Comments on: Rosie Garland: From Mslexia Novel Competition to Harper Collins

By: Rosie Garland

Rosie Garland — Sun, 11 Feb 2018 09:41:25 +0000

In reply to Rachel.

Hello Rachel,

Great to hear from you – yes, I started by sending out my work to magazines /competitions etc.
and I’ll be honest… I still do.
Sure, I have been published. But I value the way that sending out new work hones skills, plus provides the regular impetus of deadlines to work towards. It’s all good practice.

How great that you’re getting your work out there.
yes, readings are The ideal place to have a book stall. Whenever I’m doing a reading, all the writers share a stall.
Best of luck!

By: Rachel

Rachel — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 17:15:22 +0000

I’ve been reading parts of your work above and it’s interesting to hear that you started out sending out small bits. This is what I’ve done with the stuff from small workshops I went to. I have over 200 small poems self published and the books are beautiful. I have more. Do you team up with anyone else to do book launches and stalls.

Rachel

By: Rosie Garland

Rosie Garland — Tue, 17 Jan 2017 13:53:05 +0000

In reply to Sarah Juckes. Fingers crossed for you, Sarah! Sounds like our stories have a lot of similarities...

By: Sarah Juckes

Sarah Juckes — Tue, 10 Jan 2017 08:48:43 +0000

Thanks so much for sharing this, Rosie. What a tale of perseverance and strength. I’m waiting for that same phone call at the moment from Mslexia after 10 years and 4 books. Best of luck to you!

By: Rosie Garland

Rosie Garland — Sat, 17 Dec 2016 13:56:28 +0000

In reply to Charlotte69.

Thank you Charlotte!
And how lovely that you’re going to buy the book.
Yes – here’s to plugging away, eh?

By: Charlotte69

Charlotte69 — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 20:42:38 +0000

“He didn’t even respond.” I will seriously never understand the lack of professionalism in this industry. How hard is it to say “I don’t see this book going anywhere”??? Kudos to you for plugging away. I’m gonna buy your book for that reason alone!

By: Rosie Garland

Rosie Garland — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 10:39:16 +0000

In reply to Debs.

Hello Debs,
Thank you so much for that wonderful comment – I’m so glad my piece meant something to you.
Congratulations on getting your stuff out there – as well as the positive reactions you’ve had! And I love that phrase ‘success is a hundred failures’.

By: Debs

Debs — Fri, 01 Jan 2016 12:39:50 +0000

This struck every chord going inside me, Rosie. I, too, have been buoyed to the point of representation with my books, have a wall-full of rejections (over 500 at the last count) and I still go back and re-read the ‘nicer’ ones which tell me my writing is good – but not good ‘enough’. Last year I started entering writing competitions with a vengeance and got shortlisted for the Greenhouse Chilren’s funny prize, and also had a poem shortlisted in the Hysteria competition – you’re so right about getting it out there – because – and as my husband always says – ‘success is a hundred failures’. Going over to order your book right now – missed the deadline for this years’ Mslexia comp, but will be sure to enter the next one. Fabulous post – thanks SO much for such encouraging words.

By: Rosie Garland

Rosie Garland — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 01:55:29 +0000

In reply to Annette Thomson.

I agree, Annette – if not now, when?
Very best of luck to you,
Rosie x

By: Annette Thomson

Annette Thomson — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 20:53:28 +0000

I loved reading your story, Rosie. It makes me want to get the finger out and try to achieve my dream before it’s too late.
Thank you.