My Interview!

Writer`s Centre News, Norwich

Ruth Dugdall: Publishing deals are like buses
By WCN, on November 6th, 2009
Before the approaching weekend arrives, we’re delighted to post a guest blog from author Ruth Dugdall. Ruth was a 2006 Escalator Literature winner, and we’re pleased to see that she kept the momemtum going in her quest for a publishing deal. Read on to discover her journey…
Publishing

Pinch, punch...

Yup, it`s a new month.
Ah, November. Smoke in the air, leaves underfoot. The promise of Christmas just ahead...

So, I`m kicking off this month with a tight work schedule. I`ve got 3 projects on the go - The Woman Before Me & The Sacrificial Man both have to be up-to-snuff, so I`m editing and polishing, getting them ready for publication.

I`ve also got my `homework` from my mentor Luara Wilson, who has set me the take of re-working the opening chapters of Family Snap before our next meeting.

I like to work to a timetable, so I`ve set myself a target each day, which includes a piece of work on all 3 novels. I learned when I was a probation officer how people respond better to `smart` objectives. You know, Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-limited (or something similar). I think it really works. To just think about editing a 90k novel would seem like a tall order, but break it down to a certain number of words per day and within a month you`ve achieved it.

Happy writing!

I won!

Or should that be:

ohmygodicantbelieveitsomeonepinchmecosthemostamazingthinghappenedandiwon!

I feel very honoured to be chosen as the second winner of the Luke Bitmead bursary.
Last night was simply wonderful - the atmosphere at the event was warm and friendly, and before the announcement we all chatted and got to know each other. I spoke with finalists Garlen Lo & Catherine Scott, both of whom had great sounding novels, and then got to meet Elaine & Tiffany, Luke`s mother & sister.
Luke tragically died in 2006, aged just 34, and his family established the bursary to ensure that Luke`s name & memory lives on. The bursary was set up to encourage & support the work of struggling talented writers.
Possessing the strength and optimism to turn such a sad loss into a positive venture is a very special thing, and Elaine is obviously an emotionally courageous woman.

When the winners were announced, I just burst into tears. I couldn`t help it - the whole event just felt so charged with feeling, and of course I am grateful that the judging panel liked my book. The Woman before Me will be published by Legend press in summer 2010!

Andrew Blackman, last years winner with his novel On the Holloway Road, gave a heartfelt speech about how, though he had not met Luke, he is a apart of his life because of the bursary.

I also enjoyed chatting to Legend press, Tom Chalmers & Lucy Boguslowski, and to writers Zoe Jenny & Sam Mills.
Such an inspiring group of people, such a special event.
I feel very blessed.
x

Luke Bitmead Bursary

Yey! Good news today!

I just heard I`ve been shortlisted for the Luke Bitmead bursary, organsied by his mum & sister, and Legend Press.

The winner gets a publishing deal with Legend press and £2,500.

Last year`s winner was Andrew Blackman, with his novel On the Holloway Road, and he seems to have gone from strength to strength after winning.

I entered my novel The Woman before Me, and just to be shortlisted is a real boost.

An antidote to all those days (weeks, months) when we doubt out ability/sanity and wonder if it`s really worth it...

Because of course it is!

Keep the faith. Keep writing.

Oh, ye of little faith...

I just had an e-amil from hubbie. "I`ve found a job for you!" it said.
Thing is, I think I`ve got a job. Okay, it`s not paying any bills at ye mo, but that`s just about time. And faith.
Which brings me on to my latest project. I am currently an `apprentice`, one of 5 chosed by Adventures in Fiction, and will soon be starting a mentoring programme with - wait for it! - Laura Wilson. How chuffed am I? Laura is a writer who is already on my bookshelf, and I`m thinking if anyone can tell me what I need to do to get a deal with one of the `big gun` publishers, she can.
Yesterday I met the other 4 writers, and that in itself was a buzz. Writing can be so lonely, it`s good to know others are out there, just as depressed and frustrated...
We had a session with childrens` writer Brian Keaney, who was funny and wise (as well he may be, after 26 years in the business!). His main advice was to keep at it, keep re-inventing out `writer profile`, and to roll with the punches...
And to have a little faith!

Self-Publishing Pitfalls

I never intended to self-publsih but when my first novel, The James Version, won the RPM competition (Winchester Writers` Festival) in 2002, the prize was 50 bound copies. It seemed like the obvious thing was to pay for extra copies and sell it.
From the outset I was clear that the end product had to look professional - I didn`t want a cover that had been created by a generic website, for example. I paid to have a cover designed, and for a copy-edit.
The result was a novel I was proud of, and which looked good enough to be sold by Waterstones, Ottakers (ah, we miss you...) and even - shock - WHSmith. Copies sold well (700 to date) but inevitably I have now moved on from The James Version and do not market it like I did in the first year. I had not kept tabs on what was happening.
I was therefore surprised when I went to order more copies to discover that RPM have gone bust! No answer on phone or e-mail. And they have not only 200 covers (paid for) but the disk with the novel and cover. Oops. I have older copies of the manuscript, but the final version is with them.
I am now in the process of dealing with the warehouse manager to get my disk, and maybe even those covers.
Lesson learned: always have a copy of the final product!