A COSY MYSTERY TURNED INTO A COSY SUCCESS

FOR WRITER, ROSY GEE

In the writing of this Substack, I have tried to also include the works of other writers. It is inspiring to see a fellow writer sitting in the lobby of the library behind a desk stacked with the book that they have written. In a way, it is such a brave thing to do.

How many people walk by, uninterested? Or pick up the book and put it down without much consideration. Boy, I think that would un-do me. I'd be likely to jump up and say, “Hey! I wrote that. You should have a look!”

I guess it's not as bad as artists who have put up with people saying that their 5-year-old could do a better painting.

But then I suppose, there's the positive side to it as well, people wanting to talk. Wanting to find out what the book is about, why did you write it, how long did it take, how much is it, can you autograph it for me? That must be the good side of a book signing.

So, I've asked debut author, Rosy Gee, if she would consider being interviewed on my Substack.

Author Rosy Gee

Here are my reasons:

Firstly, because as an author, it is always nice to have extra eyes on your work, and seeing as her book is now out in Waterstones, Amazon and Foyles, more people could potentially buy it for Christmas.

Not that I have thousands of followers to offer Rosy, but more coverage is more coverage.

Secondly, I wanted to highlight Rosy because I live relatively close to her, and the location of her book, The Mysterious Disappearance of Marsha Boden, features Ludlow, a Shropshire town that I am very familiar with. As well, we have similar first names, both live in Shropshire and are writers, so for all those reasons, I felt an affinity with her.

And the third reason is, it's a very, very good book. Especially if you are a fan of cosy mysteries. It's my opinion that her book is just as good as the Richard Osman series. (Based on my readings of both writers.) It's a real page-turner, and that can't be bad.

You will just have to read it yourself and make your own judgement.

So, without further waffle, here is my conversation with Rosy Gee.

Tell us about your start with writing. When did you first know you wanted to write?

I wanted to write from a very early age and wrote my first book aged 7. It was all about my baby sister who had just been born. I still have that book 58 years on! I wrote my next book at age 12 for a school project, for which I won a prize. I love words and have always enjoyed reading, so the two go hand in hand, like much-loved gloves. I guess because of my love of words and writing, I continued to scribble short stories down and gradually, when I reached adulthood, I began submitting articles to magazines like Woman and Professional Secretary (yes, there really was a magazine called this!) I was paid handsomely for the pieces I wrote and got such a kick out of seeing my words in print with my name in the header. It felt amazing!

Was there a turning point for you, when you knew you would write a novel?

I had always wanted to write a novel and had tried over the years but never finished one. I studied Creative Writing and plotted several books, but got so lost and confused that I gave up on them. Then, during the pandemic and long lockdowns, I read Stephen King's book, On Writing.

It was then that I realised that you could sit down at your desk and write. He is what is known as a 'pantser' style of writer which means basically, he starts with the germ of an idea and he just writes the book from there.

Luckily you've discovered you're a pantser!

I was enthralled. Was this really possible? So, I thought I would give it a go. I had a Substack called Rosy's Ramblings (https://rosygee.substack.com) and so in May 2022, I wrote two chapters a week, one on Wednesdays and one on Saturdays. I had no real plan other than to let the story tell itself. My germ of an idea was that a woman from a small village goes missing. That was it. And because I have paying subscribers, I didn't want to let them down and so many of them kept telling me how much they were enjoying it.

Six months later in November 2022, I had a complete novel of 75,000 words. I was so fired up and excited by what I had done that I knew I would have to keep writing, whatever the outcome. My dream had always been to have a novel traditionally published and that was what I set out to do.

And Substack was instrumental in that process. Fabulous!

Out of a scale of 1-10, how much do you love writing?

I am off the scale with my love for writing! So, definitely a 10.

researching? Not great, I find it laborious and sometimes boring, unless it is something integral to a plotline that I know has to be correct. Probably a 3.

editing? About an 8 because I know how editing improves my writing.

marketing? Zero. This one was easy to answer. I hate marketing but it is so important. Sadly, it takes up too much of my time and takes me away from what I love. Writing!

How long did it take you to write The Mysterious Disappearance of Marsha Boden?

Six months.

Was there anything in particular that inspired you?

I heard a rumour about a lady who disappeared and that got me thinking. Before I knew it, I had a whole host of characters who played out the story of The Mysterious Disappearance of Marsha Boden.

Is it based on real people, and a real village? (the one you live in, perhaps?!)

No, definitely not! Every character is fictitious but the geography of the village, Little Twichen, is based on the village where I live. Beyond that, it is all completely out of my head!

How did you choose your publisher?

RomaReads Publishing chose me! I was pitching to agents and publishers directly and kept a spreadsheet of my submissions. I had quite a few 'promising' rejections and interest in my submission. RRP requested a full (publishing speak to see the whole manuscript) and three weeks later, was told they would like to offer me a contract. This was my 14th submission. After that, I was offered an advance and the rest, as they say, is history.

VERY ORGANISED. DO YOU THINK THAT MAY HAVE BEEN PART OF THE REASON FOR YOUR SUCCESS? BESIDES THE WRITING, OF COURSE. YOUR DETERMINATION AND ORGANISATION!

DID YOU GET DISCOURAGED AT ANY POINT BEFORE YOU GOT YOUR
PUBLISHER?

Yes, many times along the way. It is such a tough place out there in the publishing world. Even if you self-publish, which I did with my first two books, which were short stories and poetry collections. Once your book is out there, you have to get it seen. As we know, marketing is not my thing, although it is essential. I feel incredibly fortunate to have had my manuscript accepted for publication but there were times when I thought about giving up. But something deep down inside of me kept saying, 'Keep going.' I'm glad I did!

Have you started to work on your next book?

I have actually finished book 2 and am in the process of editing it. I have started book 3 and can't wait to spend more time on it but sadly, I have to work as well, so that takes up a lot of my time and energy.

Is there anything in particular that you'd like highlighted about your book?

Since its launch at the end of September, so many wonderful reviews have been left about it on Amazon, Foyles and Waterstones. One phrase keeps popping up: I couldn't put it down. I cannot tell you how happy those words make me feel! So, apparently, it's a very good story with a very clever ending. A reviewer's words, not mine!

Do you let people read your drafts?

No. The only person who got to read my drafts was my editor.

Very wise!

Who is your biggest fan?

My daughter. She has seen my journey to becoming a published author from a very young age and has always championed my writing and has always been there for me, cheering me on. I dedicated The Mysterious Disappearance of Marsha Boden to her.

Did you know mysteries were good sellers? Or did it just come naturally to you? Is that your favourite type of reading?

I have always enjoyed reading murder mysteries. I enjoy the intrigue and I love a good puzzle - the physical type and the solving type, so I guess it was inevitable that I would write in this genre.

I had no idea mysteries, cosy crime and murder-mysteries were so popular. Not until I received a critique from The Cheshire Novel Prize that pointed out my book was in the cosy crime genre. I guess being such an Agatha Christie fan it makes sense that I enjoy writing in this genre.

Now, I know that a cosy crime is a 'light-hearted and gentle read with no graphic or gruesome detail' They are usually set in pretty, quaint places. Think Midsomer Murders meets Miss Marple. I guess it appeals to me because I live in such a pretty, chocolate box village myself.

Sounds like it could be the next Midsomer Murders!

What do you think of being compared to Richard Osman?

I am hugely flattered! I just wish I had his marketability. One day...

Just get on TV, and the world is your oyster!

Anything else that comes to mind? Feel free to suggest something that occurs to you.

I have been blown away by the way the book has been received. Colleagues have told me that they read it in one sitting and keep asking me when my next book is out. I am so flattered and, of course, spurred on to keep writing.

Rosy Gee's debut novel, The Mysterious Disappearance of Marsha Boden, (Roma Reads Publishers), is available now at Amazon, Foyles and Waterstones.

Just don't mark up your copy, they could be valuable in future!

If you like this review, please feel free to Restack it! It could help both Rosy and I get more exposure. (Of the good kind!)