November 9, 2025

It's still a waiting game

At last week’s Write Here gathering those present had a lively and valuable discussion about the pros and cons of self-publishing versus going down the traditional path to publication. Then there was the equally fraught question of whether or not it’s best to first secure an agent.


No definitive answers, but it was always my intention to try and secure the interest of a traditional publishing house first before following the self-publishing route to publication, and all it will involve. In my case a crash course in how to go about it, although it’s definitely easier now than it used to be. Still a lot of work though and a daunting prospect.

So far as agents go, it’s just as difficult to attract their interest as it is a publisher. All but a couple of them – who express interest in memoir/non-fiction on their websites – are not accepting any new authors until early 2026. I was encouraged to approach the agent engaged by the legendary and always wonderful, Dr Bob Brown for his latest book ‘Defiance’ but although she responded very quickly it was just to say she had, ‘no capacity’ to accept new writers at the moment. Sigh.


In the meantime I’ve submitted to the first three publishers I considered most likely, according to their guidelines and wishlists. I’ve crossed two off though now since they’ve failed to respond within their advertised timeframe, so have to assume their response is a No. A rather sobering comment from my mentor indicated that one of these two publishers, who suggests writers send their submissions via a ‘Friday Pitch’ option, don’t even read them. Hmmm.

So keeping fingers crossed for the third one, which is probably the one most likely, and the publisher I would really prefer. But if it’s not to be, then there are still four more potentials to try, and the word from other Write Here members is that approaching several publishers at the same time is quite acceptable these days, providing a brief note is sent around should one express an interest in seeing more of the work.


Who knows such a scenario might make the others sit up and dig through their slush piles and thus set off a bidding war. Well, one can dream, and in the meantime fingers remain crossed and optimism remains high.

 

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Badger the beagle

The secrecy around toxicity testing on animals

By Anne Layton-Bennett • August 4, 2026
An Animals Australia article that highlights the use of toxicity testing of chemicals on animals is still being done around the globe.

Finding a publisher could be getting closer

By Anne Layton-Bennett • July 22, 2026
Attracting the interest of a publisher for this story of a community’s campaign to stop what would have been ‘the world’s fourth largest pulp mill’ being built was never going to be easy, but hoping the first of two 3-minute Literary Speed Dating pitch sessions will prompt at least one of the two publishers to request the full MSS. And preferably both of them. These twice-yearly Perfect Pitch sessions are offered to members of the Australian Society of Authors, and this is the first time I’ve taken advantage of them – mainly because of the need to have a completed MSS before doing so. Three minutes isn’t long to excite the interest of a publisher who is after stories in very specific genres, and who therefore needs to believe your MSS is worth investing the time needed to read it in full. I’m pretty certain I’ve excited the necessary interest, but given Jane will hear the pitches of many more optimistic and talented writers after my morning session today, there are no guarantees. That initial interest might well wane as the day goes on if other writers have written stories that sound far more intriguing – and marketable. One can never forget that aspect of publishing these days: will the book sell. I believe my story will – certainly in Tasmania it definitely will – but a wider Australian readership? That’s an unknown even if my mentor is convinced of the story’s universal appeal.  I’d certainly like to think I’ve caught the zeitgeist wave given the current widespread community unrest over AI data centres, that’s already prompting similar serious opposition, and for many of the same reasons the Tamar Valley’s community opposed the pulp mill. Environmental degradation, threats to public health, water usage – and water shortages in an era of escalating climate extremes – and the constant, relentless noise factor that’s associated with data centres, and AI data centres in particular. I’m crossing my fingers that the second pitch session will be equally positive, and that I could strike it lucky with both publishers requesting to see the full MSS. But I won’t get ahead of myself. I’ll just be keeping all fingers and toes firmly crossed for the next seven days.
Magni

Fiona's gift

By Anne Layton-Bennett • June 14, 2026
It’s taken far too many months for this marvellous model to grace the dedicated desk space in my office. When Fiona comes to visit next she will be very surprised, and hopefully gratified, that her amazing creative talent is finally on display. We’ve known each other for a very long time, and during the insanely busy time when I was helping to run the flower farm, working part-time in a school library, doing a spot of journalism on the side, and fighting the proposed pulp mill that is the subject of the manuscript I’m hoping to get published, Fiona cleaned my house each week. There’s only so much a person can do after all, and it has to be said cleaning our house during those manic years was fairly low down on the list of my priorities. But Fiona is a woman of many talents and she certainly possesses one that I so don’t have: sewing and dressmaking. So over the years she’s also made a few garments based on the pattern of a favourite garment that I was particularly fond of, and she’s also done some clothing alterations for both of us. My skills with needles and thread are limited to sewing on buttons, and taking up hems on John’s too-long pairs of jeans. Anything else is beyond me. But this fabulous model is the pièce de résistance – along with the beautiful crocheted knee warmer she gave me last year. This was when winter was approaching and so determined was I to finish writing the book, I decided to get out of bed at the insane hour of 5am and get in a solid hour’s writing in before dog walking and the demands of the day took over. Fiona was also one of many Tasmanians who needed to be circumspect about her opinion of the pulp mill. It was a project that polarised people, including families and friendships. She was one of several who passed on snippets of useful information, but on the basis of anonymity so it couldn’t be sheeted home to her.  Needless to say Fiona will be one of those whose contribution will be acknowledged – when this book is finally accepted by a publisher.

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