My name is Will Dean. I’m a British writer living in an isolated Swedish forest. I write the Tuva Moodyson novels & standalone books The Last Thing to Burn, First Born, & The Last Passenger.
I share tricks, tips, & insights. I struggled with the slushpile process (I had no connections in publishing) so I want to help you write your book, find an agent, get a book deal, & become an author. Reading, writing, social media, submissions, book fairs, creativity, finances, book tours, events, public speaking, TV & radio. I’m a very tolerant, open person. Everyone is super welcome here!
Also: forest life. I’ll be sharing my joys & challenges, from chopping wood, to foraging mushrooms, to watching moose, to surviving -25C in winter. My life is pretty much off-grid.
I want this to be interactive so comment and ask questions. I’d love to help in any way I can.
Good evening Will. How are you? I have a non fiction story that just must be told. I need help with this as it’s so hard to find compatibles.. Regards, Lisa
Hello. Great video. Question, is that "hook" portion, necessary? I'm quite pleased with my synopsis, and even though it stretches a bit on the longer side, I feel it has some "hook" elements to it (as in, I believe my synopsis is strong enough to retain attention). What do you think? Thanks, cheers.
My way is just one way (it worked for me, almost a decade ago) but if your package is strong (title, comp titles, synopsis, conflict, opening line, sample chapters etc) it’ll get noticed. I like to emphasise the hook because it immediately helps agents/editors understand the essence of the story. It’s a shortcut. But you do whatever you think is best. The more important thing might be to edit down your synopsis a little if you feel it’s on the longer side. Wishing you all the best with it! W.
That's great advice. I've been thinking of logging off Facebook for an extended period. Everyone needs to try and take breaks from social media apps and news. It does a mind good! I loved your book The Last One and I'm looking forward to The Chamber. Some of my other favorite authors are T.J. Newman, Chevy Stevens and Taylor Adams. I love lots of action in my books! Happy Writing to you!
Thank you so much for posting this. This is so helpful for aspiring authors who get so much contradictory information on what to include. It’s also nice to see that it’s not some magical spell that needs to be spoken precisely to succeed. Clear, concise, complete concept.
I bought that exact model back in middle school in the early 70’s. I still have it but although it still runs and keeps time briefly, it needs work. Also the stopwatch hand has fallen off. As far as the bracelet on the one you reviewed is not the original. It came on a bracelet with spring loaded links throughout, a hair puller! Would like to have it serviced but not sure where to bring it, I’m in the states, New England area.
Wow you must have been quite lucky because that is a very average first line as well. I see this alot. Average writers getting the attention of agents because at the end of the day it needs to be broadly digestable. 54% of readers in the US have the competency of a 6th grader.
I have a eye issue right now and it's gonna be easy to listen to podcast so I thank you for sharing this list. 🎉 Other comments are interesting too. . .
This was a phenomenal book! I could not have predicted anything that happened and I love that. With the ending do you plan on continuing this book with a sequel, or is it more left for audience interpretation?
I'm about to start writing my query letter so I found the video very helpful. Thank you. Do you have one on writing a synopsis? You did mention it but I can't seem to find it.
They can be. I’d say ‘buy the seller’ meaning if you buy from a good dealer and they say it’s serviced it should be the case. If there’s a problem they should look after you. If you’re buying from a private seller it’s a bit like the Wild West. Can be great, can be a disaster. I prefer to buy from good dealers for that reason. I also factor in that a service might be needed in the next few years. A simple chronograph service shouldn’t cost too much if done locally. Complex chronographs are a different story. Hope that helps.
7:39 Scrolled back to verify. No, it is not a bear, despite similarity of food intake, which I'll take your word for! It's a St. Bernard! Any St. Bernard looks like that, except St. Bernard of Clairvaux, who was human. Well, still is, especially will be after the general resurrection, when body and soul are reunited.
Admire your love for your watches Will! Your videos have me intrigued because they are some of the most interesting watches I’ve seen. I’m always digging for those lost and forgotten brands that fell by the wayside during the quartz crisis. Great video mate🤝
London Calling. Dear Will, as a Member of Jericho Writers, may I ask you to read my under 350 word Query Letter, because Becca Day in a forum said: 'you're a good egg.' 🙃 Please advise. You've responded to me very recently. Regards, Dr Martin.
Hello! I’m not doing this at the moment (deadlines) but I’ll make an exception. If you can email me at willdeanforestauthor@gmail.com I’ll do my best to reply promptly. All best wishes, Will
@@willdeanauthor Will, your name comes up from time to time to time at Jericho. Thank you kindly for making an exception. I will email you tomorrow. Respectfully. Dr Martin.
Hmmm.... Great video, very helpful. I just can't seem to write the first line of it! You made it sound so simple. Ok.....I'm going to give it a try! Thank you so much!
Thank you so much for this. I haven’t succeeded with two manuscripts and I’m on my third now. Looking to query it as well as I can when it’s finished (it’s a thriller at 72k words).
Thanks for showing your letter, it helped a lot. I'm a new writer who isn't active on social media, don't know where to start even, last time I touched social media was years ago. Since I've no previous experience I wonder if there's something you would suggest I can do to get at least something that is worth mentioning when contacting an agent? All I've written so far is a childrens story(less than 2000 words).
You've mentioned did a quite a bit of querying before you hit success, but when you sent out this letter, how long did it take before you received a reply?
This is totally what it feels like. I'm drafting now and had writers block ... I think I figured out where I went wrong. I took a wrong turn ( of sorts) and just needed to clarify a really complicated chapter for myself in order to move forward. But I had been thinking about how anxiety ridden I feel. On a knifes edge, as if my life hangs in the balance. But at the same time ( like you said) I know I can do it. This is my third book ( my book 3 and 4 were one long one I split) ...but it amazed me how gruelling it is and the level in concentration I have all day every day when in Writers Block even when not actually writing, in just having it sitting in the back of my mind.
Did you mean Needful Things? You said Needless Things. It kinda hurts you used these comps which goes against the rules: choose books that aren't bestellers and from the last four years. And you got the Title of a comp wrong. The agent may not have even noticed, as hadn't read it. Which in line with what i suspected ...that chances are themey haven't read your comps, so using more famous authors/ works can actually HELP give them an instant idea of your book. Otherwise they have to google the book, and probably don't. Time would be better spent going to the actual pages Encouraging tbh. I think query advice is too strict because authors manage to get agents even breaking rules. I thought your query synopsis paragraphs were really good. I think that matters more than the comps. And like you said, the actual book matters over everthying else Thanks for this vid...it was good. I am a little bitter about spending years learning how to write queries only to realise that book I queried had major flaws. But I'm writing anither one now. A more markettable idea. Living iff grud would probably help one be prolific
Thanks for your comment. I completely understand your bitterness - the whole querying/slushpile process is absolutely brutal. Just FYI my agent did read the comp titles and found them useful. But, naturally, it’s the sample chapters that are most important. Wishing you all the best.
This is a very nice collection. I've got a few old chronos too, including a 1971 Bulova "Surfboard" 666ft Diver Chrono, a Brad Pitt Citizen Bullhead, a seiko bullhead and a few other Seiko chronographs, amongst others. Thanks for posting!
Why would you try to find the rarest book titles to liken your book? Popular titles are successful for a reason. There is nothing wrong with likening your book to them.
Not the rarest. But remember that agents see hundreds of queries each week and many use the same huge bestseller/blockbuster titles. I’m just relaying what I’ve heard from agents. It’s important to stand out AND demonstrate that you read. A solid compromise is: [big bestseller] meets [less obvious book] - hope that helps.
@erencanaslan Needful things and Sharp Objects *are* by bestselling authors. I knew what they were instantly. So I wouldn't call them rare. If that's what you meant? The query advice is to use mid list/ debut books from last four years. To show you know the market. And to show you don't expect to make millions of dollars. ( I think this last reason is a silly reason because the more famous a book or author is the easier it is for agents to get an idea of your book, but that point permeates all querying advice.
How fascinating. I can't imagine living in a forest. However I'm certain the beauty is astounding. Im currently part of a TikTok community that has come together to read The Last One. A TikToker has been sponsored by a book company to travel on the Royal Caribbean cruise. He was given several books and we the audience chose yours. At any rate looking forward to delving into this mystery. Do take care and Happy New Year.
@@willdeanauthor Loving it. I'm listening to audio but will purchase the actual book. Funny fact, I m on chapter 7. I have to rewind because I missed how did she met Daniel. At any rate hope you're having an amazing day.
Thanks Will. I (and many others obviously) really appreciate this. I just may give the slush piles one more go around. Take care out there in the woods. They're beautiful, but can be lonely if you let them. Dan
I read this book last Summer and it was amazing, I really couldn't get it out of my head. I know the film is never has good as the book, but interesting to see it.
Thats a lot of sharpies you got there, brother! Do you have a contact email? Id like to send you something for your Nordic stationary life, if that's alright with you!
@@willdeanauthor understood brother, completely respect your position and its consistency with the thrust of your channel. Thanks for getting back to me, and keep creating amazing content!
