got a shock too when I saw the new name!"Oh, so I wasn't going mad then? Thank heavens for that!
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sorry ladies, my son wants me to shape shift a bit due to him requiring privacy to write. he is eccentric but hey he is a person who both positive and ithinks ahead. so, he believes he is going to be a great writer (we all in our own way do), so Im shape shifting. Big apologies Leonie. thanks Brenda 4 picking it up, can u change the name in your post please 4 my sons sake tho? My whole family know its too great a loss to be famous for some so he wants to be in control, just in case. The confidence!!! Lol :b
i guess I must leave goodreads for his sake now, damn!!!
nah!! I'll stay. Messing u gals around. But some truth, you will have to work out what, pic? 1st name, any name. Some authors we kniw have a writers name... Really, please help keep the suggestions rolling, I love goodreads!!!!
If he is planning ahead he should at least establish a Goodreads presence before he is published. People don't respond well to authors who don't join until they have a book to sell, and his publisher will want him actively promoting it. In fact his ability to help sell said book could be the decider in whether or not he gets published, as crazy as that sounds.There's a difference between a best selling author and a best writing one. They are often very different beasts, and publishers want the former far more than the latter.
Definitely make sure he has it professionally edited before he tries any publishers. That will give him his best chance of success. :-)
Ryan and Lynne both great posts. Thank you. I am going to ring him again and have another shot at getting him to join goodreads. As you very well said Ryan and I was thinking this, he must be seen to actively be trying to discuss and promote his book done. i felt it I think intuitively that he MUST join goodreads. wish me luck here. And everyone keep your own ideas flowwing, thank you people :)
If he joins here make sure he tries to engage as a reader and not just as a writer. Yes it will take time away from his writing but as I said, selling books appears to be a lot harder than writing them. Even if Eric's book is great, nobody will ever know if they don't decide to give it a try in the first place. So he will need friends before he will ever get customers.
ryan, my sentiments exactly. Its why I told him once only so far of goodreads. I will give it another shot tonight. Its difficult in that mothers can be I guess not modern anymore or something such as that at his age. I don't know quite what it is but 2 out of 3 of my children assume my idea is hairbrained most of the time. Im probably a frustrated writer that talks too much. Thats the truth!! Anyway creativity runs strong in my family so I will creatively now get through to him tonight and get him on goodreads...
Eric is in torment. My poor lad came back from a great 1st time overseas trip to America for 6 weeks. He has suddenly had revelations consequently of personal emotional content. I described that I have done this chat thread for him and when I see him I think I will take him to the site together. Mother here needs to nurture the author. Thank you for ideas, he has heard now more what goodreads does so tgis is going ok really. After much needed personal space his time here on goodreads I think will happen. Finished book currently on shelf, he has lost the drive for it currently, rather sad...
How does one help a discouraged writer back to reality? All suggestions most welcome!
What exactly is his issue? The book is finished but he doesn't want to go through the editing/rewriting stage? Or doesn't want to put it out there for critical appraisal? I understand it's reasonable for him to not even want to look at the book for a while. It seems many/most successful writers do that with a recently finished manuscript. He probably does need a break. He could get on Goodreads and discuss books he's read or he could crack on with writing the next book's first draft. It's fine to let the current one simmer while he clears his head. Is he happy with whatever else he's doing in life right now?
I think taking some time off the book might be beneficial in allowing him to reconnect with why he was drawn to that particular story in the first place. It might be helpful for him to think about what would happen if he left that book on the shelf, never to be fully realised vs. him finishing that book and putting it out there. Is it a story that he can easily walk away from, or is it something that's going to continue to nag at him until it's completed? If it's the latter, then that should be an indication that the story he is telling is very worthwhile.
Elias you are right about him really. Thanks, putting his finished book might be a good idea on the shelf. Ryan, he is dealing with anger he boxed up 16 years ago and realises the book was a release. The holiday and feeling happy and now back to life, he has opened Pandoras box so to speak? His main issue is anger an DC he doesn't know even when it started. He is wisely seeking help going through this. He has a scientifically trained mind. I had a long talk and reminded gently some poignant talks on anger we had years ago just prior to the "putting emotion of anger" boxed. surprise mum, Im ready to explode and he is still laughing. Im very worried about him. Thanks both for your quick reply. The book is finished. Before the holiday he let 2 people read some of it. I saw the draught but it wasn't left for me to read. I may get him to send me by compressed file maybe with the promise to keep it private? It might be too personal, I think maybe not. Timing not right.
Sounds like the story is a very personal one that he feels deeply connected to. I think that's all the more reason for him to step away from it and allow some time to pass before thinking about finishing it, even if it never sees the light of day. He should finish it for himself.
It is finished, Thanks Elias. Just being read and assessed currently. I believe he might shelve it for a while. He is now under medical guidance so that chapter of crisis is over. I will let you all know when he is moving along with this first book of many (hopefully) later.
I have called him Eric as he wants to remain anonymous for now and he hasn't thought of an author name as yet. We live in Melbourne, Australia. As I understand there are very few Sci-Fi/Fantasy adults books around and only a few publishers specialised in this area? I would really appreciate all the information in this area to get him a good chance.
It is a huge book. He has devised an alphabet to the fantasy land and writes it so it takes a bit of study and definitely I think any Sci-Fi/Fantasy adult will enjoy this. I am itching to read it so I should not preempt here, proud mother just so excited.
So everyone, I will keep you posted as to how "Eric's" progress is going with his very first major work. I love the drawings, maps, the animals and treachery that lies under the water he has explained (which I wonder if it is a mixture of many things both sailor myth and previous sci-fi writers? I need to read his book!!
Of course he is guarded about this. Our family are all keenly interested to see what happens with this. Will keep everyone posted.
So any advice please can everyone who reads this give us hints as to the book publishing and printing industry. Anything, marketing, sites for selling, specialist sites for his genre for e-book sales all and more please post.
Thank you for getting to read this line, ha, you are at the end...
K