Henley u3a

NOVELIST Susanna Beard, from Marlow, gave a talk to January’s meeting of Henley u3a about the highs and lows of becoming a published author.

This was the first of the group’s 2024 programme of monthly talks.

After a career in public relations for business clients, Ms Beard decided to try her hand at becoming the novelist she’d dreamed of being since childhood.

She wrote her first book while attending a six-month creative writing course at the Faber Academy in London.

With the manuscript completed, she was faced with applying to scores of literary agents. These she described as gatekeepers to the publishing world. Some asked for a rewrite but many rejected her work out of hand.

She kept trying and was eventually taken on by an agent.

Then she had to wait many months for the book to be critiqued at publishing houses by first a junior, then an editor and finally the sales team.

During the lengthy waiting period that is typical for new authors, Ms Beard wrote a second book.

Eventually her debut book was accepted by Legend Press and she received an advance for a two-book deal.

She spent an enjoyable 18 months on and off promoting the books at literary festivals, libraries and on TV, radio and social media.

She took another course on crime writing and then the covid pandemic hit.

Ms Beard used the enforced recess to write three more books by working six days a week for five hours a day.

The NaNoWriMo website helped her to keep going and she eventually signed up to the digital publisher Joffe for a three-book deal.

She has now completed eight books.

During a question and answer session, Ms Beard told the audience, which included one member with a manuscript in progress, that she’s a pantser (writing from the seat of one’s pants) rather than a plotter.

Also that she researches the locations where her stories are set and needs to devise the ending before she starts writing. Ms Beard signed off by alluding to Thomas Jefferson’s maxim — the harder she worked, the luckier she got.

Henley u3a holds talks, which are open to members and the public, at 2pm on the second Wednesday of each month at Sacred Heart hall in Walton Avenue, off Vicarage Road, Henley. Parking is available.

U3a is a UK-wide organisation open to anyone over the age of 65 who wishes to learn for fun.

Henley u3a offers more than 20 groups and new members are always welcome. For more information, call 07879 580736 or visit u3asites.org.uk/henley-on-thames

Lin Taylor