This is Karma & meet Hell's Bells author Jill Johnson
New releases from L.M. Nathan, Paul Braddon, Jonathan Lethem & R.B. Croft | News, opportunities & events for writers and journalists
My dear wordsmiths,
If we’ve just met I’m Nicola - a full time journalism leader on big titles across the north of England for National World where I also lead podcast strategy and sometimes record my own including Booky. I’m also a radio presenter on Sundays at Central.Radio and in between all that I’m fighting the good fight to be a novelist and helping writers promote their work and share their stories. Lovely to meet you! Just a reminder that if you like this please subscribe (for free - tick no pledge) and share the word - it’s free and I’ve no time to spam you so expect an email once a week!
Hello again! You look well too.. thank you! Sadly I feel like my arms have been torn akimbo by an elephant and I can no longer get my socks on - and I’m not mad about it. In other words I’ve been to a gym to be voluntarily subjected to weight bearing shenanigans and shouted at by a young whippersnapper of a girl who can probably rip my head off with one easy swipe so I did as I was told. She’s lovely really (if I don’t say that I’ll get burpees next time) but the army has missed a trick. The only thing not aching is my typing fingers which, luckily, escaped too much exercise. Though - and thanks to my mind monkeys - I am now wondering of there are weights or pilates type exercises for writers’ fingers because that is maybe an idea for a Substack niche newsletter. You are welcome.
In deep and deserved irony, it just so happens that the aforementioned gym is in what used to be the canteen of the old newspaper building where I used to work. It is definitely a strange sort of payback that I now have to do endless squats and deadlifts in the same space I used to eat chips and gravy (other carb based high calorie foods may apply) for lunch every day as a trainee reporter.. You could call it carbs karma.
Get back on topic Nicola.. In this week’s Write Reject Repeat you can:
Meet Hell’s Bell’s author Jill Johnson
Enjoy bookish newness in Nic’s Booky Nook
Peruse events and opportunities for writers
Read my travel review from Dubai (I mean this bit is optional ;-) but it’s here..
Meet author Jill Johnson
Of Māori descent, as a child Jill Johnson lived in South-East Asia, Europe and New Zealand as her family followed her father on his two-year postings for both the NZ and British armies. Eventually arriving in the UK, Jill moved to London when she was 18. She has previously owned an editorial cartoon gallery, a comic shop and has been involved in a graphic novel publishing house.
“My life is pretty much writing, day job, writing, sleeping, repeat — and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Although…it would be nice to give up the day job eventually.”
Jill Johnson
She is a Faber Academy graduate and whilst running her businesses and raising three children, Jill studied for a degree in Ornamental Horticulture and Design after having been inspired as a child whilst helping her mother grow fruit and vegetables. It is with this passion which inspired her first Professor Eustacia Rose novel, Devil’s Breath, which was published in 2023. Devil’s Breath was chosen as the New Book Pick by BBC 2’s Between the Covers. Hell’s Bells will be published in hardback by Black & White Publishing on July 11, 2024.
WHO?
My name is Jill Johnson. I’m a Māori British writer based in Brighton. I spent my childhood moving between Southeast Asia, New Zealand and the U.K. as my family followed our Māori father on his various SAS postings. I wrote my first short story when I was six, describing a day in the life of Jill on the army base in New Zealand where we lived. It was mostly detailed descriptions of den building with my best buddy Kahu. I reread it recently. It wasn’t bad.
WHAT?
I haven’t stopped writing since, completing three unpublished novels (which will never see the light of day!), two published, one soon to be published and a further two book deal with Black and White Publishing/Bonnier UK, that I’m working on right now. My life is pretty much writing, day job, writing, sleeping, repeat — and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Although…it would be nice to give up the day job eventually.
WHERE?
As I said, the writing started when I was six but my road to publication began with a birthday present from my sister. It was a weekend Guardian Masterclass in creative writing where I met a writer called SJ Watson. He recommended the Faber Academy, where he wrote his thriller Before I Go To Sleep, later made into a film with Nicole Kidman, Colin Firth and Mark Strong. I straight away submitted a piece of writing to the Academy and was delighted to be accepted. While I was there, I started writing my first published novel The Time Before The Time To Come, a historical fiction book, based on my Māori heritage. I also found my agent whilst on the course, who I’ve been with for ten years.
WHY?
I’m a writer because I’m a daydreamer. I have been my whole life. It got me into a lot of trouble at school, but it’s now become quite productive. ‘You won’t amount to anything if you don’t get your head out of the clouds’ has finally been proved wrong! It’s annoying for my loved ones though, especially when I’m inventing a complicated scene or fixing a plot hole in my head while they’re trying to ask me a question.
WHEN?
The Time Before The Time To Come hardback is available online now. The first Professor Eustacia Rose Mystery — Devil’s Breath paperback is available online and in bookshops now. The second Professor Eustacia Rose Mystery — Hell’s Bells hardback is published July 11 th 2024 and will be available online and in bookshops. The third Professor Eustacia Rose Mystery — Bella Donna (my current WIP) is due out in 2025. The fourth Professor Eustacia Rose Mystery — Untitled is due out 2025/26.
HOW?
I strongly recommend writing courses. The Faber Academy is very good, as is Curtis Brown Creative but there are many others that are equally good. Here, you might be lucky enough to find an agent or at the very least you’ll meet knowledgeable tutors who can help you find an agent. You’ll also find your writing tribe, some of whom will stay with you throughout your career. Writing is a solitary occupation. Some find it lonely so having a network of people who understand what you’re talking about when you need to have a good old moan about your WIP, is invaluable.
What are you reading?
I usually have a couple of books on the go, as well as an audio book. I’m greedy like that. Right now, I’m just finishing Yellowface by R.F. Kuang and halfway through The House of Fortune by Jessie Burton. I’ve just finished listening to Weyward by Emilia Hart and will start listening to The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell tonight. I seem to only be reading female writers at the moment, or postcolonial literature by writers of colour.
As a teenager I, very pretentiously, only read Russian or French literature by dead men but, thankfully, I grew out of that. If I can make a recommendation and if you like Gabriel García Marquez, it has to be Beauty is a Wound by the Indonesian writer Eka Kurniawan, translated by Annie Tucker. Honestly, it is absolutely incredible!
Thanks so much to Jill - I’m looking forward to tucking into your new novel!
Nic’s booky nook (because if you write, you must read)
The Virtue Season by L.M. Nathan: Described as a blend of Bridgerton and The Handmaid’s Tale, this dystopian tale by Lancashire-based author L.M.Nathan promises to captivate readers who crave high-stakes narratives, intricate world-building, and resistance against oppressive regimes. in the bleakest of conditions. With the resurgence of the dystopian genre driven by TikTok, readers are hungry for stories that tackle tough, dark subjects. The Virtue Season does just that, addressing issues such as women's rights, bodily autonomy, and the persecution of minority groups, all while exploring first love and the deep bond of friendships. Out July 4 with Scholastic.
The Actuality by Paul Braddon: Her innocence won’t help her when she’s on the run…Evie is a near-perfect bioengineered human. In a broken-down future where her kind has been outlawed, her husband, Matthew, keeps her safely hidden. But when Evie’s existence is revealed, she must take her chances on the dark and hostile streets, where more than one predator is on the hunt. Out with Bloodhound Books.
The River Man by R.B. Croft: Something is happening in the once quiet village of Watersmeet. In stark and brutal contrast to the natural beauty of the surrounding forests and dark waters from which the village takes its name, a body is discovered hanging from a river bridge. It’s a gruesome scene, the like of which Watersmeet has never known. Special Constable Clem Vallins was once Watersmeet Police’s brilliant Chief Constable. But these days the force views Clem as a nuisance, an old-timer who needs putting out to pasture. But he won’t go. Out with Audible original now.
Cellophane Bricks by Jonathan Lethem: Centered around his art collection built by Lethem through exchanges of writing and art, Cellophane Bricks is a beautifully illustrated title intertwining original pieces written in exchange for artworks. This is the first time these essays will be published as a collection of writings. Some of the artists included in the book are Nan Goldin, Jim Shaw, Andy Warhol, Richard Prince, Raymond Pettibon, Phil Coppola, Chester Brown, Julia Jacquette, Rosalyn Drexler, Manny Farber, Emily Joyce, Hans Holbein, and many more. Out September 19 with Ze Books and available for pre-order.
News, events and opportunities for writers and journalists
For books and authors
Edinburgh Books Festival: Controversy over Baillie Gifford sponsorship continues (linked story via The Scotsman)
Nero Book Awards: Submissions for the 2024 Nero Book Awards are now open and all submissions must be made via the online form below before the deadline of 5pm, Wednesday July 10. The awards highlight great authors and outstanding reads across four categories: Children’s Fiction, Fiction, Debut Fiction and Non-Fiction.
The Bloody Scotland Debut Prize: Celebrating its 5th Anniversary this year - the full shortlist is:
Suzy Aspley with Crow Moon (Orenda).
Daniel Aubrey with Dark Island (Harper North).
Allan Gaw with The Silent House of Sleep (SA Press).
Doug Sinclair with Blood Runs Deep (Storm Publishing).
Martin Stewart with Double Proof (Polygon).
For journalism
The AOP Award for Inspiring Local Journalism at Digital Publishing Awards: Sponsored by Google News, this award supports inspiring local journalism. The recipient will have to prove to the board that their work illustrates that investigative and campaigning journalism is alive and well in the UK’s communities. Publishers are invited to nominate their most promising journalists, or journalists may nominate themselves. Free to enter.
International News Media Association 30 Under 30s INMA aims to find 30 rising stars in news media with early career achievements, insights into innovation, ability to influence, and likely management skills across advertising, audience, business intelligence, content and product, and leadership functions at media companies. Free to enter and deadlines Friday June 28.
If you want to take part or send me your events, opportunities and newness, you can message me below. And thanks for reading - let me know what you think..
Nicola x