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| The Ruth Leigh Writes monthly newsletter |
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Let Your Friendly Local Author (That’s Me) Add Some Sparkle To Your Life
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| The heartiest of greetings to you, dear reader. If you signed up at the Helmingham Hall Classic Car Day or at Deben Events at the Shire Hall in Woodbridge in August, a special hello. I am the author of seven books, with one more in the edits stage and another marinating in my busy little brain. I write contemporary humour, poetry, Jane Austen fan fiction, journalism and I’m also a freelance writer and speaker. If you are a little baffled at the inclusion of “Colin’s Corner” and the many pictures of Mr Firth himself which pepper my social media, it’s because he’s my prop. I write Pride and Prejudice short stories, so naturally, I need a two-dimensional man to accompany me to events.
New Book! |
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| | It’s here! My latest publication, The Diary of Ruth Leigh Aged Fifty Eight and Three Quarters, is now available for pre-order. It’s a collection of some of my blogs written between 2019-2023 and is alternately funny, sad, impassioned and thought-provoking. That’s what my first readers said, anyway. If you’re an Issy Smugge fan, prepare to find out some stuff you didn’t know about her. If you like my style of writing, it will probably entertain you for a while. If you are a writer yourself, or would like to be, you might be interested in tracking my progress from freelance writer for hire to novelist. As with all my books it's gluten-free, easy to read and makes a great gift. “That’s all very well, Ruth,” you might be saying, “but how do I get my hands on it?”
Couldn’t be easier. Simply click on the link HERE and once you’ve completed your pre-order, you will be sent a link to take you to a secret page on my website where you can have a sneaky little read before anyone else. Don’t forget to let me know if you want me to sign the book to anyone in particular. The second those books arrive at the Palace, we will be signing and sending in the usual efficient fashion. If you prefer to read on Kindle, just search the book up on Amazon and click to buy. It’s there now!
Colins’s Corner |
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| A number of you have mentioned that Colin is looking a little tired and droopy. It was generally felt that I’d been working him too hard and it was time for a holiday. Throughout August, he had a lovely time being part of the Jane Austen display in Woodbridge Library. My contact at the library (hello Kate) reports that his manners were impeccable. Refreshed and renewed, he will be joining me on the circuit again this month. |
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| I haven’t been away on holiday for three years. It was good to go to Spain and spend some time reading on the sunny balcony, swimming in the sea and eating delicious seafood. With my new book out, there is space in my brain to start planning out Issy 5. Lots of ideas fell into my head as I splashed around in the Med. She and her extended family will be enjoying a lovely Spanish holiday as soon as her children break up from school. Mr Leigh and our daughter are used to my mad writer’s brain, fortunately. One minute we’d be discussing that night’s menu (“Squid, do you think? Or shall we try to find some razor clams?”) when suddenly I started talking about Harry (Mummy’s husband) travelling round the world for his job and being a fluent Spanish speaker. They looked blank for a sec. “Are we talking about Issy Smugge now?” they enquired. I confirmed that we were and checked out some youth slang with my daughter. Finn is going into Year 9 and Chloe into Year 6, so there will be some rampant hormones and mood swings at the Old Rectory. How will Issy feel about her eldest being eyed up by teenage girls on the beach? Will Johnnie finally wake up to his responsibilities to both or either of his families? Are we going to hear any more from Lavinia Harcourt, Issy’s sworn enemy? I’ll start writing the first chapter in September and keep you posted.
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| My writing workshops are welcoming, inspirational and potentially life-changing. It’s so important to me to help people to get the words inside them, out. I see this again and again as we sit together in the Palace and they read out what they’re written. People smile, wipe away tears, put their hand on their heart and say, “That really touched me.” It’s powerful stuff. That said, it’s also fun! If you have a special birthday or anniversary coming up and would like to book in as a group (five is the maximum), extras can be added in (I’m thinking Prosecco). The workshops are also perfect for team-building days, so if you are involved in the corporate world, do email me for a chat. You get coffee and posh biscuits, plus a goody bag and notes for the half day, and coffee, tea, posh biscuits, a delicious lunch, goody bag and notes for the full day.
If you would like to book a place, simply click on the links below:
Full Day Workshop on Saturday 11th October 10am - 4pm
Half Day Workshop on Saturday 8th November 1pm - 4pm
Half Day Workshop on Saturday 17th January 1pm - 4pm
Full Day Workshop on Saturday 7th February 10am - 4pm
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| Traditionally, September is a bonkers month at Ruth Leigh Writes. I will be up in Derbyshire at CRT (a kind of trade show for the Christian book profession) in the first week of the month and I will find out if I have won the ACW Book of the Year award and/or the CRT Book Award. There are three of us in each category and I am up against some stiff competition. Keep an eye on my socials for the news.
If you want to come and find me in September, I will be at:
The Wickham Market Harvest Market, The Hill, Wickham Market, Saturday 6th September 9am - 2pm
Bury St Edmunds Makers’ Market, Cornhill, Bury St Edmunds, Sunday 7th September 10am - 3pm
Helmingham Hall Autumn Plant Fair, Saturday 14th September 10am - 4pm
I’m also going to be the speaker at the Literary Lunch for the Essex Federation of the WI, talking about Jane Austen. I love being an accredited WI speaker, so if you’d like to book me for next year (I cover East and West Suffolk, and Essex), I promise to bring Colin and give you a witty yet heartwarming talk.
September is rounded off by the British Christian Writers’ conference at Histon Baptist Church, north of Cambridge. I co-run it with fellow writer and top mate Andy Chamberlain. If you’re interested in finding out more, click on the link HERE.
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| I was only away on my holidays for ten days but I managed to read ten books (we’re including the journey to and from Spain in the reading time). I’ve always been a big fan of Maggie O’Farrell and I treated myself (via World of Books) to three of her novels. I particularly enjoyed, “The Hand That First Held Mine” and would heartily recommend it to you. Sad, intriguing, fascinating. I loved it and was gripped. |
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| Our inspiring quote for September comes from Eugene Ionesco, the avant-garde playwright and founding father of the Theatre of the Absurd.
“A writer never has a vacation. For a writer life consists of either writing or thinking about writing.”
As we start to slide into autumn, pull on a comfy jumper, put the kettle on and start diving into your TBR pile. I’ll be doing exactly the same. Happy reading!
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