SOPHIE CLAIRE: What I Learned from the New Writers' Scheme

For any graduate of the New Writers' Scheme Sophie Claire’s blog piece will bring back memories of the days leading up to publication. For me that culminated in the recent Joan Hessayon Award evening at the RNA Summer Party so I am delighted to welcome her today to tell us of her own experiences

I’ve been a member of the RNA since 2007 and I submitted 7 novels to the New Writers’ Scheme before getting an offer of publication from Accent Press in 2014 for my novel,  Her Forget-Me-Not Ex. I think it’s fair to say I served a long apprenticeship and, although this was frustrating at the time, I look back now and realise how much I learned during those years.

Discipline: to make the most of the NWS I had to write a minimum of 1 book per year. It’s the same for many published writers. So even before I was published, I tried to adopt a professional attitude and that meant no waiting around for inspiration to strike: I was at my desk every morning to produce my daily word count.

Anything can be changed: when I first began writing I was very precious about my work and it was borne of insecurity (‘I wrote it once, but I won’t be able to write it again’). However, the revisions often turned out to be far easier than I’d imagined because by then I knew the characters so much better than in the first draft.

The importance of conflict: this came up repeatedly in my NWS reports. I learned that in romance solid, sustainable reasons are needed to keep the hero and heroine apart until the end of the story, and those reasons (conflict) can’t be superficial misunderstandings that could be cleared up with an honest conversation. They need to come from within the characters, and should develop naturally as the novel progresses, as secrets are revealed and issues are addressed.

Show more of the hero’s point of view: this was advice given to me specifically for the type of short romance I was aiming for and it might not be relevant to every novel. However, following it improved my novel, Her Forget-Me-Not Ex. It opened up the story, and helped to show the reader how the conflict between Luc and Natasha was shaped by their attitudes and prejudices, and how these changed as the story progressed.

Acknowledge your strengths: when a report tells you you’re good at something, the writer means it! Re-reading my critiques I can see that each year another element fell into place: I learned to focus on the main characters, increased dialogue and pace, added more emotion. It’s important to acknowledge how your work has improved, as well as the areas which still need work, because staying positive is so important!

Being published doesn’t mean you suddenly know everything overnight, but I do believe that, having climbed that steep learning curve, the process becomes easier. For this reason I’ll always be grateful to the experienced writers who read my manuscripts. Their advice was invaluable and I doubt I would ever have achieved my dream of getting published without it. I recommend the New Writers’ Scheme to all aspiring romance writers.

About Sophie

Sophie Claire was born in Africa to a French mother and Scottish father who settled halfway in Manchester, and Sophie still lives there now with her husband and two boys.

Sophie was shortlisted for the Elizabeth Goudge Award 2011 and the Sophie King Prize 2014. Over the years she has worked in marketing and proofreading academic papers, but writing is what she considers her 'real job', even if she has yet to convince the bank manager.

Links:

Amazon UK

Amazon USA

Website

Twitter @sclairewriter

Facebook

What a positive and encouraging piece, Sophie. Thank you for joining us today and good luck with Her Forget-Me-Not Ex

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

JEAN FULLERTON: The Romance of History

We are delighted to welcome Jean Fullerton who takes us straight into the world of Historical and Romantic Fiction with her first sentence

One of the questions I’m constantly asked at talks and events is ‘why do you write historical books?’ and I always give the same reply ‘because I haven’t got a time machine.’

I can pinpoint the moment I fell head over heels in love with history to the day as a child I watched Roger Moore as Ivanhoe gallop across our black and white TV screen on a white horse. 

My infatuation grew throughout my childhood fed on TV series like the Buccaneers, Robin Hood, The Forsyth Saga including a brief flirtation with the Wild West with Bonanza.  Dr Who, too, in its earlier days went back in time, who could forget one of his early companions Jamie McCrimmon?  I later moved on to the Onedin Line and of course, along with the rest of the female population in 1975, fell in love with Robin Ellis as he strode across the screen as the original Ross Poldark.

I just love the thought, feel and possibilities of the past. All my life I’ve fanaticised about broad-shouldered, chiselled featured men with piercing eyes dressed in doublets,  kilts, starched collars and cravats and redcoats, what woman hasn’t?

Of course I didn’t just watch historical fiction but I read it almost exclusively in books by Anya Seton, Mary Stewart,  Nigel Tranter, George Shipway, Dorothy Dunnett and Sharon Penman to name but a very few.  

The joy of writing historical fiction is also that the past isn’t just one point in time. It can be Nero’s Rome, Robert the Bruce’s Scotland, Revolutionary Boston or Lautrec’s Paris or for me, post-war East London.

It can also focus on major historical characters such as the Empress Matilda, Cecily Neville, Joan of Arc, or Marie Antoinette but it can also have more lowly protagonists such as Frances Nelson Lord Nelson’s long suffering wife or Elizabeth Fry, with her eleven children and bankrupt husband.    

Of course, you can have fictional characters, who inhabit a real time and place and who fall in and out of love but who aren’t constrained by actual events.

But that then leaves me with another question I’m often asked which is ‘Do I write Romance or History?’ and again my answer is always the same. ‘I couldn’t tell you; I just write stories?’

Fetch Nurse Connie

Connie Byrne, a nurse in London's East End working alongside Millie Sullivan from Call Nurse Millie, is planning her wedding to Charlie Ross, set to take place as soon as he returns from the war. But when she meets him off the train at London Bridge she finds that his homecoming isn't going to go according to plan.

Connie's busy professional life, and the larger-than-life patients in the district, offer a welcome distraction, but for how long?

Available from Orion Fiction on kindle, paperback and hardback on 4^th June 2015 

‘A delightful, well researched story that depicts nursing and the living conditions in the East End at the of of the war’ (Lesley Pearse)

‘…The writing shines off the page and begs for a sequel’ (Historical Novel Society)

‘…you will ride emotional highs and lows with each new birth and death. Beautifully written with some sharp dialogue.’ (THE LADY)

Great news to see yet another book in this wonderful series, Jean. Thank you for joining us today.

Links:

Amazon

Website
Twitter @JeanFullerton_

The RNA blog is brought to you by:

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

ALI CHRISP: Home Comforts

We are joined today by Ali Chrisp, Winner of the Write Time Novel Competition

First of all, I want to say how excited I am to be visiting the RNA blog and talking about how my debut novel, a romantic comedy called Home Comforts, reached the point of publication. Starting this blog, I think I may have the equivalent of stage fright, but at least no-one can see the shaky hands!

Like many authors my passion for writing started at primary school and I still have copies of ‘The Rat’ and ‘The Stray Kitten’ which I wrote at that time. After spending twenty-three years in the Civil Service, mainly as an HR manager, I decided that I needed a career change, and for the last five years I have been working part-time as a personal assistant to a lovely lady who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. As well as being extremely rewarding, it has given me the chance to write my novel and also to have some letters and articles published in women’s magazines.

After submitting Home Comforts to various agents, I was starting to feel a bit despondent (and fed up with well-meaning people constantly asking me what was happening with my book!). Some rejection letters were more encouraging than others but no-one offered to represent me. In June 2014 I spotted the Write Time novel competition run by Corazon Books in association with Mature Times. It was launched for previously unpublished writers over fifty and I was very keen to send off my first three chapters and synopsis. After receiving an email telling me that I’d been shortlisted, I polished the rest of the manuscript and submitted it for the September deadline.

In early November I was thrilled to receive a phone call from Ian Skillicorn of Corazon Books telling me I was the winner, and I couldn’t wait to start working with him. We have liaised closely throughout the editing stage and he has given me great advice about which sections needed to be re-written, and where there were continuity issues.  Ian is also supporting me through the sales and marketing process.

I must admit to feeling alarmed when he started talking about ‘Twitter’ and ‘guest blogs’; I’ve always been a fairly private person and social media was unfamiliar territory. Even worse, my teenage son and husband, who normally bail me out of any technological nightmares, didn’t know very much about social networking either. I’ve persevered, however, and with Ian’s help I now have my own website and Twitter following. I’m very grateful for his patient and good humoured support – he must be a saint!

Of course, getting my book published means that I have been able to join the RNA which has opened up a whole new world of support. There isn’t an RNA chapter in Gloucestershire but I have joined ROMNA and have been soaking up the advice and discussions on there.

Home Comforts was published on Amazon Kindle on 25 May 2015 and I celebrated with champagne and a meal at my favourite restaurant. For all those aspiring authors out there, don’t forget to look out for novel writing competitions.  It certainly worked for me!

About Ali Chrisp

Ali Chrisp’s career has included teaching aerobics, working in an estate agent, then spending twenty-three years using her writing skills in the civil service. For the last five years she has been a personal assistant to a lady with Alzheimer’s. Ali lives in the Cotswolds with her husband and teenage son. She loves animals and owns Lola the bonkers Labradoodle and Winnie the tabby cat.

Ali was the winner of the Write Time novel award run by Corazon Books in association with the Mature Times newspaper, for a previously unpublished author over fifty. Home Comforts is her first novel.

Links:

Amazon

Website

Twitter

Congratulations, Ali. It’s been lovely reading about your success

The RNA blog is brought to you by:

Elaine Everest & Natalie Kleinman

If you would like to write something 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 

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

ANNE STENHOUSE: Heart's Desire

Today we welcome Anne Stenhouse

I’m really pleased to be offered the chance to post on our RNA blog, but I won’t pretend it’s easy because I’m very conscious of all the distinguished folk who’ve gone before and the thousands of words of wisdom they’ve written.

When I was puzzling what I could bring to this, I had in mind the difficulties I experienced when writing Daisy’s Dilemma, my new book from MuseItUp, as an unplanned follow-on. That was fairly miserable, but I can’t think anyone wants to read about incompetence. You’re here to find out what works.

What works for me is drama as I used to write plays. I like to hear the words. I like to craft a scene. I once went on courses…Screenwriting courses are keen to impress that in a good story the central character may be pursuing something they want desperately, but the resolution will be them arriving at something they need desperately. And so it often is in life.

I remember desperately wanting my mum to buy a packet of Cornish wafers when we were shopping one Sunday morning. She rightly sussed that what I wanted was the elaborate concoction pictured on the side, but pride made me deny it. Then I had to eat my way through a packet of Cornish wafers which did not have slices of cheese and olives neatly piled thereon. Of course what I really needed was something different. I was curious about the foods that were increasingly arriving in the newly established supermarkets. My poor mother must have been so caught between the different demands of the generations as my dad had very conservative taste.

Daisy’s Dilemma, e-pub 16^th June, is my third book from MuseItUp and has the want/need conundrum at its centre. Mr John Brent is Lady Daisy’s heart’s desire. She has plotted, manoeuvred and fought for the right to marry this man. She wants him so much, she can’t think sensibly. She wants him so much she’s made everyone else’s life miserable and they are very happy to oblige her. Is betrothal to Mr Brent as good as she imagined? Will the heroine have to lie in the bed she’s made?

Real life in earlier times meant that young people thought long and hard before defying their ‘friends’ when it came to choosing a partner. Hence the wonderful romantic and dramatic possibilities for the novelist of a desperate ride to the Scottish border when that became the only way to secure one’s heart’s desire. Of course, the repercussions inflicted by irate parents when such a ride was successful or the emotional mayhem when the scales fall from the heroine’s eyes are both rich sources for the author. Pity this poor author, then, when Lady Daisy’s dramatic needs are frustrated by success. What next? What is truly her heart’s desire and was this author be able to understand what her needs were so she in turn might, too?                                                                        

About Anne

Multi-published historical romance author, Anne Stenhouse, lives and writes in Edinburgh, Scotland. She shares her house with her husband and dancing partner of over thirty years and enjoys having children and a grandson in fairly close proximity. When not plotting Regency style mayhem, Anne enjoys Scottish country dancing, theatre and the company of good friends. She plays badminton poorly and reads a lot of books. Anne has recently joined the RNA committee and expects to read even more books as a result.

Thank you for joining us, Anne, and good luck with Daisy’s Dilemma

Links:

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Facebook:

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The RNA blog is brought to you by 

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

JOHN JACKSON: Waterloo - My Family

We are delighted to welcome John Jackson back to the blog today with another gem from his past.

Yet Another Ancestor – we all have them. This year it’s the two hundredth anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo and my great-great-grandfather was there.

Henry Dumaresq was then a twenty three year old Major in Wellington's Army. He joined the Army as an Ensign in Portugal in 1807 and served without a break, rising through the ranks and finishing up as Major and ADC to General Byng of the 2nd. Brigade of Guards. He fought at all the major battles in the Peninsula and in France.

Henry had no fortune behind him. His father had served in the Army for twenty years in Canada. He returned to England, married and settled down, running the militia in Worcester for some years before dying of liver cancer.

Because of his service in the Army, the War Office offered to educate Henry and his brothers and they all went into the Army as “Ensigns, without purchase”. Henry went into the 9th. Foot, now the Norfolk Regiment.

Henry was also at the Duchess of Richmond's Ball, on the eve of the battle. The news of Napoleon's advance over the border reached Wellington at the ball late at night. He borrowed a map from his host, and decided then and there that he would stop him at Waterloo.

The officers famously all left the ball and returned to their duties. Henry would have been inordinately busy as ADC to a brigade commander.

He was involved with the defence of Hougoumont, a large farmhouse which spent a long time being assaulted by the pick of Napoleon's troops. He took a musket ball through the lungs, but stayed on his horse long enough to deliver a despatch to Wellington. The musket ball was never removed and led to his premature death twenty three years later

Castle of Hougoumont

Dumaresq is a Jersey name, and Henry was the only Jerseyman recorded as being at the Battle.

Georgette Heyer wrote of both the ball and battle in her impeccable historical romances, An Infamous Army, and The Spanish Bride. (two of my personal favourites of any books)

After the battle, Henry made a remarkable recovery, all be it with the ball still in him. One of his sisters, Elizabeth, married General Ralph Darling who went out to Mauritius, and thence to New South Wales, as Governor. He took Henry with him as his Military secretary. Darling's name is perpetuated in New South Wales, with Darling Harbour in Sydney and the Murray-Darling River complex. The Dumaresq River separates Queensland from New South Wales.

Henry Dumaresq

In June 1827 Henry returned to England and married Sophia, daughter of Augustus, Earl of Lanesborough. They went back to Australia and bought land in the Hunter Valley and ran sheep. (Now, if only they had made wine!) This was never a success, and Henry's physical condition worsened. He eventually died and is buried at Muswellbrook. The local town, Armidale, is now called Armidale Dumaresq after him.

They had three sons and four daughters. There are still Dumaresqs in Australia, mostly in Victoria and Tasmania. I've met some of them over the years. One of them, Martin, still farms on the family farm in Tasmania, on one of the oldest farms there. They still have the convicts’ quarters on the farm, now unoccupied.

The Duchess of Richmond's Ball was revived some years ago and is held in Brussels under the auspices of the British Embassy. It is VERY posh and raises substantial funds for charity. This year's Ball is completely sold out, and the waiting list closed.

Thank you, John. A fascinating look into the history of your family.

The RNA blog is brought to you by:

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

FOCUS ON: ROMNA - Cyber Chapter of the RNA

In our series of Chapter posts we are joined today by Kate Johnson, helping us to dispel the myths and conquer the fear of online groups. Kate, together with Catherine Jones, is the is co-administrator of ROMNA, the online chapter of the Romantic Novelists' Association.

Kate Jackson

How long has ROMNA been running?

Since 2000, which is well before I joined the RNA. I believe before the Yahoo group it was a ListServ, back before forums had really got off the ground.

Who decided there was a need for a cyber chapter?

It was set up by Anna Jacobs and Shirley Wells; by common consensus I think since even in those heady early days of the Internet everyone could see its value.

What can new members expect from the online forum?

It's a pretty lively forum for debate. We encourage members to ask anything about writing, the industry, and the RNA, and to respond likewise. Our members range from authors who have been publishing longer than I've been alive, to new writers still working on their first manuscripts, and quite literally everything in between, so it's quite a varied forum. It can seem intimidating to begin with but if you ease yourself in gently and read a few comment threads you'll soon get the hang of it. Don't be shy!

What's lovely is you can get anything from a research query to industry advice, and far beyond. For instance, I remain very grateful to the respondents who helped me pick out a reading for my grandmother's funeral. People are very friendly and there is a lot of support for all levels of the industry.

How many members do you have and are many of them active?

We have over 400 members. It's hard to say how many are active: by my estimation about a quarter are fairly regular, with a small core even more eager than that; probably about two thirds post every now and then. Some are more readers than respondents, but every now and then we hear from someone in 'deep lurk' who has something to say. Of course, just because not everyone posts doesn't mean they're not listening, and you can get a lot from the forum just by reading along.

Can NWS members join?

Yes, absolutely. I think ROMNA is incredibly valuable to NWS members. I learned a huge amount from it when I was a new member.

ROMNA is run through Yahoo. Are there any plans to change this as we now have private Facebook groups that are so much more user friendly?

Not so far. For one thing, not all our members are on Facebook and migrating over could be more trouble than it's worth. We'll keep an eye on this though as things do change.

Do you have set days/dates for topics?  

No, anybody can post any topic on any day. The exception is promotional posts, which we only allow on Sundays.

ROMNA by its very nature is different from other RNA Chapters. What in your opinion makes it so special?

I think it's the absolute inclusivity. Not just in terms of experience, but in geographical diversity it's really wonderful. Not everyone can reach a local chapter, or have the time and means to do so, but interaction with other authors is absolutely invaluable. Plus, it's a continuous, rolling loop, so questions get answered quite quickly and conversations evolve all the time.

Do the administrators ever get together like the Chapters or do you meet in cyber space?

Mostly cyber space! We email and of course we usually see each other at RNA events.

Is ROMNA open to non-members of the RNA?

No, just current members. We politely request ex members to leave, and it's not open to people who have never been members. This keeps things confidential to the membership.

Catherine Jones

Are there any popular topics on ROMNA?

We return perennially to subjects like preparing submissions, the need for an agent, and advice on self-publishing. Of course since the industry changes all the time, so does the advice, and so does the membership so these things pop up quite frequently. Quite often someone will have a research query, usually historical or geographical. We do of course encourage people to look things up for themselves, but sometimes the easiest route is to ask "What do 13 year old girls read these days?" for instance, or "How much of this dialect should I use?" Usually someone will know, or know someone who does!

Who is the contact for new members?

Myself (K8JohnsonAuthor@yahoo.co.uk) or Catherine Jones (kate@KateLace.co.uk)

Many thanks, Kate, for a very helpful and informative post

   

The Blogging Team

Would you like your RNA Chapter to be featured in this series? Please contact us on natalie@nataliekleinman.co.uk 

TEACH ME TO WRITE: The National Writing School of Wales

 In the first of a new series Lynne Pardoe takes a look at The National Writing School of Wales and what is available for RNA members.

There can’t be many better ways of honing skills in our craft than joining a retreat designed with just that purpose in mind, led by talented and creative experienced authors.

One such event is to be held in July in north Wales, in a beautiful ancient house called Tŷ Newydd, in a village called Llanystumdwy, near Cricieth on the southern side of the Llŷn Peninsula.

Originally the vision of National Poet of Wales Gillian Clarke, the house is now a centre dedicated to literature and writing of all sorts. It’s funded by Literature Wales, the national company that promotes literature in Wales, through the Wales Arts Council and the Welsh Government. The building is an inspiration in itself. Dating from the 16^thc with the part most in use by the course as Georgian, its list of occupants, each with their own story is irresistible to an author.

Tŷ Newydd’s most famous occupant is Prime Minister David Lloyd George. Lloyd George bought Tŷ Newydd in 1942 and lived there until his death in 1945. Lloyd George died in the room that is now used as the library, and it is said he asked for his bed to be moved by the window so that he could look out over Cardigan Bay.

A wide variety of creative writing related activities take place there, from residential writing courses and retreats to meetings of young people’s writing squads and international translators groups. There are world-renowned mentors (Carol Ann Duffy amongst them), information and advice about writing, and unusual courses such as writing and yoga and writing for theatre and performance and just about any sort of writing you can imagine. There are bursaries too.

Of particular interest to us is the course ‘Writing Women’s Popular Fiction,’ 20^th-25^th July run by Julie Cohen, Rowan Coleman and Katie Fforde, the latter is guest speaker for one day.

I asked each author for their thoughts on the course and this is what they said.

Julie Cohen

‘Rowan and I have taught writing courses together before and we love working with both new and experienced authors to really get to the heart of their novels. There will be a mixture of practical exercises, inspiring talks and detailed input on the participants’ writing. Between the three of us, we have a wealth of writing and publishing experience which we’ll share with the writers on the course. And of course it’s a chance to meet mega-author Katie Fforde and pick her considerable brains. Mostly, it will be good fun.’

Rowan Coleman

‘What we want most is for everyone who comes to the course to feel inspired and empowered. So much about making it as a writer is about having the tools and willpower to see it through. Julie and I are experts at arming the writers we work with with both. Also we are very good at laughing and having fun and wearing hats.’

Julie and Rowan

Kate Fforde 

Katie says; ‘I love teaching writing, or rather talking to other writers about writing and hoping that I might say something that will cause a leaner to nod and think, ah, I get that now.  I do think writers are born not made but even if you know you’re a writer you can save a lot of time by going on courses, learning things it might otherwise take you a while to pick up. It’s also good to read your work aloud to others.  It may be hard, but you learn such a lot.’

It sounds like a brilliant way to spend a week, especially since the centre has offered us a special discount of 10% off groups of four people attending.

For more details and information go to www.literaturewales.org/courses/ or get in touch with Tŷ Newydd: tynewydd@literaturewales.org / 01766 522 811

Thank you, Lynne for a most informative article and thank you to Tŷ Newydd for the generous offer to our members.

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

Gwyneth Williams: Joan Hessayon Award Contender 2015

Today we welcome Gwyneth Williams to the blog. Gwynneth is another of the Contenders for the Joan Hessayon Award2015

Congratulations on graduating the RNA New Writers’ Scheme. Can you tell us when you first decided that you wished to become a romantic novelist?

I don't think I ever made a conscious decision to write romance, although looking back my first attempt at an adult novel was very definitely in that genre. After having my daughter I wrote picture books and then a children's fantasy adventure novel, but I had no success finding an agent or publisher with these early attempts and decided to write another adult novel with a romantic theme. It was during this time I was encouraged to join the NWS by members of my writing group, who already belonged to the RNA.

How many years were you a member of the NWS scheme and did you submit a different book each year? Which year’s book did you graduate with?

I was a member of the NWS for four years and in the first and second year I sent in a partial and then a full typescript of Echoes in the Sand, the novel I graduated with. In my third year I was looking for an agent and sent in the very beginning of a new novel which I have to admit I abandoned, and in my final year I was so busy editing for my agent I didn't have time to send in my next book.

How did you find your publisher?

I found my agent first through the RNA Winter Party! Kate Burke from Diane Banks Associates took me on in July 2013 and after working on the novel together for nine months, she sold foreign rights to a Serbian publisher and digital rights to Endeavour Press in September 2014.

Promotion is a big part of an author’s working life. How did you promote your novel?

Echoes in the Sand was published three months after its acceptance, so I didn't have very long to promote it. I already had a Twitter account and I created a Facebook Author page and joined a very active Facebook group for readers and authors. I also joined two author promotion websites, one in the UK and one in the States. And Endeavour Press put the novel on an Amazon free promotion for a week in February.

What has happened to you as an author since that first sale?

I have been very busy promoting Echoes in the Sand whilst continuing to write my second book and working full time at my day job, and because of this I am considering reducing my hours. I have been trying to raise my profile on social media and networking by meeting up with other authors at my agency's regular gatherings in London. I am also considering setting up a blog or website when I can find the time!

 

How did you celebrate your first book sale?

Initially I celebrated it at work during a coffee break with my colleagues, which was nice as they have all been very supportive of me in my writing endeavours. And then I went out for a lovely meal with my husband and daughter when she came home from university for the Christmas holidays.

About Gwyneth:

Gwyneth works fulltime as a Scientific Officer in the University of Leicester’s medical school, and writes in her lunch breaks and any other time she can find. She had her first poem published at the age of eleven and has such a passion for all things Greek that she was inspired to learn the language and is quite proud of the grade B GCSE in Modern Greek she attained several years ago. One day she dreams of owning a villa on a Greek island and writing all day by the pool. In the meantime she lives in Leicester with her husband and daughter when she’s home from university, and two stray cats who moved in one day and refused to leave.

Links:

Amazon

Facebook

Thank you, Gwyneth, and good luck with your writing career.

Jules Wake: Joan Hessayon Award Contender 2015

Today we welcome Jules Wake to the blog. Jules is another of the talented contenders for this year’s Joan Hessayon Award.

Congratulations on graduating the RNA New Writers’ Scheme. Can you tell us when you first decided that you wished to become a romantic novelist? 

I remember quite clearly the moment, age of 12, when I decided I would write a book one day. Of course one day didn’t materialise until I was in my thirties and I was given six months gardening leave.   It never occurred to me write anything but romance. Looking back now, what I wrote then was laughable … despite being an avid reader, I didn’t have a clue!  Luckily Melanie Hilton came to talk to the writers’ group I’d set up and told us about the NWS – that was the real turning point for my writing.

How many years were you a member of the NWS scheme and did you submit a different book each year? Which year’s book did you graduate with?

I was a member for six years, submitting five different books in that time.  Ironically the very first book I submitted, which got a second read, was the one that got published first.  Despite writing another four books, I never gave up on that one.  I rewrote it five years later to target a specific publisher, and having learnt so much more about writing, I was able to improve it further. 

How did you find your publisher?

Through being a member of the RNA and networking at the parties and going to the conference, I heard about Choc-Lit.  Having met a few of their authors on and off-line, I read their books and really liked the production values of the paperbacks they were producing at the time. 

Promotion is a big part of an author’s working life. How did you promote your novel?

I’d already built a bit of a profile on Twitter, so I used that but tried not to do the ‘buy my book’ thing.  I’m a big believer in a picture is worth a 1,000 words, so created a couple of Infograms and used those on social media.  I also did several blog interviews, again trying to approach each one with a different creative hook to make them stand out. 

What has happened to you as an author since that first sale?

I signed my publishing contract after I’d signed up for the NWS, so could still submit a manuscript.  This received the best review ever with my reader urging me to find an agent. To my great delight, Broo Doherty at the David Hedley Literary Agency took me on and she sold my book From Italy With Love to HarperImpulse. Having someone who is enthusiastic and supportive about your work has been such a revelation.

How did you celebrate your first book sale?

I phoned Donna Ashcroft, fellow NWS buddy, She has been with me every step of the publishing journey and her support has been unconditional. With every rejection, she has encouraged me to go on.  I think we probably shared a bottle of bubbly… but then we do that frequently!

About Jules:

Since the age of four when my Dad first taught me to read, I’ve been an avid reader and my idea of hell is being stuck somewhere without a book.  I studied English Literature at the University of East Anglia, sadly a time before creative writing was offered to undergraduates.  By day I’m a School Business Manager, champion shirker of housework, world class jelly-herder, mother to two amateur thespians, one of whom is also an aspiring rock star, and married to Nick, who keeps the family supplied with hair products and wine.   I earned my writing stripes in public relations writing incredible fiction about the merits of lipstick and organic bacon.

Links:

Amazon

Blog

                                                              

Thank you, Jules, and good luck with your writing career.