How do New Writers Become published - an Interview with Suffolk Author Bryony Allen
For the majority of writers, getting published first second or even third time around would be a dream come true. Whilst in reality, the odds of achieving such a feat on the press of one of the large established publishing houses are in reality, unfortunately incredibly slim. For those brave and indignant writers for whom being read is more important than becoming Barbara Taylor Bradford rich, there are it seems other means to this end..
One Suffolk writer, Bryony Allen, who having so far completed the writing of three novels, has achieved this feat by locating a small publisher who when it came to her second novel Mystery, Deceit and a School Inspector. Published 50 of her books, from which, off the sale price of £6.99 Bryony earned £0.24 per copy. Well at least the novel got to see the printing press!
So, it seems that whilst at one end of the extreme it is impossible to get published unless you are Andy McNab, (Bravo Two Zero and others) Paul Torday (Salmon Fishing in the Yemen) or Katie Price, (bling, scandal and clichés) - see article on www.zazew.blogspot.com and yet at the other end of the publishing rainbow where it is more black and white, you can get published if you are prepared to give away all of your royalties.
So, Zazew being a young publishing upstart with ambitions to provide a creative and more equitable place for authors to work and have their words see the light of day, took our note book and pen along to see Bryony to get the low down on this exciting new writer's foray into authorship.
We met Bryony at her home in Suffolk and immediately asked the obvious question about the second novel Mystery, Deceit and a School Inspector , what inspired Bryony to write this particular book?
Bryony - 'Well a school OFSTED inspection' (groan... we asked for that)
Zazew - OK, let's go further back, have you always wanted to write or was it the experience of the school inspection that first inspired you?
Bryony - Actually, I had always dreamed of writing a book since I was a little girl. I fell in love with English Literature at a very young age and went on to studying it further at university and graduating in English Lit before becoming a teacher, so writing has always been part of my every day life I guess
Zazew - So when did you first realise or decide even that you had the ability to potentially write a book
Bryony - Well actually, I had often thought of lots of ideas for a book but never seemed to have the time and when I finished university was too busy trying to make ends meet to get serous about writing my first book.
Zazew - So when did you write your firs book and what inspired you?
Bryony - Well honestly, for a long time, I just read and taught, then finally when my son came along and I eventually started to tell him bedtime stories ,it was then that I began to tell ideas from my imagination. He would join in and together we would make up the stories together, eventually me putting the words to paper.
Zazew - Wow, sounds like a movie storyline taking shape, what happened?
Bryony - Well having completed my manuscript which I was quite excited about, I sent it off to a publisher and heard nothing, not even a 'no thanks' letter. So I guess, this was my frst experience of tryng to get published
Zazew - Oh, that must have been incredibly frustrating and I would imagine for a writer quite de motivating.
Bryony - Well yes, I guess you could say that. But at the time, it was ,my first attempt and eventually I decided that I should have another go, so then finally along came the second book.
Zazew - And how has that been received?
Bryony - Well apart from not having the huge publishing house funded marketing budget behind promoting the book, the people who have read it tell me they enjoyed it, so at least I am being read.
Zazew - OK, so what now, you said you have three books. What's the third?
Bryony - Well the next one is currently ready for publication. It's called Otoli and it's a book aimed at children and young teenagers. It is about social exclusion which I guess a form of bullying, but it's a great story, at least I think so and the children, my own little guinea pig readers are rooting for me to achieve more success with this one.
Zazew - Great, how will you publish this one?
Bryony - Hmm, that's the £6.99 question, maybe I need a friendly publisher. So, I am on the look out.
Zazew - Tell me, it must ne incredibly frustrating for a talented writer such as yourself who obviously has the skills, motivation and imagination. What keeps you going when you cannot get a major publishing deal and the vanity press just does not deliver? How do you stay motivated and what drives you?
Bryony- I guess, it's the desire to be read and become acknowledged, it's continually looking for that next story idea that I can stay with from 'what if' through to 'The end' and I guess ultimately seeing my books on the shelves of people other than family and friends and finally, a decent review.
We look forward to seeing Otoli in print Bryony
Bryony's recent novel is available for purchase by clicking here... Mystery Deceit and a School Inspector
