This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
By Carlie Lee
The London Book Fair was once the preserve of publishers and agents, book-sellers and distributors. The odd freelance editor might prowl around, dropping names and peering over spectacles, or a high-profile author might be wheeled out for a press-opp. But unpublished writers, or self-published authors, were very much de trop. Anyone hawking a slab of manuscript and a hopeful expression would be stone-walled immediately.
You would see them; single and forlorn. Turning beneath the pitiless lights of Earl’s Court, forever on the outside. Someone might give them a gentle nudge in passing, and they’d rock slightly, clutching their manuscript.
But, Aspiring Authors: no longer! The Digital Revolution has changed that world; the shuffles and murmurs of a Gentleman’s Trade have given way to lightening e-deals and print-on-demand.
The rise of Indie Publishing and self-publishing (the books of which accounted for 15% of Amazon Kindle’s 2012 bestsellers’ list), has meant that Authors are no longer just assets; they’ve become players, albeit in a slightly different theatre. Now, as never before, authors have far more relevance to the actual business of publishing.
How lovely then, that the London Book Fair has partnered with Authoright, and together they have introduced a new-look Author’s Lounge to LBF13. A place especially for us.
It has been billed as presenting a ‘compelling, cutting-edge, interactive and collaborative programme of events, seminars and network opportunities’.
Golly. Aspiring authors all over the country are scrolling in wonder, gazing at the special Micro-site, unable to believe that such a chance might be real. Not only will we meet other writers, but we can talk to experts in book-selling, cover design, marketing and editing.
But the thing that has really got the Aspiring Authors excited, the thing that keeps us awake at night, churning with anticipation: The Pitch.
Face-to-face. Agent and Aspirer.
We can tell them about our books, our ideas, show them our submission packages. We can ask if they find our humorous-touch postcard humorous, whether the Scandi market might fancy something a bit jollier. We can talk and joke and show off scintillating wit and a knack with awkward questions. At some point we might even listen to what they have to say.
This, Aspiring Authors, is our moment. We must work hard; polish manuscripts, re-write biogs, nail that short synopsis.
What we won’t do, ever again, is spin slowly down Aisle 182 (Academic/STM), star-gazing and empty of hope. We have our chance, Aspirers. Let’s chase it.
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