Cornerstones: Back to the books!
Welcome in autumn with some exciting news and events from the Cornerstones team 🍂🍃
Dear authors,
It’s the first day of autumn, signalling publishing’s return from summer holidays! Agents and editors will be gearing up Super Thursday next month (a day of hot new releases). Now is a perfect time to knuckle down with revisions in time to submit your work in the new year.
This newsletter, we’re excited to announce that Helen is available to take on more editorial projects. We’re also looking ahead to an end-of-month event in collaboration with Byte The Book, and wanted to reiterate our congratulations to Issy Mahmoud, who has won a place on our Edit Your Novel course after winning the Bath Novel Award 2022 longlist prize. Congratulations, Issy! 🥳
So, without further ado…
Helen Corner-Bryant is available for more projects!
Last time we put a call out for projects for Helen, we had a great response from authors hoping to work with her. Helen loved reviewing everybody’s work, and she’s now free to take on new manuscripts this autumn (see our Success Stories for books we’ve worked on in the past!).
🤔 Is this service for you?
If you feel your manuscript is high-concept, nearing submission, and would like Helen to see if she can help take your book to the next level, please contact the office with your double-spaced opening ten pages and one-page synopsis, along with a cover letter.
You will want to have a strong grasp of self-editing techniques; a good way to prepare is to read On Editing for in-depth analysis. If this sounds like a service for you, we’d love to hear from you.
🤔 What can you expect?
If Helen takes on your project, she will conduct a read-through of your manuscript and a margin comment, followed by a brainstorming session with you to discuss feedback and next steps.
Earlier this month, we were delighted to join Professional Writing Academy’s #SetTheWorldToWriteFestival – a week-long virtual festival with seminars and workshops from a number of great speakers. Helen gave a great speech on the editing process!
If you missed that, do check out our next event with Byte The Book on 30 September, 1-2pm. This is a members-only salon covering the following topics:
How to write that dreaded synopsis
What exactly is show not tell – and when you should show and when you should tell!
How to build on pace
How to strengthen your writing
What you should submit to an agent
How to land on an agent's desk
See here for more information. If you’re not yet a member of Byte The Book, and want to learn more about what they do, click here.
Do let us know if you have any questions – we’re always happy to chat about editing, writing, and the publishing industry more generally! Equally, you’d be welcome to put any burning Qs to us during our next Editing Café, next Friday 30 September, 12-2pm (sign up!).
All the very best, as always,
The Cornerstones team
Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter if you aren’t already! We’re at @CornerstonesLit ✨