Sheryl Browne: It's Been Quite a Year!

We are delighted to welcome Sheryl Browne to the blog today.

Thank you so much for helping me to share the latest news in my up and down writing journey. After a trying year, which saw my partner diagnosed with prostate cancer (I mention this, because I ended up having to apologise all over the place for my constant state of befuddlement. I should also mention that his prognosis is extremely good after early diagnosis - and that he is now very positive, agreeing to share his progress with Prostate Cancer UK in hopes of encouraging other men to seek help early), I finally DO have some lovely news to share.

Having written seriously for fifteen years, mystified agents, and achieved several near misses, I am also super-pleased to announce that I have recently signed with Choc Lit for my upcoming novel, currently titled The Rest of My Life. This development is all the more special because Choc Lit read the book on recommendation of someone who restored my faith in my writing. Excitingly, the news was announced first in The Bookseller! Wow! Little me rubbing shoulders with Burt Reynolds and Julian Clary (form an orderly queue, guys). I owe this person a huge debt of gratitude for picking up my book, loving it, and being prepared to say so in the right ears.

As mentioned, I have been ‘at it’ for some time. Although I’ve been a little bit shy, I have been a member of the RNA for some years. I was originally a member of the New Writers’ Scheme, which offers invaluable advice on where your manuscript might be flagging (or shining!) and generally encourages and supports new writers. My manuscript was sadly flagging, something I was aware of. However, writing definitely being a journey in my mind, I listened and learned, redrafted and rested that manuscript, and I couldn’t be happier that that book, Warrant for Love, is finally published and currently “touring”.

I therefore also owe huge thanks to the NWS, an editor recommended to me by the RNA, and to Safkhet Publishing. I have six books published with Safkhet, who not only commissioned me to write my first book for them, having read and loved my writing, but opened an imprint for three further novels. Despite my determination, I was at a point then where I wondered whether continuing to pursue my dream was sheer self-indulgent, and rather exhausting, madness. Safkhet believed in me.  Bloggers, readers and reviewers believed in me, cheering me every step of the way. I really can’t say thank you enough to those wonderful people, who give of their time and work so hard for authors.

For me, being published with Choc Lit is a dream come true. The best part of that dream is that it allows me to do what helps me through, during good times and bad – and we ALL have the latter, the one thing that keeps me sane (though some would question that!). It gives me the impetus to keep writing. Maybe I would have kept going anyway. It is my passion (can you tell?). I do know, though, that having a support network counts for an awful lot. Published or self-published, there are some extremely talented authors out there. I’m proud to know many of them and share in their publishing journeys.

COMING SOON from Choc Lit

The Rest of My Life - Two damaged hearts, a sizzling sexual connection. Can love find a way to bring Adam and Sienna together? 

Heartache, humour, love, loss & betrayal - and a little Ohhhh la la! Sheryl Browne brings you edgy, sexy, poignant fiction. A member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and shortlisted for Innovation in Romantic Fiction, Sheryl has six books published with Safkhet Publishing and has now been signed with Award winning Choc Lit Publishing.

Author Links

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Buy | Buy US 

Thank you, Sheryl, and good luck with The Rest of My Life. 

The RNA blog is brought to you by Elaine Everest & Natalie Kleinman

If you would like to contribute during 2015 please contact us on elaineeverest@aol.com

Lin Treadgold going Dutch

Lin Treadgold was born in Saltburn by the Sea, on the east coast of England. She a member of the Romantic Novelists' Association and The Society of Authors. In 2001 she moved to The Netherlands. Her romance novel, 'Goodbye, Henrietta Street' was launched on 1st July 2013.

‘Goodbye, Henrietta Street’, is a poignant romance novel based on the Isles of Scilly and Yorkshire. Pippa Lambton leaves home for the beautiful Isles of Scilly, for a chance to rediscover herself. She meets Norwegian, Sven Jorgensen. Is this the eternal nature holiday or just a passing wave on the beach?

What gave you the idea for your book and how long did it take to write?

A place to which I have always returned are The Isles of Scilly in Cornwall. Its very special to me and fulfils all those dreams of paradise and warm conversation. Life is caring and provides an appreciation of all the things we take for granted on the mainland and the wildlife is a pleasure to watch with puffins, seals, and wonderful flowers.   

I wanted to provide the rest of the world with information about this lovely part of the UK, through a romance novel and I wrote Goodbye, Henrietta Street with my heart in the writing.

I went to Scilly with a friend who had cancer and he encouraged me to write the book. ‘You never know until you try.’ he’d said.  ‘Life is too short.’ Six months later he passed away. It was his words that made me want to see it through. 

How did you find your publisher?

I made twenty or so submissions and was accepted by two publishers but I turned them down, as their contracts were not to my needs.  I eventually found Safkhet Publishing who offered me everything I required for a first novel and I accepted their offer.

When did you decide to become a writer and how did you start this new part of your life?

I have always loved writing stories but I never got around to being serious about it until I moved to Holland. I opened a journal on my daily routine in early 2001.  After reading through the proposed book, written in longhand, I started to type it out on the computer.  I searched for a creative writing tutor. Jacqui Lofthouse who gave me all the right information on how to write and what to look for. http://thewritingcoach.co.uk/ . I had previously undertaken a creative writing course with Leeds University in the late 1980’s so I was able to get out my notes and start the whole process again.

What is next in your writing life?

Try to stop me writing and it would be like having my teeth pulled.  No sooner had I launched my first novel, I wrote the second one. To quote my editor at Cornerstones Literary Consultancy,‘The Tanglewood Affair’ has all the ingredients of a gripping and absorbing novel: an array of colourful and interesting characters, an unusual setting, sinister goings-on and a central love story. It makes for a really engaging read.’ I hope very soon it will be ready for submission. I am now making the final changes to the text.

To have a consultant and bounce ideas is worth a lot to me, providing me with a very professional report. I also have Sue Moorcroft to thank for her input. It is up to the author to set up a presence with book signings and so on and build a rapport with readers. My previous life experiences showed me how to do this. 

The third novel has the first seven chapters written with a working title of Harold, The Good Soldier.  The story is very real and poignant inspired by original World War II letters from a prison camp in Italy.  So watch this space. I enjoy working on two books at the same time.  I also have a novella in progress.

Website: www.itslinhere.wordpress.com

Safkhet Publishing: Goodbye, Henrietta Street

Amazon.co.uk: Goodbye, Henrietta Street

Thank you for joining us today, Lin.

Brought to you by the blogging team of Elaine Everest and Natalie Kleinman

If you wish to be featured on the RNA blog or would like to submit a craft article please contact us on elaineeverest@aol.com