I read an interview with an agent in which she said there are some tip-offs that she's not dealing with a writer that knows what he or she is doing. One is using the term "fiction novel." A novel is, by definition, fiction, so referring to a fiction novel is like saying "a canine dog" or "a tall skyscraper."
That's why I was surprised to see this book on the Kindle Books site:
From the description: "You will learn how to understand the dramatic structure of a novel (both fiction and nonfiction), and all of the details in between."
Huh? What's a non-fiction novel?
One of the reviews says, "I only got a third of the way through before the incorrect word choices ("bare in mind", "the old barriers... ...is crumbling", "the same person playing every roll")".
There is also "the exact same book," "the imagination and visualization of our mind," and "Your mind places the exactly perfect faces and noses and eyes on the exactly perfect characters."
The author has some interesting ideas: "Reading is like running: like it or not we all have to do it. Everybody on this planet needs to be able to read. And everybody on this planet needs to be able to run. I'm pretty certain that if you are incapable of either of these things then your place in society is going to be decidely more uncomfortable."
I'd run from this book--and from using the term "fiction novel."
OTHER THINGS THAT TURN OFF AGENTS AND PUBLISHERS
* Query letters that assure them your book will be more popular than 50 Shades of Grey (or whatever is the best-seller at the moment);
* Assurances that your relatives and friends all think your book is great;
* The revelation that you intend to rewrite it but decided to send this version anyway;
* Ideas for merchandizing and spin-offs or your ideal casting for the movie version;
* Offering to pay more than the usual commission, or suggesting a cut in the usual commission.
(You'll find friendly guidance for writing your book in Your Writing Coach, published by Nicholas Brealey and available from Amazon or your other favorite bookseller.)
