The Tool-Kit: Going Outside and Going Public
The Typepad Shutdown 30th Sept 2025. If in exploring the Itch you meet a link which leads to Typepad’s ‘closed’ sign, there are three things that will help:
Don’t despair. Many of those posts do actually exist on Substack, it’s just that we haven’t managed to update that link yet.
Use the ‘search’ facility - which you can see at the top of every page of the Itch - to check if the topic you’re looking for has a Substack version. Many of them do.
If you’re feeling kind, before you leave the original page, leave a comment saying which link is Typepaddy, and we’ll do something about it as soon as we can.
Itchy Bitesized 23: SIX THOUGHTS ABOUT CHOOSING YOUR BOOK'S TITLE
HOW TO GET THE BEST OUT OF AN EDITORIAL SERVICE : Does just what it says on the tin.
HOW TO GET THE BEST OUT OF A ONE-TO-ONE SLOT : Make the most of your ten minutes with an agent, an editor or a book doctor.
HOW TO PRESENT A MANUSCRIPT : these are the industry standards. They're not difficult, they exist for very good reasons, and you'd be mad not to follow them.
THE SYNOPSIS: Relax! : the synopsis won't make or break your novel's fate, but it can help to give it the best chance. Here's how.
REJECTIONS: An Itch of Writing Guide : it’s a fact of the writing life, but it can feel like death. This post explores first aid, treatment and recovery, and building resilience for the long term.
ENTERING COMPETITIONS : The first person your writing has to delight is the First Filter Reader. Two posts by writer and veteran judge Susannah Rickards, from the coal-face of competitions.
THE STORY OF BEING PUBLISHED IN FIFTEEN OBJECTS : from the contract to the glass of fizz and the translations
BEING PUBLISHED: Each post explains the practicalities of that part of the publishing process, but also explores the sometimes peculiar ways that they can affect you and your writing.
Itchy Bitesized 8: SIX THINGS ABOUT SECOND NOVEL SYNDROME
TOP TIPS FOR GIVING A READING : make the most of all our new routes to readers who are listeners. (£)
GIVING A READING : Part One - Getting Ready : an older post covering why it's worth learning to enjoy events to leaving the house.
GIVING A READING: Part Two - On The Night : from arriving at the venue to catching the last train home.
PUBLICITY FOR WRITERS : What you can do in the way of finding a place in the book industry, networking and making yourself visible
HOW TO COPE WITH PUBLICITY : What's going on when you find that the publicity you long for - interviews, reviews, trade dinners - is much more stressful than you'd expect, and tips for how to cope.
PUTTING BOUNDARIES ROUND PUBLICITY : how to decide what you will, and won't, talk about when publicising your book
OVERCOMING THE SOCIAL MEDIA FEAR : why it's (almost) essential, if you want to get anywhere as a writer, to face up to social media at least a bit, and how to get started with Twitter, Facebook and others.
