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Linda Acaster
WRITER, TUTOR,
COACH
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
If I send a short story,
what can I expect in return?
You can expect a detailed critique with constructive
suggestions for revision if I think it’s warranted, including annotating the
script to explain finer points (so don’t send the only copy). How long the critique
will be depends on what needs to be brought to your attention. You are
sending me your work because you want to improve your writing techniques. My
aim is to give advice you can use, not waste your time burbling. If I think
the script is good I’ll say so, but if this is ALL you are looking for, show
it to a doting relative and save yourself the fee. How much will it cost
and where do I send it?
Fees start at £30 for a short story up to 2,000 words
computer counted. Send in an enquiry email detailing the length, type
(women’s, literary, horror, thriller, whatever…) and a line or two about
where you see yourself on the writing skills level (beginner, a couple of
items published, etc). I’ll get back to you with a quoted cost, my receiving
address, and approximate turnaround time. Can I send a long typescript: a novella or a novel?
If
you want to, but do you need to? Decide what feedback you are looking for, and if you might be able to get such feedback on a partial. For instance – worse case scenario – if you litter your typescript with exclamation marks, adverbs, extravagant dialogue tags and two-dimensional characters, I won’t need to read an entire novel to pick this up. If you are adamant about sending in a long typescript, email me with details and I’ll quote a fee. But if I send a partial of
a novel, you won’t be seeing the entire picture…
True,
but I’ll be able to tell whether or not you are on the right lines. Besides,
few publishers want to see an entire novel at first bite. Do with me as you
would a publisher, send a synopsis with the partial to give an idea of the
structure of the entire work. I’m not writing fiction,
but the life-story of a relative. Will you have a look?
Certainly.
It’s ‘faction’: the gentle art of fictionalising fact so as to make it
readable. If it is long, novel submission advice applies. You can always send
a partial. Will you look at poetry
or television scripts?
Poetry: no. Television scripts: no, but I may be able to suggest a contact. Email with details of type of script (soap, drama, documentary, etc) and running time, and I’ll get back to you. Will you act as my agent?
No. Few agents will take on writers of short
fiction, and agents handling longer works need to be on hand-shaking terms
with publishers, which means, in the UK, being based in London. I do what I
state: I tutor and coach fiction-writing techniques. | Home | FAQ
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