In the publishing business, you’re only as good as the quality of your content. Needless to say, if your content is subpar, your sales and revenue will reflect this. As such, it’s crucial to find great fiction writers that you can feature on your publishing brand.
There are two ways in which you can use fiction writers to your advantage. First, you can “employ” such writers. In this arrangement, you can feature a writer in their own name, while sharing a cut of the royalties. The second is to hire them out as ghostwriters. In this arrangement, you agree to pay the writer a certain amount for their work. In the end, the publisher keeps the royalties.
Either arrangement can work very well for both sides. However, the trick here is to spot the right type of writer for your publishing brand. So, let’s take a look at the ways in which you can spot great fiction writers.
The Match Your Brand’s Voice
Not all great fiction writers are created equal. Some are fantastic in one genre, while subpar in others. This is by no means a flaw in the writer. It’s just that some genres are better suited to an individual’s personality. Therefore, you must determine if a writer’s voice matches your brand’s image. If your brand is about publishing upbeat content, then dystopian novels wouldn’t be a great match. That doesn’t mean the writer is bad. It just means that you’re not a suitable fit.
They Are Detail-Oriented
With fiction writers, the devil is in the details. Great fiction writers are able to provide a suitable level of detail without dragging things on for too long. Therefore, great fiction writers are capable of giving enough information without revealing the entire plot upfront. When you assess a writer’s work, make sure it takes you down a path while leaving you wanting for more at the end.
An Air of Unpredictability
Great fiction writers always have an air of unpredictability. This means that their storyline development is not obvious. Of course, you want to make sure it’s not completely cryptic. Therefore, a good balance implies revealing enough of the story as the plot develops. This can be a hard skill to hone especially for inexperienced writers. Consequently, take the time to evaluate where you see the storyline headed. If you feel that readers can reasonably guess where the story is going, then you might want to find another approach.
In the end, good writers are hard to come by. The main thing to keep in mind is building a good relationship. As you foster a productive working relationship, you will find that your publishing brand will be better off for it. All you need to keep in mind is that great writers are out there. Many of them are just looking for someone to give them a chance. So, do yourself a favor and give someone that chance. Who knows, you might find a great win-win arrangement for you both.
