Just been informed that my short story ‘Poland 1919 – Decisions, decisions’ has been shortlisted for the Spilling Ink Fiction Prize. What’s good about this is that the short story is also scheduled to be the introduction to my latest novel-in-progress The Land Agent – it’s heartening to know that the opening few pages have already attracted attention!
I have just returned from a one month sojourn at the Hotel Chevillon in the tiny village of Grez-sur-Loing where I have been working on my latest novel courtesy of a Robert Louis Stevenson Fellowship. I have felt really privileged to have been offered this opportunity. Certainly in my short career as a writer, it has been rare to have felt so supported in my craft and to be able to devote myself entirely to my work without financial worries or any strings attached. I was able to spend one week reading around the subject matter for my next novel, then a further three weeks working on the narrative arc and the characters. In the end, I was able to write the first three chapters of a story centered around a piece of land in Palestine in the 1920s. It is tentatively entitled The Land Agent. Adieu
I have just been awarded a Robert Louis Stevenson Fellowship – all travel paid to write for a month in France at an artists retreat where RLS also found inspiration. There is a weekly stipend and no obligation to display any finished product. It is a very no-strings-attached award. But then again RLS was a no-strings-attached kind of guy. I really like him.
Just recovering from last night’s launch – all very much a blur – just hope I was polite to everyone and offended no-one. Overwhelmed by the support – Waterstones say over 140 in attendance – lots of books sold and sandwiches eaten!
Just over two weeks to go until launch – over 120 guests signed up to attend – some positive reviews already in – I guess this run-up to publication is the most exciting for an author when everything seems possible.