It's the end of an era with the announcement that ignotus press is no more. Gone but not forgotten, the name now operates in a new incarnation in the US in the realms of computer technology. Which is a trifle ironic since I'm a known techno-idiot.
On the plus side, Life-Writes (see cover) was launched his week and I'm delighted with the result. Will be taking a short break from writing during the summer months but the brain will still be beavering away. If you have any ideas for a how-to creative writing book, go to facebook.com/JHPCompassBooks for more information about what I'm looking for.
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
Suzanne Ruthven Interview
Interview with What the Dickens? magazine
for Issue #3 (1st April 2012)
Have you got previous? What is your writing background?
I started my professional writing career in 1987 by founding the small press writers’ magazine, Quartos, which ran for nine years until its merger with Acclaim to create The New Writer, of which I remain editor along with publisher Merric Davidson. In addition to acting as a judge for several national writing competitions, I have tutored at writers’ workshops including The Annual Writers’ Conference (Winchester College), Writers’ Holiday (University of Wales), Horncastle College (Lincolnshire) and the Cheltenham Literature Festival. I am also the author over 30 books on spiritual, country and self-help matters (including two novels), and contributed articles to a variety of publications as diverse as The Lady, The Countryman, Prediction and the Funeral Director’s Journal.
How did you come to write the book Life-Writes?
When I wrote my first writing guide I was editing a magazine, and with one published book to my name, the aim being to produce a practical nuts and bolts guide to starting a writing career, with plenty of additional advice from other tutors, editors, authors and freelance writers. The second guide was written to support the increasing number of writers’ workshops I was tutoring; as the first book had passed its sell-by date and was out of print, another completely different book was required. Life-Writes, is my third writers’ guide, and has been written to coincide with my appointment as commissioning editor for Compass Books, so that as an author I always have something new on offer and not stuck in the time-warp of constantly regurgitating previously published material.
How long did it take you to write and did you have to research a lot?
It probably took about six months but most of the material was in my head and back issues of The New Writer. Having said that, another book currently in its final proofing stage has taken 10 years to finish and a considerable amount of research time.
The road to publication? Rough or smooth?
I’m extremely fortunate that it’s been relatively smooth but, like David Bowie, I’m constantly re-inventing myself! Writers can’t afford to stagnate and we must always be on the lookout for new ideas.
What inspires you?
My environment. I’m at my most prolific when in close proximity to woods, the sea, or mountains. At present I am living in Ireland with a magnificent view of the Galtee Mountains. When I live in an urban environment I really have to work hard at getting the old creative energies to flow.
Which books have influenced you the most and why?
Writers rather than actual books have influenced my style of writing in terms of delivery and the clever use of language – Noel Coward, Simon Raven, Colette, Francoise Sagan, to name but a few.
Where and when do you write?
I write better in the mornings and have a book-lined study/office that overlooks the mountains. I prefer to work for several hours at a stretch rather than ‘an hour a day’, and if the brain starts to slow down, I take our seven greyhounds out for a walk to recharge the batteries.
What are your plans now and what’s coming up next?
There are two more books in the pipeline: Fact Finding Mission and How To Write for the How-To Market. After that there’s the first draft of a novel to work on, plus several other ideas that are still in note-form.
What words of wisdom can you leave us with?
All editors are looking for an element of action, drama or surprise, even in non-fiction. It’s what catches their attention and makes them pause to read further; and the key to any editor’s heart is originality. Not necessarily a new departure in style or genre, but a refreshing and original slant on a popular theme. The writers whose work has been accepted for publication, managed to spark the editor’s interest because those particular typescripts stood out from the rest on a dull, wet Monday morning due to the originality of the writing.
See www.facebook.com/JHPCompassBooks
for Issue #3 (1st April 2012)
Have you got previous? What is your writing background?
I started my professional writing career in 1987 by founding the small press writers’ magazine, Quartos, which ran for nine years until its merger with Acclaim to create The New Writer, of which I remain editor along with publisher Merric Davidson. In addition to acting as a judge for several national writing competitions, I have tutored at writers’ workshops including The Annual Writers’ Conference (Winchester College), Writers’ Holiday (University of Wales), Horncastle College (Lincolnshire) and the Cheltenham Literature Festival. I am also the author over 30 books on spiritual, country and self-help matters (including two novels), and contributed articles to a variety of publications as diverse as The Lady, The Countryman, Prediction and the Funeral Director’s Journal.
How did you come to write the book Life-Writes?
When I wrote my first writing guide I was editing a magazine, and with one published book to my name, the aim being to produce a practical nuts and bolts guide to starting a writing career, with plenty of additional advice from other tutors, editors, authors and freelance writers. The second guide was written to support the increasing number of writers’ workshops I was tutoring; as the first book had passed its sell-by date and was out of print, another completely different book was required. Life-Writes, is my third writers’ guide, and has been written to coincide with my appointment as commissioning editor for Compass Books, so that as an author I always have something new on offer and not stuck in the time-warp of constantly regurgitating previously published material.
How long did it take you to write and did you have to research a lot?
It probably took about six months but most of the material was in my head and back issues of The New Writer. Having said that, another book currently in its final proofing stage has taken 10 years to finish and a considerable amount of research time.
The road to publication? Rough or smooth?
I’m extremely fortunate that it’s been relatively smooth but, like David Bowie, I’m constantly re-inventing myself! Writers can’t afford to stagnate and we must always be on the lookout for new ideas.
What inspires you?
My environment. I’m at my most prolific when in close proximity to woods, the sea, or mountains. At present I am living in Ireland with a magnificent view of the Galtee Mountains. When I live in an urban environment I really have to work hard at getting the old creative energies to flow.
Which books have influenced you the most and why?
Writers rather than actual books have influenced my style of writing in terms of delivery and the clever use of language – Noel Coward, Simon Raven, Colette, Francoise Sagan, to name but a few.
Where and when do you write?
I write better in the mornings and have a book-lined study/office that overlooks the mountains. I prefer to work for several hours at a stretch rather than ‘an hour a day’, and if the brain starts to slow down, I take our seven greyhounds out for a walk to recharge the batteries.
What are your plans now and what’s coming up next?
There are two more books in the pipeline: Fact Finding Mission and How To Write for the How-To Market. After that there’s the first draft of a novel to work on, plus several other ideas that are still in note-form.
What words of wisdom can you leave us with?
All editors are looking for an element of action, drama or surprise, even in non-fiction. It’s what catches their attention and makes them pause to read further; and the key to any editor’s heart is originality. Not necessarily a new departure in style or genre, but a refreshing and original slant on a popular theme. The writers whose work has been accepted for publication, managed to spark the editor’s interest because those particular typescripts stood out from the rest on a dull, wet Monday morning due to the originality of the writing.
See www.facebook.com/JHPCompassBooks
Thursday, January 26, 2012
The Launch of Compass Books
The 1st November was an exciting time for O-Books, with the launch of its new website under John Hunt Publishing. It was also an exciting day for introducing one of it’s new imprints, Compass Books. It’s almost a year since the idea for expanding the creative writing interests of O-Books was first mooted, and during that time several TNW subscribers have had books accepted for publication in order to get the ball rolling.
The first four Compass Books - Simon Whaley’s The Positively Productive Writer; Lynne Hackles’ Handy Hints For Writers; Linda M James’s How To Write and Sell Great Short Stories and my own Life-Writes - are due to see the light of day early in the New Year.
The New Writer is also involved in Writer’s Wheel (brain-child of Maria Moloney), which will offer a selection of free self-help articles for the various writing disciplines, together with courses and services operated by the authors who have books published in the O-Books/John Hunt stable. Due to be launched in May 2012, WW will cover every aspect of the business such as fiction and non-fiction writing skills, marketing, proofreading, review and copy-editing services, and how-to self-publish. The ultimate aim is for WW to become the one-stop shop for all writing needs.
So here we are … a whole website of editors and publishers who are writers in their own right, and all contributing to help beginners get their foot on the publishing ladder.
What We’re Looking For
Let’s begin by saying what Compass Books doesn’t want. Avoid overworked subjects such as writers’ A-Z compilations; beginners’ how-to’s covering every writing discipline on the planet; motivational texts; collections of previously published articles; or re-hashes of old fashioned, out of print titles. What we do want are proposals for how-to books for writers that are packed with practical advice, tips and exercises; from authors with a few publishing successes to their credit and the ability to produce new writing tutorials that are original in approach, informative and entertaining. Books based on each author’s personal writing experience and achievements, together with appropriate tutorial experience, will be given preference because these are writers who are writing about what they know.
For example, rather than a book about ‘how to write a novel’ or ‘how to write for children’, we are looking for authors who write in, and can write about, a specific genre, i.e. historical fiction, modern romance, chick lit or fantasy. While each category of children’s writing also has its own set of ‘rules’ from toddlers to teens, and young adults. What are the differences in publisher requirements between the different genres? What are the marketing tricks in that particular category? How can you get ahead of the game? Which pitfalls should you avoid?
Proposals are already in the pipeline for how to write crime, the MB&S market, self help/how to and research techniques. And here’s our current wanted list for starters:
Scriptwriting
Plays
Novel writing (specific genres)
Writing for children (different age groups)
Young adults
Poetry
Science Fiction
John Hunt Publishing distribution covers the USA, Canada, South Africa, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the Far East and so it will also be to your advantage to give your book an international appeal where possible. If you are writing a new book that fits the Compass list, and we seem like a possible publisher, send your synopsis with full chapter break-down and the opening chapter via email in the first instance (as all Compass Books business is conducted on-line) to suzanneruthven@eircom.net
For submission guidelines for the other imprints go to www.johnhuntpublishing.com
This article first appeared in the Winter issue of The New Writer
The first four Compass Books - Simon Whaley’s The Positively Productive Writer; Lynne Hackles’ Handy Hints For Writers; Linda M James’s How To Write and Sell Great Short Stories and my own Life-Writes - are due to see the light of day early in the New Year.
The New Writer is also involved in Writer’s Wheel (brain-child of Maria Moloney), which will offer a selection of free self-help articles for the various writing disciplines, together with courses and services operated by the authors who have books published in the O-Books/John Hunt stable. Due to be launched in May 2012, WW will cover every aspect of the business such as fiction and non-fiction writing skills, marketing, proofreading, review and copy-editing services, and how-to self-publish. The ultimate aim is for WW to become the one-stop shop for all writing needs.
So here we are … a whole website of editors and publishers who are writers in their own right, and all contributing to help beginners get their foot on the publishing ladder.
What We’re Looking For
Let’s begin by saying what Compass Books doesn’t want. Avoid overworked subjects such as writers’ A-Z compilations; beginners’ how-to’s covering every writing discipline on the planet; motivational texts; collections of previously published articles; or re-hashes of old fashioned, out of print titles. What we do want are proposals for how-to books for writers that are packed with practical advice, tips and exercises; from authors with a few publishing successes to their credit and the ability to produce new writing tutorials that are original in approach, informative and entertaining. Books based on each author’s personal writing experience and achievements, together with appropriate tutorial experience, will be given preference because these are writers who are writing about what they know.
For example, rather than a book about ‘how to write a novel’ or ‘how to write for children’, we are looking for authors who write in, and can write about, a specific genre, i.e. historical fiction, modern romance, chick lit or fantasy. While each category of children’s writing also has its own set of ‘rules’ from toddlers to teens, and young adults. What are the differences in publisher requirements between the different genres? What are the marketing tricks in that particular category? How can you get ahead of the game? Which pitfalls should you avoid?
Proposals are already in the pipeline for how to write crime, the MB&S market, self help/how to and research techniques. And here’s our current wanted list for starters:
Scriptwriting
Plays
Novel writing (specific genres)
Writing for children (different age groups)
Young adults
Poetry
Science Fiction
John Hunt Publishing distribution covers the USA, Canada, South Africa, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the Far East and so it will also be to your advantage to give your book an international appeal where possible. If you are writing a new book that fits the Compass list, and we seem like a possible publisher, send your synopsis with full chapter break-down and the opening chapter via email in the first instance (as all Compass Books business is conducted on-line) to suzanneruthven@eircom.net
For submission guidelines for the other imprints go to www.johnhuntpublishing.com
This article first appeared in the Winter issue of The New Writer
BOOK REVIEW
There's now a publishing date for Life-Writes for the 25th May 2012 and an advance book review:
"This is a practical and substantial insider guide for the new writer, highly informative and brimful of helpful advice from a vastly experienced author and a specialist in this field. A compendium of riches, it covers the waterfront and beyond."
Merric Davidson, publisher The New Writer magazine
"This is a practical and substantial insider guide for the new writer, highly informative and brimful of helpful advice from a vastly experienced author and a specialist in this field. A compendium of riches, it covers the waterfront and beyond."
Merric Davidson, publisher The New Writer magazine
Thursday, December 8, 2011
December update
Just completing the final proof for my latest creative writing book, Life-Writes and hopefully this should be available in May 2012. Been exceptionally busy writing under my other hat for the MB&S market (2 new books due shortly there), and helping John Hunt Publishing (formally O-Books) to set up Compass Books, their writers' resource site, of which I'm commissiing editor.
With Christmas just around the corner, everything's continuing to look good on the writing front for the New Year. Exciting times.
With Christmas just around the corner, everything's continuing to look good on the writing front for the New Year. Exciting times.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Book review for Whittlewood
I came across this book review on http://www.goodreads.com/ for my novel Whittlewood. Although the book was first published in 1997 'Ancestral Celt's' review of 4th September 2011 gave me a tremendous buzz to know that the book can still cause a shiver!
[EXTRACT] "This book is a real page-turner. I started reading it and had to finish it in one sitting; I just could not put it down. Whittlewood is a tale of murder and magical mystery, with some romance and a few touches of history, all of which combine to entice the reader to keep reading and reading - ever hungry for more ... Suzanne Ruthven has woven a story of magic, mystery and reality into a marvellous book. I hope she continues to write such engrossing tales. What's more her descriptive style is such that I could smell the incense and greenery in the Church; I was transported. There is only one slight quibble with the book and that is the occasional editing or printing error, but even so, I could not be wrenched from my reverie in Ashmarsh. This is one of the most original fictional works I have read in recent years. Read it!!!"
I'd been thinking that the next step might be to add it to the Kindle list and this clinched it.
Thank you Ancestral Celt!
[EXTRACT] "This book is a real page-turner. I started reading it and had to finish it in one sitting; I just could not put it down. Whittlewood is a tale of murder and magical mystery, with some romance and a few touches of history, all of which combine to entice the reader to keep reading and reading - ever hungry for more ... Suzanne Ruthven has woven a story of magic, mystery and reality into a marvellous book. I hope she continues to write such engrossing tales. What's more her descriptive style is such that I could smell the incense and greenery in the Church; I was transported. There is only one slight quibble with the book and that is the occasional editing or printing error, but even so, I could not be wrenched from my reverie in Ashmarsh. This is one of the most original fictional works I have read in recent years. Read it!!!"
I'd been thinking that the next step might be to add it to the Kindle list and this clinched it.
Thank you Ancestral Celt!
Publishing up-date
The typescript for Life-Writes has gone off to the publishers and there's a lull in the proceedings before going on to something new. Time to update blogs and things, and make decisions about whether to keep/discard websites, and other activities that take up so much time. Also having a gigantic stock clearance of ignotus press titles and finally winding down the business. It was good fun while it lasted but publishing is moving ahead in leaps and bounds and we can't compete. Will think about putting one or two of the more popular titles on Kindle but it all takes time. The new O-Books website should be launched soon and Compass Books (for which I'm commissioning editor) will be looking for more titles.
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