Chriss McCallum: The Beginner's Guide to Getting Published

I decided to review a guide designed to help you get your work out of the draw and into print.

As a journalist it was quite fun for me to read the newspaper sections of Chriss McCallum's The Beginner's Guide to Getting Published.

I've no experience in the world of book publishing (I don't seem to have the stamina to complete anything above 800 words - hence why I work in newspapers)

But I do see the other side of things - namely the pitches and letters sent to newspapers - and I have to say, the author's advice is spot on.

I particularly liked this advice for letters to editors:

"Don't embarrass the editor with emotional blackmail.

"His heart will sink and his hackles will rise if you tell him you need the money to feed your childen, or you're 99 and might not survive beyond his next issue, or your doctor has prescribed creative writing as therapy after your breakdown and a rejection could tip you over the edge.

"Yes, people do these things."

Even if an editor's hackles don't rise - they'll probably just laugh and bin your letter so this is definitely advice to follow.

It's the light-hearted elements like this, that make what is essential an advice-dispensing guide a little easier to read and digest.

The book is well laid out and the tone avoids being patronising without hesitating to point out every mistake you could possibly make.

McCallum manages to cover pretty much every way you could get work published, including areas you might not have previously considered.

Where the author has gaps in her own knowledge (she has worked as an editor, journalist, ghost writer etc.) she calls on advice from her contacts.

For example, in the section about poetry, songwriting and greetings' cards (told you the book covered everything!) some of the advice comes from a prize-winning poet. 

On balance, I think the book is a worthwhile investment - even if you use just one of these hints and tips it could make a difference... so why not?

A quick browse at the glossary alone will help you with the ridiculous jargon of the publishing world - from 'on spec' (when you send your work to an editor without being invited) to 'pull quote' (quotation extracted from an article)

Disappointingly, the word 'grout' is missing from the glossary - I wonder if the Liverpool Daily Post and ECHO newsroom is the only place where you'll find the word used for the little news stories (also known as briefs and fillers) that complete a page.

The book is extremely thorough and doesn't assume you would know how to write a covering letter or design an invoice. Personally, I wouldn't know where to start and in times of recession, when competition is so fierce, it's the little things that make a difference.

The author tells you: "The writers who get their work published are not necessarily the most brilliant. They are writers who provide what editors and publishers want.

"Being a successful writer means balancing your individuality and enthusiasm with your writing and selling skills."

While it might be irritating to acknowledge that raw writing talent isn't enough to succeed, there is no reason not to improve your chances in a highly competitive field.

I'd be interested to know readers' experiences.