non fiction – Ruth Livingstone

Shortlisted for an Award

As a writer, you learn to expect the unexpected.

I discovered, almost by accident, that I am on the shortlist for an award…

for my non-fiction book
Walking the English Coast: A Beginner’s Guide.

The International Rubery Book Award is designed specifically for small independent presses and for self-published writers.

I notice that the winners for of the 2015 and 2016 non-fiction awards were both books about the coast. For that reason, and because the standard seems very high, I don’t expect to win. But it’s wonderful to be shortlisted.

Here is what they say about my book:

Walking the English Coast: A Beginner’s Guide
Ruth Livingstone
A book written by a GP who decided to follow her own advice about fitness and embarked on the ambitious project of walking all 5,500 miles of the British Coast. Written in a deceptively straightforward style, it offers practical advice that you feel you ought to know, but actually don’t, from what shoes to wear to how to deal with cows. It’s the kind of book you glance at, intending to pick out a few sections, then can’t put down.

It’s been a dry period for my writing.

I’ve entered several short stories into competitions with no luck and continued my fruitless quest for agents for my two novels, again with no luck…

It’s been a long time since I submitted my book and, to be honest, I thought it had been rejected. What a great way to start the week! And it’s funny what some encouragement will do… it spurred me on to find a developmental editor for my sci-fi novel.

Time to move forward and get my next book published.

Writing Update, June 2017

I just want to get my novels OUT there.

Novels completed

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. Since then, I’ve written and published a number of non-fiction pieces, and I’ve actually completed two novels:

The Reluctant Scribe: a historical novel set in the Tang Dynasty, 6th century, China, following the fortunes of a young boy who dreams of becoming a warrior.
The Orbital Contract: a YA sci-fi novel, set in a futuristic world and full of spaceships and danger.

Continue reading “Writing Update, June 2017”

Countryfile Magazine: Natural Adventures

Getting back to nature…

My piece on my long-distance walking expedition is printed in a special edition of Countryfile Magazine, the mag that accompanies the BBC’s successful TV series.

This issue is dedicated to the theme ‘Back to Nature’ and the article is their headline feature in the Natural Adventures section. Accompanying the prose are some photos that feature the stunning scenery of Anglesey, and a very windswept author! Continue reading “Countryfile Magazine: Natural Adventures”

5 year project: September 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. So, I should have been sending my historical novel, The Reluctant Scribe, out to agents. In fact, I’m so disillusioned with the process of trying to find an agent, I’m considering abandoning the quest altogether.

Continue reading “5 year project: September update”

Five Year Project: 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’ve been sending my historical novel to agents: The Reluctant Scribe, set in the Tang Dynasty of China. This month I made some progress, with one agency asking to see the full manuscript. Unfortunately, they recently decided it wasn’t for them.

There are several other projects I ‘ve been working on. Here’s an update:-

Continue reading “Five Year Project: July update”