Advice for Authors

including Free Appraisal of Manuscripts

You're an author seeking a publisher? If you've started beating on publishers' doors you've probably had some rebuffs already. I had plenty myself but I persevered and eventually found myself signing contracts – and copies of my books as they rolled from the press! They do smell good!

Completing the journey from pen to print brings huge satisfaction (and some money besides) and I'm happy to guide new authors along the narrow path that leads to success.

Tony D Triggs, literary advisor and widely published author

Some years ago I helped an author to find a publisher for her first biography - and she's published another three since then!

More recently, I helped my son and colleague Robin Triggs with his debut novel, Night Shift - and now it's in the bookshops! Not only that, but its gripping sequel Human Resources has just appeared.

Here's a small extract from a novel whose author asked us for guidance. She clearly had a story to tell, and the incident conveys some tension. We don't see a jobbing builder at work but someone involved in an urgent struggle.

So far so good - but could the telling be even better? Most readers would answer yes to this - and so would most agents and publishers!

You've almost certainly seen the changes this passage needs, though the author had missed them.

Equally, our own impartial, practised eyes might well see ways to improve your work -

which sheer familiarity has made you miss!

In the words of one of the writers we've helped,

'How impressed I've been with the thoroughness of your editorial comments.'

The joy of a publishing contract!

Maybe we could help you, too. If so, just send your work or the first few chapters and we'll quickly write back with some helpful comments free of charge. (Free appraisal of manuscripts - that can't be bad!) We'll also let you know what a full review would cost.

I personally specialise in children's books and adult fiction. If necessary, I'll pass your work to someone with the right expertise.

Simply email your work to me, Tony D Triggs, at [email protected] or use the form below to get our postal address or ask any questions.

Detailed comments on a manuscript received for copy editing

Shown here with the novelist's blessing are the sort of marginal notes we can add when it's time to give a manuscript that final polish!

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Advice for authors and free appraisal of manuscripts is available for all.

However, if you're creative and young (under 18), or an adult helping a talented youngster, please visit Calling Creative Youngsters

Corrected manuscript extracts on this website have been used with the kind permissions of Jason Butler, author of Money Moments.