Readers' Letters - 2010 archive

Dear Mel,

I am a writer and I basically have no clue what to do in order to get published. I am writing in response to the post I saw at : http://www.melmenzies.co.uk/blog/2009/01/manuscript_formatting

Now, I am currently working on my final copy of my book, but what do I do in order to submit it for publishing? Do I have to write a letter of some kind first, and if so, what publishing companies should I try? I do not know of any at all.

Thank you for you time, and I hope to hear from you soon.

— Paul, Monday 19th July 2010

Dear Mel,

When I was divorced I thought I was going to be able to get on with my life and start over again – not with a new relationship but just getting myself back on track. My ex was very controlling when we were married and I wasn’t allowed to have any friends or go out on my own – even to night school to take an A level – but somehow he still managed to make people believe he was the victim, and I was the one in the wrong.

I’ve worked from home for years, just to make a bit of money to make life a bit better, doing the books for a builder in the village, but I always wanted to be a nurse when the children grew up. My ex wouldn’t hear of it. He liked me at home where he could keep an eye on me (he has a small garage and we live on site). But now that the boys are growing up – well the youngest’s nine and the eldest’s just twelve – I thought I might have a chance of training.

But actually I’m finding it even harder to do anything, and be a decent mum. Both my children seem to think I shouldn’t of left their father, even though the final straw was when he hit me – only the once but it was enough. He seems to have managed to convince them that I was to blame – though I don’t know how that works.

Now, my eldest seems to be turning out just like his dad – he acts like he's seventeen – and he seems to think he can tell me what to do all the time. To be honest, he walks all over me, but if I try to put my foot down, he just clears off to his dad’s. What happens is, he goes up to his room, rings his dad on his mobile and the next thing I know is that his dad’s over here collecting him.

I’ve never stopped the kids seeing their dad whenever they want. But it seems to involve me in an awful lot of ferrying them around. He picks them up whenever they ring, but it always seems to be me who has to go and collect them. Recently I’ve found out that he’s spending a lot of time with his new girlfriend and leaving them on their own, with the eldest in charge. Now he’s applied for child benefit and everything and says he wants maintenance off of me. I just don’t have that sort of money to keep myself, run my little house and then pay for him to have the kids when he’s not even there to look after them properly.

— Steph, Monday 24th May 2010

Dear Mel,

I hope you don’t mind me writing but I’m on Jury Duty next month and I’m feeling quite nervous about it. A friend in my church said she’d heard that you were on a big case a few years ago and that you might be able to advise me.

I’m worried I might lose my job - I’m a single parent – and I can’t afford to take time off. But mainly I’m just not sure what to expect, and the thought of having to decide if someone goes to prison or not is giving me sleepless nights. How do you live with yourself if you get it wrong?

I haven’t got any specific questions – just want to have a general idea what happens.

Yours,

— Penny, Monday 26th April 2010

Hello, Mel.

Thank you for your wonderful blob. I find it very informative and helpful!

I am going to write a true story about my experience working for a controversial government funded community project back in the 80's and early 90's.

As part of my research I will be interviewing key members who were involved in the project. Can you advise me if a fee for the interview is compulsory and if so what is a reasonable fee? Also should I pay the fee upfront of on the basis of if the book is published?

My other question is am I allowed to use the real names of people in the book or should I change their names?

Regards,

— Carol, Tuesday 16th March 2010

Hi,

I have enjoyed reading your articles and blogs/posts. Would really love to communicate more with you cos I think I really appreciate your train of thought. It appeals to me a lot. I am also an avid writer and have written many articles.

Can you recommend a good creative writing course for me to attend close to Plymouth, Devon. I am more than half way past writing my first novel but i think i need a professional to look at my work so far.

— Yvonne, Thursday 11th March 2010

Dear Mel,

I’m a bit nervous about writing to you in case my partner finds out. We’re not exactly religious but he expects me to be exactly like that Vicar described – submitting to him in every way. When we’re out with friends he likes to take over and it’s true he’s very entertaining. People like him because he makes them laugh. But when we get home he gets really annoyed with me if someone has talked to me separately during the evening, or if he thinks I haven’t listened attentively to everything he’s said. It’s no good arguing with him, but if I say nothing he accuses me of sulking.

I suppose I’m naturally a bit quiet, but when I was at college I really enjoyed discussing things with a group of friends. Now I never get the chance. He doesn’t like me to go out on my own – says he worries about me. And if I do say anything when we’re out together he sort of puts me down but in a way you wouldn’t see as a put down as an outsider.

I do love him and I want to please him but I’m feeling stifled. We’ve been together for five years now. Sometimes I think things might be better if we started a family. Then I think that might make it even worse. I just can’t think of a solution. Hope you can help.

— Babs (not my real name), Tuesday 16th February 2010

Hi Mel,

I was interested to see what you had posted earlier this month on your blog about formatting a manuscript; it was most helpful.

1. Could you tell me how you handle using a pen name when it comes to putting the name on each page? Do you put the pen name on each of them, or do you put your real name just on the title page and then the pen name on every subsequent page? Then explain in the covering letter?
2. Also once you have agreement to submit a manuscript, does one always send in the hard copy version or do any editors take in disc versions?
3. One more query, do individual publishing houses have slightly different guidelines on how they wish to have their submissions produced?

Thank you for your help.

Very best regards,

— Deborah, Friday 22nd January 2010