Ruth Livingstone

Stuck in the mud: July

I’m no nearer to my goal. But that doesn’t mean I haven’t been busy writing.

5 Year Writing Goal: July update

I’m taking part in Misha and Beth’s Five Year Project and my five-year goal is to write a novel and get it published.

I have been looking for an agent for my historical novel, The Reluctant Scribe. But, after four standard rejection emails, with no requests for the whole manuscript, my search has ground to a halt.

A way forward?

Thank you for everybody’s suggestions and advice last month. I’m now convinced I need to revamp the opening of the novel. Continue reading “Stuck in the mud: July”

Success: I’ve had a short story published!

After several posts in which I describe my stressful – and fruitless – search for an agent, it gives me great pleasure to celebrate a small success with you.

Last month I was lucky enough to have a short story published in 44 Square, the annual journal of new fiction, published by Birkbeck, University of London.

You can read my story, along with all the other included pieces, by downloading a PDF of the anthology. It’s free!

The journal features some excellent work from a bunch of talented writers, and I feel honoured that my short story, Letter to Oliver, was selected for publication. This is the second time I’ve had a short story selected for the 44 Square journal. Once was wonderful, but to be accepted twice represents a huge achievement for me.

(I also had some poetry accepted in another journal, but I’ll tell you all about that in another post.)

‘Being Tim’ on Writers’ Hub

Short story featured

‘Being Tim’ is published on The Writer’s Hub. The same story appears in the 44 Square: anthology of new fiction, and I am delighted to see it featured on the website.

It really is an honour to appear here, because the quality of the pieces selected by the Writer’s Hub editorial team is very high.

Short story on the Writers' Hub , author Ruth Livingstone

June: and rethinking the opening of my novel

My aim was to approach a new agent every week. But I’ve failed to keep up with that self-imposed schedule. The whole process is very time-consuming – and stressful. What should I do?

5 Year Writing Goal: June update

I’m taking part in Misha and Beth’s Five Year Project and my five-year goal is to write a novel and get it published.

I’ve been looking for an agent for my historical novel, The Reluctant Scribe, without any success so far.

My aim was to approach a new agent every week. But I’ve failed to keep up with that self-imposed schedule. The whole process is very time-consuming – and stressful. So it’s easy to find other things to do! Continue reading “June: and rethinking the opening of my novel”