It is easier to win the lottery than have a manuscript from the slush pile accepted by a publisher - or so I am reliably informed. So why do we keep on writing and sending in our labours of love? Maybe because, just occasionally we receive a spark - a chink that raises our hopes and makes us feel that one day….

 Eighteen years ago I started my writing career when I became redundant due to the arrival of our first computer! This was quickly followed by the recession in the building industry on which we relied. At the time I was self employed, working along side my husband producing detail drawings for steelwork fabricators. To occupy my spare time I began writing - romances for my sins. I read and enjoyed Mills & Boon and Robert Hale romances, and thought I could produce a manuscript worthy of them. I soon learned, like most beginners I suspect, it is not as easy as it looks, but I was undaunted and determined to become a published author.

I might add a note of caution here. May I suggest to other beginners that they do not mention to family and friends what they are doing. I would urge you to wait until you have something published. My friends probably thought they were taking a genuine interest by asking, whenever we met, “How was the novel coming along?” or “When will it be published?” almost as if it was a five minute wonder. I believe they thought it was some sort of joke and that I hadn’t a hope of ever making the grade. After a while I thought so too I must admit. One has to be a masochist to keep on persevering, unless you have luck on your side.

Five years and countless rejections I was still unpublished, when I decided - rather timidly to join our local writers’ circle. I wanted to be with other writers, even if I might feel overwhelmed by their expertise. But I need not have worried I was made most welcome. All the members were exceedingly friendly and helpful. Shortly after joining one member - a librarian mentioned that the large print section of the library was always very popular and that led to my breakthrough. I immediately wrote off to all the large print publishers of romantic fiction, only to have most reply regretfully that they only did reprints. However the Ulverscroft Foundation at Leicester did offer to see one of my manuscripts, and subsequently offered to publish it in their Linford Romance Series. To say that I was thrilled would be an understatement. I was going to be published at long last! They bought the rights for five years with a one off payment. Perhaps Lady luck was on my side, or was it a fluke?

During the next three years they bought four more of my novels on the same basis. Unfortunately the books are not for sale in the normal way as the Ulverscroft Foundation is a charity and cannot afford the huge discounts generally expected by book sellers. The books are normally found in libraries, hospitals and homes for the elderly, but can be by special order at bookshops or direct from the publisher.

However two years ago there was a change at Ulverscroft and it was decided they could no longer accept fresh, unpublished manuscripts - they had not the editorial staff to deal with them I was told. So it was back to the drawing board for me - metaphorically. I began searching for an agent or publisher willing to assist me to further my writing career. When I started writing I was under the impression that once one had the first book published finding an agent would be no problem. That has not been the case with me. My manuscripts keep bouncing back with interminable rapidity with the usual comment. Not what is marketable at the moment. So why do my PLR figures tell me otherwise? The publishing world remains a mystery to me.

Ever the optimist I keep plugging away. Who knows what the post will bring tomorrow? Maybe an agent will take pity on me, and with help and guidance prod me towards a more remunerative future. I am still a learner - I admit it. I keep writing my romantic fiction, hopefully getting better with each manuscript as I try to learn what is marketable. Unfortunately I don’t feel able to write the raunchy, risqué stories with bossy, arrogant heroines in vogue at the moment. One day the tide may turn again to a bit more femininity and courtship. I hope so.

My work at present is said to be not literary enough for mainstream and not raunchy enough for the mass market. I’d like to think that in the future publishers and agents do not dismiss the “slush pile” quite so readily. Most of us don’t expect a fortune - just a smidgen of recognition for the hours spent slaving away in our garrets.

A PR expert once told me that selling the book wasn’t the problem - it was selling the personality of the writer. What a pity I’m not a young beauty queen married to pop star! I’m not into bungee jumping or sky diving, or anything else that might make the headlines. Instead I consider myself to be a youthful pensioner living in an old farmhouse dating back to 1540. I have given talks, had my photograph in the local paper, and even been on radio, but it hasn’t brought me fame - yet! I could perhaps try another genre I suppose. One thing is for certain I will continue writing as I enjoy it so much, even if I can’t convince others it is worthy of their attention.