Anne Harvey: My Path to Publication

It has been a delight to welcome Anne to the RNA blog and read about her path to publication. 

My path to publication has been a long and winding one. The thought of being a writer never

crossed my mind until the early 1960s when I started work as a typist for a popular newspaper in the area where I then lived. I loved working there and got a real buzz when the printing presses started up. Naively, I decided I wanted to be a journalist. Sadly, it didn’t happen because I didn’t have the

necessary qualifications. Still, I was able to write snippets for a feature called Town Topics and I still treasure those cuttings. The features editor said my writing had 'a warmth and cadence some journalists lacked.'

Occasionally, over the years, I managed to get the odd article published in national magazines or articles about my family history research, though they were limited to family history society magazines. It wasn’t until I took early retirement that I started writing seriously, first with an article in a newly published national genealogy magazine back in 2003. I went on to write many articles for them, all commissioned, so at last I could call myself a writer. About that time, I started writing what was to be my debut novel, A Suitable Young Man. I know now that first draft was dire!

In 2010, I joined the RNA through the NWS and I went to my first meeting where a whole new world opened up to me, being able to talk to and learn from other writers. I learned even more as A Suitable Young Man went through the Scheme, rewriting and editing according to various Scheme readers’ suggestions. I tried sending the MS out to various agents/publishers but with no success. I decided, in the end, to self-publish. I wasn’t getting any younger and I didn’t feel I had time to wait around for an agent to accept my book then tout it round various publishers.

With the MS having gone through the Scheme, I knew that it was of a reasonably high standard so in December 2014, I published A Suitable Young Man with Kindle Direct Publishing and, a little later, as a paperback version with Createspace.  A family history contact who sends out a genealogy newsletter to some 90,000+ followers, gave it a wonderful review and sales, not just in this country but in the USA, Canada and Australia, soared. In March 2016, I released the follow-up novel Bittersweet Flight and, although sales have been steady, it hasn’t reached the heights of its predecessor. Both books have been a Do-It-Yourself projects on a limited budget, the major expense being the covers designed by the talented Berni Stevens, to my brief.

I’m proud of what I’ve achieved, even if I haven’t reached best-seller heights. I’ve decided I prefer the independent route to publication. It gives me overall control and I’m not under pressure to produce one to two books a year. And best of all, it’s enabled me to join the RNA as an independent member!

Short blurb for the books

A Suitable Young Man and Bittersweet Flight are nostalgic tales of family, friendship, love, loyalty and loss set in a small Lancashire mill town in the 1950s, centering round the Roberts family. Book three is my WIP where I bring together all the characters from both books to reach a satisfactory conclusion. The working title is In The Thick Of It.

Author bio

Anne started her working life as a weaver in a Lancashire cotton mill before taking shorthand and typing lessons. Although she never really fancied office work and was rubbish at shorthand, she ended up spending most of her career in secretarial work. After living in various parts of the country for one reason or another, she has finally settled in Derbyshire with her third (yes, you read that right!) husband and loves it. Latterly, health problems have prevented her getting to any RNA events but hopes that situation will improve eventually.

Links:

Blog: Passionate about the Past

Twitter: @annelharvey.1

Facebook  

Amazon

Thank you, Anne and good luck with your next project.

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

Joan Hessayon Contenders 2017: Victoria Cornwall

Today we welcome another of our contenders for the Joan Hessayon award.

Welcome to the RNS blog, Victoria, and many congratulations on being one of the contenders for this year’s award. How long have you been writing - Is this your first published piece?

The Thief’s Daughter is my first traditionally published novel. I had a poem published in 2003, but I

didn’t start writing seriously until 2010, despite wanting to be a published author since the age of eleven. I completed my first manuscript in 2012 and submitted it to agents. I had one request for the full manuscript and thought I had “made it”. I now cringe at how naive I was.

I wrote a second manuscript, which was shortlisted for the New Talent Award at the Festival of Romantic Fiction in 2014. At the event, I found myself sitting in a room full of published authors, agents and publishers. It was a very different world to what I was used to and I realised I needed support and friends who understood the book industry. At the event I learnt about the Romantic Novelists’ Association and their New Writers’ Scheme. The NWS offered everything I needed, so I signed up and, luckily, was accepted.

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

I joined the NWS in 2015 and submitted my third manuscript, The Thief’s Daughter, in the same year. The feedback was positive and advised me to submit the manuscript to agents and publishers. The reader’s feedback gave me the encouragement I needed. I started out very naïve and feeling quite alone in my quest to become an author, but since joining the RNA I have learnt so much and made many new friends.

What came first, agent or publisher?

I submitted The Thief’s Daughter to several agents and one publisher. I received three requests for a full manuscript, but it was Choc Lit who offered me a contract first and I was thrilled to accept.

How did you find your publisher?

I first heard about Choc Lit when I submitted my previous manuscript to the New Talent Award competition. The final judge was the Managing Director of Choc Lit, Lyn Vernham. I researched the publisher and knew that they liked to publish books with both the male and female point of view, which was exactly the type of novel I enjoy reading and like to write.

Do you have a contract for one book or more?

I am delighted to say that I signed a further three book deal with Choc Lit earlier this year, making The Thief’s Daughter the first in a series of four Cornish based novels.

When was your book published?

The Thief’s Daughter was published at the beginning of January. I still can’t quite believe I am a traditionally published author now. It has been a dream of mine for so long. I am looking forward to writing “Author” in the occupation section of the next census so later generations will learn that I, a farmer’s daughter, became the first novelist in the family.

Please tell us something about your book.

The Thief’s Daughter is set in debt ridden, 18^th century Cornwall, when the gibbet casts a shadow of fear over the land, yet when night falls, free traders swarm onto the beaches and smuggling prospers.

It tells the story of one woman’s struggle to free her brother from debtors’ prison and her growing love for a man her brother despises. Her divided allegiances challenge her moral integrity, her loyalty and, ultimately, her trust in both as the worlds of justice and crime collide, leading to danger and heartache for all concerned.

What are you currently working on?

I am currently researching for my next novel. It is in its early stages, so I don’t want to go into too much detail as I may change it, but I am hoping to feature Cornwall’s white gold …

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

Although it is important to edit on the computer, the best advice I can give is to always edit a printed version too. You will be amazed at how many errors you will pick up.

Links:

Facebook

Website

Twitter: @VickieCornwall

Thank you, Victoria. Congratulations again on graduating the New Writers’ Scheme and I hope you enjoy the Summer Party.

Joan Hessayon Contenders 2017: Kate Field

Today we welcome another of our talented contenders for the Joan Hessayon award.

Welcome to the RNS blog, Kate, and many congratulations on being one of the contenders for this year’s award.

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

The Magic of Ramblings is the sixth novel I've written, but the first one to be published. I wrote my

first novel nearly twenty-five years ago: it was a Regency romance, inspired by my love of Georgette Heyer books. I’ve served a long apprenticeship to reach publication!

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

I was a member of the NWS for six years in total, spread over the last three decades! I submitted a completed manuscript each year, starting with Regency romances, until a reader advised me to try contemporary romance instead. I'm hugely grateful to that reader for steering me the right way. I joined the NWS for the third time in 2014, after taking another reader’s advice to learn as much as I could about writing and make contact with other writers, and it was third time lucky!

What came first, agent or publisher?

I don't have an agent. My publisher, Accent Press, accepts submissions from unrepresented authors.

How did you find your publisher?

I was a runner up in a competition for unpublished writers held by Accent and Woman Magazine in 2014, so that gave me hope that my writing might be a good fit with Accent. I then met an editor from Accent for a one to one at the RNA conference in London in 2015. I sent in the first chapter of The Magic of Ramblings, which was a gamble as it was my NWS submission that year and I hadn't received my report at the time, so I had no idea if it was any good. Fortunately the editor loved it and asked to see the whole manuscript, and I was subsequently offered a contract.

Do you have a contract for one book or more?

I have a two-book contract. My second book, The Truth about You, Me and Us, comes out in August and went through the NWS in 2014.

When was your book published?

The Magic of Ramblings was published on 8 September 2016.

Please tell us something about your book

Cassie accepts a job as companion to an old lady in a remote Lancashire village, hoping for a quiet life where she can forget herself, her past and most especially men. The last thing she wants is to be drawn into saving a community that seems determined to take her to its heart – and to resuscitate hers…
Frances lives a reclusive life at Ramblings and now Barney is hiding away there, after his career ended in scandal. He doesn’t trust the mysterious woman who comes to live with his aunt, especially when she starts to steal Frances’ affection – and maybe his own too…

What are you currently working on?

I’ve written two more books since The Magic of Ramblings – I still try to stick to the NWS deadline even though I've graduated! They are both contemporary romance/ women’s fiction, and I’m now editing them so they are ready for submission.

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

I know what it’s like when you're desperate to be published, but be patient. The first book you write might not be the best one to publish – mine certainly wasn't! Take feedback, write more books, and develop your style. You only have one debut, so make sure it's the best book it can be and shows who you are as a writer.

Links:

Facebook

Twitter:  @katehaswords

Thank you, Kate. Congratulations again on graduating the New Writers’ Scheme and I hope you enjoy the Summer Party.

Joan Hessayon Contenders 2017: Terri Fleming

Today we welcome another of our contenders for the Joan Hessayon award.

Welcome to the RNA blog, Terri, and many congratulations on being one of the contenders for this year’s award.

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

I have been writing since I could first string a few wobbly words together in pencil. The delight in

creating something new remains exactly the same to this day. In the intervening years I have taken a few career paths, written articles, short stories and a film script. Working as a professional copywriter in my 20’s, I began to think I wouldn’t fulfil my dream of writing a novel because of the strong editing discipline one develops. Happily that was wrong and I am now talking to you about my debut novel, Perception

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

My writing friends insisted I join the NWS and how right they were. Perception went through in my first year and there was extra reassurance in knowing that a detached professional had read the ms. My second novel was too early in the draft process to submit in my second year, but by then I had an agent and Perception was in submission.

What came first, agent or publisher?

Securing an agent happened over a whirlwind six days. I had just sent off my first few submissions and had a couple of rejections. I attended a Writers Workshop day – a Christmas gift from my husband, who now considers his brownie points to be zillions. I met the fantastic book doctor, Andrew Wille, and his reaction had me walking on air. He recommended three agents and by the following Friday I agreed to sign with Jo Unwin of JULA. When I look at her client list I feel humbled.

How did you find your publisher?

Jo submitted and things took a while to happen before we signed a one-book deal with Orion. As a debut, it’s great to be in the safe hands of a big publisher.

When is your book published?

Perception will be published on 13^th July, 2017 to coincide with the 200^th anniversary of Jane Austen’s death.

Tell us something about your book

Perception takes place a few years after Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice and tells the story of Mary and Kitty Bennet, who remained at Longbourn after their sisters married. Mrs Bennet, still dreaming of marrying off all her daughters, spies her chance when a wealthy batchelor returns to Meryton. Mary has neither attraction nor inclination, but circumstance often places her in his company. Kitty has matured but is tempted to follow old habits. A desire to escape matters of the heart lead both girls to the sanctuary of their older sisters. Can Mary and Kitty overcome low prospects and false perceptions?

What are you currently working on?

I’m editing a linked novel using some of the new characters I created for Perception. They all make me smile in the same way the Bennets did. Next, I may go contemporary.

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

Remember reactions are subjective from any reader. Read your report again after a couple of days and make notes. Ask yourself some tough questions, fix issues as you see them, but trust your instincts. Never, ever give up!

Link:

Twitter: @TerriFlemingpen

Thank you, Terri. Congratulations again on graduating the New Writers’ Scheme and being one of our 2017 contenders.