Lucky number thirteen...

16/06/2011

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Lucky number thirteen...

On Monday the 13th of June 2011, I received a reply back from the  London-based Publishing House who had asked to read the full manuscript.  They have made me an offer for Catching the Eagle and the next two books in the series.  They are also really interested in the Detective Lavender spin off series.  This was the thirteenth submission I had made since Christmas.  Guess what my new lucky number is? 

I am absolutely over the moon and can still barely believe it. Apparently, they want to go with a December release.  Catching the Eagle could be in the shops by Christmas. We are still sorting out the details of the agreement at the moment and getting to know each other; they seem a really decent firm. 

It is the strangest feeling in the world when you have a dream come true.  I first announced that I was going to be a writer when I was eight years old.  I can still vividly remember my Mum and Aunt Maureen being rather startled at the time.  I wrote an embarrassing poem about this writing ambition when I was thirteen.  (It's funny how this number keeps cropping up.) I am very tempted to post the poem on here, but holding the attention of  you blog readers is hard enough, without subjecting you to the ramblings of a dreamy adolescent.  

 It is going to be a lot of hard work for the next year; I will be continuing with the demanding teaching job, writing a second book and publicising the first one all at the same time.  There is no going back to my 'comfort zone' now but I have no doubt that parts of  the marketing will be fun. I have always enjoyed meeting new people and never baulked at appearing in the paper or on TV.  Yes, I was once on TV - and it wasn't on Crimewatch either.  ;) 

The best thing of all, though, is that I will be able to concentrate on my beloved writing.  No more worry that I am wasting my time.  No more fretting about finding a publisher.

It is amazing and very, very motivating.

Thirteen is a lucky number.
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'I would like to request the full manuscript for consideration...'

09/06/2011

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'I would like to request the full manuscript for consideration....'

Oh, those sweet, sweet words.  So sweet in fact, I can hardly write without gushing treacle.  Since this request to see the full manuscript of Catching the Eagle landed in my inbox, my emotions have run the full gamut from elation to disbelief, and from incredible pride to a sense of unworthiness.  I have alternated between rushing around making giddy emails/phone calls to all my friends, biting my nails with worry and sitting for long stretches with an idiotic smile on my face.

And somehow, as I hover in this hiatus between devastating rejection and longed-for success, I have to continue to function in a classroom full of teenagers, plod on with the second novel and hang bedroom curtains.

I have been told, by my well-meaning friends and family,  not to build up  my hopes and to continue with my marketing plan for Catching the Eagle.  I have been told to find out - and fast - what the bloody hell to do, if I pull this off and the publisher offers me a deal. 

I have also been told to:  'enjoy your moment.' 

I think I'll take that last piece of advice.....for now. 
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Photography and trespassing...

01/06/2011

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Photography and trespassing...

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North Carter Moor
Just returned from a fabulous afternoon with the camera up in Ponteland.

We resolved to try and photograph as many of the places as we could which had links to the family research and the places mentioned in Catching the Eagle.

As Robbie Burns would say:  The best laid schemes o' Mice an' Men, Gang aft agley,...'

The first problem came at the beautiful North Carter Moor Farmhouse, the birthplace of Jamie Charlton and the home of three generations of his family (1720 - 1817.)  North Carter Moor is not easy to find and it is guarded by a herd of extremely curious young cows, who clearly wanted to play with me as I scurried out of the car to open and close the gate.  Chris, being the perfect gentleman, steadfastly remained in the driver's seat.  Armed with a copy of the family tree as proof that we were not there to case the joint (well, you never can tell with us Charltons, can you?)  I knocked on the farm door to ask if we could take a few pictures of our family's 18th century home.  Sadly, no one was in. 
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Side view of North carter Moor
We waited a while, and then decided to be cheeky and take a few photographs any way.  Extremely conscious that somebody, somewhere, would have seen us and would report our curious behaviour back to the present owners, I scribbled an explanatory note and shoved it through the letter box.  I'm guessing that this could now go one of two ways:  the current owners of North Carter Moor may choose to log on here and and enjoy discovering some more about the  history about their home; or, they may instruct their solicitor to sue us for trespass, breach of privacy and disturbing the peace of their cows.  Watch this space...
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Front view of North Carter Moor - once home to a Charlton generation with ten children.
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St. Mary's church, Ponteland
Next we went to St. Mary's church, Ponteland where the records tell us, many of Chris' ancestors are buried.  Sadly, it would seem that if they are buried there, then the sexton  just dug a hole and dropped them in - we couldn't find any of them.  As the family's fortunes dwindled, it is possible that they just reused old family graves.  No doubt they always intended to come back later, when they had more money and add a headstone...and then forgot (or got themselves transported.)  Any gravestones which did once 'mark the spot' are now either absent or so badly eroded they are unreadable.  I suspect that several have been removed on health and safety grounds - including that of James (1700-1770) and Isabel.  The monumental inscription records for St. Mary's, tell us that it was 'on it's side by the wall' years ago.  It has now either collapsed face down or been taken away.
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One gravestone of interest which we did find was that of Jane Nimmo (1799-1841.)

The full inscription reads:  'Sacred to the memory of Jane Nimmo who died April 22nd 1841 aged 42 years.'

This lady had to be related to Priscilla (Cilla) Charlton in some way.  Nimmo was her maiden name and Nimmos were as rare in that part of Northumberland as a teetotal Charlton.   More research beckons, methinks...
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The Seven Stars', otherwise known as 'Ma Shotton's'
Photographing the Ponteland public houses frequented by Jamie Charlton also proved a bit disappointing.  The Newhamm Edge coaching inn, now known as The Highlander,  where Jamie was drinking on the night of the Kirkley Hall robbery, is surrounded by scaffolding and bright blue tarpaulin.  In addition to that, The Seven Stars - constantly referred to as 'Ma Shotton's' in the court case documents, was closed and up for sale. 
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However, there was a consolation prize weaiting for us on Ponteland High street - the old Toll House.  This was the workplace of one Robert Wilson - keeper of the the Turnpike gate in Ponteland.  He was also witness against Jamie in the trial, and in the novel is the man who eventually succeeds in 'catching the eagle.'  If you look hard enough, you may just be able to make out the words 'Toll House' across the door lintel.

All in all, a very enjoyable day out in Ponteland - and if we can avoid being sued by the owners of North Carter Moor, then I think we can class it as a success!
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