Ruth’s Blog
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Selling books on Amazon: what’s going on?
I got a phone call: 'Do you know someone is charging £50 for one of your novels on Amazon?' I didn't know whether to be flattered or horrified, so I settled for being confused. I checked on my Mac, and the information was what I expected: the Kindle versions of my...
Can characters be real people?
It was one of those spooky evenings when you get the impression that the people you're talking to know more about what you're talking about than you do. The Millom Ladies Guild were listening politely to my stories about the real vicar who inspired the one I depicted...
Are authors real people?
The lady in the local bookshop was impressed. 'You wrote this?' she said, as I showed her a poster about my new book. 'So, you're an author,' she continued. 'I know lots of sheep farmers, but I've never met an author. Except you.' She turned to another customer who...
Press release about ‘Fallout’
Below in italics is a press release about my new book. I didn't write it myself: it was a gift from a very kind friend who works in PR and does this kind of writing all the time. I told her a few things and she did the rest. We've sent it out to 'the usual suspects'...
Looking for recognition
I have two places to work. If the weather's really good, or if I want to immerse myself with no distractions at all, I pack up the laptop and whatever materials I need and walk the 50 metres down the garden to the writing shed, the one I blogged about earlier. If it's...
Promotion – a problematic puzzle
'What's your budget for promotion of your new book?' There's a question I didn't know how to answer. I was enquiring about getting help with a video, but quickly realised I would have to plan, film and edit it myself or do without. And if I do without, what achievable...
A sense of achievement – almost!
Everything's coming to a head: final proofs, back matter, acknowledgements, they all have to be thought about, generated, discussed, revised and checked while the printer's deadline looms closer. And still the iterations of the front cover continue, back and forth, as...
About ‘noticing’
In the past few days I've met many new people, re-connected with friends I've not seen for years and heard so many stories, told in many different voices. Half my mind has been on the content of our conversations, but I've also been noticing habits of speech, how...
Plotting with a purpose
When I first thought about writing fiction several years ago, I imagined that I would do some 'research' and then spend all my time writing and revising, busy at the keyboard, tapping merrily away. I started writing the first novel this way, long before I was really...
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