What a Small Press Can Offer That Big Houses Cannot
Why a selective small press can be the right home for a novel: attention, flexibility and a real say in how the book is made.
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The DX Varos Blog
Notes for writers and readers from a small press.
The posts below answer questions that authors and readers ask us most often: what a small press really does, how to write a query letter, why every edition needs an ISBN, what happens to a manuscript in editing and how to begin tracing royal ancestors. They are written in plain language and end with links to further reading and to the pages of this site that explain how we work.
We add new notes when the same question comes up several times, so if you would like us to cover a subject, write to us through the contact page. Comments and suggestions from readers help us decide what to write next. Most posts take five to ten minutes to read.
How to Write a Query Letter for Fiction
A practical guide to the fiction query letter: structure, length, what to include and the mistakes editors see most often.
What an ISBN Does and Why Every Edition Needs One
A plain guide to ISBNs: what the number means, who assigns it and why paperback, hardcover and e-book editions each need their own.
Developmental, Line and Copy Editing: What Happens to Your Manuscript
The stages of editing a novel explained: developmental edit, line edit, copyedit and proofread, and what an author does at each stage.
How to Begin Tracing Royal Ancestors
A beginner-friendly plan for tracing a family line back toward European royalty, with advice on sources, evidence and realistic expectations.