In this week’s episode of The Publisher & The Writer, we answer questions on a variety of writing and publishing topics.

00:47 Jane’s trip to London, with a stop at the huge Waterstones bookshopat Piccadilly. Seeing how genre fiction is laid out and how much it dominates the fiction floor.

02:40 The fantasy section being close to children’s section and issues that causes. Sex in fantasy is pretty full on so parents are helped to appreciate topics in young adult books. Reading Fourth Wing, and how author writes for those who feel they don’t fit in.

05:00 Who’s reading books. That Waterstones is a citadel. The joy of bookshops that stay open late.

08:00 Fonts and colours in vogue now.

09:00 Meetings with old friends and the changes sweeping through publishing, the power of digital publishing.

09:50 What is print on demand and who is using it. A primer. Change your religion! It means a virtual warehouse.

13:00 How spammy publishing companies claim to get your books into bookshops but anyone can do it via Ingram.

13:50 Amazon has the algorithm, and promotion. Promoting digitally and fulfilling demand digitally. Upsides and downsides of Amazon.

15:50 Best to upload to both Amazon and to Ingram.

16:30 Question about promotional blurbs on book cover, how to get them.

19:15 Question about writing courses, advice on value for money. Join the local writer’s’ centre.

21:20 Writing courses or mentors first? BBC Maestro course.

23:00 Memoir writing groups, Jenny Valentish as mentor and teacher.

23:30 How to start a career in publishing and is it a good place to work if you’d like to be a writer? Other careers that work well for writers.

26:30 Latest books we have been reading.

• Nina Stubbs Went To London, Took The Dog
• Robyn Cadwallader The Fire And The Rose
• Fiona McFarlane Highway 13

29:00 Send your FAQs to Seana Smith via Instagram or website, see below.

Websites mentioned:

Ingram Content

Amazon KDP

BBC Maestro

Jane Curry Links

• Jane Curry Advisory: www.janecurryadvisory.com
• Ventura Press: www.venturapress.com.au
• www.instagram.com/venturapress__
• www.instagram.com/janecurry1

Seana Smith Links

• Seana Smith website: www.seanasmith.com
• www.instagram.com/seanasmith

Buy Going Under

In Australia: https://www.amazon.com.au/Going-Under-memoir-secrets-addiction/dp/0645497231/

Audiobook: Going Under on Audible, narrated by Seana Smith, click here.

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