Visitng a previous publication

 

This truly is an extraordinary product. Super stories that take you to other worlds. We are very proud to have this as one of our single author collections. 

Read  more abut it here

    

Talks offered:

 

This book is a compilation of the winning entries of the Waterloo Festival's Writing Competitions of 2018, 2019 and 2020.    

What does it take to win in a competition?

How can you craft a compelling short story? 

How can you interpret a theme?

 

How would you like a workshop for your writers' group?  

Free:  

• if you are within a twenty mile radius of BL9 
• you have evidence of having bought and read the book
• if you are further afield, on Zoom.

Us the contact form to get in touch

Buy the book here.        

 

 

Communicating with your publisher and editor

 

We’re not unusual in putting our writers through three stages of editing and their texts a further three proof-reads. I go into more detail about this elsewhere. To summarize:

• Edit 1 is a sort of global edit, picking up structural faults, inconsistencies in characters and also a writer’s common faults etc..
• Edit 2 is getting closer to the text, challenging clichés, awkward phrasing, instances of telling where showing would be better, purple prose, making sure dialogue rings true etc..
• Edit 3 is checking for typos, grammatical awkwardness etc..

 

Then we have the three proof reads.

 

It’s really important that you don’t keep sending material to your editor between edits. You then get into problems of version control. You have to be careful as well that you are not undoing what has already been established.

 

Proof reads are even more critical. You really should only pick up on typos, formatting mistakes and spelling mistakes that have been missed in other edits or proof reads. This isn’t the time for altering structure, adding in extra material or altering the basic text in any way.

 

When you communicate with your editor or someone else within the publish company, it’s a good idea to have the name of your editor, the title of your book and your name in the subject line. You might even add a word about what you wish to discuss. And please change the topic in the email header if you’re changing the topic in the email.

 

Please take the time to craft any email carefully. Please don’t send three or four in a row adding a little extra detail each time. We are dealing with several writers at any one time and we have contact with over 400. We receive about 200 emails a day.

 

Please be patient. Le t everything take its course as outlined on your contract. Please don’t start talking about launches etc until we raise it. Wait until we can have a proper discussion about the cover before you start sending ideas to us. And note, not every publisher will involve you in that process. We’re just generous that way.

 

We have a particular way of writing blurbs. You can have some input into this but please discuss it with your editor.

 

We know you’re getting very excited about your book – we are too, believe it or not, but everything must take its course. Please let us get on with that.                 

  

The Jinn

 

The Jinn

How we came to publish this one

 

 

All of the stories about the Jinn were first published on CaféLit so this is another of our serials. Mason Bushell has other stories on CafeLit and he is a regular writer of stories. He has a firm writing routine.  

 

The title

It really is simple and to the point.

Some notes about the process

The editing process here is slightly different from the one we use in our other anthologies. Every CaféLit story is given a light copy edit before it is published in the  e-zine. For serials like this we then put together a camera ready proof for the writer to check. We do an in-house technical proof and after the author has returned their proofs we get another proof read by an editor who has not seen the text before. 

 

The cover

The cover image was created by Ashleigh James. It complements well some of the other covers we have for CafeLit serials. The front cover picture really says what it is all about. A jinn is a magical creature. The picture shows that this is a quirky version.   

 

Some notes about style

These stories are very quirky. Very importantly in CaféLit serials each episode must stand alone and there should be an overarching story as well. This happens beautifully here.     

Who we think the reader is

These stories are for people who like to laugh.

‘This collection of stories about the Jinn and the various situations he finds himself in when summoned is a light easy read.

Mason Bushell has created an amusing little character in the Jinn and you can't help but smile at his antics & the way he expresses himself.

If you are looking for a quick fast read that will leave you with a smile, give it a read.’ Says one reviewer.

 

What else

Why not give Mason a follow? He’s written some super stories.

 

Review copies

It’s always great if you can buy the book, or download it if you have a plan, and give us a review. Just click on the link to be taken to our online bookshop. If you would like to review and you are strapped for cash, just get in touch for a free review copy.         

See in our bookstore.