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"Writers: Send us Your Novels". Finally, A Chance To Make It Big
In The Publishi
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By Andy Ballentine and Merlin-Pub
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Who knows, that first Publishing deal may not be that far off,after all. The recently launched Macmillan New Writer Scheme maybe your best opportunity yet to make it big in the publishingworld.
Since the project was launched in February, Macmillan has beenreceiving 200 manuscripts a month. And in April next year, sixnovels will be published and one or two will be released eachmonth.
The Macmillan New Writing scheme, though, is not without itscritics. A number of online content providers have blasted thescheme as a "scam". The Guardian newspaper's Arts Correspondent,Charlotte Higgans (www.guardian.co.uk) branded the scheme "theRyanair of publishing; it's like having to pay for your ownuniforms". Natasha Fairweather, an agent, calls it "an exercisein futility". In contrast, Michael Bernard, Macmillan executivedirector, describes the scheme as "a way of giving a voice totalented new authors".?
There's no doubt, though, Macmillan's New Writer Scheme is adeparture from mainstream publishing. For example, if Macmillandecides to accept a novel for its list, the terms arenonnegotiable; no advance will be paid, however, writerswill?receive 20% royalties from sales.
Here's the deal: if accepted, MacMillan will copy edit books,but if manuscripts need more detailed work, they will suggestthat writers employ freelance editors. Even then, this does notguarantee publication.
Barnard says, "This is about Macmillan finding new authors. Likea lot of mainstream publishers we haven't in recent years beenaccepting unsolicited?manuscripts, but only ones sent throughagents. And we are not discovering as many?authors as we need."
"There are literally tens of thousands of writers out there -and we have a responsibility to help them. We can't do that bypaying a half million advance to every author."?
According to Barnard, the books will appear in the main PanMacmillan catalogue and would be "very posh books" with ribbonmarkers, sold at ?15. He expected them to become "collectors'items".?
Scott Pack, of Waterstones, welcomes the initiative. "I thinkit's a fantastic idea," he said. "When books are presented to meby publishers they prioritise the ones to which they have givenlarge advances. But the bestsellers are not?necessarily the onesthat have had big advances. This creates a level playing field."?
Pack believes the scheme could be great for spotting new talent,and points to examples of self-publishedbooks that found success not going the route of conventionalpublishing.
We think if you've spent years working on your novel with nosuccess in finding an agent, then Macmillan's New Writing Schememay well bring you the success you've been waiting for.
Pros: Once in a lifetime opportunity 20% of Royalties from SalesCreates level playing field for new talent
Cons: MacMillan will acquire all rights to new manuscripts NoAdvance Paid Possibility sharing of editing costs Less control
More detail about MacMillan New Writing can be found here.
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