Your Debut = Golden Ticket

Why your "why" for publication matters more than your word count (and how to discover yours in 5 minutes)

Dear Scribblers,

Summer feels full of exciting events and opportunities to socialise and have creative conversations, and we have two wholesome Manchester events coming up for you - our 7 year Summer Party (Fri 25th July, tickets here) and our just launched Autumn edition of the Northern Publishers’ Fair (Sat 27th September - now with a Northern agents table, tickets here.)

And a quick one, can you help? We’re hiring via Manchester Metropolitan University’s graduate scheme (Job ad closes on Sunday 13th, ‘Events, PR & Marketing Assistant’, a 12 week scheme working with yours truly) but we can only hire graduates who graduated from MMU last year - can you think of anyone? Or is that you?! Job ad here

Bookish news this week…

'Into this fascinating, intersectional landscape Kalayil introduces a nuanced love story that is by turns passionate and melancholic… And all the while there is fear of the Stasi, who may be watching, connecting them with the dead boy's escape attempt...These are characters who are aware of the uncertainty of the times they live in – that they are experiencing history being written all around them, and all the while battling for their own personal happiness and dignity. They are capable of wounding one another deeply'

– Joseph Hunter, The Manchester Review

‘The Others’ by Sheena Kalayil now available from our local Waterstones branch & our lovely website.

‘It’s sort of a farce, except that it is extraordinarily sincere… you can read this novella in an afternoon, but there’s every chance you’ll be thinking about this for years. I know I will’.

- Adrian Vedder. GRQ by Steven Bernstein available from your local Waterstones and our website direct.

And John Ironmonger took a selfie with this gorgeous book club group from Lingham’s Booksellers - ‘The Wager and the Bear’ and author talk much enjoyed by all!

Amy Lilwall's quirky cli-fi proof has arrived! 'The Water That May Come' is our answer to making climate fiction truly accessible — because tackling the big issues of our time shouldn't mean sacrificing humour, loveable characters, or plots driven by what makes us most human: love and kindness. (P.S. Did you know, all our proofs are unlaminated - as planet-friendly as possible!)

With just under three weeks until we close (for at least a year!) for novel and novella submissions, I wanted to give you a newsletter about submitting your work to publishers - and how a book is just a stepping stone for your overall career. A calling card, if you will, to facilitate your long term goals!

The audio and text below is one of the 30 steps in our online course ‘Get Published: A Proven Path to Agents & Indie Publishers’ which paid Substack subscribers can get 25% off this week (code below!)

The 30 step online course and discussion forum looks something like this…

Why Do You Want to Be Published?

This seemingly simple question is actually the cornerstone of your entire publishing journey. Your answer will fundamentally shape which paths you pursue, which publishers you approach, and how you measure success. Before diving into submission strategies or formatting guidelines, take a moment to honestly reflect on your motivations.

Artistic and Personal Motivations

Many writers approach publication with these primary goals:

• To connect with readers and create emotional resonance through the power of language

• To contribute a unique voice and perspective to the wider literary landscape — your experiences, style, and worldview deserve to be shared

• To preserve your work and give it permanence beyond yourself

• To validate the countless hours you've invested in honing your craft

• To make statements about important human truths, social issues, or philosophical ideas

• To join a community of writers, publishers, and readers who share your passion for literature

While indie publishing might not always promise substantial financial returns, it offers rich rewards in these areas. The deep reader engagement, critical recognition, and artistic satisfaction that come from a thoughtfully published book can be immeasurable.

Professional and Career Motivations

These equally valid reasons often inform publication strategies:

• Financial sustainability — using your writing to generate income

• Performance opportunities at literary festivals, readings, and events

• Strategic positioning to attract larger publishers or agents in the future

• Building a professional platform that opens doors to teaching, speaking, or other writing opportunities

Many writers use their first publications (particularly poetry chapbooks or short story collections) as sophisticated calling cards — professionally produced evidence of their talent and market appeal that can lead to full-length collections, better contracts, or wider opportunities.

Why Your "Why" Matters

Understanding your primary motivations will help you:

• Choose appropriate publishers whose values and audience align with your goals

• Set realistic expectations about outcomes, timelines, and returns

• Make informed decisions about contracts, rights, and promotional commitments

• Measure success beyond simplistic metrics like sales figures

• Sustain your momentum through the inevitable challenges of the publishing process

The publishing landscape offers diverse paths to success. Knowing exactly what you're seeking allows you to navigate this terrain strategically.

Exercise: Clarifying Your Publishing Motivations

Take a few minutes to consider: