The Writers' Workshop - con or Godsend? - WritingForums.com - Writing Forums, Writing Challenges, Critiques and Help for Writers

nelijane · 06-22-2006, 11:16 AM

Hello everyone

What a wonderful site this is, full of great information and very motivating!

I have just finished the first draft of my first novel and I'm now engaged in the sometimes raw and painful process of editing (or stripping as the case may well be).

I had intended to get my work to the best quality that I had and then pay a company called The Writers' Workshop around £600 to critique and suggest revisions as necessary. If you enter 'literary agent' into Google, they are the top sponsered link. They promise to put your novel into the hands of top Literary Agents with their endorsement if it reaches the required standard. I am getting nervous as I can't find anything about them good or bad on any forum or search engine. My question is, does anyone have any experience with this group? They sound wonderful - but then they would, wouldn't they!

Thanks for any advice forthcoming...

nelijane

Achilles · 06-22-2006, 11:23 AM

I'm always wary of any of google's sponsored links. They wouldn't be the top hits except for the money they pay google.

There are people around here who would be happy to look over your writing for free. I have no idea how the quality compares, but the price is a no-brainer.

I don't have any experience with this particular company, but I'd suggest looking for some other more cost efficient alternative.

aspiring · 06-22-2006, 12:12 PM

The writers' workshop is reputable. The reason they charge higher rates than other consultancies (they are not literary agents themselves) is because you get more follow-up stuff with them. I edit freelance for a consultancy called Cornerstones (www.cornerstones.co.uk) and we are required to read the submission and write an in-depth report, highlighting areas such as Marketing, Characterisation, Show Not Tell, Plot Development etc. The report goes back to the author and that is the end of the discussion - unless the author rewrites and resubmits, in which case a new payment is made. The consultancy also passes on books to agents, but this is quite unusual as we don't get many submissions that are publishable, for one reason or another.

As far as I am aware, the writers' workshop offers a more comprehensive service. You get the long report, but then they open a dialogue with you so that you can submit revisions without further payment. I don't know what their success rate is like with agents.

Cornerstones is 100% authentic and all their editors are published authors in the various fields - for example, I only get to edit picture books because up until last month that was all I had published. Having just sold a YA novel (which was actually placed with an agent through Cornerstones - as I work for them they submitted it for free, although they do then take a cut of my advance) I am now 'eligible' for editing that genre too.

Although, as Achilles says, you could post it here and get feedback for free, I really wouldn't rely on that as an accurate guide to your chances of publication. With the greatest respect, most of the people on these boards are not yet published and possibly do not know the intricacies of the market or the current trends. You will also get widely subjective opinions from different people. A literary consultancy will work within your own style. You won't be asked to write as though you were someone else. They will also be honest yet constructive. If you can afford a consult, then I would say it is a good idea.

If you wanted to look at Cornerstones as an alternative possibility (they will work out cheaper) you can always drop them an email for a quote. I believe they will also look over your synopsis for free and offer suggestions. I work for the kids' section, so unless you've written a picture book, you won't get me as your editor!

mammamaia · 06-22-2006, 06:46 PM

i'm sorry, but i can't possibly see charging 600 pounds as being anything close to 'reputable'!

it seems to me that writers whose work needs that much 'editing' or whatever aren't ready to be seeking representation or publication... it's a terribly high amount to be charged for just an 'opinion' and suggestions on how to improve the work... plus, their caveat needs to be taken literally and seriously... they say they will:

Quote:

Place your work with agents, where appropriate. Where work is of marketable quality, we will pass it, with our endorsement, to some of the leading literary agents in London.

which is merely a guarded way of saying that if your work isn't good enough to sell, they'll tell you they can't pass it on, AFTER they've taken your money... and, even if it is passable, 'some' can be as few as 3.. but even then, there's no guarantee any of those 'some' will want it...

i'm sure you can find many reputable editors who'll correct your typos and minor goofs for a much better price... but why do you need anyone at all?... if you're really ready to send your work out to agents and publishers, you should be able to proofread and edit your own work... the few things you might overlook won't keep anyone truly reputable from taking on your book, if it's well-written enough and has a marketable story/concept...

i'll be glad to take a look at your synopsis and first chapter and let you know if you actually need any help or not... and i do all for free... so, let me know if you'd like to get a 'second opinion' before emptying your savings account for these folks...

love and hugs, maia
maia3maia@hotmail.com

aspiring · 06-23-2006, 03:39 AM

Quote:

i'm sure you can find many reputable editors who'll correct your typos and minor goofs for a much better price... but why do you need anyone at all?... if you're really ready to send your work out to agents and publishers, you should be able to proofread and edit your own work... the few things you might overlook won't keep anyone truly reputable from taking on your book, if it's well-written enough and has a marketable story/concept...

I disagree with maia here. Many editors no longer have the time to spend on developing a book with a new author. It used to be that all you needed was for it to be 'well-written and with a marketable concept' but nowadays editors require 'near-perfection' from an unpublished author, otherwise it's not worth the risk.

nelijane, it is certainly worth sending your ms to a few agents and seeing what the response is. However, I do firmly believe that a literary consultancy can help an author to strengthen a story to the extent that it makes the difference between 'a nice story, well told' to 'wow!' I see no reason why people shouldn't pay a literary consultancy (although I agree, as before, that £600 is a bit steep - did they base that on your word count?) to get professional guidance on their work. A new author does not necessarily have the skills yet to edit their own work objectively, which is what is needed. Sometimes they cannot see the book's flaws, and all it takes is for someone else to point them out and suggest ways of overcoming them.

nelijane · 06-23-2006, 05:01 AM

!!!Pressed wrong button, posted twice... see next post! whoops

nelijane · 06-23-2006, 05:01 AM

Thank you all very much. The £600 is based on their £380 standard charge for up to 300 pages and then 50p per extra page. In its raw state, the draft is 600 pages long. It will be considerably shorter when I've finished taking out the meandering bits but still alot more than 300 pages.

Maia, I'd love you to look over my synopsis and first chapter - that's very kind of you, I'll email it tonight when I get in from my boring old day job.

Also, I've had a look at Cornerstones and may consider them as an alternative to The Writers' workshop...

I have so many friends and family who will read the ms but I doubt whether they would be brave enough to offer an objective opinion!

Nelijane

Mike C · 06-23-2006, 07:27 AM

Personal recommendation is best, where possible, if you feel you need a consultant. I can't remember who it was (but can find out if you're interested) but Sharon Maas employed a UK lit.consultant and consequently landed a 3 book deal with HarperCollins www.sharonmaas.com (although use of a consultant doesn't guarantee this outcome!).

If you're interested I can give her a call and find out who it was.

nelijane · 06-23-2006, 07:44 AM

That would be great, thanks Mike. Simply paypaling off £600 into the unknown is enough to lose sleep over!

mammamaia · 06-23-2006, 09:02 PM

i'd for sure go with a recommendation from mike over sending off a huge chunk o' change to strangers who work with masses of 'marks' at any given time... and i'll be happy to take a look at whatever you send, but msn has been down for 2 days so far and shows no imminent signs of recovery, so i may take longer to get back to you than usual...

hugs, maia

Mike C · 06-24-2006, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nelijane

That would be great, thanks Mike. Simply paypaling off £600 into the unknown is enough to lose sleep over!

I'll get back to you.

Mike C · 06-24-2006, 03:48 AM

The Lit Consultant is Hilary Johnson, she has an impressive client list. Her website is here - http://www.hilaryjohnson.demon.co.uk/ and there's ain interview with her here - http://www.greatwriting.co.uk/content/view/1133/74/