We believe that publishing should be open and accessible to all people, from all backgrounds, from all communities. But sometimes knowing where to begin, or even how to start, can be intimidating.

 

Each month this year The Future Bookshelf will provide you with a new infographic featuring tips, tricks and ideas from authors, editors, agents and experts to help you write your novel. Our aim is to demystify publishing and guide you through the process of writing, editing, submitting and publishing, so you know what to expect and how to succeed.

 

Welcome to The Future Bookshelf!

 

Click on the icons for more advice.

Katharine Grubb, author of Write a Novel in Ten Minutes

‘I have one daily writing tool: free writing’

I have one writing tool that I use almost daily. This tool moves me from the nebulous mess of an idea to some sort of draft. This tool has taught me to write fast and it is the best defence against my inner critic. This tool surprises me with what I come up with and…
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‘I have one daily writing tool: free writing’

Rowan Hisayo Buchanan, author of Harmless Like You

‘The right idea is one that obsesses you’

How would a would-be novelist know they've found the right idea?   The right idea is one that obsesses you. Don’t choose an idea because it’s fashionable or because you think it’ll suit the market. There are two reasons for this. First, tastes change. What is cool now may be tired-out in a few years.…
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‘The right idea is one that obsesses you’

Paul Engles, Editor, Quercus

Jess Richards, author of Snake Ropes

Jurgen Wolff, author of Your Creative Writing Masterclass

‘Recognise the need for an idea to flower’

Successful authors recognise the need for an idea to flower. Inspiration doesn’t just mean being hit with one idea suddenly; it can also mean cultivating it, allowing it to grow in our subconscious, and letting it emerge when it’s ready.   Whether your starting point is an image or a feeling or an overheard remark,…
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‘Recognise the need for an idea to flower’

Felicia Yap, author of Yesterday

Will Buckingham, author of Complete Write a Novel Course

‘Multiple ideas can interact in interesting ways’

Ideas do not exist in isolation. The richest, most interesting novels are not just based around a single notion, but instead draw upon multiple ideas. If you are finding it difficult to come up with a starting point for your novel, it may be because you are trying to base it around a single idea,…
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‘Multiple ideas can interact in interesting ways’

Juliet Mushens, literary agent and author of Get Started in Writing Young Adult Fiction

‘One small twist and even old themes can feel fresh’

The Helsinki Bus Station Theory from Get Started in Writing Young Adult Fiction by Juliet Mushens   One good exercise for coming up with ideas is to look at existing novels and plot synopses, and to change one element about them, and then see how that might change the novel entirely. Think how different Harry Potter…
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‘One small twist and even old themes can feel fresh’