A screenshot of WIthnail & I staood in the rain. Caption reads "we've gone querying by mistake." The word querying has been pasted over the real caption which should be 'on holiday'.

2024 Wrapped – Writer's Edition. Share yours!

- I like to think I started querying by mistake (wasn't ready);
- a collection of stories for children got published;
- I got a #WriteCBC honourable mention;
- I went to #GollanczFest & #Fantasycon meeting lots of fab authors from the SFF community.

My fav moment of #Gollanczfest was meeting @aliettedb.bsky.social. She was one of the Future Worlds Prize judges so she actually knew who I was 😅 I'm sure I mumbled incoherently at her but I genuinely am a big fan, especially her Xuya universe.

Final question at the publishing panel at #Gollanczfest was about how to find your writing community - perfect segue to plugging @spectrumwriters.com - our hybrid online & in-person SFF writers group offering critique sessions, special events and more - new members always welcome #amwriting

More great reminders from @garthnix.bsky.social - you can increase your probability of success through your actions, but getting published is still usually a matter of luck, so just keep going; there will always be writers better than you, so focus on your work & try not to compare #Gollanczfest

Loved hearing more about @dhonielle.bsky.social's writing process as well - Dhonielle said she writes herself a pitch/blurb for a new project first, to check the idea has enough of an 'engine' - @garthnix.bsky.social does similar with a prologue and first chapter #Gollanczfest

If you are at #Gollanczfest, look out for our organiser @rbowden.bsky.social and our little cohort of Spectrum folk! 📚🚀✨

Second time it's been mentioned today that duologies are currently easier to sell than trilogies/longer series #Gollanczfest #amwriting (but as always, things change and don't try to write to trends)

Fun analogy from @jjbker.bsky.social - if your book is a tin of beans, your synopsis is the list of ingredients on the side - and if you can't summarise the plot on one page, that's probably a sign it's too chaotic #Gollanczfest

Several reminders about the need to approach submissions professionally - Sarah Shaffi from Future Worlds Prize says everyone in the room is a writer - what you want to be is a published author #Gollanczfest

Great session on submitting a manuscript just now at #Gollanczfest - loads of helpful tips and advice, highlights include @jjbker.bsky.social saying general rule of he wants to see your 4th draft - the first draft is often called a 'junk' draft for a reason

Love this approach - @dhonielle.bsky.social first builds the world, then looks for the character who will "cause the most trouble" in it #Gollanczfest

In terms of popular tropes and character archetypes in romantasy, Lauren Dedroog says a hero will give up love to save the world, but a villain will give up the world for the one they love #Gollanczfest

Romantasy as a genre is more comfortable with having female lead characters who learn and grow, says Jennifer Delaney #Gollanczfest

Why romantasy has surged in popularity in the past couple of years - @dhonielle.bsky.social says one reason is readers looking for escapism and healing post-pandemic #Gollanczfest

A photo of the Gollanczfest logo on a projector screen in the main auditorium

Let's gooo! #Gollanczfest #amwriting @spectrumwriters.com