What was your goal when you started writing?
I began writing as a pastime to occupy myself during lockdown period. My wife Debby encouraged me to put pen to paper, so to speak, and in return I stole her garden studio. I then attended a creative-writing course and the tutor, author Gabrielle Mullarkey gave me great encouragement and suggested I might consider publishing some of my work. My friend the author Kathryn E. White recommended I get in touch with Claire Wingfield to edit the volume and assist with the publishing process – which meant I could hand over control of the cover design, final selection of the pieces, typesetting and the set-up on the various publishing platforms. I had someone experienced in the process to guide me through a very exciting journey and to answer any questions as they arose. I felt that in doing that, I was giving my work the best chance of success and a professional finish I could be proud of.
How did it feel to achieve your writing and publishing goals?
Physically having the first copy of the book in my hand was an enormous validation but I quite quickly wanted to begin work on another book! I feel I learned an awful lot from the process and pushing my writing to the level required for publication was an education that drove me to want to do it again – and develop my craft further still.
It struck me leafing through the book today that it provides a record of a time in our very recent history that it will soon be difficult to recall with perfect clarity.
What’s been most useful to you in our work together?
I approached you despite knowing a little about the publishing process on Amazon myself because I wanted a sounding board, someone not connected with me personally who would give an informed professional opinion on what belonged in the collection, which pieces didn’t, and what needed editing. What title to choose, even. I knew that if I was going to publish, I wanted to ensure the book had a professional finish. Added to this, your guidance in the intricacies of the various publishing platforms has been invaluable. You guided me through the various stages and created a stress-free experience of publishing my first book, not to mention the wonderful surprise of achieving number 2 in Amazon Hot New Releases in British & Irish Poetry and impressive top-ten rankings in 7 further categories.
What’s next for your publishing plans?
Well, the second volume is on its way! We are now in the second part of the story, in managing this global catastrophe, and I am writing a record of life as lockdown eased and we return to something like normal. A collection of poetry and prose pieces to follow on from Sorry, We Are Closed. Publication details will be released on www.pottingstudiopress.com …