Getting a publication deal is a dream come true. Once the initial excitement fades, there’s a whole new set of skills to learn and industry jargon to get to grips with.
Do I need to be on social media?
How do I make graphics to show off my book?
My editor wants to change the title/ genre/ ending of my book … is this NORMAL?
What are returns? Non compete clauses? Options?
Why does everything take so long!
Wouldn’t it be nice to have a place where you can ask questions and swap notes with other authors who are at the same stage of the publication process as you are?
We (Alison, Janet and Jeev) are three multi published authors who remember all too well what it was like being new to publishing and the gap between our expectations and the reality.
We’ve had a few knocks and bad experiences with publishers and survived, but we wanted to do something to make the publishing journey a little easier for those who came after us.
So we formed Debut Author Club to try and provide a safe place for new authors (and authors who still feel new and bewildered) to ask questions and make friends with other authors in the same boat.
“It’s really helped me as I was writing in isolation, this enables me to connect with like minded people.”
Saz Vora author of ‘My heart sings your song‘
Introducing Debut Author club
We are creating a community where debut and early career authors can meet, network and learn together. You don’t have to do this alone.
For the cost of less than a weekly cup of coffee, you can have a place where debut authors can swap tips and ask questions. We also have some training each month, so that you can learn new skills to help you on your author journey.
Please note that the community will be hosted on Facebook – so you will need to be on Facebook to join it.
You can get a one week’s free trial when you sign up.
You can also ask questions from Alison, Janet or Jeev. All three of us are writers who are still writing (and going on submission and marketing our books and all the fun stuff that authors have to do besides writing the book). Between us we’ve written several dozen books under half a dozen pen names and been published by a variety of publishers ranging from tiny little ‘mom and pop’ operations to the big four. We’ve also self published books. If you have a question about anything to do with writing or publishing, we can probably help.
Debut author club is a safe space for you to find out more about the opaque world of publishing (without anyone judging you!) and find your community along the way.
Most of all, it’s a community where debut authors can meet and collaborate. The three of us at Fiction Tutors will be on hand to answer questions too, especially the ones that are of the ‘my publisher said/did this, is this normal?’ variety.
“Being part of this group has lessened the isolation and offered good supportive advice”
Nettie Anderson author of ‘Out of the blue‘
Is it for me?
If you’re an author who wants to learn about the publishing industry, then this group is for you.
If you’re an author who has newly signed with an agent, newly signed with a publisher or just had their first (or even second) book come out, then this group is definitely for you.
If you’re unsure, you get a free trial for the first week, so you can try it for no risk at all.
A safe space to ask questions
The Fiction Tutors are all working writers. We’ve been through the steep learning curve that comes with being a newly published author. Whatever your question, we can probably help.
Short courses and challenges
There’s a lot to do when you’re an author. By having a theme and some training, so a challenge to get it done, each month, you can break the jobs down into manageable chunks.
A place to make friends
It’s lonely being a debut author. Network with other authors at the same stage as you. Whether it’s promoting your debut or writing your next book, it’s always easier with friends.
Here’s what’s coming up in 2024
January : Scrivener – it is really the answer to organising your writing?
February : Covers we love and hate. Covers that sell books.
March : That dreaded synopsis.
April : The people in publishing.
May : Building your author brand.
There are downloadable handouts based around common issues faced by new authors starting to build their platform for the first time. There’s a theme each month – sometimes with a challenge to get you moving.
Lessons from the previous months are available to view once you’re in the club.
“I was stressing about the Reader Magnet for my new newsletter. Debut Author Club gave a simple solution … And it works!
Imogen Martin author of ‘Under a guilded sky’
Who we are
Alison, Janet and Jeev met as new(ish) authors and bonded over the trials and tribulations of being a new (or newish) author. Between us, we’ve been published by everything from tiny two-person publishers to imprints of the big four. Add to that, we’ve mentored a lot of people who have been signed by publishers (and we’ve read a lot of contracts). We’ll be on hand to help.
Not ready to join yet?
Sign up to the mailing list instead (or, as well!) and get a free short guide ‘Five tips to avoid feeling overwhelmed as a debut author‘ to help you feel less overwhelmed. Put together by three experienced authors, these are the tips that we’ve found most useful when the publishing journey gets too stressful.
You will also get our regular newsletter with tips, advice and opportunities that we’ve spotted through our networks.
Join Debut Author Club
For the cost of just £10 a month, which is less than a cup of coffee a week, you can have support, teaching and a place to find your people. If you want to merely check it out before you commit – you get a free 7 day trial. So you can try it for no risk at all.