If in exploring the Itch you meet a link which leads to Typepad’s ‘closed’ sign, don’t despair: virtually all important posts have in fact been migrated over here to Substack. We are still working our way through the massive job of updating the thousands of links in the hundreds of posts, but meanwhile just use the ‘search’ facility to find the Substack version of the post you’re looking for - and feel free to message us if you get stuck!
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.
MAKE FRIENDS WITH SYNOPSIS-WRITING : Why synopses are the perfect tool for developing and editing as well as selling your writing (£)
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.
Itchy Bitesized 42: NINETEEN THINGS ABOUT PEN-NAMES : Why and how you might publish under a name other than the one on your passport.
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.
