Author: kim.kimber@rocketmail.com

These days anyone can write a book. The rapid growth of self-publishing means that seeing your book in print is no longer dependent on months, or years, of waiting for a publisher or agent to make you an offer. The publishing process can happen a lot more quickly but that doesn’t mean that it should be rushed into. If you have invested time and effort in your manuscript and it is the best it can be, faster publication can only be a good thing. However, many new writers seem to believe that they can not only write a great novel, …

There is a well-known saying, ‘never judge a book by its cover’. Sound advice but we all make snap decisions. How many times have you passed over a book because the cover was unappealing or the blurb on the back was boring? First impressions count and you need to grab a potential reader’s attention if you want your book to be successful. If you are lucky enough to have a publishing contract, you will receive help with these important details, but for all those self-publishers, it is essential to make your book stand out from the rest. Unless you are …

“I just don’t have the time to write,” is a phrase that I have often heard repeated. My answer is, “Oh, but you do.” If there is something that you want to do badly enough, you will find the time somehow and writing is no different. These days we all lead fantastically busy lives with work and family commitments leaving little energy to do much else than collapse in front of the TV every evening. However, with enough motivation you can squeeze in the time to pen your story, blog or novel. A few minutes here, half an hour there, …

We’ve all heard people say that they could write a book. Some people do eventually get around to it, but the majority never do. With the self-publishing market booming it is easier than ever to see your name in print so what’s holding you back? The most frequently cited reason for not penning that novel or business book is lack of time. There is no getting away from the fact that writing is a big commitment but if you are determined, you will find a way. Get up an hour early, go to bed later or dedicate part of the …

The question that I am most frequently asked by new authors is, “How can I make my book stand out?” Now, if there were a simple formula that I could pass on to guarantee publishing success, I would be a very rich woman. However, there is no one sure-fire way to ensure that your, often self-published, book will be the one to grab the public’s attention and propel you to literary superstardom. However, there are ways to give your book a fighting chance against the competition and the most obvious is to make sure that it is free from errors. …

The publishing industry is changing. Would-be authors no longer have to wait in vain for their book to be plucked out of the slush pile by a publisher or agent. The opportunity to self-publish has unleashed a wealth of previously undiscovered talent. Worldwide, rookie novelists are putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard). Hundreds of new titles are being released every day. And the numbers are rising. This is a good thing but what many of these new authors don’t realise is that getting your book into print is only the first step, you then have to sell it. …

Welcome to my website and blog. Some of you will already know me, for others it will be the first time you have heard my name but I hope you will all come back regularly to find out what I am up to. The past few weeks have presented me with fresh challenges, some of which have meant a sharp learning curve, but it has nevertheless been an exciting time. Firstly, putting together Write on the Coast with the inspirational members of Westcliff-on-Sea WI (WoSWI) writing group has meant grasping a whole new range of skills, mostly to do with …