I've Done It!

I am thrilled to be able to write that I have been awarded my PhD. I submitted corrections in mid-July and had to wait until October to find out the result. It is a wonderful feeling. So what next? The great news is that I have a contract with a publisher. However, it is not for the novel that I wrote for my PhD. The subject of the latter is women in WW1 and I decided to pitch a project to a publisher for a factual book. I had an enormous amount of research material and felt that I could put it to good use. I now have a contract, advance and (of course) deadline. My book is due for publication in 2017. I will be setting up a new website soon and will provide a link. I intend to put my novel away for a year and then redraft it - taking into account all the feedback from my viva. 
I started on this path many years ago. Firstly with a local writing group and then an MA and PhD. I still do not have a published book but I am well on my way. Writing is not easy and requires considerable commitment, patience and time but it pays off. Whatever you dream of, work hard and you will achieve success in the end. 

Nearly There!

I have good news to report. At the end of May I had my PhD viva and passed with minor corrections. It was a strange experience: enjoyable and nerve wracking at the same time. For a couple of weeks afterwards I felt mentally and physically exhausted but to be fair moving house didn’t help. I have now returned to full-time work so progress on the corrections is taking longer than I would otherwise have hoped but the end is in sight. Future projects are bubbling away and I hope to be able to say more if all goes to plan!

A Good Week

There have been two highlights in the last week. Firstly, I attended the launch of Dark Aemilia by Sally O' Reilly (published by Myriad Editions); the story of Shakespeare's 'Dark Lady.' The novel was written as part of Sally's PhD. I have started it and can't stop reading - wonderful. Secondly, I gave a paper at a conference - Remembering and Writing Women's Wartime Lives. The conference was held at the National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire and was organised by the Midlands Region of the Women's History Network and the University of Worcester. After three years of work it was great to be able to share my research on women war workers and WW1 novels.  

On The Up

After my last post, I received another rejection letter. This one was, however, very positive. It was generic but the first sentence was specific to my material. Rather than get down about it (and let's face it I'm hardly going to be picked up by one of the first agents that I submit to) I submitted to further agents who are currently accepting material and have a particular interest in historical fiction. I received another rejection within one and half working days. Is this a record? If the rest reject me then no matter; I will persist.

The fantastic news is that I have been accepted to speak at a conference in March. I am very excited to have an opportunity to get my research out there. 

Post PhD Hand-In Blues

Since handing in my PhD I've been in the doldrums. Initially I was thrilled that I had completed on time and turned my attentions to preparing agent submissions and Christmas. However, once January arrived I found it difficult to adjust to no longer being obsessed with my study and associated deadlines. I understand that it's important to take time out to relax after such a sustained period of study but I wasn't enjoying it. A basic internet search revealed that what I was experiencing is common amongst PhD students. This week I have tried to change my mindset; focussing on revision for my viva and researching post doctoral options. I am fortunate to have full time employment but it's time for a change; that isn't going to happen unless I get off my backside and start taking practical steps rather than dreaming. 

I have received my first rejection slip from an agent. It wasn't a surprise as I expect to end up with a collection of them. It doesn't matter how many there are as long as there is one expression of interest. 

Here's to a New Year, a new outlook and of course more hard work.  

Into the World

I have spent the last couple of weeks preparing a submission package - covering letter, synopsis and three chapters. The first job was to research the agents that I had already identified; who do they represent? what are their specific requirements in terms of a submission? etc. I kept the covering letter short (one page) and included: why I was writing to them, a little bit about me, a couple of sentences on the novel and why I believed that a publisher would be interested in it. The synopsis took almost as long to draft as a chapter of the novel. I remembered how frustrating it was when I did an internship at an agency to read a synopsis that was several pages long and set out every plot turn and character. A synopsis needs to be a one page summary of the novel which sets out the narrative arc of the novel, key plot turns and the impact of those on the key character(s). It is important that the tone of the synopsis

both matches that of the novel and the expected tone of the genre. Even the chapters took time to format as agents have different requirements. Finally, I ensured that it was printed on good quality paper and included the all imporatant stamped self addressed envelope.
I have posted both submissions and expect to wait anything up to three months for a response. I will now turn my attentions back to revising for my viva which should take place in the spring.    

Handed In!

Exciting news! This week I handed in my PhD thesis, including the novel. I feel bereft. For three years I have lived and breathed my subject area and now I can have a day off, or even two, without feeling guilty. Of course, it isn’t really over. I will have my viva in a few months and will need to revise, as well as re-reading many novels. I have drafted a covering letter to a specific agent and started on the synopsis.

The day I handed in, I attended a networking event. It was held by the university at the RSA, London. The two key speakers, Shaheen Hasmat and Benjamin Zephaniah, were excellent. It was a reminder of the importance and power of writing; if the writer has a clear message and the skill to communicate it. I cannot claim to have achieved this but I am trying.