Blog Bits - Publishing

One of the best books on self publishing is by Euan Mitchell. If you can't find it to buy, you should be able to get it at the local library. Euan has his own website and has taught in the area.

Recently I was asked for my advice about getting published. I did most of my learning by trial and error, and ended up self-publishing, but I learnt a lot along the way. Here's my top three tips:

1. Hire an editor (but not just anyone - they must match your needs) - and edit, edit, edit
2. Don't submit to publishers until your work is ready - you only get one chance
3. Beware vanity publishers (read up on this)

Shannon Meadows
www.roadwench.com

Blogging Bits

After receiving some helpful advice, I plan to take action -with more frequent blog posts. These will be in three categories - Travel, Writing, and Publishing. The latter will include my experiences with printers, distribution and marketing, including new bookstores.

My first brief blog bit is below (try saying that 3 times quickly).

WRITING

Many people have asked me how I wrote Road Wench. I will answer that in this blog, but as a starting tip, I'd highly recommend the following books:

The Writer's Guide by Irina Dun
The Australian Writer's Marketplace by the Queensland Writer's Centre.

I read the first while grappling with a two thirds completed first draft, and found it had useful advice for the stage I was at as well as the stage I was heading for.

The QWC book has lists of publishers, editors, magazines and competitions, which helped me plan ahead for the next stage. You may notice this as a form of procrastination - why worry about publishing before finishing writing? However I found it gave me some mental space so when I returned to writing I had the end game in mind, and was more focused and motivated to write.

Shannon Meadows
www.roadwench.com

Brisbane Bookstores

I am enjoying the sunshine and the nightlife in Brisbane this week - and can announce that Road Wench is now in stock in two bookstores here. Visit Mary Ryan in Milton, or Mary Ryan in Merthwyr Village in New Farm to get your copy.

Shannon Meadows
www.roadwench

Cake, coffee and couches

On Tuesday 12 July I was invited to talk to a group of coffee, cake and book lovers in Moora. Imagine my surprise to discover the venue was the funkiest coffeeshop I have ever seen in Moora. Just off Dandaragan Street, past the Newsagents, is the Wheatbelt Picture Framing Gallery (Denise's Coffee Shop). Inside are comfy couches and the cheapest coffee in town. We went down a long corridor to a private outdoor area on wooden decking, and enjoyed the sunlight that had emerged after a day of rain the day before. I read an extract about my Turkish bath (with spectators), spoke about life on the road, and had questions from other writing enthusiasts and bloggers.

I will endeavour to take on Margaret's advice and write a range of posts - and more often - but I'm a bit slow at present with a hand in a cast! I'll try to upload some photos too.

Thanks again to Bron and Margaret for organising a fun, informal and yummy event.

Coffee Cake and Author

An event for country readers - come along to meet the author and hear tales from the road. The wheatbelt town of Moora will be hosting a Coffee, Cake and Author event on 12 July 2011 at 10.30am at the Wheatbelt Picture Framing Gallery.

RSVP by 8 July. Email me for more information.