Writing: update time

In August 2013, I signed up for Misha’s 5 year project. My goal was to finish writing a novel and to get it published.

I’ve actually finished TWO novels, but the sticking point is getting an agent interested in my work.

The Reluctant Scribe, my first novel, is still being considered by a handful of agents, and I’m waiting a few weeks to give the last agents on my list a chance to respond. I’ve had yet another beta reader give me some feedback too, and his comments have been very valuable.

My plan, assuming no agent is interested, will be to give The Reluctant Scribe a further rewrite, make it a little more appealing to the popular market, and then self-publish the novel.

Orbital Contract, my second novel, is a sci-fi adventure story for young adults, and has far more commercial potential. An agent has expressed an interest, I’ve sent her the full manuscript, and am waiting for some response.

Funnily enough, until this agent asked to see the full manuscript, I’d already decided to self-publish the Orbital Contract. It should do well as an e-book because of the following features.

• The right genre (sci-fi)
• Aimed at the right demographic of reader (YA)
• First in a series. In fact, I’ve already started work on a sequel.

Of course, I can’t resist the kudos that comes with having an agent, and I know a good agent will help me improve and refine the novel… so I do hope she’ll respond soon.

I wonder how all my fellow fiction novelists are getting on? It’s easy to become discouraged and to let things slide.

In the meantime, my non-fiction book – Walking the English Coast – continues to sell in reasonable quantities as a POD paperback on Amazon.

I’m currently revising some of the text and have decided to re-publish as an e-book.

Because Walking the English Coast  is a BIG book, with 250 pages, and lots of references, I’ve divided it up into 4 volumes.  This will make each e-book easier for readers to handle, and I can reduce the price of each volume.

Watch this space for further details!

Author: Ruth Livingstone

Walker, writer, photographer, blogger, doctor, woman, etc. View all posts by Ruth Livingstone