Annie Garthwaite’s debut novel was published by Viking UK on 29 July. In those early weeks it was named a ‘pick of the month’ by The Times and Sunday Times. It’s the book Annie has wanted to write for 40 years and more. But, on three occasions, she almost gave up… Mum taught me to […]
As she turns 70, author Sharon Maas reflects on how the power of the human spirit has always fuelled her writing
This week I turned 70: a milestone in anyone’s book, and one that deserves some kind of a literary nod. How far have I come, I should ask, and how far will I go on this incredible writing journey? And it really is incredible, when you come to think about it. Here I sit at […]
In writing her novel one author found that humour and mental health issues make for a poignant and powerful mix
“I hoped she’d be fascinating. I never dreamt she’d be funny.” When Anne Goodwin embarked on her latest novel, she found that her protagonist’s rich inner life was rapidly turning a serious subject into comedy…and the book was all the better for it. When I decided to set my latest novel, Matilda Windsor Is Coming […]
Why working out your genre is essential to landing a book deal
“I felt terrible…because if I couldn’t get an agent with Penguin Random House behind me, then what hope was there?” After much rejection, it was deciphering what made a similar, bestselling novel work that landed Lorraine Brown her book deal. After seven years of trying to be an actress, you’d have thought I’d have been well-equipped […]
Second book syndrome and the power of failing better
“I was horrified. Ashamed. I was going to be THAT PERSON who failed utterly to deliver Book 2.” Sometimes nailing a novel can be stupidly hard, says Phillipa East, but keep chiselling rock and you’ll get through it. It was all going so well… In Autumn of 2018, I was riding high. I’d recently signed […]
Rejection, self doubt and one last push – one author’s book deal story
“The nearer I edged towards my goal, the more the rejection stung.” When JA Corrigan faced near misses and rejection, it equipped her with the tools she needed for when she finally reached her end game of publication. In common with other writers, I am constantly riddled with self-doubt and there have been many times […]
The (very) long and the short of it – one author tells what it really takes to get published…
Author of The Wife Support System, Kathleen Whyman, reveals her long road to publication – and the importance of giving your novel a haircut. “It was a long, sprawling mess. 180,000 words long in fact, which is 80,000 words too long for a debut novel. (Aaah!)” If someone had told me it’d take seven years […]
No new book forthcoming? Give an old book a new lease of life.
“‘I’m so busy,’ I said. ‘As soon as I have a bit of time, I’ll be right on it.’ I lied.” When life got in the way of Cari Rosen’s new book plans, she found her already published memoir gaining a new lease of life… Like so many authors I often feel that I am […]
Burning out? Why working harder isn’t always the answer
“It’ll have you believing that the only way you can complete your creative journey is if you do it this way – no breaks, no fun, just suffering.” Author Nicola Jackson and life coach Teresa Wilson tell how to tame the Tyrant Gremlin So, you’re writing and it’s going well. You’re getting hundreds of words […]
Finding ‘The One’: the journey to landing a book deal
“Neither of the books I’d written so far had a strong enough hook. On my way home, I had another idea…” Helen Cooper had to kiss a lot of frogs before she got her book deal for thriller The Downstairs Neighbour. But, the author reveals, she learned something important from every one. I recently watched […]