A boom in book-writing fuelled by Covid-19 has seen one of the UK’s leading editorial consultancies launch a new one-to-one book marketing course to meet increased demand.

Fiction Feedback has seen a 50% increase in enquiries since spring.

Founder and Editor-in-chief of Fiction Feedback, Dea Parkin, said: “This year, writers have had more time on their hands as a result of lockdown and furlough. We’ve had so many requests for help in getting a literary agent or publisher, and while we offer editing and advice over submission packages, and sometimes recommend an author to agents, previously we’ve not been able to offer much more.”

Fiction Feedback is now expanding its service offer with the new book marketing course after identifying a gap in the growing market.

Dea said: “The hard truth is that despite the time, talent, effort and money often spent on writing a book, if there is no focus on marketing then the author is not going to see sales. Marketing is so important, whether you go down the traditional route to publishing or not. We can share specific expertise, ideas and assistance. As the majority of writers want to get their stories read by people beyond their families and friends, marketing is crucial.”

Fiction Feedback, which was established in 2008, provides critique and editing services via its team of professional editors. Its founder Dea Parkin is well connected in publishing circles and is also Secretary of the Crime Writers’ Association. The consultancy handles the editing element of the Crime Writing Association’s Criminal Critiques – a service for aspiring crime fiction writers to help them prepare their manuscript for submission to agents, publishers and competitions or to publish independently.

The four one-hour sessions in book marketing will be led by communications and book marketing guru Anna Caig, and delivered via Zoom or other virtual video platforms. The course is tailored to the individual.

Anna Caig has worked in communications for 17 years, specialising in media relations and strategic marketing campaigns. She has run workshops for organisations including the Society of Authors, Kurious Arts and the Stay-at Home! International Literature Festival, and tutors on the MA Journalism course at the University of Sheffield. She also writes crime and historical fiction, and reviews books for the Sheffield Telegraph.

Writers are invited to submit their opening section of their book and complete a questionnaire on their ambitions for the book. As the course is bespoke, it can help writers at all stages – from those with recently started books to a complete novel, to authors who already have a published novel or novels but need more visibility.

Fiction Feedback have helped a diverse range of authors to get publishing deals, such as Austin Hernon, a writer of historical novels; R M Dorn who writes both science fantasy and historical novels; Simone Goodman who writes contemporary romance; and DJ Harrison, a thriller writer. The consultancy has helped many more authors to self-publish, including Jason Monaghan, Keith Short and Karen Ann Davies, and worked with already traditionally published authors on improving their work.
For more details, see: http://www.fictionfeedback.co.uk/resources/our-tailored-book-marketing-course/
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Photo of Anna Caig (L) and Dea Parkin

Press contacts

Ann Chadwick of Cause UK PR: ann@causeuk.com or 0753 489 2715

Dea Parkin of Fiction Feedback on 0787 960 4955 or dea@fictionfeedback.co.uk