Compass Books Update New Opportunities for Writers

Imprint Submission Guidelines for How-To Write Books

Commissioning Editor – Suzanne Ruthven

At Compass Books we are looking for creative writing books that are instructional and entertaining, by authors that are widely published in their genre, and who tutor at popular conferences and workshops.  The general approach should be informal and aimed at beginners as well as more experienced writers who are exploring different disciplines.  We are particularly interested in how-to write submissions from author-tutors in the genres of the MB&S market, children (different age groups), historical fact and fiction, thriller/chiller, sport, gardening, erotica, comedy, scriptwriting, food, fantasy and science fiction, with plenty of writing exercises included in the text.

Submissions should be submitted via the website or email in the form of a short proposal in the first instance; followed by a synopsis, full chapter breakdown, author biography and opening draft chapters if requested.  The finished typescript should not be less than 45,000 words and each chapter should contain a number of formal writing exercises.   A decision is normally made within 1-2 weeks. No advances: royalties paid twice yearly.

Compass Points: We are also introducing a mini how-to series on the different writing disciplines, such as writing captivating dialogue, constructing the plot, the importance of establishing time and place, self-publication, creating believable characters, different forms of poetry, etc.  The finished typescript should be around 25,000 words maximum including writing exercises - but please submit a short proposal with author biography in the first instance via the website or email. 

See our Facebook to find out how our authors like working with us.

Website: www.compass-books.net

Facebook: www.facebook.com/JHPCompassBooks

Email: publisher1@compass-books.net

ONLINE WRITING COURSE: KICK-STARTING THE NOVEL

Following my last post I thought it might be a good idea to add details of my 'Kick-starting the novel course, since at the moment I'm having to follow my own advice and kick-start a typescript that been dormant for years!

This is an ideal course for those who have got ‘bogged down’ with an existing novel.  Discover how to kick-start the narrative as tutored at Horncastle College (Lincs) and the University of Wales’ Writers’ Summer School.   Participants should have completed at least the first 2-3 chapters, and be able to submit a full synopsis of the novel at the time of registration.  The course includes:

Lesson One Who’s going to read my novel?
Lesson Two: Plot and Theme
Lesson Three: Characterisation
Lesson Four: Pace and narrative style
Lesson Five: Bones and Padding
Lesson Six: Publishers and Agents

The fee is £20 per lesson paid in advance via PayPal. This ensures that the writer pays only for the tuition received and can withdrawn from the course at any time.
For more information send an email to
suzanneruthven333@gmail.com
Subject: ‘online writing course’.

Personal Update

The final draft for How To Write For The How-To Market is almost complete and should be off to the publishers within the next couple of weeks.  Compass Books is slowly gaining recognition and we're beginning to have some highly experienced authors in our sights.  Have a look at www.facebook.com/JHPCompassBooks for details of our activities and the forthcoming titles.  We're looking to expand Facebook as a mini-writers' resource, not just as a catalogue of creative writing books - so log in and 'Like'.

I've also restarted the research to kick-start my own novel - The House of Strange Gods - and will be knuckling down to this as soon as the last non-fiction book is out of the way.  It will be in the same vein as my first novel, Whittlewood, and I hope I have as much enjoyment writing it.  I'm also toying with the idea of publishing Whittlewood as an e-book for Kindle but that's for later.

ignotus press titles

You can't keep a good book down - had it brought to my notice recently that old ignotus press titles are becoming collector's items with an asking price of £40+ on one of them.  Search the book shelves and compare prices on Amazon and ABE Books!

How To Write For The How-To Market

I might have been off-line for nearly two months but haven't been idle.  Just had my proposal accepted for the above title and accepted the contract.  It will be something to work on during the summer rainy season here in Ireland!

Cyber Armageddon!

Two months ago the local Eircom internet went into melt-down and after weeks of anger and frustration it was necessary to change over to a new service provider.   Having paid the money and set up the direct debit, it was discovered that where we live is an internet 'black spot' and so it might be necessary for a booster or aerial to be installed.  A further three weeks go by and an engineer arrives to install both - as we live between two mountain ranges the reception is a bit iffy.  All this was known when we signed up, so why the delay, we are unable to fathom.  Never mind ... we're back on the internet, but I must admit it was peaceful not having to bother about web sites, emails, blogs and passwords!  Now the headaches begin again ...

Farewell to ignotus press

It's the end of an era with the announcement that ignotus press is no more.  Gone but not forgotten, the name now operates in a new incarnation in the US in the realms of computer technology.  Which is a trifle ironic since I'm a known techno-idiot.

On the plus side, Life-Writes (see cover) was launched his week and I'm delighted with the result.   Will be taking a short break from writing during the summer months but the brain will still be beavering away.  If you have any ideas for a how-to creative writing book, go to facebook.com/JHPCompassBooks for more information about what I'm looking for.