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Mission Report: Beaufort Internship
Hi book lovers, Kim Beaussible here, back with one last blog post as your spy inside the industry.
As the year and my internship come to an end, I’ve been reflecting on what I’ve learned. I came into the internship with education in book publishing, but I’ve always learned better by diving in and Beaufort gave me the opportunity to jump. Just like every publishing intern, I spent time sifting through the slush pile for a good submission, but there’s more to working at an indie publisher than they show in the rom-com movies.
I’ve collected all the classified intel from my missions as a Beaufort intern this fall, and now I can share them with you. If this leaks, I know it was you.
Backlist titles are more important than you think.
While everyone is currently obsessing over the latest releases on BookTok, publishers spend an equal amount of time on their backlist books. At Beaufort this fall, we’ve been updating our descriptions and BISAC codes for backlist titles. There are more BISAC codes added each year and these new tags allow us to reclassify our book to help readers find that very specific fantasy romance they’ve been looking for. Descriptions are no different. Updating a book description is vital, as it’s the second thing to be judged after the cover, and out-of-date formats or language could turn off your new readers.
Find joy in reading and then read, read, and read some more.
Almost everyone who works in publishing got into the business because they love books. But as someone who spent the last six years reading only what was assigned, I fell behind as an actual reader, which meant falling behind in the industry as well. Comparable titles inform every choice we make as publishers, and being a voracious reader helps to assert yourself as a designer, editor, or marketer. I had to reignite my passion for reading to show up as the best editor-version of myself, and the best choice I made for myself was to subscribe to the Book of The Month box. Joining a book club or subscribing to a box like BOTM exposes you to more books and the choices of other readers so you can learn about industry trends and comp titles.
But wait, there’s more.
Just when you think you know it all, there’s more to learn. Whether it’s backlist metadata, social media trends, or author contracts, the one thing that remains constant is change. Our world changes at such an alarming rate now, with new technologies and ideas that change what and how we publish. Always be prepared to adapt and learn something new, because as soon as you figure it out you’re on to the next new thing.
I’ve had a great couple of months bookies, but it’s time for this agent to say over and out.
“What I learned in Boating School is…”
My time here is sadly coming to an end, so with that, I leave you with my top three most...
Working/Interning at a small press offers more learning opportunities: There’s a reason they are referred to as “small presses.” Key...
Publishing is way more than just reading books: This kind of goes hand-in-hand with my last point, but I assume...
There’s more than just the Big 5 out there: This goes for both, those trying to get published and those...
I hope these points enlighten you as they did me. I had such an amazing time at Beaufort these past few months and I’m so happy to have had the opportunity to intern here. So with that, this is me signing off.
-Beau Swan
Why You Should Intern With Beaufort Books
Hi everyone, Beauba Fett back one last time.
A lot has happened between now and my first blog post, but it really does feel like just last week I was typing up my introduction blog. I moved to a new state, my car battery only died twice, the old Fortnite map came back, and oh yeah, I learned a thing or two about publishing.
Wrapping up an internship at a publishing company isn’t where I expected to be at the end of this year, but I truly am grateful for deciding to take this leap. I graduated in May with a Marketing degree and Screenwriting minor, so I’ve always felt like I’ve had one foot in the business world and one in creative storytelling, but I had no idea how to merge the two while in school. I’ve had an amazing past couple of months discovering that publishing is exactly the industry where these two coexist, and I encourage anyone with interest to apply for this internship. You don’t have to be someone who always knew publishing was their passion to benefit from this position, so here’s three types of people that should try this out:
Young Aspiring Writers
Coming up with an idea and expanding into a complete manuscript is only half the battle for the writer. The other, and much more attritious, half involves getting someone interested in your work enough to get it out there for people to read. What better way of getting your work into the right hands than learning how the publishing industry works from the inside? The internship with Beaufort Books provides no shortage of hands-on experience in all aspects of publishing, starting from submitted manuscript to published book.
Denied From the Big 5
It’s human nature to be attracted to the shiny things in life, right? Those big name publishing houses that you see on most of the books on your shelf might seem like the obvious fit at first glance, but in reality, it’s the independent publishers that might be the best fit for those starting out. If you’re someone who’s been trying to get into the big five with no luck, you’ve come to the right place. The smaller size of Beaufort Books will allow interns to have a hand in various different responsibilities and tasks across the publishing process, which can help narrow down which area of specialization interns enjoy the most to pursue in their careers. The smaller size of the company makes everything feel more personal as well, ensuring that you won’t be lost in the shuffle that a larger house might have.
Those Chasing Their Passions
It’s a rare thing in today’s world to chase a career that aligns with your passions. Many people either follow the money or wrongly assume that work is work and passions and hobbies are for their free time, but it doesn’t have to be that way. If you’ve loved to read your whole life and aren’t excited about the major you chose or a career path you’re secretly dreading, why not take a chance to see if you could turn a lifelong passion into your job? Books don’t just magically appear on shelves, there’s an entire industry dedicated to this process, and this is a perfect place to start to learn that process. If you love reading and are curious about how to turn it into a career, this internship is for you. Life is short, and you owe it to yourself to do things that excite you.
Running Out of Shelf Space
So, I have a lot of books…
Duh!
Book lover and all, I think it’s essential to own more books than I can possibly read. Unleash me in a bookstore and I’m a force to be reckoned with. Seriously, I’m, like, feral. Try and interrupt me when I’m reading the back of a book and I just might hiss at you…or growl [I’m more of a dog person]. And I can guarantee once I pick up a book, I’m not putting it back down–unless it’s in my shopping basket. It’s my toxic trait. My family hates it. My boyfriend hates it. My wallet especially hates it.
Don’t get me wrong, the people in my life love that I love reading, but I think they’re more concerned with the fact that the hobby has slowly transformed into book collecting rather than actually reading said books. The introduction of BookTok and Bookstagram has only made it even worse. I see a book and I’m instantly running to the store to get it…and I might get five more, you know, since I’m there. And don’t get me started on Fairyloot and Owlcrate and Bookish Box and all those other special editions. Those I easily justify to myself since I may not get another chance to own that edition.
The point I’m getting at is I’m running out of room for my addiction. No, I don’t have a library in my house, though I wish I did. I’m actually quite limited on space. My single bookshelf is filled to the brim, I have a TBR cart overflowing with books, and bins under my bed that hold the books that just don’t fit anywhere else. This is not including the pile of my current reads that are sitting at my bedside.
I guess what my question to you guys is, what are you doing with your books? Are you just super lucky to have unlimited space to display them all? Do you have self-control and only buy books as you’re ready to read them? Do you donate books? Sell them? Prefer an eReader? Just borrow books from the library?
Please, I need to know before I’m forced to start substituting my furniture for furniture built out of books!
Beau Swan <3
Beaufort Titles You May Have Missed
Hi everyone, Beauba Fett back with another blog post.
Are you caught up on all of Beaufort’s newest releases and are looking for more? While Beaufort has put out some really great titles recently with even more on the way, there’s still an impressive selection of titles on our backlist that deserve some attention too!
Here are five books that you may have missed.
Agency Mania by Bruno Gralpois
Looking to gain some insight on the current climate of the trillion dollar industry of marketing? Whether you’re already in the industry, wanting to build your own business, or just want to learn more, Agency Mania will show you how to build successful, long-term relationships with your clients.
Anchored by Mort Crim
Are you a fan of Will Ferrell’s Ron Burgundy character in the Anchorman movies? Read the story of the real-life anchorman who inspired the character!
Four Boots One Journey by Jeff Alt
The inspiring true story of a 218 mile hike on the John Muir Trail that author Jeff Alt and his wife embark on after tragedy strikes. Nature lovers will appreciate this thrilling story of hope and resilience.
Live A Life You Love by Susan Biali
With insights drawn from her own transformation from depressed medical doctor to a fulfilled dancer, writer, speaker, and life coach, Dr. Susan Biali provides useful science-backed steps on how to reclaim your dreams and live your life passionately.
The Outdoor Museum: Not Your Usual Images Of New York by Margery and Sheldon Harnick
A touching love letter to the city of New York, The Outdoor Museum forgoes the usual sights of the city, instead highlighting the beauty in the little things such as puddle reflections, subway tiles, public sculptures, and much more.
How to Make Reading Part of a Busy Lifestyle
Hi everyone, Beauba Fett back for another blog post.
Are you someone that has a nightstand stacked high with books that you’ve been meaning to get to, but just haven’t found the time? Is your schedule booked from dawn to dusk? Do you have some time in the day to pick up that book, but just aren’t able to get yourself to start? Do not fear, here are 3 tips that will help you maximize your time so that you can move titles from “Want to Read” to “Read.”
Schedule Reading Time
We all have 24 hours everyday, and it’s up to us how to spend that time. Getting ready for work, commuting, working, commuting again, making dinner, family obligations, etc. take up a large chunk of said time, so much so that it can feel like we have no time for anything else before it’s time for bed to start the process over again tomorrow. This is where the power of scheduling can be your best friend. If you’re someone who doesn’t write down their schedules everyday, I can’t recommend it enough. I noticed such a boost in my productivity, focus, and prioritization once I started blocking out specific times in the day for my obligations and goals. If you already plan out your days, I challenge you to go through your schedule and analyze each block of time you have so that you can find time to pencil in even just thirty minutes of reading time. By setting a time each day to read, you’ll create a new habit and start to look forward to it.
Double Up
“What if I went through my schedule and genuinely found no time to spare?” “I have other hobbies and interests that take up my free time, but I still want to read.” No worries, that’s where my second tip comes in. Reading is the best form of entertainment because you are able to pick up a book anywhere you want. No WiFi? No problem. Books don’t need to be charged, and they take up a relatively small amount of space. What’s stopping you from reading on your subway commutes instead of scrolling through Instagram? What about your hour lunch break? You might even be able to steal a couple pages in between assignments at work. If you drive to work, why not listen to the audio book of that title you’ve been wanting to read for years? How about when you’re taking the dog for a walk? Plain and simply, by poking holes into your obligations, you can find the time to double up and create more reading time.
Pick Books That Interest You
This one might sound obvious, but I think this is the single most important factor that will differentiate you from finding the time or not. Why read something if it doesn’t make you want to turn the pages? I think a lot of people get caught up in what they feel like they “should” be reading, or just grab popular titles without considering whether it’s about something that will interest them. Forget about top charts and conventional picks, think about topics and/or themes that interest you and go find a book that will deliver that for you! Reading is supposed to be fun, never forget that!
Best of luck on your reading journey!
-Beauba Fett
Book Villians Beware, the New Intern is Here
Call me, beep me, if you want to reach me, it’s Kim Beaussible reporting for duty as one of your...
I’m a freelance editor from Oregon with a Master’s degree in Book Publishing from Portland State University and a former member of Ooligan Press. Before then, I graduated from the University of Denver Publishing Institute and completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Oregon where I majored in English with a minor in Writing, Public Speaking, and Critical Reasoning. Books and great writing have always been my passion, but growing up somewhere that cable TV can’t reach may have influenced that (I didn’t actually get to watch Kim Possible unless I was at a friend’s house or until we got satellite when I was in high school). Now that I’m here at Beaufort, I’m excited to continue to learn and share my knowledge with authors and audiences who love the world of books just as much as I do.
Personally, I read far and wide across the bookstore from literary fiction, fantasy, general/contemporary fiction, thrillers, mythological retellings, and many more. Much like the rest of the Beaufort staff, I mainly just enjoy a well-written book, but the genre varies. Now that we know each other a little better, let’s talk about BOOKS because I don’t know about you but I’ve read some interesting ones in the past few years that I can’t stop thinking about and I have to tell someone else about this one.
As a reader and editor, I’ve been thinking about expectations lately. Years ago when I had creative writing classes, the issue I ran into was that my plots always felt somewhat predictable or lacked the creativity other writers had. However, being an editor is rather different. You’re presented with someone else’s story, fact or fiction, and are asked to help package it. Packaging can mean different things (editing, cover design, etc.) but it’s largely about meeting the audience’s expectations, whether that’s for genre, form, or other book-loving criteria. And there’s nothing worse than reading a book that doesn’t meet them, and I expect a lot from my authors. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin is one book I went into with somewhat high expectations. As a story about a platonic male-female, two-decade friendship I expected to be moved by the ups and downs of having friends for that long, especially one of the other sex and who you work with. Sam, the male protagonist, had characterizations and mannerisms as a shy, too-smart-for-his-own-good nerd that reminded me of my older brother. He has a unique worldview, finding comfort in the world of video game development, and Zevin’s writing allowed me to connect him with someone in my own life. That’s all to say, she had already started to meet my expectations. What I hadn’t anticipated was the gut wrenching chapter entitled NPC: The Nonplayable Character. If you’ve read the book, you’ll remember it as the one where you’re sobbing so hard you actually have to put the book down. That chapter exceeded any expectations I had. It was one of those moments as an editor that I knew this was the reason the book had made it out of the slush pile, I had never read anything like it. Zevin had shifted her writing style entirely for the chapter, giving us an unexpected perspective and changing the entire dynamic of the book. The defiance of my expectations is why I still talk about this book more than a year after completing it.
In writing, much like in life, things don’t always turn out the way we expect, which can be the best part of reading. The mark of a good writer or editor is to know what expectations to uphold and when to deliver the unexpected, managing and balancing them in perfect harmony.
You can expect (wink) to hear more from me in the coming months with my thoughts on books and maybe even a spooky treat for Spooky Season.
Signing off, your basic average girl, here to save the world of books,
Kim Beaussible
Fall Internship Intro Blog
Hello everyone!
My name is BEAUba Fett and I am excited to start my internship with Beaufort Books this fall! While my name inspiration didn’t get to say a whole lot on screen in all those Star Wars movies, you’ll be hearing a lot from me throughout the fall on a wide range of topics!
I have recently graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in Marketing and a minor in Screenwriting, and I’m looking to start my career in publishing. I just moved right outside New York City, which is a far cry from Ohio but I can’t wait to embrace a new lifestyle and change of pace. I’m looking for graduate programs in publishing to take the next step in my career, hopefully somewhere in the city to truly take advantage of being in the publishing capital of the world!
I’ve had a passion for reading my entire life, yet I didn’t know that publishing was the route I wanted to go down until this summer. During the months leading up to graduation and those following, I searched job sites up and down for potential fits, but I couldn’t find anything that felt like something more than just a job that would pay the bills. I eventually stumbled across the internship opportunity for Beaufort Books, and I applied immediately. After speaking with Emma and Megan, I knew that I wanted to be a part of the team here. The smaller size of the company makes everything feel more personal and allows for a closer look at how the industry works. I can’t wait to get a hands on approach to all aspects of the publishing industry and learn from experienced professionals!
Besides from how I got here, here are some of the books that have made me into the reader that I am today: East of Eden, 1984, Pet Semetary, Misery, The Grapes of Wrath, Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, The Great Gatsby, Things Fall Apart, The Magic Tree House, and so much more. I initially was just naming more recent titles that I’ve read, but it would be incomplete without some of the defining series that grew my passion for books.
Maybe I’ll find the next one to add to this list in the submissions I’ll be reading!
Outside of reading, I love to be outside in nature, and one of my biggest life goals is to visit every national park. My favorites that I’ve been to so far are The Badlands, Shenandoah, Devil’s Tower (National Monument, but close enough), Grand Canyon, and of course my home state’s Cuyahoga Valley. I enjoy cooking homemade meals, especially a nice salmon or chicken stir fry. I’m always looking for new recipes, but I have yet to master the elusive art of making a pancake. I also write in my free time, another life goal of mine is to get something I wrote published or produced. I’ve only worked on my own scripts for movies and TV so far, but I’m planning to write my first book for my next project!
Again, I am very excited to start my journey in publishing and I feel that I couldn’t have asked for a better place to start than with Beaufort Books.
BEAUba Fett
You’re My Friend Now
Hi everyone!
My name is Beau Swan (iykyk) and I am one of the new interns this Fall at Beaufort!
Do you guys know that TikTok trend where they use the “you’re my friend now, we’re having soft tacos later” audio? If not, click here for a link to my personal favorite example. Anyways, my point is you guys are my friends now, and while I can’t have soft tacos with you guys, I can (and will) share my most interesting facts, thoughts, and opinions (as unprovoked as they might be) with you for the next few months. My very fragile feelings will appreciate if you will put up with me for the short amount of time we have together.
I just realized we don’t know anything about each other. In order to initiate this newfound friendship, I will tell you guys a little bit about myself…
It all started when my mom met my dad, and they fell in love, and they had me! Hi, I’m Beau Swan, and my life is kind of crazy. I’m just kidding, and for my friends that didn’t get it, that’s just another TikTok reference…I have a little bit of an addiction.
Back to me though, I live in Western New York where I was born and raised. While I may not have moved anywhere different in my lifetime, I do love to travel! I feel like that last sentence makes me sound old. I’m not…at least I hope not. I’m still in my early 20s, so you tell me if I’m old or not. In my defense however, I know how to work both my phone and computer, and I can put my credit card into a pin pad the correct way without a tutorial from the cashier. I just beg that you not ask me what rizz means or if I know a particular trendy dance. The only dance I know is the Cha Cha slide and that’s only because the song tells me exactly what to do.
Ugh, I keep getting off topic. Some boring facts about myself are that I have my Bachelor’s in English and Creative Writing. I was a double major during my undergrad, but I still [by some miracle] found the time to minor in Business. Right now, I’m working on getting my MFA in Popular Fiction Writing and Publishing at Emerson College. I love to write just as much as I enjoy reading what others write so it’s the perfect program for me!
I’m so excited to be at Beaufort this Fall! I’m gonna be reading manuscripts, maybe sitting in on some meetings, working on social media stuff, all that good stuff that comes with working in the publishing industry. And occasionally, I will come to rant to you guys about anything that’s on my mind in relation to books. Hope none of my new friends mind!
Your friend,
Beau Swan
Fall Mega EBook Sale!
Hey, readers! We know it can be hard to get back into the fall routine, so why not check out...
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An Irish Goodbye
Once the first blissful week of sleeping in has passed, I always find college summer vacations a bit tough.
Where are my friends?
Why is there nothing to do after work except come home?
And how in the world do people fill all that free time on evenings and weekends?
After a few days of being bored out of my mind, I remember that I like reading. I rediscover old classics, pick up long-forgotten childhood favorites, and scour the shelves for unread volumes.
Being separated from my college pals, I also make an effort to reconnect with hometown friends and meet new faces. I chat with visitors at local wineries or find connections with young adults who happen to be working in my obscure hometown over the summer.
During summer, I always try to work some creative muscles as well that may have been weakened or lost in the heaviness of academics: sketching, designing letters, you name it.
Today, I realized that all of these activities—these “favorite things” that tend to make my summers fun and rejuvenating—belonged to my summer internship. My “work.”
Reading submissions, writing pitches.
Discovering random connections with my co-intern and meeting my wonderful employers.
Being allowed to spend hours on Canva designing graphics about books, playing with colors and shapes, like a 2-year-old with a box of markers.
Thank you, Beaufort Books. What a summer.
-BEAUtie Wooster, Summer 2023 Intern
Top Five Instagram Posts Every Author Should Make
s my time as an intern at Beaufort comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on everything I’ve done...
Out of everything that I’ve learned these past few months, making content for social media stuck out to me the most. As a college junior and member of Gen Z, I’ve always loved social media. So, you can imagine how excited I was to get to do it professionally. I mean, who wouldn’t be excited for that?
So, for my last blog as an intern, I’ve decided to compile a list of the Top Five Instagram Posts Every Author Should Make.
1. An Introduction to Yourself
This one is pretty self explanatory, but make an introductory post! If you’re comfortable sharing a picture of yourself, awesome! If not, you can use something else like a picture of a pet, a cartoon of yourself, or the cover of your book.
You can include some fun facts about yourself such as where you live, how many pets you have, your favorite hobbies, your favorite books, etc. If it’s something you would be interested in learning about someone else, put it on there!
Also, if (like me) you think that music is a good way of getting to know people, you can make a playlist and share it on there too.
2. An Introduction to Your Book(s)
Similar to the previous post, this one should introduce what books you’re writing or have written. Make sure to include the cover and title of the book somewhere on the post so that people can look it up if they’re interested.
I also found including the description of the book to be really helpful. You can do this by making a swipe post. This way, people can read about your book while still staying on your profile.
3. Video Content
Lately, Instagram has really been pushing video content, so if you want to reach a wider audience, reels are a great way to go. Being intentional about the audios you use also helps. Try out some trending audios or audios that you think have the potential to trend.
You can get some inspiration for what exactly to post by researching other authors or Bookstagram accounts in similar genres to you. A few simple ideas could be to post the first line of your novel or to make a video-style moodboard for your book.
You can find quick templates for video content on CapCut and Canva.
4. Book Reviews
Book reviews are the bread and butter of the Bookstagram community. By posting reviews of your own and interacting with other peoples’ reviews, you can begin to create a community of your own.
Reading is awesome and talking to people about reading is even more awesome, so go support your fellow authors and post some reviews!
5. Stories
Instagram stories stay up for 24 hours, so this is a place for you to really have some fun. Repost memes, host a Q&A, post pictures of your delicious lunches, show what song you’ve got on repeat. Anything works here. You can also choose to save your stories into a Story Highlight so that people can watch them after the initial 24 hours have passed.
Most importantly, make sure to have fun! Instagram is a way to both connect with other members of the bookish community and to express yourself. By posting things that make you happy, you’ll begin to build an amazing community of support.
I’m having a hard time wrapping up this post knowing that it will be my last, so I’ll stop here before I start to ramble some more.
Read some good books, post what makes you happy, and give the next set of interns all my love.
DumBEAUledore
Beaufort Titles as Songs from Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)
am a firm believer in the fact that Taylor Swift has a song for every occasion. I mean, with 10...
Another thing that I’m a firm believer in is the fact that every book has a certain song, album, or playlist that it goes along with. (If you can’t tell, making book playlists is one of my favorite things). So, today, I have decided to pair some of Beaufort’s titles with songs from Taylor Swift’s newest re-recorded album—Speak Now (Taylor’s Version).
Fever by Janet Gilsdorf as “Long Live (Taylor’s Version)”
Set against the backdrop of the early days of the AIDS epidemic, Fever by Janet Gilsdorf is a novel about a young doctor’s quest to uncover the cause of a mysterious disease killing young children, and the race to find a cure.
That’s why I think that “Long Live (Taylor’s Version)” with lyrics like “You held your head like a hero on a history book page” and “I had the time of my life fighting dragons with you” fits this book perfectly. With a mix of heroism and hope, both the novel and the song fill readers and listeners alike with the courage to keep going.
Written by a nationally renowned observer of women’s relationships, Maribelle’s Shadow is a compelling tale of deception and family loyalty. In the novel, after Maribelle Walker’s husband dies, the authenticity of her socially ambitious mother and lavish lifestyle of mansions, privilege and couture clothes is thrown into doubt.
When thinking about this novel, I am immediately reminded of the lyrics in “Castles Crumbling (feat. Hayley Williams) (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)” that say “Once I had an empire in a golden age” and “Now, I fear I have fallen from grace.” As they say, the only thing that spreads faster than gossip in Palm Beach is news of a mysterious death.
Ladies of the Lake by Ken Corday as “Better Than Revenge (Taylor’s Version)”
When husbands start dying in the gated community of Avalon, the so-called “Ladies of the Lake” find themselves under suspicion from the LAPD and their own children.
With lyrics like “She’s not a saint and she’s not what you think / She’s an actress, woah,” I think we can all agree that the Ladies of the Lake fit into “Better Than Revenge (Taylor’s Version).” After all, getting away with murder is what’s in style in the gated community of Avalon.
Fat Kids by Rebecca Jane Weinstein as “Never Grow Up (Taylor’s Version)”
Unlike most books about weight, Fat Kids is not a dieting or weight loss how-to. Instead, it is a narrative nonfiction account of people’s life experiences growing up fat and being the parents of fat children, the methods that were used to cause weight loss, and the outcomes of these experiences. With real-life stories and expert discussions of stigma and bullying, Fat Kids dives into how diet culture impacts children.
Considering the topic of this book, I think that “Never Grow Up (Taylor’s Version)” fits perfectly. With lyrics that reminisce on the simple joys of childhood like “And don’t lose the way that you dance/ around in your PJs getting ready for school” and “even though you want to/ Just try to never grow up,” this song has a very similar message to Fat Kids.
The Woman in the Park by Teresa Sorkin and Tullan Holmqvist as “Haunted (Taylor’s Version)”
After meeting a mysterious and handsome stranger in the park, Manhattanite Sarah Rock’s life begins to unravel when a woman from the park goes missing and Sarah becomes the prime suspect in the woman’s disappearance. To make matters worse, her lover is nowhere to be found, her husband is suspicious of her, and her therapist is talking to the police.
I’m honestly finding it hard to narrow “Haunted (Taylor’s Version)” down into a few lyrics for this, because there are so many that fit. In the interest of brevity, I’ll only include a few lines from the chorus: “Come on, come on, don’t leave me like this / I thought I had you figured out / Something’s gone terribly wrong.” With no one to trust, Sarah must face her inner demons and uncover the truth to prove her innocence. If this isn’t “Haunted” coded, then I don’t know what is.
I could go on and on about books and songs and how they relate to each other, but for today I’ll stop here. Make sure you give these amazing books a read and don’t forget to stream Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)!
“Until I see you again,”
DumBEAUledore
Top 10 Common Manuscript Submission Mistakes
As an intern for Beaufort, one of my responsibilities is to read slush, partial, and full manuscripts. Many of these...
Throughout the last few months, I’ve noticed a few common mistakes that sneak into many of the submissions that we receive. However, the good news is that many of these mistakes are easily fixable!
So, I’ve decided to compile the Top 10 Mistakes into a list that you can refer to when preparing to submit.
#1. Not being professional.
When writing your cover letter, be sure to tell us about yourself and how you came to write the book. We want to get to know you as a person! But, make sure that you don’t get too personal. For example, it would probably be best to not start your cover letter off with “Hello dear! How are you?” or to end it with, “Kiss you! Hug you! And wish you all the best!”
And please, no backhanded compliments like, “I have confidence in your competence.”
#2. Having poor grammar.
A lot of times, a manuscript will be well-written, but the cover letter and synopsis have poor grammar (missing periods, misspelled words, run-on sentences). The cover letter is the first thing we see when looking at your submission, so make sure you pay attention to it.
Edit your cover letter and synopsis with the same attention that you give your manuscript. The cover letter and synopsis are previews of what’s to come, so make sure it’s attention-grabbing and, most importantly, well-written. Before turning everything in, do one last pass with spell check to catch any mistakes that may have slipped through.
#3. Leaving notes on the manuscript.
I get it, sometimes you have multiple copies of the same manuscript that all have similar titles. And sometimes, you may accidentally upload the wrong version—a version that still has your comments and tracked changes on it. But, this is a really easy fix!
Before you hit “Submit,” double check to make sure you uploaded the version of the manuscript that you want us to see. And, if you’ve turned on track changes, make sure you’ve actually made those changes.
#4. Making the target audience too broad.
No two books are alike, and neither are readers. A single book won’t be everyone’s cup of tea—and that’s okay! So when thinking about who your target audience is, try to stay away from broad statements like “everyone” or “people from all around the world of all ages.”
If you’re struggling, do some research on comparable titles. What books on the market have a similar writing style, theme, or vibe to your manuscript? Mention some of the ones you find in your submission, but make sure to be realistic— don’t compare your book to Harry Potter!
#5. Not having a marketing plan.
After you’ve written and edited your manuscript, it can be hard to think about ways to market it, but, showing that you’ve at least thought about what comes next lets us know that you are driven and passionate about your work.
Your marketing plan doesn’t have to be extensive, but at least have something that lets us know that you’ve put some thought into it.
Have you made your author social media accounts? If you’ve published before, what did you think worked well? And, alternatively, what didn’t? Do you run a blog or have media contacts?
Anything is better than nothing!
#6. Not following the guidelines.
Each publisher will have a different set of guidelines, but when you’re submitting to Beaufort, make sure to be mindful of ours.
Our Submission Guidelines will walk you through topics such as how to submit and what your submission should include.
#7. Submitting a book that is too long.
While some authors like J.K. Rowling and Anna Todd can get away with writing super long books, many debut or indie authors will have a hard time finding an agent or publisher that will accept their 100k+ word manuscript.
This isn’t to say that it’s necessarily impossible to get it published, but it will prove to be a daunting task. In many cases, you’ll have to cut it down.
#8. Submitting genres we don’t accept.
There are a few types of submissions that Beaufort Books does not accept, such as educational material, short stories, and erotica.
If you submit a manuscript that falls under one of these categories, it will probably be a quick reject, and that will most likely apply to other publishers too.
#9. Submitting the same manuscript to both Beaufort Books and Spencer Hill Press.
Beaufort Books and Spencer Hill Press share a submission portal, meaning that submissions for both presses go to the same place. So if you submit to both, it shows up as double on our screen. Do some research on which press looks like the best fit for your manuscript, and submit to that one.
With that in mind, it’s okay to submit to both Beaufort Books and Spencer Hill Press as long as the manuscript follows both press’s submission guidelines.
#10. Addressing the wrong publisher.
Now it may seem obvious to address your cover letter to Beaufort Books as “Beaufort Books” and not “Penguin Random House,” but sometimes little mistakes like that slip through! Just make sure to check over what you’ve written before you submit. And, if you can, have someone else look over it. A fresh pair of eyes never hurts.
Of course, this isn’t an exhaustive list, but it’s a good place to start. Overall, a lot of simple mistakes can be fixed with a bit of editing and research.
Happy submitting!
DumBEAUledore
SERIES ON SALE!
In need of a new summer read? We’ve got you covered!
Until August 31st, get the ebook versions of these series for $2.99 or LESS —
Series on Sale
North of the Tension Line series by J.F. Riordan
The Red Hotel series by Ed Fuller and Gary Grossman
Jack Patterson series by Webb Hubbell
The Adventures of Bubba Jones by Jeff Alt
Check out even more of our on-sale titles HERE!
Happy reading!
In Defiance of a Well-Established Idiom
We’ve all been told not to judge a book by its cover, but I beg to differ.
Absolutely judge a book by its cover.
Glancing at my own bookshelves, I see many covers that reveal something about the enclosed content. The nearly non-existent jacket of Elizabeth Speare’s Calico Captive, for example, suggests that the tale is so enthralling that its readers prefer lugging the book through damaging circumstances (i.e. the car) to putting it down. Likewise, Anna Karenina’s textured cover, the plastic pattern rubbed off by incessant usage, marks how often hands have cradled that life-changing—and dauntingly thick—novel.
Notice not only the state of the cover, but also its design. The lush Nebraska farmland advertising Willa Cather’s O Pioneers! assures you that you will be reading a more descriptive than narrative work. The farm buildings show that your novel is set in the American midwest around the turn of the twentieth century. Depending on your copy, you may even learn that your protagonist is a work-hardened woman characterized by endurance and grit—a pioneer.
Images credited to amazon.com
Take a look at some of our Beaufort titles.
I have yet to read A Walk in the Clouds, but judging from the cover I expect an adventure set in the western European mountains in the not-too-distant past. I envision a work reflecting the majesty of nature, and how the dignity of man and his experiences interplays with that majesty. The scenes and color palettes of The Embassy, on the other hand, reveal that this book is a war tale: high action and fast paced.
Granted, a cover will not tell you everything about a book. In addition to the visual appeal, we need Amazon reviews or a recommendation from a friend to decide which book we will dedicate hours of our future time to reading.
The cover, though, is a good place to start.
– BEAUtie Wooster, Summer Intern 2023