Welcome to RJ Gould, one of
the talented contenders for this year's Joan Hessayon Award and graduate
of the RNA New Writers' Scheme. Thank you for answering our questions, Richard.
How
long have you been writing? Is this your first published piece?
I've been
writing for about twelve years. A Street
Café Named Desire is my first mainstream published novel; I’ve
self-published my fiction for some time.
How
many years were you a member of the NWS and did you submit a manuscript each year?
I was a
member of NWS for a year, A Street Café
Named Desire was my submission.
What
came first, agent or publisher?
Publisher.
If
you do have an agent who is it that represents you?
At present I
don’t have an agent though I am reconsidering trying to engage one.
How
did you find your publisher?
I spoke with
Hazel Cushion, founder of Accent Press, on the phone. As we chatted she Googled
my Amazon reviews and dipped into the two novels I had on kindle and liked what
she saw (though she made it clear that didn’t include the covers!). I was
offered a contract when we met at the 2014 RNA Conference. She was very open
and honest about her ambitions for the company and I was delighted to sign up.
Do
you have a contract for one book or more?
I had an
initial two book contract with options for further novels.
When
was your book published?
December
2014
Tell
us something about your book
David and Bridget meet
at a twenty-five year school reunion. Neither of them had been part of the
in-crowd at school and on the evidence of this event, their social standing
hasn’t improved. Disengaged from other party-goers, David develops a
teenagesque passion for Bridget. Obstacles ahead of a relationship developing
include demanding soon to be ex-wife; deceased husband; tyrannical new boss;
encounters with the police; and children struggling to get used to the new
state of affairs. In addition to planning how to hitch up with Bridget, David
sets out to fulfil his dream of opening an arts café.
What
are you currently working on?
Editing has
been high on the agenda over recent weeks. I’ve now completed and
submitted my third and fourth novels. Jack and Jill went Downhill follows the
fortunes of a couple who meet on Freshers Big Party Night at university. They
share the joke that their names match those of the nursery rhyme. Down the
line, they fail to recognise that their lives mirror the plot. Nothing Man is the story of a man in his
mid-fifties who is contemplating suicide. He meets a woman who is his
inspiration for starting afresh and it soon becomes evident that he’s anything
but a nothing man. I’ve just started writing a novel about a couple who are
competing over who can have the most embarrassing mid-life crisis.
What
piece of advice would you give current members of the NWS?
It's been a
valuable experience for me. In my opinion, it's best to sign up at the point
when you think your novel is as good as you can make it
rather than submitting a first draft. This maximises the benefit of the comments you
receive. I had a novel to submit the day after I signed up and I got a detailed
and encouraging review only a few weeks later. Whatever anyone says about your
work, do reflect carefully and consider all suggestions, but opinions are
subjective and it’s up to you to decide what to adopt and what to disregard.
Links:
Twitter: @RJGould_author
Thank
you, Richard, we hope you have a fabulous evening at the RNA Summer Party and
good luck with your writing career.
The RNA
blog is brought to you by
Elaine
Everest & Natalie Kleinman
If you
would like to write for the RNA blog please contact us on elaineeverest@aol.com
1 comment:
Great to read of all your coming novels, Richard. You've been busy! Good luck. :-)
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