Karen's blog: London Writers Club

Friday 26 July 2019

London Writers Club

With details of the writers retreats and more:

Hi writers,

This summer may have been a fizzer weatherwise, but we've had uplifting news from our members including a debut novelist securing a top London agent; another being submitted to publishers, with two US editors interested already! And Jacq landed a deal for a non-fiction book for one of our long-time members. Yee haw!

What's happening this summer at LWC?

Fiction and non-fiction Masterclasses series are starting soon with Jacq Burns. Four months of fine tuning your idea, preparing your pitch package and then pitching to a leading agent in a small group. More details here

We have two writers' retreats, both in fabulous locations: Puglia starting August 28 and Bali in February. Get in touch for the programme and to chat with Jacq to find out if it is right for you.

Our July LWC live event is with a brilliant editor – Kate Adams of Aster (imprint of Octopus). Join us to meet Kate and find out how non-fiction editors commission their books, and all about the process from commission to published book.

Last but not least, June’s London Writers’ Club Live event with literary agent, Emma Finn, was inspiring and informative. Here are Emma’s top tips on ensuring your submission letter is compelling:

1/ Get the agent’s name right; amazingly, lots of submissions come in with the incorrect name.

2/ State the genre, length (word length) and title.

3/ Pitch line: one line, summing up what your book is about.

4/ Tell us about the central drama, the characters and why we should care.

5/ Brief biography. Relevant writing experience, competitions etc, what you do for a living, especially if relevant to subject matter.

6/ An indication you’ve done your research: why you are writing to the agent; perhaps you’ve read an article they wrote; you’ve read and loved their clients’ books etc.

We send out vid clips of each month's event to members, You can receive the video of Emma Finn and all video clips of events (plus free event tickets) by joining the club here.

Here's hoping that this summer is good for your writing,

Jacq & Kirsty

Londonwritersclub.com

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Secrets of a great submission letter from

Emma Finn of the C & W Agency

June's event with literary agent, Emma Finn, was inspiring and informative. One subject we touched on was the submission letter and how to make it compelling for the agent. Emma gave us six top tips:

1/Get the name right - amazingly, lots of submissions come in with the incorrect name.

2/State the genre, length (word length) and title.

3/Pitch - one line.

4/Tell us about the central drama, the characters and why we should care.

5/Brief biog. Relevant writing - competitions etc.

6/Indication of research - why are you writing to the agent - have you read an article they wrote, read any of their clients' books etc.

Our next event is with an editor - Kate Adams of Aster (imprint of Octopus). Join us to find out how editors commission books and the process from commission to book.

We will be sending out the vid clips of Emma's event shortly, receive these and all vid clips of events (plus free event tickets) by joining the club here.