Why it's hard for writers to be original

8 June 2024

by Jon Richter

I’ve been a published writer since 2017, and above everything else one of my key goals when writing is to be original. My aim is to always come up with original twists on existing ideas, to mash up multiple genres in innovative ways, to experiment with story structure, and so on. But, while these aspects of my writing are often complimented, they might be one of the biggest reasons why I’m far from being a commercially successful household name…


One of the worst reviews I ever received was a two-star review for my weird thriller Never Rest, a story about a detective who travels to a mist-shrouded and rabbit-infested island to search for a missing writer. The reviewer, who awarded me just two stars, said that it was ‘the weirdest book they’d ever read’. I couldn’t reconcile their statement with the review score – in my mind that phrase reads like the highest compliment I could possibly be paid! But the sentiment does help to explain why writers, and certainly their publishers, are often afraid of venturing outside of common tropes and comfort zones.


My debut novel (also set on Salvation Island; that pair of books are the only time I’ve written anything that wasn’t entirely standalone, and we’ll get onto the challenges of genre-hopping later…) was a murder mystery thriller about a dead professional wrestler, originally titled Whatever Happened to Vic Valiant? During the editing process, the publisher insisted the title was changed to Deadly Burial; not a name I’m particularly keen on, but in fairness to the publisher the ‘Burial’ part is actually a clever wrestling pun (to be ‘buried’ as a pro wrestler is to be scripted to be beaten and humiliated), and more importantly they were trying to make sure potential readers understood the book’s genre. It became one of hundreds, thousands, of generic-sounding crime novels, complete with a silhouetted male detective on the cover facing away from the camera as though contemplating a crime. (It didn’t sell very well regardless of the name change, sadly!)


We see these sorts of repetitive titling decisions all the time – how many crime thrillers can you think of that contain the word ‘girl’ after the success of Gone Girl? – and in many cases, this will be a publishing decision, not an authorial one. The desire to pigeonhole novels into clear genre staples goes further than just their names: the blurbs of more avant-garde stories are amended to make them sound more typical story summaries, and indeed story changes are often suggested during editing phases to make books more ‘typical’. In the wake of the wild success of Game Of Thrones you’ve probably rolled your eyes more than once at similarly-titled apparent rip-offs called things like Clash Of Kings or Game Of Crowns or whatever, but behind these copy-pasted names are novels much more original than you might think.


None of the above is intended as a criticism of any publishers I’ve worked with, who have all been fantastic and supportive, and whose edits have often been very helpful; but I do sometimes wonder whether (as an example of something that happened to one of my books) an enforced change to add in a troubled backstory for a detective that I had originally envisaged as very different from the usual haunted, alcoholic divorcee was really an improvement. I once wrote a novel where the big reveal happened in the uppermost floor of a building, intended as a playful inversion of the usual ‘horrors in the basement’ trope, and was swiftly advised to relocate the shocking denouement to below ground.


Indeed, even the process of landing a publishing contract forces a writer to nail their colours to a genre mast; often publishers ask submitting authors to name multiple similar books in their genre to help with (a) marketing (if you love Johnny Chainsaw, you’ll love this new debut…) and (b) to enable the publisher to see evidence that this sort of story can sell. It requires writers to not only master their craft but also have a clear understanding of their target market, and makes complete, cold, hard business sense – but it feels so far removed from the process of creative innovation that can be jarring and somewhat disillusioning for a writer who just wants to tell an entertaining, original story.


This brings me to the perils of writing in more than one genre. The writing world is strongly geared towards specialising, and publishers and readers alike often ask ‘what genre do you write?’ In my case the answer is crime, horror, science fiction, cyberpunk, fantasy and a bit of what can probably only be described as ‘weird’; my efforts to wrap all of this under the blanket term ‘dark fiction’ have probably only hindered rather than helped my sales (crime enthusiasts don’t google ‘dark fiction’, they google ‘crime novels’). It’s surprised me how unusual it seems to be to read in multiple genres – I assumed that, like me, everyone who liked ‘nasty stuff’ would be flitting between murder mysteries, paranormal horror, dark fantasies and so on, but I’ve actually found I’m selling to wildly different audiences each time I venture onto a new shelf in the bookshop. Many publishers, quite understandably, will publish only certain genres, meaning that an established relationship with a publisher is useless is you decide to make a switch. For some of these reasons, many writers take the step of publishing fiction written in a different genre under a completely different name: even Iain Banks, my favourite writer, felt compelled to add a middle ‘M’ initial when writing his masterful science fiction novels. This can be challenging, of course, in a world where brand recognition is so critical, and writing under more than one name would require a writer to build up social media followings, etc., almost from scratch each time.


If you’ve read this far, you’re probably thinking ‘so what?’ or, at worst, you’re thinking ‘sounds like a writer moaning about his lack of success – if you want to shift more copies, Jon, pick a lane and stay in it!’ Well, despite the pitfalls I’ve outlined above, my advice to any writers contemplating tackling something they are worried might be too unusual or difficult to sell, or is perhaps in a completely different genre from their previous work, is actually… go for it!! I don’t think creativity should ever be reined in because of, or cynically geared towards, projected sales. We’re artists after all, and artists innovate, and new zeitgeists are only created when people break through the boundaries of current trends and conventions.


I’d also suggest digging in your heels when told to make homogenising changes to your work – no-one wants to be branded a diva and editors’ suggestions are often very sensible and helpful, but I’ve found as I’ve grown more confident across my writing career that editors are more than prepared to compromise or concede on certain points if you can clearly and politely articulate your concerns or reasons for disagreeing.


I’ve also learned, happily, that although the audiences for different genres broadly comprise very different demographic groups, readers are prepared to make a leap if they like your stuff! It is one of my absolute favourite compliments to receive when a reader says something along the lines of ‘I wouldn’t normally read science fiction but I loved Jon’s crime thrillers so thought I’d give this one a try, and I loved it!’ After all, who says a science fiction setting can’t feature a deliciously gruesome murder mystery…?


So rather than stick slavishly to genre tropes, I’d encourage writers always to experiment, to push the boundaries, to try to write something that rewrites the rules rather than obeying them – maybe there are even entirely new genres still out there to be discovered!


If this article has been of interest and you are intrigued enough to have a look at some of my weird output, I’d be honoured and delighted if you’d visit www.jon-richter.com, or just search for me on Amazon. My genre-mangling books include the following:


Chains, a murder mystery thriller where every one of thirty-plus chapters is told from a completely different character’s perspective.


The Warden, a psychological techno-thriller that was, I think, the world’s first novel set during a COVID pandemic.


Scarred, my latest novel and first in the fantasy genre. Expect an epic quest story that resembles a ‘bizarre, acid-soaked’ Wizard of Oz, complete with dragons, knights, swords, sorcery… and of course, a twist that turns all of those conventions upside down.


Thank you for reading, and I wish you all the best in your own writing careers!


by Nicholas Bate 18 July 2025
Here's how you write your novel. This system is not the only one, but it will work. You need an idea You may already have one, which is why you wish to write the story, in which case, jump to the next point. If you don't, where do you find one? A news article might inspire you. As I write, there are stories about using DNA to bring back wolves. Of course, this theme has been exploited by the author of Jurassic Park , Michael Crichton. Still, your angle might be a domestic take: a local dealer producing pure breeds of dogs from former times. Or it might be by simple observation. I was once in a Caffé Nero and sitting high at a table in the window; there were those sitting below, outside, at small round tables, and one person was looking through government papers. I wondered what might happen if these were confidential and revealing… That became an essential part of my book Bram, A Spy Story . Buy a paper copy of one of the Sunday papers and leaf through, cutting out possibilities. Take a walk with your notebook and observe what goes on around you. Write every day Start with a goal of 500 words per day, minimum. If you wish to write that novel, you must agree that you can no longer wait until you want to write any more than you might exercise when you feel like exercising. It is the brushing your teeth protocol. As a child, you did not want to brush your teeth; a hard-working parent made it a habit. You need to make writing a habit. Of course, set up your comfortable writing nest and turn up, but be willing to write on a bus, train, and in your cramped EasyJet seat. Write when you have a cold, a headache, and are in a bad mood; you will be surprised what material you produce. To introduce a new behaviour, it is best proven by executing it daily. Start and finish Very soon after you have written the first chapter, write the concluding chapter. It will remove pressure to know it is done: you now have the start and end of your arc. Come back to them regularly and improve them. You seek to produce a first chapter that will not let the reader go until they have read the final word. And a closing chapter that will leave them with a profound sense of satisfaction. Be clear about the genre Whether it’s a thriller, romance, etc., genres have conventions, and readers have expectations. Thus, in the crime genre, there are expectations that multiple characters could be guilty, with clues pointing in misleading directions. In the romance genre, there 'ought to be' many obstacles that challenge the couple's relationship. Of course, you can break the rules, and a few first-time novelists do, but stick to what works unless you have a breakthrough idea. Generate quantity Write, write, write. Hit your target. Every third day, concentrate on editing and turning your quantity into quality. If you cut large chunks or chapters, keep them in a separate file; they may become useful later. I once had two novels on the go, neither to my satisfaction. I was inspired by Paul McCartney talking on the radio explaining the sequence in Abbey Road and how he had lots of bits… well, you know the rest. He stuck them all together and created the delightful B-side sequence. I used that concept to create one of my novels. Practise your skills If it is your first novel, like any new skill, it takes time to get good at it. Hence, write daily. No excuses. Once you have written 25,000 words, read a couple of books on novel writing techniques. Many will not add more elements than this article, but all will add valuable details, such as what is expected in each genre, how to improve your dialogue, and the critical stages of a novel. Your word count is vital, but that must be balanced with quality. Finish before submission Remember, completing your novel before considering finding a publisher is essential. Most agents aren't interested in just 'an idea' from first-time novelists. But hey, rules are made to be broken, right? Maybe you can break that rule if you have a genuinely stunning idea. Just be sure you can sustain it beyond a couple of sample chapters. How to Write a Bestseller Honestly, I wish I knew. However, consider these potential strategies as you write and occasionally pause for a coffee. The Breakthrough Style Day of the Jacka l is a splendid example. Frederick Forsyth brought a journalistic, procedural tone to his fiction, which consequently felt fresh and gripping. Other examples of style-driven breakthroughs are Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh, with its raw Scottish dialect, and fragmented narrative; The Road by Cormac McCarthy, with its sparse punctuation, minimalist language, and rhythm; and House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski, with its experimental layout, typographic weirdness, and matching content. Zeitgeist Grabs Gone Girl helped launch a wave of books with ‘Girl’ in the title ( The Girl on the Train , The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo , The Girl Before , etc). It tapped into a moment of psychological thrillers with unreliable female narrators. Other zeitgeist moments are Twilight , which led to the paranormal romance boom and suddenly vampires, werewolves, and angsty love triangles were everywhere; The Da Vinci Code , which launched a thousand historical conspiracy thrillers with their tropes of esoteric symbols, secret societies, and puzzles which needed decoding; and The Hunger Games and the dystopian YA wave: Divergent , Maze Runner , Matched , etc. Cultural Taboo / Shock Factor Lolita , American Psycho , and Fifty Shades of Grey are all books that got people talking and/or clutching their pearls. But for Now. . . 95K words is the norm. Go write.
by Abbie Rutherford 14 July 2025
Publishing a book yourself is difficult. Publishing a book when you’re at the mercy of a huge organisation can make self-publishing even more difficult, especially when that company uses automated systems. In case you’re wondering what I’m on about, I’ve recently had the “joy” of trying to get through KDP’s identity verification system. This year I plan to publish a charity anthology and all royalties will go to Invest in ME. Submissions have been selected, copyediting and proofreading is ongoing, albeit behind schedule, ISBNs have been purchased, the book has a title, and a cover is in the works. The authors are incredibly talented and absolutely lovely (and patient). I honestly thought the set-up of the KDP account and eventual uploading of the book would be one of the straightforward aspects of this project. After all, I've walked authors through this. Bloody hell, was I wrong! Initially, all went smoothly. I set up the account, filled in my tax details, blah, blah, blah. One of the more mundane but essential jobs ticked off the list. Or so I thought. I received an email from KDP asking me to log in and verify my identity. They say on their website that they are now asking people to do this ‘To better protect those who publish with us and buy books from Amazon . . . This is to ensure an account is genuine when using our services’. This is, of course, completely understandable and I’m more than happy to comply. The first stumbling block was the type of ID they require. For the UK they accept a passport, driver’s licence, national ID (I’m still not actually sure what that is), and residency permit according to their help page. As a UK citizen from birth, I don’t have a residency permit or a national ID (what is that??) and as a non-driver (seriously, I’d be a liability on the roads), I don’t have a driver’s licence. I have an out-of-date passport that I haven’t renewed because it’s expensive and I’m not planning on going abroad. Anyway, I logged on to my account and clicked the dropdown box of accepted ID for the UK and was pleased to see voter ID as one of the options.
by Abbie Rutherford 25 May 2025
…ask them to explain their reason behind a suggestion. To reduce the amount of Track Changes you’ll have to deal with, editors don’t always explain why they have marked something up. It is okay to ask if you want to know why that particular change has been recommended. There is no such thing as a stupid question. …disagree with them. Editors have you and your manuscript’s best interests at heart but also need to consider your future readers. That doesn’t mean, though, there aren’t times when we get it wrong or miss a particular nuance. Contrary to popular belief, it is okay to disagree with your editor (unless it’s a major grammatical error). Using Track Changes to edit your document means you retain full control over your words and your manuscript. I only ever make changes with TCs turned off when it has been agreed with the author and is for simple things such as replacing double spaces with singles. …count on your manuscript being stored securely and not shared with anyone outside of your editorial team. I’ve heard terrible stories of authors basically having their story stolen or the premise shared on social media. The author—editor relationship has to be one based on trust and mutual respect. …expect them to treat you with kindness. The editorial process always involves a degree of learning (on both sides, I think). Within every manuscript there are strengths and weaknesses – and I literally mean every manuscript. The comments you receive on your manuscript should never make you feel bad about your writing or knock your self-confidence. And while we’re on the subject, it’s never a good look to call someone out for a typo publicly on social media. Shit happens and no one's perfect, especially when typing at speed on a phone’s tiny keyboard. Add to that, you don't know if the person has dyslexia. Send them a DM instead. It takes courage to send your manuscript to an editor for the first time. Don’t rush into choosing your editorial team. Some things are worth taking your time over.
by Abbie Rutherford 14 April 2025
Head-hopping Head-hopping refers to a switch in point of view within a scene or paragraph and, yes, it’s problematic even when writing in third person. Example: James was really pleased with Thorin. He was so calm around that other dog, he thought. Thorin was sitting patiently at his owner’s feet. Is James going to give me a treat for being good? he wondered as he wagged his tail. As you can see, we jump from James’s thoughts and perspective to Thorin’s. Why is this an issue? It throws the reader off and discombobulates them, bringing them out of the text. We want to keep the reader gripped, not send them away because they’re confused. It can prevent the reader from connecting fully with your characters and cause narrative distance. To resolve this, keep each chapter or scene from one character’s point of view. If you really need to switch perspective within a chapter, make it clear with an ornamental or paragraph break. Inauthentic dialogue Ensuring your character's dialogue sounds authentic is incredibly important. Stilted, formal, and unnatural dialogue can impact on a character's relatability and that, of course, impacts on the reader's experience. Common issues I see are the overuse of names and a lack of contractions. If you listen to a conversation, you'll notice how we rarely refer to each other by name. We don't need to because we know we're addressing each other. Names tend to be used when we are trying to get someone's attention. We also tend to talk in an informal way and will shorten our sentences. We use contractions such as 'won't', 'didn't', etc., rather than 'would not' and 'did not'. Switches in tense Again, this is something I see on a regular basis. When you’re in the throes of writing and concerned with getting the story down, it can be easy to jump from present to past tense and vice versa. If you’ve had a break from writing, take your time to reorient yourself before you start putting words on the screen. This is what tense switches look like: She walks across the room and gets a treat for Thorin. ‘Who’s been a good boy?’ she said. It should be: She walks across the room and gets a treat for Thorin. ‘Who’s been a good boy?’ she says. Write in the tense that feels the most comfortable to you. It’s probably more difficult to write in present tense than past, but this isn’t the case for everyone. Showing every action There can be a tendency to show every single action a character does and I sometimes think this comes from a misunderstanding of the expression 'show don't tell'. It is okay to leave some things 'off-page' and readers will pick up on the fact that certain actions have happened without them being told about them. Of course, I'm referring to the mundane everyday stuff, not the action. An example of this would be a character travelling to get to a destination. Rather than charting the entire journey from A to B, it is acceptable to have your character arriving at the destination without the reader being privy to them getting there (unless something interesting and integral to the plot happened). Cutting out stage directions will help with the pacing of your novel and keep readers interested. I often use the following quote from Elmore Leonard when completing a manuscript critique or developmental edit: 'When you write, try to leave out all the parts readers skip.' Point-of-view character overload There is a temptation to ha ve loads of p oint-of-view characters to create interest, I guess. It does the opposite, though, and prevents the reader from getting close to any character. Remember that narrative distance we talked about earlier as a result of head-hopping? This causes the same thing. It also leads to choppier, convoluted, and messy plots. You don’t need a million points of view and readers will thank you for keeping it simple. That doesn’t mean you can’t have more than one, just don’t go crazy.
by Abbie Rutherford 16 March 2025
Remove unnecessary words When you’re self-editing carefully think about the individual words you have used within each sentence and assess if you really need them. I have a shit list pinned up on my corkboard and it includes, among others, the following: ‘that’, ‘just’, ‘now’, ‘back’. Why are these on the list? Because a lot of the time, they aren’t necessary. Let’s take the word ‘now’. Consider this sentence: The dog reacted to her command and she now smiled. Yes, the narrative is in past tense, but we know the character is smiling because the dog has reacted to what she said and both actions (the dog’s response and the character’s smile) are taking place at the same time. So, we don’t need the ‘now’. If we remove it, it reads like this: The dog reacted to her command and she smiled. You have reduced the word count and the sentence is punchier simply by removing one word. Other examples include: She nodded her head. We only nod with our heads so She nodded will suffice. He waved with his hands . Again, the reader will know he is using his hands unless you state he is waving an object. Reduce filter words I have talked about filter words before (find that article here ). They are the words that filter the action through the character and include: ‘realised’, ‘felt’, ‘knew’, ‘hear’, ‘saw’, ‘noticed’, etc. Compare She could hear the dog across the road barking and felt her corgi’s lead tighten as he reacted. Realising she was going to be pulled over, she reined him in. to The dog across the road barked and her corgi’s lead tightened as he reacted. She reined him in to prevent being pulled over. The word count has reduced from thirty to twenty-three and the writing is more dynamic. Consider the order of your words Is there a shorter way of saying the same thing? Could She walked into the waiting room of the surgery be changed to She walked into the waiting room ? If the reader has already been told the character is in the surgery, absolutely. If not, changing the sentence to She walked into the surgery waiting room will also reduce the number of words used. Keep an eye out for repeated and unnecessary action beats We all have crutch words – even editors! These often take the form of action beats (what the characters do while they are talking). Smiling, nodding, looking at the other character, shrugging, and chuckling are all examples. They tend to be used far too often and become repetitive. An easy way to assess if you’re using a particular word too much is to use the Find function in Word: Highlight the word. Click on Home at the top of your document. Click Find. You’ll be presented with a list on the left-hand side that shows you every instance of that word. Ask yourself if that adverb actually adds anything ‘Don’t you dare!’ he shouted angrily. Look at this piece of dialogue. We are effectively being told three times that the speaker is shouting: the use of ‘shouted’, the added ‘angrily’, and the exclamation mark. In this case, he shouted is sufficient and the adverb isn’t necessary. As you self-edit, think to yourself, does this adverb convey information to the reader they won’t have already picked up? Making simple changes such as I’ve suggested not only improves your writing, making it more active and vital, it also helps to reduce your word count. If you’re self-publishing, this will also help to reduce the cost of editing and proofreading as many editors, including me, charge per 1000 words.
by Abbie Rutherford 7 February 2025
It’s never too early to start marketing your book Work on establishing your author brand before you’ve finished your work in progress. Selling a book is more difficult than writing and producing it. The book market is saturated (and full of celeb “authors”), so you need to plan a sales strategy from the get-go. Use social media and also set up a newsletter. Building a community of loyal readers is so important and will pay off in the long run. This advice is also useful for authors going down the traditional route as publishers (yes, even the Big 5) rely more on authors doing their own publicity. Don’t leave searching for an editor until the last minute I make my living as a freelance editor and the money I earn pays the bills, keeps a roof over our heads, and ensures Thorin the corgi always has a full tummy. For that reason, I plan and book up my diary months ahead so we don’t end up on the street! If you’re going to publish a book, you also need to plan in advance. If you want your copyedit to start in March, it’s no good getting in touch with me in March as I’ll probably not be available. Start the search for your editor early to avoid disappointment as the majority of reputable editors will have full diaries. Don’t underestimate the power of a good cover Readers do judge a book by its cover. It’s the first thing they see so your book has to make a great initial impression. It will literally be competing with millions of other books, so this is an area it’s worth investing in. Without meaning to be rude or disrespectful, you can often tell a book has been self-published by its cover and, as wrong as it is, it will put people off. At the end of the day, you need to turn browsers into buyers, it’s as simple as that. If your graphic design skills are crap (like mine), please don’t try to knock up a cover yourself. Save up Publishing a book is an expensive endeavour if you want to do it in such a way that your book stands up against its traditionally published counterparts. Editing, cover design, formatting, the purchase of ISBNS, etc. all adds up, so put money aside while you’re writing. Have realistic expectations Don’t go into self-publishing thinking you are going to make loads of money from your first book. The reality is, you may not make any money initially. Or even from your second book. This also relates back to the first point and you have to go into self-publishing thinking of it as a business. All businesses take time to get off the ground and self-publishing is no different. I may have put you off and that is not my intention at all, however, I pride myself on being realistic and honest with authors setting out on their self-publishing journey. These are all things I would urge you to consider before you take the hard but wonderful leap.
by Abbie Rutherford 7 February 2025
What is a filter word? It’s a word in a piece of text that filters the scene through the character. What’s the problem? Filter words can create narrative distance and impact the reader’s ability to become fully immersed in the text. Rather than experiencing the character’s world and emotions, the reader is told about it (you have probably heard the phrase ‘show don’t tell’), which lessens the impact. This creates a problem as the story becomes something that is done to the reader rather than it being something they are involved in. Filter words include: Realised Felt Knew Saw Heard Noticed Watched Thought Looked Seemed Tasted Smelled Believed Removing filter words tightens up the text and makes it more dynamic. Going through your manuscript and getting rid of them will also lower your word count and make your copyedit cheaper! Compare She could hear the dog across the road barking and felt her corgi’s lead tighten as he reacted. Realising she was going to be pulled over, she reined him in. to The dog across the road barked and her corgi’s lead tightened as he reacted. She reined him in to prevent being pulled over. Immediately the narrative voice becomes more active and less passive. You feel (ironic, eh?) more involved in the action simply by removing hear , felt , and realising . And the word count has reduced from thirty to twenty-three. Of course, in fiction writing nothing is ever black and white and there will be times when filter words are useful to draw the reader back from tension and add texture to the narrative. But as a general rule, the majority of these words can be cut from your manuscript.
by Abbie Rutherford 30 October 2024
I celebrate five years of Abbie Editorial in January, and I have loads of plans that I think you’re going to love whether you’re a new or returning author to my services. If you follow me on X, you will know that one of those plans is the publication of a charity anthology. I’ve been thinking about this for ages and 2025 seems like the perfect time to do it. So, I’m asking authors to donate words in the form of short stories for a book I plan to publish in June. All profits will go to Invest in ME. This charity is very close to my heart as I have lived with the condition for over twelve years. It isn't something I talk about because I worry about people's perceptions of me. Research into ME is scarce and there are hardly any services for those suffering with the condition (my clinic has recently closed down), so if I can help raise funds for one of the charities carrying out research, that would be ace. To have authors along with me for the ride will be bloody brilliant. Want to take part? Here are the details: Genre: crime Theme: stories to be set in summer. If you want a challenge, I’d love some locked room mysteries Word count: 2,000 to 7,500 words Stories should be submitted via Word document, 12pt font, and 1.5 line spacing Email to: aecharitybooks@gmail.com Closing date for submissions: 1 February 2025 Please only submit original stories that haven’t been previously published. No AI generated stories, please. Those chosen will be edited and proofread by myself and my mate and ace proofreader, Lorna Hinde. I have asked for some locked room mysteries because many people with ME are effectively imprisoned in their homes due to their illness. I realise, though, that these can be challenging to write, so stories about crime, mystery and murder set in the summer months are also great. I really hope you will consider submitting. Of course, I have the fear that no one will, so I'll be keeping my fingers (and toes) crossed.
by Abbie Rutherford 9 October 2024
Book formatting is a relatively new service that I’m offering, so I thought I would tell you a little more about how it works and what you can expect at the end of it. Initial discussion The first thing we will do is have a discussion about your book. This can take place via email, Zoom or a good old-fashioned telephone call, I really don’t mind. We will discuss the genre, preferred size, and formats required (print, KDP, Kobo, etc). We will also talk about any special elements (text/messenger service messages, newpaper articles, etc), ornamental breaks, chapter headings and drop caps. This allows me to make up the pages of your book to fit with genre and add those elements you want to make your book yours. If it is the second (third or fourth) book in a series, I will match as closely as I can the previous books so they are all consistent. The checklist I will send you a checklist of what I need from you. These include: E-book cover – I need this to add to your e-book. ISBN Any publishing logo you want included in the front matter (optional) Dedication (optional) Also by information (optional) Acknowledgements (optional) About the author including photo and social media/website links (optional) Author’s note (optional) And, of course, the final version of your manuscript as a Word document Typesetting begins Once all of the required information has been given and papers handed over to me, I begin the process of typesetting your book. Author check through Once it is complete, I will send you the print PDF or e-book file for you to go through (this is the most exciting part, I think). After you have checked it, you tell me of any changes that need to be made. Amendments I make any amendments and return the e-book and print files along with a paperback jacket template for you to send to your cover designer. I can support you through the process of uploading your book to KDP if you need it. Voila! At the end of this straightforward process, you have a beautiful book you can be proud of. I offer a 25% discount on formatting if it is booked with an editorial service. Why? If I work on your book as an editor or proofreader, I am already familiar with it and this helps to speed up the formatting process.
by Abbie Rutherford 7 October 2024
Self-publishing still gets a lot of stick and, I think, there continues to be the idea that they are of inferior quality to those traditionally published. This is unfair and I know a lot of independent authors take great care over their books and treating the process in much the same way a publishing house would, especially when it comes to the editorial process. Unfortunately, I often see signs in the layout of a book that immediately marks it out as being self-published. The contents of the book may be brilliant, but formatting errors can immediately put readers off and give rise to the assumption that it will be of low quality. One of the ways I help authors is through the creation of their e-book and print books, and I thought I would share five common formatting errors that immediately scream “self-published”. The title, copyright and dedication are listed in the contents Fiction books don’t really need a contents page, however, many e-books have them and as the chapters have hyperlinks, they can be useful. I regularly see the front matter listed in the contents. What is the front matter? It’s the information that comes before the body of the book. Given the contents are part of this, the title page, copyright and dedication don’t need to be included. Chapter one starts on page five It is the main body of the book – the content – where the page numbering begins and page one is always on the right-hand side. The front matter should not be included in the numbering and chapter one should start on page one. First paragraphs are indented The first paragraph of chapters – and the first paragraphs following a chapter break – should be full out. That means they should not be indented. Inappropriate use of drop caps Drop caps are those fancy flourishes when the first letter of a first paragraph is larger than the rest of the text. They can be nice touch to a book’s look (although I know a lot of authors find them old-fashioned and I think whether you use them depends on the genre), but I have seen examples when a chapter’s subheading has been accidentally interpreted as the start of the first chapter and therefore have been assigned a drop cap. Page bottoms are unbalanced Bottom balancing involves ensuring the final lines on each page are level with its opposite counterpart. This makes the book easier to read (a short page can be misleading and look like the end of a chapter), looks more professional, and is aesthetically pleasing. I have talked about readers looking at samples and the importance of creating a good first impression before (albeit briefly) and this is another example of when first impressions count. Taking time over the formatting and creation of your book is worth it.
Show More