Word Pirates

In response to Marcia’s last post, I feel inclined to point out yet another example of editors missing the boat:

The frustrated efforts of Catherine O’Flynn, a former postwoman who tried and failed 15 times to get her work published, were finally rewarded yesterday when her first book was shortlisted for the £25,000 Costa Book Awards.

O’Flynn, 37, whose novel, What Was Lost, was turned down repeatedly before it secured a publishing deal, began writing while working long hours at a shopping centre. The plot revolves around a security guard with a sleep disorder who goes on a quest for the truth after seeing a child who had disappeared 20 years ago on a CCTV camera.

The book – on the shortlist for first novels, with an all-female list of nominees – “pulls the rug from under your feet from the very first page”, the judges said.

Hmmmm… Maybe there should be a blog where someone teaches editors how to recognize good writing? Lesson one, if it “pulls the rug from under your feet from the very first page,” it’s probably worth another look.

~ Joy