Pony books and publishers, and hello!

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KidnapMoss

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Hello! This is my first post. I belong to a couple of smaller breed related forums, but am working on a new venture so wanted to open it up to the wider horsey world!

Basically, I am looking for any advice on books and publishing. I have written the first in a pony series, and working in the financial industry, I have no clue about what to do next. It has gone down really well with both people I know, and people I dont, which is fab, but where to go from here? So as a very long shot I am enquiring as to whether anyone has any link with the publishing world, either as an author/editor etc. I am considering self publishing and doing the marketing myself as I am not sure how poular pony books are any more, I am inspired by the books I read as a youngster, and am still crazy about even in my twenties! There is no fantasy or make belive, it is a good solid pony story, hopefully a modern day Jill!

So I am really just 'networking' as much as possible at this stage!!!

I am real! I am native fan through and through. I love my showing, hacking and jumping, and have a super exmoor pony and a shettie.

Pics....this is the reason I have the time to concentrate on my book, arm is in a sling, had my shoulder repaired and thus have been signed off for ages and ages, cant drive/ride/use my arm :( so other half is showing for now. This was last weekend at wincanton show
DSCF1275.jpg

and when im better I cant wait to do this :D
BathandWestandsummer261.jpg

my boys 6 and we are taking it slow, in hand for now, but i think he will be a cracking M&M worker one day, heres him learning to jump water ditches last yr
jumpy.jpg


Thank you in advance for book help!! xx
 
Hello! I'm pretty new too and although I can't offer much advice I wanted to bump your post back to the top in the hope some-one might see it!

Most advice re publishing seems to say get yourself an agent, though I'm nor sure how! Also look at which publishers seem to do similar types of story and may be interested in yours. I don't know if they are still around, but J A Allen used to publish some horsey fiction along side their non-fiction titles.

It may be worth taking a look at this web-site: http://www.webook.com/ they offer a facility to post your story on-line for feedback and criticism and there is a section which literary agents can look through for titles they want to buy - I think you have to pay for this, but I did hear of someone on another forum (non-horse related) who got picked up for publication using this site.

I also think your exmoor is lovely! What is his name?

Good luck with everything - your shoulder, your showing and your book!
 
Welcome to the forum.

What you need to buy is 'The Writer's Handbook'. This will give you a list of publishers and literary agents to contact. Each entry gives you the sort of books they seek, so you can choose appropriately.

Literary agents are the way to go generally. They can get your book to the top of the pile, instead of to the bottom. There are some people who still manage to get through the direct to publishers route, but every author I know recommends literary agents. Also, get yourself to author talks/book launch nights, literary festivals. It is all about who you know.

Be prepared for disaster! I can pretty much promise you that your book will be rejected. The vast majority of first novels are. It's always difficult to break into this world as a new author, and since the economic downturn it's even harder as so many struggling for work have hit upon the bright idea of just writing a novel. This is particularly the case in children's books, as so many think it'll be easy when it's actually the hardest genre. Publishers are inundated with fresh manuscripts.

Remember, editors these days do not edit books. Are you positive it's well written? Have you had someone qualified look over it? Have you re-written it from its first draft? Unfortunately the average person will miss things, and editors will use any mistake as an excuse to send you that pre-typed rejection notice.

Have you had children of the age range you're aiming at read it? Was it well received by them?

If the answer to all of these questions is yes, then send away. Make sure you research how much to send and what to type in your cover letter.

Be prepared for much heartache, and if you get lucky, to tear your baby apart.

Good luck!
 
Thank you MissSBird! That is exactly the answer I need, it is so confusing 'googling' as self publishing seems to be hyped up, and I wondered how many publishers wanted to take on a pony book. They were so popular when I was young..It has been sent out to one small ish publisher who accepted manuscripts direct and they do want another draft...but were very blunt and said the chapter endings fell a bit flat and they were not 'gripping' enough although they enjoyed the story and the style. But would not publish it as it is at present. So I am trying to rewrite it but would like a professional to look at it, do I pay for this service? I want to get it right before I send it elsewhere, ie to literary agents as I have heard they are the way to go. Ah its all so confusing! I love reading but do not have a clue about the literary world!

Thank you for that link Ommadawn, will have a look! My ponies name is Mossy :D
 
Publishers will take on anything they think they can sell. I'm not in the industry enough to know if this applies to pony books in the current market, but in my head there are always little girls who love ponies, so there will always be a market for little girl's pony books.

It sounds like you could do with some friends. Have a look around for any creative writing groups nearby you. These can be great for getting constructive feedback and advice. If not, there are places on the internet which are good for feedback. I use www.deviantart.com in particular, but there are lots of them.

There are professional proof-readers about who need paid. I'm sure you'll find some on google. The one who I use in particular is Jen Corkill, but she's a friend of mine and having looked around her website I can't see anything regarding proofing now. She may have stopped.

To be honest, I've never paid for proofing. By professional, I meant someone who is qualified to give an opinion so an editor with a publishing company, a proof reader, a published author or someone with a decent degree in English. Basically, someone who may be able to offer a little more insight to the structure, language, tone etc. than the average reader, who's opinions while extremely valid, are usually not too indepth.
 
Super, Thank you. I will look into joining a group, I was worried pony books might be looked at as to 'fluffy' if everyone else is writing very avant gard novels, but I will do that! In that case I think I will get my uncle to read the book if it does not need to be a paid professional, he is an author, albeit of antique furniture guides..but he does at least have a comprehensive grasp of the English language!

It has been read by approx 15 small pony mad girls and has gone down very well so hopefully that is a good sign....

Thank you again for your answer, really helpful :D
 
I'm an author and journalist who's been a literary agent's assistant, worked for Waterstones and as an editor for some big publishers. MissSBird's advice is great, and I'd add that it is essential to research the agents to whom you send the mss. No good sending it to someone who doesn't even do children's books.
Series are a good thing - every publisher wants a series - so it might be an idea to be able to give a short summary of some future books in the series for an agent. Do keep your enquiry/submission letter and package brief though - most agencies only ask for the first 30 pages, plus a short covering letter and a very short CV plus return envelope and postage.
Go into a local bookshop and have a look at all the series available. See who publishes them and try to find out the agents using Google. Jane Badger is a member here and she keeps a great website not only on vintage pony books, but also new titles, which she reviews and stocks. Highly recommended.
I'm writing a nonfiction horse/girl book for a UK publisher but have to say that I've come up against quite a lot of people in the publishing world who think horses are too "niche" or a "difficult sell". One agent even told me that the book I was working on was "too smart for horse people – they're all Daily Mail readers." Yeah...
 
Thank you so much SusannaF! All great advice, and so helpful for a complete literay newbie like moi. It is funny you should say that about the attitude to horse books, as that is what I was worried about, however what drives me on is you only have to go to Olympia etc to see the pink, glitter sparkled small girls to see pony related things still sell sell sell so hopefully this includes books. My neighbours girls are mad about Stacey Greggs Pony club series, and that is the market im aiming at!! Thanks again.

Jane Badger has been so helpful - she has read my book!! Hello Jane! :D Im still working on it, and really really grateful for your suggestions, they really made me look at it in a new light :D
 
Yep, and the agent made that comment AFTER reading a sample chapter I'd written about the shopping village at Olympia 2006 and the masses of girls and the pink and sparkly... Oh well! I have a much better agent now.

Good luck with the books, and have fun writing them, whatever you do! :D
 
Is this book for younger kids or older? i love reading new pony books but not younger kids ones unless it's good for everyone :D If i buy a book its usually after reading it before and if i REALLY liked it. :D
 
Its aimed at 9-14 year olds. I have had both adults and late teens read it and they have not found it 'babyish'. There is a smidgen of romance in it, but it mainly centers around a rescue pony :)
 
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