It's Friday - What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
A weekly catch-up from Jodi Taylor
This week we have:
Inside Publishing: A new series about roles within the publishing industry. This week Hazel Cushion discusses The Role of a Literary Agent: How to Find One and Why You Need One.
This week’s History Briefing is about Henry VIII's Infamous Jousting Accident of January 1536 which is featured in An Argumentation of Historians
The link to join Jodi for a Zoom call to discuss The Ballad of Smallhope and Pennyroyal
Killing Time is just 99p or 99cents this month
A joke from the Silly Sunday thread in the Fans & Readers Facebook group
Guest posts: Do you want to share something on Jodi's Substack blog?
There’s plenty to read this week and you can see everything new on the blog too. CLICK HERE for the blog.
British Halloween Myths and Traditions
When we think of Halloween, many of us picture trick-or-treaters in spooky costumes, pumpkins with grinning faces, and perhaps the odd black cat slinking across a moonlit street. While Halloween may seem like an American import, the truth is that many of its traditions and spooky stories have deep roots right here in the UK. Halloween in Britain is a fascinating mix of history, myth, and modern-day fun, from ghostly processions to ancient rituals aimed at warding off spirits. So, let’s dive into some of the best British Halloween myths and traditions!
Inside Publishing: The Role of a Literary Agent
So, you’ve finished your manuscript (or are almost there) and are ready to share your work with the world. Congratulations! Now, unless you plan to self-publish, comes the next step: finding a literary agent to help get your book onto the shelves of major bookstores. But wait, do you even need a literary agent? What exactly do they do? And how on earth do you find the right one?
What Does a Literary Agent Actually Do?
In the simplest terms, a literary agent is like your personal advocate and business manager rolled into one. Their job is to find a publisher for your book, negotiate the best deal possible, and help guide your writing career long-term. Here are the main things a literary agent does for you:
Manuscript Submission: A literary agent knows the ins and outs of the publishing world. They’ll submit your manuscript to the right editors at the right publishing houses. Think of them as your connection to all the big players in the book world.
Negotiating Contracts: Publishers’ contracts can be a maze of legal jargon. A good agent makes sure you’re getting a fair deal — from advances and royalties to protecting your rights for things like film adaptations or international sales.
Providing Feedback: Many agents offer editorial feedback to help polish your manuscript before sending it out. They know what sells and can give you the perspective you need to make your book shine.
Career Guidance: Beyond just selling one book, a good literary agent helps you plan for the future. They’ll advise you on what direction to take next, whether you should stick with your genre, or branch out.
Do You Really Need a Literary Agent?
If you want to be traditionally published (especially by one of the “Big Five” publishers like Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, etc.), then yes, you almost definitely need a literary agent. Most of the big publishing houses don’t accept unagented submissions, meaning your book has to go through an agent to be considered.
However, if you’re going the self-publishing route, you don’t need an agent. But even in that case, some self-published authors find agents useful later on when negotiating foreign deals, film rights, or special projects.
How to Approach Finding a Literary Agent
Finding the right literary agent can feel a bit like dating: you’re looking for someone who understands your vision, believes in your work, and has the connections to make your dream a reality. Here’s how to get started:
History and Happenings - click here to view more posts
Henry VIII's Infamous Jousting Accident of January 1536: Did it cause brain damage?
On January 24, 1536, King Henry VIII of England suffered a serious jousting accident that would profoundly affect his reign and his life. The accident, which took place at Greenwich Palace, left Henry unconscious for two hours and is widely regarded as a pivotal moment that contributed to his physical decline, growing health problems, and increasingly erratic behavior in the final years of his reign. This event not only altered the course of Henry’s life but also had significant political and personal consequences, including its potential influence on his second wife, Anne Boleyn, and the Tudor court.
Join us for a live chat with Jodi on Zoom on 27th October.
Topic: Jodi Chat about The Ballad of Smallhope & Pennyroyal and other sundry topics
Time: Oct 27, 2024 07:00 PM London
Join Zoom Meeting
https://bskb.zoom.us/j/83940266194?pwd=zSURw2URIBejtbqMjQOTole0NvDRVb.1
Meeting ID: 839 4026 6194
Passcode: 511760Just a reminder…
Killing Time is just 99p or 99 cents on Kindle this month - grab it while you can!
Enjoy a joke from the Silly Sunday thread from the Facebook Fans and Readers group.
Thanks to Sally Till for this one…
When I was a kid, people used to cover me in chocolate and cream and put a cherry on my head.
Yeah, life was tough in the gateau...
Guest posts: Do you want to share something on Jodi's Substack blog?
It could be about historical costumes, places or something for Controversy Corner. Those are just a few ideas but others are welcome. The articles are usually about 500 words and need at least one picture.
If your article is published you'll get a free annual subscription worth £50. This entitles you to the writing masterclass, chat room, and free eBook of the Reading Companion and History Briefing for Just One Damned Thing After Another.
Please email Hazel at hazel@rushford.ltd with your ideas. The article will appear on the blog and in the Friday digest email.
The Reading Companion and History Briefings eBook for Just One Damned Thing After Another. The eBook is 99p or FREE for subscribers.
It contains:
A foreword by Jodi Taylor
Background information on the characters
History Briefings giving information on the four main jumps in the book
Floor plans of St Mary’s Institute for Historical Research
A list of British idioms and expressions
How to make tea like a Brit
A recipe for Toad in the Hole
A full series guide and reading order for The Chronicles of St Mary’s series
Available in both epub and PDF formats. You can also download full-size images of the floor plans.