In this Q&A video, David Norrington, Managing Director of Wordcatcher Publishing and Author Hub, explains the three things authors need to know if they want to quickly improve their writing skills. 1. You can’t… improvement takes time If you want …
We welcome guest posts on any topic relating to publishing, writing, illustration, or allied subjects. Please fill in the form below and we’ll consider it for publication. Do search for articles on the same topic to ensure there is as …
Most publishers have a style guide. This can influence and inform how a book is edited and proofread, by applying a consistent set of rules to the text in terms grammar, spelling, formatting, punctuation, etc. Wordcatcher uses New Hart’s Rules …
When an author is working with other professionals to prepare a book for publication, it is important to name the files appropriately to prevent them from getting lost, or the wrong version used. It’s good practice as a writer to …
There are many resources on this site to help you to write your book from scratch. That means research, writing, proofing and editing yourself. Let’s consider other ways of getting the content on the page in front of you. 1. …
What is a manuscript appraisal? A manuscript appraisal is when an author hands their work in progress to a professional editor who reads it and evaluates it. Most manuscript appraisal services include a written report of one or two pages …
We’ve been asked for a typical job advert for hiring a ghost writer. Not easy, as terms and conditions will vary according to the circumstances of both parties. Here’s one to get you going, with spaces for you to add …
A ghost writer is a writer who is hired to write a book on behalf of someone else. They are normally paid in advance for their work and most of the time their work is uncredited. This is why they …
Coming up with character names in fiction can sometimes be difficult. Some authors name characters after people they have met – Christopher Robin was famously named after A. A. Milne’s son. Other authors think about the impact of their character’s …
One of the most influential books about teaching writing skills is Image Grammar by Henry Noden. In this book, Noden suggests that writing is similar to creating a painting and that the most interesting paintings are those with a variety …