Tip From Guy Saville

Perhaps the most important thing you have to bear in mind is what market you are writing for. To maximise your chances of success you need to write a book that can slot into an established genre. That’s not to say you’re just regurgitating existing books; you need something fresh too. Ideally you want to write a new take on something that’s already been a success.

For a thriller the most important thing is pace. You need to draw you reader in fast – preferably on the first page – and keep them turning to the end. Make sure every chapter finishes in a way that compels them to read another page, even if it’s already two in the morning! That doesn’t always mean a cliff-hanger. Sometimes something subtle but ominous works just as well.

Published by Hodder and Stoughton, an extract to the author’s own opening chapters can be viewed below. View The Afrika Reich on Amazon