Lesley Cookman: A Road Well Travelled!

Today we welcome Lesley Cookman to the blog. Many of us can relate to Lesley’s ‘journey’ to becoming a full-time writer. Being in the right place at the right time or perhaps just falling into the job – whatever the reason this is how many of us became jobbing writers. Hats off to Lesley for her wonderful achievements. 

I still find it slightly startling to see myself alluded to as a “well-established writer”.  I suppose I am,

but there’s part of me that feels I should be as well known as, say, Neil Gaiman, or our own Katie Fforde before I lay claim to the sobriquet “well established.”

For those young things (or maybe not so young) who have come to the RNA more recently, I shall explain myself.  I started off almost by accident. Married to the art editor of Which Computer magazine when desktop computers were still practically in the foetal stage, let alone infancy, I had scribbled away since I was a child, like a lot of us. One day, husband brought home a great big cardboard box and said: “Open that, put it together, read the instructions and then write an article on it saying how easy it was.” 

I did it. Not without difficulty, but I did it. I can’t even remember what flavour the computer was now – could have been Apricot. (Yes, there was one.) That led me to becoming a freelance for the whole group, which included Which Computer and Business Matters. This, bear in mind, is over 35 years ago. So I carried on. I wrote for them, I edited two magazines, The Call Boy – the journal of the British Music Hall Society – and Poultry Farmer Weekly. Yes, I know. I wrote for anyone who threw me a commission. I was a writing whore. I did a lot of PR, particularly for musicians and local theatre, I branched out into writing pantomimes for the other side of my life, the theatrical side. One day, after having  been commissioned to write a book on how to write a pantomime, I was asked by a Comedy Writers’ Convention to be a key speaker – on panto. Naturally. I met Marina Oliver, who was also there and remembered my name from when I, along with thousands of others, had thought perhaps I could write a Mills and Boon. “Join the RNA again”, she said. “It’s fun.” So I did. How she squirrelled me past the NWS watchdogs I can’t now remember – I think I dug up the partial I’d sent off previously and sent it again, to comply with the rules.

Then I met another writer who had written for the same “How To” publisher I had – only she was writing about Twist In The Tail stories. She gave me a copy of her book, which also contained a list of current fiction editors. I read the book, got an idea while reading it, sent it off, and bingo.

And finally (at least, I hope it isn’t finally) I decided to go off and do a Master’s Degree. The only good thing I got out of that was that Hazel Cushion was also on the course. Together, after we finished the course, we produced a charity anthology, Sexy Shorts For Christmas. I, by now, had a lot of writer friends, whom I cajoled into giving me short stories for Breast Cancer, my husband designed the cover and I typeset. It was all a great success, and Hazel decided that’s what she wanted to do with her life.

Two years later, she asked me if I’d written any more of the dissertation I’d written for the MA. I hadn’t, but I wrote a little more, she bought it and asked if it could become a series. We both took a chance, and luckily, it paid off. I can say quite definitely that I would not have become an author if it wasn’t for Hazel and Accent. No one else would have taken a chance on a gentle(ish) amateur sleuth novel – they weren’t even called “cosy” in those days.

So, keep going. There are many roads to travel...

Links:

Website

Amazon

Twitter

Thank you, Lesley. What an exciting ‘journey!’

If you are a ‘well-established’ author and would like to be featured on the RNA blog please contact us on elaineeverest@aol.com

Chatting with Publishers: Hazel Cushion

We're delighted to welcome Hazel Cushion back to the blog. It’s been a busy eighteen months for the Managing Director of Accent Press/Octavo Publishing/Octavo’s Book Café & Wine Bar

Accent Press seems to have grown by leaps and bounds. Did you always have an ultimate goal or has the company grown its own legs and run?

To be honest I had no idea that the company would grow to this size when I first started it. It all began in my front bedroom when my triplets were seven. They turn 21 next month and my business seems to have come of age too!

It says on your website “Always go to bed with a good book – or someone who’s read one”. Sounds like great advice. Do you have time to read for leisure or is it all work work work?

I tend to listen for leisure as I adore audio books. I listen while driving or travelling and love how a good narrator can really bring a book to life. As I’m dyslexic I also find it a very relaxing way to enjoy books and it has all the pleasure of being read to as a child too.

What is a typical day like – if there is such a thing as a typical day?

There isn’t! Now we have Octavo’s Book shop and Café too my day usually starts there as it’s five minutes from my flat. Then I drive 40 miles north of Cardiff to our Accent Press publishing offices. Here I will be in meetings with marketing or production planning events, campaigns and our publishing schedule. At the end of the day I drive back to the café where we may have an event or book club happening. I have learnt so much by having a book shop and really enjoy meeting customers there – it has helped to shape our own publishing programme.

What are you looking for at present?

At the moment we are looking for series especially historical ones.

Does your company accept un-agented submissions?

Yes – although we are currently closed for general submissions as we have such a backlog.

Your new venture sounds very exciting. Our readers will be interested to hear how that’s going. What writer doesn’t like a bookshop/café/wine bar? So, news about Octavo’s please.

Octavo’s is going really well – we’ve won Book Shop of the Month already and been shortlisted for a Cardiff Life award. It’s a really vibrant, fun and quirky place and makes great use of a beautiful old listed pub. As you say, books, coffee and wine – what’s not to like!

Do you have a crystal ball? What do you feel will be then next ‘big thing’?

I wish! Our big success is Jodi Taylor who has produced the Chronicles of St Mary’s series that seems to appeal to men and women, young and old. That is a very rare and joyous thing to have that sort of reach,

If you have one piece of advice to give to anyone submitting a manuscript, what would it be?

Make sure it’s a genre we publish. If people send us poetry or children’s books they are wasting our time and theirs. Nobody likes rejection so check that the company are really looking for that genre first. Also make sure it’s a publishable length – that’s another main reason for rejection.

Nowadays it isn’t just a case of writing a book. Authors have to be media aware and it’s something that doesn’t come easily to many. Does Accent have a role in this aspect during and after publication?

Very much so. We have grown authors by building their profiles on social media platforms with paid advertising. Our authors are also connected through a closed Facebook group where we share marketing ideas and organise blog tours etc.

Is there one question you would love to be asked but that never has been?

Do you love what you do? And the answer is YES! I feel like I’ve finally grown-up and found out what I want to be when I’m older! I feel incredibly privileged because I help authors bring their books to market. Publishing is an amazing industry and a very exciting one too. I adore being part of it because it is so varied and constantly evolving.

Thank you for joining us today, Hazel. There’s a saying ‘If you want something done, ask a busy person’. It seems you fulfil the criteria admirably.

Natalie Kleinman writes contemporary and historical romantic novels and has thrown a bit of a mystery into the mix in one of her current projects. She has just completed a Regency and is now working on a new contemporary novel.  You can follow her blog at http://nataliekleinman.blogspot.co.uk/

If you would like to write for the RNA blog please contact us on elaineeverest@aol.com

Joan Hessayon Award Contender 2016: RJ Gould

Welcome to RJ Gould, one of the talented contenders for this year's Joan Hessayon Award and graduate of the RNA New Writers' Scheme. Thank you for answering our questions, Richard.

How long have you been writing? Is this your first published piece?

I've been writing for about twelve years. A Street Café Named Desire is my first mainstream published novel; I’ve self-published my fiction for some time.

How many years were you a member of the NWS and did you submit a manuscript each year?

I was a member of NWS for a year, A Street Café Named Desire was my submission.

What came first, agent or publisher?

Publisher.

If you do have an agent who is it that represents you?

At present I don’t have an agent though I am reconsidering trying to engage one.

How did you find your publisher?

I spoke with Hazel Cushion, founder of Accent Press, on the phone. As we chatted she Googled my Amazon reviews and dipped into the two novels I had on kindle and liked what she saw (though she made it clear that didn’t include the covers!). I was offered a contract when we met at the 2014 RNA Conference. She was very open and honest about her ambitions for the company and I was delighted to sign up.

Do you have a contract for one book or more?

I had an initial two book contract with options for further novels.

When was your book published?

December 2014

Tell us something about your book

David and Bridget meet at a twenty-five year school reunion. Neither of them had been part of the in-crowd at school and on the evidence of this event, their social standing hasn’t improved. Disengaged from other party-goers, David develops a teenagesque passion for Bridget. Obstacles ahead of a relationship developing include demanding soon to be ex-wife; deceased husband; tyrannical new boss; encounters with the police; and children struggling to get used to the new state of affairs. In addition to planning how to hitch up with Bridget, David sets out to fulfil his dream of opening an arts café.

What are you currently working on?

Editing has been high on the agenda over recent weeks. I’ve now completed and submitted  my third and fourth novels. Jack and Jill went Downhill follows the fortunes of a couple who meet on Freshers Big Party Night at university. They share the joke that their names match those of the nursery rhyme. Down the line, they fail to recognise that their lives mirror the plot. Nothing Man is the story of a man in his mid-fifties who is contemplating suicide. He meets a woman who is his inspiration for starting afresh and it soon becomes evident that he’s anything but a nothing man. I’ve just started writing a novel about a couple who are competing over who can have the most embarrassing mid-life crisis.

What piece of advice would you give current members of the NWS?

It's been a valuable experience for me. In my opinion, it's best to sign up at the point when you think your novel is as good as you can make it rather than submitting a first draft. This maximises the benefit of the comments you receive. I had a novel to submit the day after I signed up and I got a detailed and encouraging review only a few weeks later. Whatever anyone says about your work, do reflect carefully and consider all suggestions, but opinions are subjective and it’s up to you to decide what to adopt and what to disregard.

Links:

Amazon:

Facebook:

Website:  

Twitter: @RJGould_author

Thank you, Richard, we hope you have a fabulous evening at the RNA Summer Party and good luck with your writing career.

The RNA blog is brought to you by

Elaine Everest & Natalie Kleinman

If you would like to write for the RNA blog please contact us on elaineeverest@aol.com

Ask the Industry Expert: Hazel Cushion

Today we welcome Helena Farifax to the RNA blog. Helena is going to be bringing us a monthly blog interview with the ‘movers and shakers’ in the publishing world. Over to you, Helena!

It’s a great pleasure to welcome Hazel Cushion, Managing Director of Accent Press, 
to the RNA blogtoday. Hazel and some of the Accent Press team were at the RNA conference in London this year, taking pitches as well as running one of the sessions. I also have fond memories of their Pimms party by Regent’s Canal. We thought an interview on the RNA blog might be an opportunity for those who weren’t able to attend the conference to find out more about Hazel and about Accent Press, and we’re delighted Hazel has accepted our invitation.

Thanks so much for dropping in, Hazel. Please tell us a little about the history of Accent Press and how you came to start it.

I started Accent Press in 2003 in my front bedroom when my triplets were seven years old. I was effectively a single mum as my husband worked in the Middle East and I wanted to start a business that would work around my kids. I’d just done an MA in Creative Writing and, as part of that, we put together an anthology of our work. Once I knew how to make a book I was hooked! The timing was just right too as desktop publishing and the internet suddenly made it all possible. Needless to say it quickly moved out of the bedroom and we now have offices on a business park north of Cardiff where I employ a team of twelve amazing people.

What do enjoy most about your job? And least?

Well, the very best bit must be making authors’ dreams turn into reality – when they get to hold their books and see them climbing the charts and on book shop shelves. That is always a magical thing. I also love employing young people and seeing them grow and develop their careers. We’re based in south Wales and there aren’t a great deal of opportunities for young people – I’m very pleased that we can offer permanent jobs to people in such a vibrant and creative industry.

The worse bit is that’s it a tough market and we can’t make it happen for everyone. Trying to sell one book by one author is incredibly difficult – it takes time to build a following which is why we no longer commission standalone titles.

What is it you are looking for when a manuscript lands on your desk?

Brilliant writing, realistic authors and books with commercial potential. I find it really depressing that we have to reject so many submissions because authors haven’t read our guidelines first.

Where do you find your new authors, and how?

Very often it’s word of mouth or by attending events like the RNA conference. We do use agents sometimes but are equally happy to take on unagented authors. We do also actively seek successful self-published authors who are climbing the Kindle charts.

For anyone who missed your excellent talk at the RNA conference, what advice would you give someone submitting to Accent?

Read our guidelines first! Make sure the book is a publishable length and is either a series or that you have or plan other titles. We no longer publish single titles as they are just too hard to get noticed.

What benefits do you feel a publisher offers an author over self-publishing?

Where it works best is when we work as a team with the author supporting them and allowing them the time to develop their writing career. We provide the editorial support and guidance to enable that to happen and also free them up from the business side of selling and marketing their books. Authors are usually happiest plotting, planning and writing, and tend to find the whole pushing and publishing side uncomfortable. These days everyone hopes their authors will engage on social media too but if authors hate it then we say don’t worry about it. Our job is to promote and sell their work – I’d really rather our authors were writing than tweeting!

Romance is the biggest-selling genre in publishing, and yet the one taken least seriously by the mainstream. Why do you think this is? And how do you think romance authors can address the negative perception?

Sadly a lot of publishing folk are ridiculously pretentious and I find that very tiresome. Romance is the biggest-selling genre because it provides brilliant entertainment and enjoyments to the most discerning of readers – women. They are also the largest book buyers, especially the 18-26 age group. Cynical me might say they enjoy romance because they are still naïve and hopeful – and older women love the escape from repeated heartbreak!

What’s your favourite romance novel of all time?

Wow – that’s a hard one. Can I cheat and say what my least favourite was instead? I think some of you may agree if I say the words ‘fifty’ and ‘grey’?

Apart from your own authors, which book have you enjoyed the most recently, and why?

To be honest I tend to listen to books rather than read them, either when driving or before I sleep. One I read though was All Change, the final part of the Cazalet Chronicles by Elizabeth Jane Howard.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I’m very creative and messy – I love painting and crafts. My latest thing is felting where I take vast quantities of beautiful and quite expensive merino wool and spend hours soaping, soaking and rolling it into completely unwearable or usable objects.

If you could describe your working-day in just three words, what would they be?

Varied, rewarding, fun.

Thanks so much for your thoughtful answers, Hazel. It’s been a pleasure getting to know you.

You can find Hazel on Twitter and Accent Press Readers’ and Writers’ group on Facebook:

If you have any questions for Hazel Cushion, or any comments at all, please let us know. Hazel will be dropping in again today, and we’d love to hear from you!

Helena Fairfax writes contemporary romance novels. Her latest release is a romantic suspense

novella called Palace of Deception. You can find out more on Helena’s website www.helenafairfax.com

Thank you, Hazel and Helena!

The RNA Blog is brought to you by,

Elaine Everest & Natalie Kleinman

If you would like to write for the blog please contact us on elaineeverest@aol.com

JILL BARRY: Love on the Menu

Jill Barry talks to us about the RNA, the NWS and her onward journey

I’ve been fortunate enough to submit several scripts to the New Writers’ Scheme. Why do I say that? Because, the critiques I received helped me reach a level of writing more likely to produce that longed for submission acceptance. Back in the early ‘noughties’ when I first gained success with short stories for women’s magazines, I think I had this hazy kind of feeling that this, plus my insatiable appetite for reading anything I could lay eyes on, would help push me further up the slush pile. What a mistake to make! I don’t think I had any idea of the RNA’s existence then, although my late mother must have read countless romantic novels written by members.

There are contrasting views, of course, on whether a creative writing degree course is helpful. Someone encouraged me to enrol on one and I benefited from being able to compare my own efforts with those of other would-be authors, plus learning to hop to it in order to meet deadlines. My qualification gave me the confidence and credibility to run creative writing workshops, something I enjoy and still do, although it’s online these days.

It’s significant how, while taking that MA course at Carmarthen, I met Hazel Cushion, well known in the industry. Our paths crossed a couple more times until, at Caerleon 2011, Hazel gave a talk and I chatted with her afterwards and pitched my erotic romance, set in the late Victorian era. This resulted in a contract after which I was accepted into the RNA as a full member. I went on to have many more acceptances and, after a period of writing as Toni Sands, took advice from a couple of savvy friends and adopted a new pseudonym for future (non-erotic) romantic fiction. Jill Barry’s first effort was begun while following an online course, run by Sally Quilford, on writing for the pocket novel market.

Two other NWS submissions still sat on my pc. And it’s one of these I’d like to tell you about. Originally entitled Mrs Robinson, the novel explores the ups and downs of life after becoming suddenly single. I’d faced that situation myself but my heroine’s life style is entirely different from mine, though I did live for a while in the city of Bath where my story is set. The iconic name is an integral part of the plot but Endeavour Press have, with good reason, changed my original title to Love on the Menu. There are cakes and kittens and wine. There’s laughter and tears. And it’s a far better read than the original A4 bundle that went to my lovely reader. She knows who she is. Thank you so much.

Links

Amazon

Facebook Author Page

Twitter: @barry_jill

Thank you for visiting the blog, Jill.

The RNA blog is brought to you by 

Elaine Everest & Natalie Kleinman

If you would like to write for the RNA blog please contact us onelaineeverest@aol.com