Mavis Cheek Q&A: What I Wish I’d Known Before I Was Published

If you’ve never been published before, it’s easy to get bogged down by indefinite writing with no concrete end in sight. But if there’s anyone who can show you that there is indeed a light at the end of your writing tunnel, it’s an author who has figured out the key to getting published — and we just so happen to have a few of those who are willing to share their expertise with you!

This week, Mavis Cheek, author of Dog Days and Three Men on a Plane, takes a turn in our hot seat.

If you could tell your pre-published self one thing, what would it be?

Have confidence in what you have written – listen to advice – but in the end trust yourself.

What do you wish you’d known about being published before you became a published author?

That publishers and agents are not your friends – they are, first and foremost, your business partners.  It’s a lovely bonus if you enjoy each other’s company but they are there to make money for you and for themselves.

Did your approach to writing change after being published?

Not really – perhaps I became a little better at saying ‘go away I’m writing’  – but it is still a battle to this day.

What’s your biggest piece of advice for an aspiring author?

Find your own authorial voice and nurture it.  It’s the style of writing that you are at home in using and it is very precious.

As always, thank you for reading, and be sure to tweet us @AgoraBooksLDN if you have any questions for our authors about being published!