More details on the retreat for you inquisitive people:
Debi Glioroi spoke about how she started writing and illustrating. She said that she found writing a one paragraph synopsis really helped her to focus on the plot. In the past, she has also broken her plot down into chapters but she preferred writing 'Alpine style' as she called it, like mountaineers who climb with the minimum amount of gear. She liked to write without a plan but she was quick to point out that there was a risk of 'falling off the edge' or losing focus, doing this. Her style is to write the story first and foremost and then worry about technicalities.
Judging by what Imogen Cooper said, Debi's right. Chicken House like writers who are open to being edited, so that one of their editors can guide you towards the best that you can be and the best possible book.
According to Imogen, the main failings amongst authors were weak plots that could do with the first few chapters being chopped off. The company is looking for books that are sparky and push the boundaries in content and in style. They publish 25-30 books a year but aren't looking at manuscripts now until November. Wait time can be anything from 3-6 months once they start to look at manuscripts again.
Writers should try to get their plot strands to tie up and their characters not to be two dimensional. Ideally, Chicken House is looking for someone who has more than one book in them.
Names of contacts for you:
Imogen Cooper- fiction editor
Elinor Bagenal- picture book editor
Hope this is useful to some or all of you! Have a great weekend. I intend to :-)
