SUBSCRIBER NEWS
Finding the right footing
‘I’ve just published my debut novel, Melting in the Middle, a story of redemption, second chances – and chocolate,’ writes subscriber Andy Howden.
‘The novel starts in the season of Advent, but it was more akin to an epiphany that I had a year ago, when thinking about how to get published.
‘I embarked on the novel as part of a MA in Creative Writing at St Mary’s University, and as I approached completion, I had a near miss or two with agents, which caused a bout of introspection. Firstly, I had to accept that the statistical probability of finding an agent wasn’t high. But I also went back to a brilliant freelance editor for advice on how to make my novel better. And then a publishing friend, who really “got” my novel, said, “I just don’t think it’s an agenty sort of book.” This resonated, as when I searched what agents were looking for, comic fiction didn’t seem to be high on many of their wish lists.
‘So, I started to explore highly regarded selfpublishing companies. I sent my full manuscript to Matador in March, and within a week they had reviewed it and said they would publish it by November. Through self-publishing, it’s obviously down to me to get quite involved in promoting the book, and I have enjoyed the intellectual challenge of that. But I still feel I have had great support from Matador, compared with a more DIY approach. I also feel that after all that editorial advice, essentially I have written the book I wanted to write. Matador’s approach has not been to change my book, but to present it in the best possible light.
‘Of course, I really would not discourage anyone from seeking an agent. I am writing a second very different novel and will certainly explore that route again. But if your book is for various reasons just not right for an agent, maybe it’s worth considering other options to see your book between two covers.’
Flash forward
‘Have you had happy writing “accidents”?’ writes subscriber Allison Symes. ‘I have.
‘When I first started writing, I hadn’t heard of flash fiction.
‘Fast forward a few years and I have two flash fiction collections published by Chapeltown Books, with my second released in September 2020. That’s the writing “accident” to have!
‘My new book, Tripping The Flash Fantastic is now out in ebook and paperback and is the follow-up to From Light to Dark and Back Again.