Featured Articles and Posts

June 1, 2012 By 2QT Publishing Leave a Comment

Beyond & Under Victoria’s Sway

Author: Joyce Stevens-Smith
Release Date: 28th April 2012
Format: Hardback with black and white photographs and illustrations throughout
ISBN: 978-1-908098-01-6

Buy from Amazon | About the author

It all began with a photograph in a waste paper basket in the general office of the Matilda Hospital, Hong Kong in the late 1970’s. Printed on the back was ‘Matilda L Sharp, HK, Xmas 1875’. It was to become a quest and labour of love that was to occupy the author’s life for many years to come.

The result is an invaluable insight into the lives of this incredible Victorian family, as told in part through original letters and journals. It reads like an adventure novel, with toils, challenges, travels and the life of Matilda in Hong Kong from 1858 until her death in 1893.

This is Joyce’s second book and an incredible read about an era in which the British Empire was fast expanding its boundaries across the globe, and the book provides some first hand experiences of a few who were influential figures of the time.

May 5, 2012 By Catherine Cousins 1 Comment

2QT’s Featured Author…Rick Lee

This week we chat to Rick Lee, author of crime thriller Daughter of the Rose. Rick has been writing for most of his life- and already having published other works including a volume of poetry as well as short stories- he talks about the inspiration behind this storyline…

Sum up your book in a few sentences-What is it about?
On one level it’s a conventional crime thriller – a cantankerous detective causing trouble, rubbing people up the wrong way – except the main difference is that he’s not on his own patch – he’s a Londoner who’s been ‘sent up north’. Secondly it concerns a female serial killer who’s driven to kill because of things that happened in the past – and that’s where it becomes tangled in a very old fable.

Who are the intended audience?
People who like crime thrillers with a bit of a twist, a complicated plot, sex and violence, a supernatural climax and some unresolved issues – which imply there’s more to follow . .

Sounds exciting! What inspired you to start in the first place?
I’ve been inventing stories all my life – mainly as a drama teacher with other people – but now I have the time to write at length on my own. I’ve always been fascinated by what goes on in people’s heads – especially people who do terrible things or have to face up to such things.

What inspired the story for ‘Daughter of the Rose’?
The underlying story is an ancient tale – but I like exploring how the past affects the present and it concerns me that too many people are unaware of this. My stories are character driven – I find myself often playing catch-up – trying to write fast enough to keep up with them as they drive forward from one event to another. I’m also fascinated by the way separate lives and stories can collide or interweave themselves with each other – often running alongside but unaware of how close the connections might be and how they can come together in unexpected ways.

What is your preferred style of writing?
It comes out short and staccato – lots of minimal dialogue – characters who communicate by looks and glances rather than long speeches. Editorial advice has led me to include longer sentences, to vary the pace, but my instinct would be to use this for descriptive passages because I do like the rhythm of elegiac writing about places and atmosphere. My first published works were poems.

What made you look to 2QT publishing?
I’d been on a few publishing courses to suss out the business. Some of the advice was very useful – but I prefer to work with people who are positive, constructive and supportive – 2QT provides this approach.

Any advice for anyone contemplating writing/publishing a book?
If you’re only contemplating you’re not ready – start writing! Once you can’t stop writing the need to get published will take over – you’ll find a way.

What are you planning on/hoping to do next?
Well – ‘Daughter of the Rose’ is actually the third Mick Fletcher book I’ve completed. I write very fast – there are five in total so far – with another two whirling round in my head – all in the last two years. So the plan is to publish the sequel – ‘A Frost of Cares’ set in Barrow and the Furness area – in the autumn . . . and then the others. I have lots of ideas for other things – historical/political thrillers – but they’re all likely to involve complicated plots, characters with problems and dangers to face.

To purchase ‘Daughter of the Rose’ click here

Following this interview, Rick had a fantastic book launch in Ulverston, and successfully sold out of his first print run!

Interview by 2QT’s Kate Cousins

April 13, 2012 By Catherine Cousins Leave a Comment

2QT’s Featured Author…Mark Radtke

Following Mark’s recent article in ‘The UK Climber’ magazine, I talked to him about the inspiration behind his book, and whether there is more to come…

Sum up your book in a few sentences. What is it about?

The book explores how changing attitudes and approaches to rock climbing through the 80’s and 90’s bring differing values into conflict, and shape its evolution. The climbing scene during this period of turbulent change is illuminated with captivating pen pictures of some of the sports movers and shakers, providing insight into why certain individuals are so passionate about adventure. In the final analysis, the reader is asked to consider how our strategies for dealing with everyday hazards and risks can play an important role in our natural development and perhaps even our long term survival.

Who are the intended audience?

It is first and foremost a climbing book and will mainly appeal to active climbers and those with a more passive interest mountaineering history. It is a very human story however, and I hope it would appeal to those interested in gaining an insight into the motives of real adventurers.

What inspired you to start writing? Who inspired the story for your book?

They would be the great and talented climbers and comrades who I’ve had the privilege of climbing with over the years. Ultimately it is their story as much as it is mine.

What is your preferred style of writing?

I generally just sit down with a stream of thought, or an idea and see where it takes me. I don’t plan things out. Often when I’m out riding my bike a concept will come to me and I’ll develop things from there.

What made you look to 2QT publishing?

I like the way that Catherine and the team work – very personal. I need freedom when I work with people and 2QT provided a ‘loose framework’ for me to work within. I also recognise that they are an up and coming business. If my book is successful it will help 2QT and ultimately I believe the support will be reciprocated. I’m not superstitious, but things have a habit of going full circle if you know what I mean.

Any advice for anyone contemplating writing/publishing a book?

Believe in what you’re doing, get someone with experience to critique your work, and most importantly don’t give up – writing is a learning process.

What are you planning on/hoping to do next?

People who’ve read the book are already saying that I’ve got another one in me which is encouraging. It’s still early days however, and for me the proof of the pudding will be how well and how quickly this one sells, so I’m going to measure my writing performance in these terms. If it does OK, I might consider writing something else but I’ll have to generate material for a good read- after all this last one was based on forty odd years worth of life experience.

To purchase a copy of A Canvas of Rock click here

The Climber Magazine are offering a chance to win a signed copy of Mark’s book with purchase of the magazine. For your chance to win, click here

Interview by Kate Cousins, 2QT Publishing

April 5, 2012 By Catherine Cousins Leave a Comment

2QT’s Featured Author…Hugh Stewart

For April’s first featured author, I caught up with Hugh Stewart, who has written ‘Settle to Carlisle- Hill Walk with return by Classic Train Route’

Hugh, how would you sum up your book in a few sentences?

My book is about a long distance hill walk of eight days, with a maximum daily mileage of fifteen miles, joining Settle and Carlisle via Ingleborough, Whernside, the Howgills and the eastern Lakeland Fells. I have written it so that the walker is expected to travel back to the start by the classic Train Journey.

Who are your intended audience?

The audience are walkers, whether or not they have done long distance walks before. Armchair walkers are welcome of course!

What inspired the idea for your book?

I have done long distance walking for 35 years; this specific walk seemed a particularly inspiring one to spread the word about: a themed walk teamed with a classic train journey.

What is your preferred style of writing?

As my book is a guide with factual information, I decided to include some personal anecdotes which I hope add a sense of amusement for the reader.

What made you look to 2QT publishing?

I saw a feature about 2QT publishing in the Lancaster Guardian and I was looking for a local publisher. Having tried other outdoor specialist publishers, 2QT were more than happy to take on my title.

What would you say to anyone thinking about writing?

Just do it!

What are you planning on doing next then?

I am writing a guidebook of day walks on the hills, from the Settle to Carlisle stations. There are already some guide books of these areas; however I feel mine will be of definite interest as I have included alternative walks as well as the area above Kirkby Stephen, which other guides have previously omitted!

To purchase a copy of Hugh’s book, click here

Interview by Kate Cousins, 2QT Publishing

March 19, 2012 By Catherine Cousins Leave a Comment

2QT’s Featured Author…Frank English

This week I caught up with Frank English who has published the ‘Magic Parcel Trilogy: The Awakening; The Gathering Storm’ and soon to be released ‘A New Dawn’. Frank has also published a book aimed at a younger audience (and) his latest children’s book ‘18 Mulberry Road’. Frank talks about the books and the inspiration behind them…

Frank English

So Frank, tell me about the Magic Parcel Trilogy. What are the books about?

This is a fantasy adventure story about a nine year old boy’s adventures on new worlds throughout his periods of growing up. He is sent to Omni by his Uncle Reuben for an adventure or two, and becomes deeply involved with the fight against evil in ways no nine year old ever should. Exciting, moving and funny are all epithets which should spring to mind when you read these books. The book is fantastically illustrated throughout by Chaz Wood which makes vivid reading. I would say that my books are intended for anyone who has a shred of imagination from 10 to 80 years of age.

And what about 18 Mulberry Road?

This is the fantastic story of the adventures of the ‘Twitcherlys’, a family of sparrows who live in a knotty old oak tree in a large suburban garden. They include Mother, Father and two boys called Furtive and Fearless, named so by David, the five year old who lives at number 18. They have wonderful adventures which everyone who has read the book agrees are delightful. It is copiously illustrated in full colour throughout by talented Cumbrian artist Pauline Henderson. I would say the intended reading audience is aged 5 to 10 years.

Where did your inspiration come from when writing the books?

I have always enjoyed writing from age eight in primary school. I had a teacher who inculcated in us a love of ‘creative writing’ which allowed me to invent exotic places where fantastic characters could do wonderful things. My inspiration for Magic Parcel came about because of a postal strike in the 70s when packages became lost and letters mislaid. I decided at the time, in discussion with the children I taught, that it might be magical if packages could be delivered without human intervention! Thus the concept of the ‘magic parcel’ was born. Mulberry Road came about because my young son, David, used to enjoy watching the antics of the wild birds in our suburban garden. The young birds were named Furtive and Fearless according to how he perceived the behaviour of certain sparrows in the garden.

What would you say your preferred style of writing is?

I use a lot of vivid and detailed description in my stories to help the reader set the action into a particular context. This description doesn’t detract from the action, but enhances it, painting a rich tapestry upon which the characters can play. I use also lots of personification to bring inanimate objects to life, weaving a halo of vibrancy and life around the whole story. Depending on the story and of course the audience, I tend to intertwine the actions and adventures of several characters throughout, which I believe allows the reader to become involved with action on different fronts at the same time.

What made you choose 2QT as a publisher?

I had bemoaned for a long time that publishing companies did not seem to live beyond Manchester. Having seen an advert in the Lancaster Guardian in 2009 for this new publishing house called 2QT (strange name!) suggesting what a good idea it would be to publish my book, I was hooked. The rest is a well-known cliché. Catherine Cousins and 2QT have allowed me to fulfil my dreams of having my works in print, and will continue to do so whilst I am able to write.

What advice would you give to those looking to write their own books?

Whilst it is not necessarily correct that ‘everyone has a book in them’, I would suggest it is undoubtedly true that publishing writings of some sort is well within the capability of most. Setting one’s own words to paper, in whatever form, is the most exciting and satisfying thing an individual can do. Seeing it set into covers and placed on a bookshelf, either in one’s own home or amongst others is both overpowering and moving. My advice would be – if you would like to do it and don’t know how, there will always be someone like Catherine Cousins at 2QT to guide you. Help is only a phone call away.

Are you currently working on anything else at the moment?

18 Mulberry Road was always going to be one-off; that is, until the children in the primary schools I have visited saw and read it. They decided it had to be continued into more books. Consequently, I am three chapters into the sequel. This book will not only involve them in story and action direction, but will also involve some of them as characters in the adventures. I am excited about this one. I have already started writing a Victorian historical novel set in the mid to late nineteenth century involving a family of farmers in North Yorkshire, which I plan to continue. I have also started planning a novel based on my life story (names will be changed to protect my innocence, naturally!). This should keep me out of mischief for a short while!

It sounds like you have a lot on your plate! Frank also tells me he has many more ideas for future books which at the moment, are only in early stages –

Once my ideas begin to grow into stories and take on a life of their own, then you’ll need to watch this space.

You can keep up to date with Frank and his writings by visiting his website www.frankenglish.co.uk

Interview by Kate Cousins 2QT Publishing