Sally Page: I had to deal with dozens of rejections
I’m so thrilled to share this conversation with author Sally Page. We share a wonderful agent, Tanera Simons from Darley Anderson, so for me, this feels extra special as Sally’s in the position I hope to find myself in further down the line. I guess you could say I’m living vicariously through her publication!
Her debut The Keeper of Stories has just published and is receiving brilliant reviews.
Here she talks about how she reached this point…
1. Congratulations on the publication of your book! How does it feel to be a published author?
Amazing! I can’t quite believe it. The other day the optician asked; ‘Occupation?’ And I all but shouted ‘Author’!
2. Tell us about your book and can you share with us something that isn’t in the blurb?
In the book, Janice, the Keeper of Stories, collects other people’s stories. For a year I was a collector of stories like Janice, asking friends and acquaintances about the stories they came across – those extraordinary tales that ordinary people have to tell about their lives. So, almost all the stories in the book that Janice collects are true, or based on truth. Obviously I changed details here and there to hide the person or to fit the narrative, but I love the fact they are real.
3. What inspired you to start writing?
I started writing non-fiction when I was working part time in a flower shop. I came to realise that a flower shop is a window into a community and through flowers you see everything in life, from birth to bereavement. In my series of Flower Shop books, I photographed and wrote about these floral stories.
4. How long did it take you to write The Keeper of Stories?
It took a year to research the stories and plan the book, and then I wrote it in 3 months (I am a fast writer!). Then came the months of editing.
5. What was the agent submission process like for you?
Hard. I came through the slush pile route and had to deal with dozens of rejections. I had written three books before I eventually got my agent, Tanera Simons from Darley Anderson. Once I met Tanera, everything changed – even though she was not able to find a publisher for the book she read (it was the next one she sold) she was on my side.
6. Your daughter Libby Page is also an author. It must be lovely to share the journey together. Do you discuss your writing with each other and read one another’s drafts?
We definitely talk writing and as I was applying to agents Libby was very encouraging. However we don’t read each other’s work in draft form. I think we both now have people who are supporting us in this way. But we do send early manuscripts to each other.
7. What’s next for you?
The great thing about writing for so long – I started creative writing in 2016 and have written five books – is that I have a body of work that people are now interested in. I am editing a second book, which I am really enjoying going back to.
And just for fun…
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
I have a passion for fountain pens, and when I couldn’t find the one I wanted (colourful and very traditional) I designed one, and set up my pen company plooms.co.uk It is no surprise my next book is partly set in a stationery shop!
So I run my on-line company, and apart from that spend as much time as I can with friends and family.
Your favourite authors?
Libby Page (of course!). But also I love Sarah Winman and on rainy Sundays I read Georgette Heyer.
Paperback or hardback?
Paperback for price, hardback for the odd treat.
A TV show you’ve enjoyed recently?
I have only just discovered Black Books (set in a book shop with Bill Bailey, was out ages ago). It makes me laugh out loud.
Where can we buy your book and find out more about you?
I really want to support book shops, so any indie book shop could order it for you if they don’t have it in.
There is more about me on www.sallypage.com
Thank you Sally for sharing more about your journey to publication. It’s always so inspiring to hear these stories.
You can follow Sally on Instagram.