In the modern publishing world the role of the commissioning editor has developed in such a way that he or she rarely has the time or resources to take on writing which needs substantial editorial work. Increasingly, this role falls to the author's agent who will try to suggest revisions designed to improve the work's chances of publication. This work is done before any material is submitted to an editor.
However, an agent is not the only source of assistance. In addition to the many Creative Writing MA courses at universities all over the country, there are commercial organisations and publications available, whose purpose is to develop natural writing talent into the professional skills of the published author and to give advice on how to proceed in the business of publishing. Here is a selection. Please note, Annette Green Authors' Agency has no affiliation with any of these organisations and publications, and accepts no responsibility for their advice, actions or commercial activities.
Writers' Resources
You Write On is a free to join website, funded by The Arts Councl, which gives help and advice to aspiring writers and brings them to the attention of leading literary agents and publishers. This agency is an affiliate. You Write On is an extremely valuable resource.
Writewords is an online community of writers accessible by subscription. It offers a wide range of writers' resources - support, feedback, writers' groups, links to organisations who can help in the publishing process, opportunities to find freelance work and more. It comes highly recommended by authors who have used it.
Editorial Services
The Literary Consultancy, Diorama Arts, 34 Osnaburgh St, London NW1 3ND
Manuscript assessement and editorial advice
Tel/Fax: 020 7813 4330. Email: swifttlc@dircon.co.uk
www.literaryconsultancy.co.uk
Cornerstones & Kids’ Corner, Milk Studios, 34 Southern Row, London W10 5AN
Literary consultancy
Tel: 020 8968 0777. Fax: 020 8969 8677. Email: helen@cornerstones.co.uk
www.cornerstones.co.uk
Word Doctors, a web based editorial service run by professional creative writing tutors.
Sarah Willans, Helena Nelson.
www.worddoctors.co.uk
The Writers' Workshop, Walnut Tree Cottage, Duxford, Faringdon, Oxon SN7 8SQ
Editorial advice to first-time writers
Tel: 01865 820943
Publications
The Handbook of Creative Writing - Ed. S L Earnshaw (EUP 2007)
See 'The Role of the Literary Agent' page
Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook (A&C Black).
Published annually. Always refer to the current edition.
The Writer’s Handbook (Macmillan).
Published annually. Always refer to the current edition.
The Children's Writers' & Artists' Yearbook (A&C Black).
Published annually. Always refer to the current edition.
Ghost-writing
A number of our clients can offer help if you have a story to tell but neither the skill nor the experience to feel confident about telling it yourself. Ghost-writing is a very common method of producing polished, professional, commercially successful works of non-fiction.
