Publishing Guidelines: Permission is granted to publish this article electronically or in print as long as bylines are included. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated.

HOW TO STYLE YOUR STORY

By Arthur Zulu

This is not a language course, nor is it a handbook of English grammar. You do not need to be a grammarian in order to write a best – seller. In fact you may even decide to write your story in a language other than English, and worry about translation later.

But know this: What you are, is what you write! In other words, your character as a person will show in what you write. That means you are a unique person, and your style should also be unique. Do not, therefore, start by aping another writer’s style. It will show. You are sure to fail!

Now, let’s consider a few things about language and style of your work.

1.Sentence Structure This is important because your story will be written in sentences. Your sentences should support your theme. They should say what you mean.

It will also be nice to vary your sentence patterns. Mix short and long sentences, but not too long that your reader finds himself gasping for breath. Not too fancy expressions, or affected constructions.

There should be unity in your sentence structure and a smooth transition from one paragraph to other.

The active voice (It is interesting) is preferred to passive voice (It is being interesting).

2.Diction Your choice of words and phrases matters. Do not use high sounding, impressive words. You will be writing like Tom Wolfe, or Winston Churchill. Try Ernest Hemingway approach. Simple expressions that your reader will understand.

Shun abstract diction and formulaic terms like clichés and jargons. It makes your work vague and makes you guilty of padding.

Instead, use concrete language. Say, “the boy, who stole my pen,” not “the expropriator of my calligraphic material”. Or, does that make sense to you?

Publishing Guidelines: Permission is granted to publish this article electronically or in print as long as bylines are included. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated.

WHERE CAN I PUBLISH MY BOOK? (PART 1)

By

Arthur Zulu

“If you write without getting published, then there is no use in writing at all” Those are words of wisdom from someone who wants you to seriously consider publishing your book.

But before you really do so, you will do well to consider these questions:

1.Have I actually written a best – seller?

2.Do I believe that people will read my book?

3.Is my theme such a timely one that public should know?

4.Am I expecting responses from my readers?

5.Will I benefit in one way or other from publication of this book?

6.Will I be contented even if I don’t make money?

If you answer in affirmative to one or more of above questions, then do not hesitate to listen to above advice to publish.

It will, therefore, be nice for you to know different publishing channels available, so as to enable you make an informed decision.

Trade Publishers Also called commercial publishers, these are big fish in publishing industry. They include Longman, Macmillan, Heinemann, Random House, Houghton Mifflin, Doubleday Books, Little Brown and Co., and Brace Jovanovich, among others. They publish without asking for payment from authors.

My advice to you is that if you are pre – published, if you are a new writer, do not waste your time submitting your books to these elephants. Because they will not publish you!