Thread by @Joannechocolat

Today's #TenTweets are, by request, on the subject of THINGS NEW WRITERS SHOULD KNOW. Follow the hashtag to collect them all! #TenThingsNewWritersShouldKnow

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1. a) I know "new writer" isn't a great term. Nor is "emerging writer," "budding writer", "amateur" writer," or any of the other terms that imply "writer with less experience of publishing than those who make a living doing this thing that we do." #TenThingsNewWritersShouldKnow

1 b): However, there are certain things that only experience, or listening to people with experience, can teach you. Here are a few things all writers should know. #TenThingsNewWritersShouldKnow

1 c): You are never experienced enough, skilled enough or knowledgeable to stop needing editorial advice and critical feedback. The minute you think you're beyond criticism is the minute your writing starts to suck. #TenThingsNewWritersShouldKnow

2. If you don't read, your writing will suck. #TenThingsNewWritersShouldKnow

3. If you don't really *like* writing, consider another activity, because most writers have to do rather a lot of it. #TenThingsNewWritersShouldKnow

4. Most writers don't make enough money to live on. In financial terms, writing novels is no more of a reliable career choice than playing the lottery. #TenThingsNewWritersShouldKnow

5. Although to an unpublished writer, publication may seem like a golden pinnacle of success, it's actually only the first step on a much harder path than the one you took to get there. #TenThingsNewWritersShouldKnow

6. If you want to be traditionally published, you almost certainly need an agent. You may not think so now, but you do. They're the gatekeepers to publishing, and they'll protect you from being exploited. #TenThingsNewWritersShouldKnow

7. You have a trade union, the @Soc_of_Authors. Join it as soon as you can, and make use of the many resources it offers you. Things like insurance, contract assessment, access to grants and mentors. #TenThingsNewWritersShouldKnow

8. Register all your published books for @PLR_UK. Do the same with the @ALCS_UK. Both will collect money on your behalf - the PLR from from libraries, the ALCS from anyone, at home or abroad, who owes you for the use of your copyrighted material. #TenThingsNewWritersShouldKnow

9. Make an effort to get to know the people who work on your behalf: editors, copy-editors, cover artists, designers, translators. Acknowledge their work, and they're more likely to respect yours. #TenThingsNewWritersShouldKnow

10. Publishing is a village. Agents, publishers, artists, booksellers, etc. all speak to each other, and are often old friends. Treat one badly, and the rest will get to hear about it. This will do you no favours at all. #TenThingsNewWritersShouldKnow