5,000 people were abjucted by pirates on the Mediterranean island of Gozo in 1551. Their souls cry for revenge but wait until one of their descendents unknowingly meets the descendent of one of the pirates. The novel, Xaghra’s Revenge, and my US agent suggests I ask famous fantasy writer, Ramsay Campbell, for his endorsement. I wouldn’t expect him to read all 103,000 words but a sample, synopsis, etc. His agent, John Jarrold, was kind enough to ask on my behalf but replied that as Ramsey is writing a new novel he is too immerssed and busy to glance at mind. Note I’d spent time reading his short story, The Hand, and gave it a positive review when it appeared in The Horror Zine anthology below this post.
Understandable to get into the heads of your characters and keep with an intricate plot. I can understand that. It is why I am grateful to write much of the time undisturbed – apart from being mad of mind. The irony is that Ramsey is appearing in my home town of Chester on a money-making gig to speak to the Society of Authors in April. Not worth the £22 entry fee though cos if I sat in the audience I’d be holding up placards with excerpts of my Xaghra’s Revenge – haha.
Seriously, good luck with your new novel, Ramsay. I get it wrong – spend too much time critiquing other folk’s writing instead of getting on with my new novel and short stories.
That’s rotten. You do so much for others, whether you are busy or not.
I’d like to read it, Geoff. Not that a review by a ‘nobody writer’ like me would get it anywhere. But at least I have the time to read it slowly and give the matter much thought.
It just has to be better than the horror novel we’ve just read. (We did not buy the book, it was given to us. The author was heralded as the the new Stephen King — we stopped reading King’s books ages ago. This book was seriously OTT.)
You are too kind, Gladys. I’ll be in touch.
I have been thinking about the time I spend reading other people’s work and the time I spend writing. Since I started making a more concerted effort to write I have been spending less time giving feedback to other people. I still partake in a couple of Orbiters from the BSFA, but all the crit’ing of work (published on web sites or on forums) has had to go. I do feel bad about this because it is always a much needed boost to get feedback on what you’ve written, but I have appeased my guilt by looking at it this way: writing is work (albeit unpaid for at the moment) and how many times do people in other commercial organisations give me advice on what I’m doing 9-5? It does happen on the odd occasion, but it’s infrequent and more based on the personal relationship I have with them than any urge to be altruistic.
Something that I don’t hear happening with writers, and does occur in the commercial world, is recommending and referring. If you read something good by another writer would you recommend your agent has a look? It’s okay giving a one line endorsement on a cover, but I suspect it’s far better for that author to speak to a few important editors and point them in your direction. Of course, this could be happening. I don’t move in those circles (nor am I ready to), but I don’t hear people talking about it.
I agree with Gladys; if I had any reputation in the world of writing I would most certainly give you more than a couple of lines. Sadly I can only offer my encouragement and best wishes.
Thanks, Leigh. Your time will come: talent like yours can’t hide forever!