Or Menu of Internet Guides
Burton Manor Learning Web: Internet Resources for Writers
Manuscripts, Proof Reading, Submission & Publishing Resources
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Links are provided in good faith, but Burton Manor cannot be responsible for the content of external websites.)
- The Society for Editors & Proofreaders produce a Directory of qualified copy editors and proof readers, a searchable version is available on the website and a printed version costs £15.00, or £18.50 outside the UK. The website FAQ includes information on Using copy-editors and proofreaders
http://www.sfep.org.uk (Society for Editors & Proofreaders)
- The Literary Consultancy " Founded in 1996 and firmly established within
the publishing industry, The Literary Consultancy provides expert, market-informed editorial
advice to writers at any level writing in English.
Our manuscript assessment service provides developing writers with first-class critical feedback and can
help increase chances of publication within the
United Kingdom."
http://www.literaryconsultancy.co.uk (The Literary Consultancy)
- XLibris aims to provide "all of the tools you need to publish your book quickly, easily and affordably." Offering leading-edge print-on-demand technology, with "a wide variety of Design, Production and Publishing Services, as well as online distribution availability and Marketing Products for self-publishing authors."
Their FAQs provide useful information on the whole service, including the following differentiation between Vanity Publishing and Print on Demand Publishing: "Vanity publishers will charge you thousands of dollars to print box loads of books they will not help you sell. Xlibris does not require you to purchase any books. Also, since vanity publishers use the printing technology of traditional publishers, their costs are inherently high. Xlibris uses modern computer technology to keep costs down, freeing up resources to provide a wide array of services. Vanity publishers provide a one-time service."
Their Marketplace offers a wealth of resources for writers including 'How to'articles, a list of publications that are currently accepting submissions (mostly US based but including Granta), a 'Q&A' section where "Established authors from every genre discuss matters of publishing and writing", a 'Writer's Reference' section with links to useful websites etc, and a listing of potentially useful organisations and events.
If you're interested in submitting work to Granta magazine or Granta Books, please first read our Submission Guidelines for Magazine Articles and for Books
http://www2.xlibris.com (XLibris)
- The Oxfordshire based Writers' Workshop "Run for Writers by Writers" and "one of the country's leading manuscript assessment and editorial consultancies."
A useful set of resources includes guides to finding an agent or a publisher, building a character, or 'How to write descriptions that don't bore the reader to tears'! and more.
The site provides a clearSchedule of Fees & How to Submit a Manuscript and gives some truncated Sample Reports to give you an idea of what you'd be getting for your money.
http://www.writersworkshop.co.uk (Writers' Workshop)
- Google Books, Information for Publishers "Promote your books on Google for free"
http://books.google.co.uk/intl/en/googlebooks/publisher.html (Google Books, Information for Publishers)
Google Book Search (currently, March 2006, in Beta testing) allows users to search the full text of books in its database: " By matching the content in your books with user searches, Google Book Search connects your books with the users who are most interested in buying them". When a match is found a 'Snippet View', similar to a library card catalogue, is shown, with options, where permission has been given, to view sample pages from the book, and, where the book is out of copyright, view the whole book. Each view also provides information on where users may buy or borrow the book.
As an author you may promote your books directly through Google Books "if the rights to your books have reverted to you or if your books are self-published", otherwise you may do so through your publisher - in either case you need to join their Partner Program – an online book marketing and sales program.
There is plenty of information on the site, including various FAQs
http://books.google.com (Google Book Search)
Burton Manor runs a wide range of Lifelong Learning Courses, including Writing Courses, throughout the year. See the Courses Menu at the top of this webpage for details.