Book Doulas—help with birthing your book

[Paul Whybrow]

I'm a little surprised that this sort of service has been so long in coming, what with the rise of self-publishing and the difficulty of securing representation by a literary agent.

Book doulas: the new way to push your writing into the world

A doula (pronounced like 'cooler') traditionally helps a woman through the birth process, though I had a friend who employed a doula to navigate the death of her mother.

In theory, a book doula sounds like a great idea, but it's worth considering that they don't have a selection process—they'll help anyone with the money to pay them—there are hundreds of similar publishing services claiming to offer editing, book cover design and marketing services.

You have to possess a decent manuscript, to begin with, to get anywhere with someone who reckons they can finesse your story into a saleable product. I'm reminded of the crude observation, that, You can't polish a turd...but, you can cover it with glitter!

Doulas could be saviours—or just another leech sucking their fill from impoverished authors.

 

[Katie-Ellen]

That would depend entirely who they were, but I wouldn't bite.

I don't care for this vision of the writer; this timid, toothless, fumble-footed beast, and show me THE CONTENT EDITOR.

Not the line or copy editor, and this is also essential, but I mean the top level story editor.

Charles Monteith (Lord of the Flies).

Tay Hohoff (To Kill A Mockingbird)

I don't want my hand held! The doulas can do one.

The Lost Art of Editing

 

[Geoff]

Encouragement is one thing, encouragement with a price tag, mmm ... not sure about that. But if it works for some, good luck to them...

 

[Robert Boscott]

That would depend entirely who they were, but I wouldn't bite.

I don't care for this vision of the writer; this timid, toothless, fumble-footed beast, and show me THE CONTENT EDITOR.

Not the line or copy editor, and this is also essential, but I mean the top level story editor.

Charles Monteith (Lord of the Flies).

Tay Hohoff (To Kill A Mockingbird)

I don't want my hand held! The doulas can do one.

The Lost Art of Editing

I agree with you about doulas. I have also been to a lot of the Guardian courses on the correct way to get an agent and submit your manuscript which cost a lot of money and don't really take you much further. The people involved always nod enthusiastically and say yes when the course is going on and then melt away when the event is over. My wife says they exploit writers desperation and I think she is right. What are you writing at the moment?

 

[Robinne Weiss]

Great. Another middleman. Just what writers need...I'm fine paying for services (I pay for editing and book covers, after all), but I'm careful to hire professionals and specialists (I wouldn't ask my illustrator to edit for me). A general cheerleader/editor/designer? I'd be wary. I'm sure there are some who are good at all of it, and are doing it for the right reasons, but I'm sure there are plenty more out there who are exploiting desperation.

 

[Katie-Ellen]

Two novels on the go, Robert. Adult fiction, psychological/supernatural suspense. One is almost ready to go out on its travels (again after a long pause and a rewrite *plucks philsophically at grey hairs*)
I may target certain smaller publishers directly, as well as agents. The other, similar genre, is still in draft.
Daisy Waugh wished me luck today, said she's not sure what's up with UK publishing at the moment...she has a new series coming out herself.

But I don't worry. I'm going to write what I want, how I want, and where it finds resonance is where it belongs.

 

[Robert Boscott]

Two novels on the go, Robert. Adult fiction, psychological/supernatural suspense. One is almost ready to go out on its travels (again after a long pause and a rewrite *plucks philsophically at grey hairs*)
I may target certain smaller publishers directly, as well as agents. The other, similar genre, is still in draft.
Daisy Waugh wished me luck today, said she's not sure what's up with UK publishing at the moment...she has a new series coming out herself.

But I don't worry. I'm going to write what I want, how I want, and where it finds resonance is where it belongs.

Thanks, Daisy Waugh is impressive, as indeed were her parents. I would interested to know how you get on and or read some of your stuff. If that's ok. I have never been able to write suspense, I suppose I never quite believe in the scenarios I write unless they are from my own experience. I think that's I always go for comedy. Do you plot first or work out your characters? Are your novels related? Or are they independent?

I have not tried many publishers. I have written to quite a few agents to try to gain representation. I tried Robert Smith's literary agency today and Juliet Mushens. Will keep you posted.

 

[Carol Rose]

I agree with @Robinne Weiss. This sounds like just another form of exploitation for desperate writers.