Lucy Llewellyn of Parthian Books offers an insight into independent publishing
As part of a new series of features, EssentialWriters.com will be examining what’s happening in the world of book publishing and how new writers can get a look-in, beginning with a revealing interview with Lucy Llewellyn, editor at independent publishing house, Parthian Books. Parthian published two of the books shortlisted for the Wales Book of the Year 2009, including the winner, Grace, Tamar and Laszlo the Beautiful by Deborah Kay Davies.
How did you come to work for Parthian Books?
I was actually finishing off a degree in Photography in the Arts about five years ago and I sold a few photos to Parthian for their book covers. After doing a few freelance projects together, Managing Director Richard Davies invited me to join Parthian for a ten-week Go Wales graduate placement.
I was delighted when I was asked to stay on after that as Parthian’s first in-house Design Editor.
What inspired you to become an editor?
I’d been working for Parthian for a few years already, and durin that time I got to know the company, its goals, and its writers very well. I became more involved with the team’s decision making, and more excited about Parthian’s future, so when the editor’s role opened up it seemed the natural option to apply for the post.
Did you receive any formal training?
Apart from on-the-job training I’ve had with Parthian, the Publishers Training Centre run some fantastic courses - from basics such as ‘ An Introduction to Publishing’ to more specific ones such as ‘Editorial Project Management’.
They also provide excellent software courses and distance learning. I’ve always loved reading though, and I think that is the most important training that anyone involved in writing or editing can give themselves.
What makes Parthian Books different to other publishing houses?
Parthian has a reputation for finding quality writers who have unique stories to tell, and tell them with flair and style. We’re also known for discovering and nurturing young talent.
Writers who publish their first few books with us benefit from the time and attention that we, as a smaller publisher, can give them. Many have gone on to win prizes, and critical acclaim, before being snapped up by larger London houses.
What kind of books does Parthian publish?
Fiction, poetry, drama, non-fiction, art, photography… We look for projects that inspire us, and we want to work with people who really know their subject matter, and who use the tools of their trade with confidence and individuality.
What happens to a submission once it reaches your office?
I can usually tell by the covering letter, synopsis and first few pages whether or not it might be suitable for Parthian. If not it gets returned pretty quickly. If I’m not sure, I’ll put it in the ‘maybe’ pile and go back to it a bit later.
If I think something might have what it takes, I’ll present it to the team as an option for publication, and we’ll look at the programme for the next couple of years and see if it’s viable.
What do you look for in a submission?
Simply, I look for great writing. Seeing that someone knows how to use language, and manages to capture my interest in the first few pages, is much more important than complex plot lines and so on.
Often we see interesting proposals for stories, but the writing doesn’t jump off the page. I like to see that a writer knows what they are doing.
How can a new author get past the slush pile?
You want to make it as easy as possible for an editor or agent to review your work - some look for the smallest excuse to dismiss an MS, simply because they’re busy and they have a huge pile of submissions to get through.
Presentation is important. Always present your covering letter well and include a couple of facts about yourself that might interest them, check and re-check your spelling and grammar (don’t rely on your computer to check it for you), and send typed documents only (yes I do occasionally get handwritten submissions!).
Provide a one or two page synopsis detailing exactly what happens throughout the book - don’t worry about spoiling the ending.
Do your homework. Look at which publishers are going to be interested in your type of writing and target them. Check their websites for details on how to submit. If they say send 30 pages only, don’t send them the full MS. If they want to see it, they will ask.
If you think your writing is similar to a certain author, tell them that - show them why they should be interested, that there is a market for your book.
Once you have accepted a manuscript for publication, how do you prepare it for publication?
The editing phase is a very organic process as it’s a collaboration between myself and the writer. The first reading I do will be of a very general nature - I’ll look at the narrative and the characters, the tone of the book and so on, and chat generally to the author about any improvements which can be made.
After receiving a second draft from the author I’ll begin a more thorough reading, and the MS will get passed between myself and the author numerous times until we both feel it has been fine-tuned and is finally ready to go.
There is usually about a year of editing on an MS before it gets handed over to production and marketing, where it may take another six months or a year to prepare for publication.
What is your favourite part of this process?
The excitement of finding a new project, and of finding someone who will be a joy to work with. We like our authors to become part of the Parthian team, as it is them, and not just the manuscript, that we’ll be working with.
What is the most challenging part of it?
Trying to keep up with the schedule, and juggling many different projects at the same time. For example, this morning I will be finishing off the second edit of some travel writing, and moving straight into the halfway point of an historical novel, then meeting with an author to discuss the finale of his family saga, before rounding off my day copy-editing a translation of a Spanish book.
Whose writing has excited you recently?
We’ve just published an anthology of new work from aspiring writers, all under the age of thirty - they are a fantastic and eclectic bunch. Also we have four new authors debuting next year, our Bright Young Things for 2009: Susie Wild, Wil Gritten, Tyler Kevil, and James Smythe, all names to watch out for in the future.
I’m also re-reading Deborah Kay Davies’ collection Grace, Tamar and Laszlo the Beautiful, which has just won the Wales Book of the Year Award.
What would you say the main challenges are for an aspiring author?
Larger publishing houses want big names and bestsellers, and most will not look at an MS unless it comes from a literary agent. Just getting someone to look at your work is a challenge, and so often even the finest writing is overlooked.
But that’s where smaller publishing houses like Parthian come in. We don’t want to publish celebrity biogs or fashionable cookbooks; our goal is to reward fine writing that deserves an audience.
What advice would you offer an aspiring writer?
Watch. Listen. Learn. Read more. Write more. Redraft more. Get involved in the literary scene - immerse yourself in what’s available to you: events, periodicals, literary blogs. Support other writers and get your face out there.
For further details, please visit www.parthianbooks.co.uk
Other publishing houses interviewed for this series include Tonto Books, Dedalus Books, Alcemi Books, Gomer Press, Trapdoor Books, Seren Books, The Friday Project, Chicken House and Wild Wolf Publishing
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