Welcome to Vicky Blunden, fiction editor at Myriad Editions.
Could you begin by describing the origins and development of Myriad Editions?
Myriad Editions is an independent publisher specialising in three distinct but complementary genres: topical atlases, graphic non-fiction and original fiction. We began as a packager in 1993 and quickly won acclaim for our State of the World atlas series. Combining clear analysis with creative graphics, our atlases map today’s most important political, social and environmental concerns, making global issues accessible for all readers. In 2005, a new strand of our publishing programme emerged with the publication of The Brighton Book, an anthology mixing fiction, reportage, photography and graphics, all with a strong sense of place. The success of The Brighton Book compelled us to publish the full-length works of three of the featured authors: Martine McDonagh, Woodrow Phoenix and Lesley Thompson. Gradually we expanded our publishing programme, building a small and diverse list of fiction and graphic non-fiction, much of which shares themes and political sensibilities with the atlases. Throughout our entire publishing programme, we remain committed to building a distinctive and diverse selection of unconventional viewpoints, new voices and new ways of seeing.
In 2009, we were lucky enough to receive an Arts Council England grant, allowing us to continue in earnest what we’ve started – seeking out and nurturing new writers and showcasing original, home-grown talent. We kicked off with the publication of Sue Eckstein's darkly comic novel The Cloths of Heaven, which has since been commissioned by Radio 4 to be broadcast as a five-part drama on Woman's Hour from the 15th March this year. We’ve also been excited by the recent success of Isabel Ashdown’s début novel, Glasshopper. Now in its third printing, Glasshopper was listed by The Observer as one of the best débuts of 2009 and chosen by Juliet Nicolson in the London Evening Standard as one of her favourite books of the year.
So far for 2010, we have five début novels lined up, launching three in the Spring: Robert Dickinson's dystopian thriller The Noise of Strangers, graphic artist Ed Hillyer's historical epic The Clay Dreaming, and Tom Connolly's moving and very funny first novel The Spider Truces. All of these books have impressed us with their originality, unique viewpoints and compelling storytelling. We are also pleased to be launching the West Dean Writer's Retreat Competition, which is open to writers of all prose fiction. The prize is a week-long writing retreat at the beautiful West Dean College, in the South Downs. More details about the competition are on our website.
What are you currently looking for in terms of submissions?
We are open to receiving fiction submissions, and we are particularly interested in début novels from writers in the South East of the UK. Currently we are not publishing short stories, poetry, plays, genre fiction (crime, thrillers, science fiction, romance, etc), children’s books, memoirs or general non-fiction.
We are open to receiving fiction submissions, and we are particularly interested in début novels from writers in the South East of the UK. Currently we are not publishing short stories, poetry, plays, genre fiction (crime, thrillers, science fiction, romance, etc), children’s books, memoirs or general non-fiction.
What's likely to excite you about a manuscript or to make a manuscript stand out from the rest?
It's difficult to predict, as we're looking for what we're not expecting! Essentially we want to be drawn into the story and compelled to read on. Originality, a strong and intelligent writing style, and dynamic storytelling are all priorities. With Isabel Ashdown's debut novel, Glasshopper, we were won over by the strength of personality in the voices of thirteen-year-old Jake and his alcoholic mother Mary, combined with a complex but beautifully-realised narrative structure. The originality and coolly satirical tone of Robert Dickinson's The Noise of Strangers intrigued us, and we were especially impressed by the way that the story came together through the build-up of information in narrative chapters, official reports, and leaked transcripts of conversations. Tom Connolly's novel, The Spider Truces, is an extremely funny and lyrical book about Ellis, whose personality and particular world view are so brilliantly brought to life that you can't help but grow fond of him (if exasperated by his hopelessness at times too). Every book is different, so when we sit down to read a submission we want the novel to set its own terms; for the writing to convince and seduce us, the story to grab and hold our attention, and the characters to come alive.
It's difficult to predict, as we're looking for what we're not expecting! Essentially we want to be drawn into the story and compelled to read on. Originality, a strong and intelligent writing style, and dynamic storytelling are all priorities. With Isabel Ashdown's debut novel, Glasshopper, we were won over by the strength of personality in the voices of thirteen-year-old Jake and his alcoholic mother Mary, combined with a complex but beautifully-realised narrative structure. The originality and coolly satirical tone of Robert Dickinson's The Noise of Strangers intrigued us, and we were especially impressed by the way that the story came together through the build-up of information in narrative chapters, official reports, and leaked transcripts of conversations. Tom Connolly's novel, The Spider Truces, is an extremely funny and lyrical book about Ellis, whose personality and particular world view are so brilliantly brought to life that you can't help but grow fond of him (if exasperated by his hopelessness at times too). Every book is different, so when we sit down to read a submission we want the novel to set its own terms; for the writing to convince and seduce us, the story to grab and hold our attention, and the characters to come alive.
What do you prefer NOT to find in a submission? What are some of the traits you feel authors should avoid when submitting their work?
Poor spelling and grammar are, of course, instant turn-offs. We're keen to work with authors when their writing has real potential but the novel needs editorial work - for example, structural revision - but we expect submissions to be as polished as they can be when they come to us. We recommend getting feedback from readers and taking their advice into consideration. It's amazing the difference that being part of a writing group, for example, can have on your work, and many writers find the support and constructive criticism invaluable. Researching a publisher before submitting your work is essential. It's dispiriting - for us as well as for the author when we have to reject them - when submissions come to us that obviously aren't right for our list. We're very clear on our website about the kinds of novels we don't publish, so we expect authors to be sure that their novel is right for us (and we are right for them) when they go to the effort of sending it to us.
Poor spelling and grammar are, of course, instant turn-offs. We're keen to work with authors when their writing has real potential but the novel needs editorial work - for example, structural revision - but we expect submissions to be as polished as they can be when they come to us. We recommend getting feedback from readers and taking their advice into consideration. It's amazing the difference that being part of a writing group, for example, can have on your work, and many writers find the support and constructive criticism invaluable. Researching a publisher before submitting your work is essential. It's dispiriting - for us as well as for the author when we have to reject them - when submissions come to us that obviously aren't right for our list. We're very clear on our website about the kinds of novels we don't publish, so we expect authors to be sure that their novel is right for us (and we are right for them) when they go to the effort of sending it to us.
Do you accept unsolicited manuscripts and, if so, how should authors submit their work to you?
Yes, we do. If you have written a novel or an original work of graphic non-fiction that you think would suit our list, we'd very much like to hear from you. Please follow these guidelines:
• Send a synopsis and the first three chapters of your completed novel to Victoria Blunden, Myriad Editions, 59 Lansdowne Place, Brighton BN3 1FL, United Kingdom. We cannot consider submissions sent by email.
• Include a covering letter telling us about your writing career to date, explaining how your work relates to other fiction already published and who your readers are likely to be.
• Make sure you include your email address and phone number.
• If you would like us to return your manuscript, please enclose a stamped-addressed envelope with the correct postage.
We will respond to all submissions but, because of the number of manuscripts we receive, we may take up to two months to contact you. For the same reason, we're unable to acknowledge receipt of your manuscript. You can find our submissions guidelines from the fiction page, or use the url http://www.myriadeditions.com/submissions
Yes, we do. If you have written a novel or an original work of graphic non-fiction that you think would suit our list, we'd very much like to hear from you. Please follow these guidelines:
• Send a synopsis and the first three chapters of your completed novel to Victoria Blunden, Myriad Editions, 59 Lansdowne Place, Brighton BN3 1FL, United Kingdom. We cannot consider submissions sent by email.
• Include a covering letter telling us about your writing career to date, explaining how your work relates to other fiction already published and who your readers are likely to be.
• Make sure you include your email address and phone number.
• If you would like us to return your manuscript, please enclose a stamped-addressed envelope with the correct postage.
We will respond to all submissions but, because of the number of manuscripts we receive, we may take up to two months to contact you. For the same reason, we're unable to acknowledge receipt of your manuscript. You can find our submissions guidelines from the fiction page, or use the url http://www.myriadeditions.com/submissions
