Left to right Steve Christie, Brian McHugh, Stephen O'Donnell, D.A. Meyrick
The Background
It has never been harder for new writers to get their work published by established Publishers. This has nothing to do with ability or potential, it is simply crude economics. Most traditional publishers used to be prepared to risk subsidising new authors who were unlikely to sell well initially, through the profits from their more established best sellers. But with the growth of cut-price and cut-throat competition from both new book sellers like Supermarket Chains and the rapid rise of internet sellers like Amazon, the profit margins are now so tight that they will only publish new writers they reckon they can make a profit on.
New writers will be familiar with the intractable Catch-22 this has created. Send your manuscript to a traditional publisher and they will reply, often months later, that they are only accepting new writers if submitted by a recognised Literary Agent. So you send your manuscript to dozens of Agents only to be told by all of them that they are not taking on new writers since publishers are not publishing new works. It takes luck rather than talent to break this vicious circle, along with a sense that money can be made.
So many new writers are left with works of undoubted talent and potential without any realistic hope of being published.
The Policy
In October 2011 Ringwood Publishing committed to a policy of giving new Scottish writers of talent the opportunity to have their work published. Most of the manuscripts submitted to Ringwood since this policy was adopted, while often displaying a degree of talent, were not of sufficient quality to be considered for publication. However four of these submissions were significantly above the quality threshold required to be worthy of publication and Ringwood determined to make these four books, all by previously unpublished authors, available to the reading public.
The Books
During 2012 Ringwood has already published four debut novels, Torn Edges, Good Deed, Paradise Road. and Whisky From Small Glasses.
Torn Edges by Brian McHugh is a riveting mystery story linking modern day Glasgow with 1920’s Ireland. It throws fascinating light on a neglected period of Scots Irish history. The book ends with a dramatic climax which unites the past and present strands.
Good Deed by Steve Christie is an exceptionally fast paced crime novel that leaves the reader breathless but enthralled as it rattles around Scotland to a dramatic climax. A welcome addition to Tartan Noir, DI Buchanan will become one of Scotland’s favourite detectives.
Paradise Road by Stephen O’Donnell is a thoughtful, provocative yet engaging book about the difficulties of being a young man in modern post industrial Scotland, pushed to casual sex, drugs and violence, while their main obsession football is priced outwith their reach.
Whisky From Small Glasses by D.A. Meyrick is a impressive crime novel that reveals the seething cauldron of sex, drugs, violence and corruption beneath the dour surface of Scottish rural life. Driven by character and relationships, it builds to an almost unbearable conclusion.
All four books are very different in style and content but collectively they offer a valuable addition to the pool of Scottish literary talent.
Further details of all four books are available on the Available Titles page of this site (at www.ringwoodpublishing.com) along with information of how to purchase them. All purchases from this site are guaranteed next day dispatch and a signed First Edition
All four books are also available as ebooks from the Kindle Store and amazon.co.uk at a reduced price
The Authors
Brian McHugh is a Glaswegian of Irish ancestry. Torn Edges is his first novel although he has written several short stories. He is currently working on a USA based follow-up to Torn Edges
Steve Christie an Aberdonian, lives in Edinburgh with his wife and 2 sons and works for the City Council. He is currently working on the second in DI Buchanan series, Cold Shot
Stephen O’Donnell was born in Glasgow. After working in Scotland, London and Prague, he has returned home as a full-time writer. Stephen will be a welcome intellectual addition to the Scottish literary scene.
D.A. Meyrick lives on LochLomond side with his wife and cats. After a varied career including spells in the police force, a distillery and sales and marketing, he became a full-time writer.
The Ringwood Four Are Coming to Edinburgh
All the Ringwood Four will be available to talk about and sign their books at the Ringwood Launch on Thursday 29th November from 7pm in the Bacaro Club, Hudson Hotel, 9-11 Hope St, Edinburgh.
Press and Public welcome. Free Admission. Readings, Drama, Socialisation, Refreshments, Entertainment
