It’s been a very good year for Compass Books with lots of interesting new titles on our list and even more in production. Rather than concentrating on beginners’ books, however, we’re constantly on the lookout for titles that offer sound, practical advice for the more experienced writer looking at changing genre, written by authors who are widely published in that particular area.
Apart from the best-selling authors, few writers remain tied to their original writing interest, and as the years go by we all experiment with a change of direction, while some – like the astute Mr Bowie – develop the knack of re-inventing themselves as the marketplace ebbs and flows. Our current list offers suggestions for generating new ideas from old topics (Life-Writes, Surfing The Rainbow, Handy Hints for Writers) or revealing the tricks of the trade for more specific marketplaces such as How To Write For The How-To Market, The Country Writers’ Craft, The Pagan Writers Guide (MB&S), Telling Life’s Tales (autobiography), The Lifestyle Writer and Freelance Writing on Health, Food & Gardens (home and family).
Each genre has its own quirks and foibles and Compass Books offer the would-be novelist an insight into the different areas of fiction that demand a certain amount of research by the writer before embarking on a change of career. We have already added Write A Western in 30 Days, Passionate Plots, How To Write a Chilling Thriller and Horror Upon Horror, which offer valuable insights into each particular genre by published authors.
We are currently interested in how-to write submissions from author-tutors in the genres of crime and detection fact/fiction, business, sport, warfare, women’s and literary fiction with plenty of author quotes, examples and writing exercises included in the text. Submissions should be submitted via the website or email in the form of a short proposal in the first instance; followed on request by a synopsis, full chapter breakdown for non-fiction, author biography and opening chapters. The finished typescript should not be less than 45,000 words and each chapter should contain a number of formal writing exercises. A decision is normally made within 1-2 weeks. No advances: royalties paid twice yearly.
We have also introduced a mini how-to series, Compass Points, on the different writing disciplines and techniques in specific areas, and would like to add how-to books such as covering pace and narrative (the importance of establishing time and place), constructing the plot, editing your own writing, etc. And we’re looking for experienced authors to tell us how to do it! The finished typescript should be around 25,000 words maximum including writing exercises - but please submit a short proposal with author biography in the first instance via the website or email.
Another interesting development is the launch of the FREE online CB quarterly magazine, Writers’ Wheel, that will be packed full of interesting articles, fiction and poetry from the enormous stable of John Hunt Publishing authors and guest writers. Jointly edited by publisher and author, Maria Moloney, and former editor of The New Writer, Suzanne Ruthven, the magazine promises to bring news of publishing opportunities for new authors for fact and fiction within the JHP group. Compass Points is only a very small part of the rapidly expanding JHP group of imprints so keep in touch by logging onto the Compass Books Blog. Writers’ Wheel will also contain a ‘Writers’ Resource Directory’ containing details of those authors available for interview, speaking or tutoring engagements, or offering editorial or ghost-writing services.
Compass Books Commissioning Editor: Suzanne Ruthven
Website: www.compass-books.net
Facebook: www.facebook.com/JHPCompassBooks
Email: publisher1@compass-books.net
