Newly Published:

A Guide toScottish

LiteratureIssue 1April 2014Ringwood Edition

A rigorous exploration of Scottishidentity. An in depth look at thepersonal history of Scotsman FrankHunter. A story of a 100-year-oldfight for Scott ish Home Rule. Covering a century’s worth ofScottish social, political and football highlights – A Subtle Sadness demands to be read byanyone seeking to understand theScottish character.It embraces the Ibrox Disaster of1971; the Gorbals Monster Hunt;the death of Jock Stein; the fatedfight for Scotland’s industrial inheritance; as well as love, marriage and relationships in modern day Scotland. With anarray of themes spanning politics,football, religion, sex and alcoholin Scotland, it is the perfect read forthose looking to expand theirknowledge on these issues or forthose who wish to open a door intoa brand new area that they have notdiscovered before.Sandy Jamieson, senior SocialWork manager turned author, talksabout his upcoming book – A Subtle Sadness. “A Subtle Sadnessis the first book in The Hunter Trilogy,” Sandy explains. “Thebook explores the fiction of whoFrank Hunter is and where he camefrom. In the novel, Frank Hunter isa uniquely talented man who isvery much a key identity in Scotland’s history.” Sandy continues: “The book delves intoFrank Hunter’s tragic life. He is asad Scotsman with quite a self- destructive streak. The interestingthing about him is that he is theproduct of a mixed marriage; hehas a Protestant father and aCatholic mother, which of course inthose days, was rare.”

Tying in themes of football andpolitics, the books sheds a light onthe sad and haunting story of FrankHunter, while additionally, reflecting on the sorrow, depressionand mental health problems thathid in the shadows of his mind.While delving into the life of FrankHunter, A Subtle Sadness also displays a fresh Scottish approachto the major issues that Scotlandhas faced in the past. Sandy depictsperfectly the trials and the triumphsof Scotland over the years. Thebook features a dazzling timeline ofvarious events, people and theirstories.He enthuses: “One of the stories inthe book covers the bitter fight forScottish Home Rule. It’s told byMary Ewing and it explores theyears 1890 to 1990, it’s really interesting.” With the book’s strongfootball themes, the timeline continues with the emotional storyof Scotland’s quest for the WorldCup and the political impact it had.“The book covers the five consecutive qualifications in theyears 1973 to 1989. These yearswere crucial to Scotland,” Sandycontinues. “Essentially, the bookcovers a century of Scotland’shighlights – politically and socially.”And a book worthy century it is.The book talks about Glasgow’semergence as European City ofCulture in 1990. It covers the Gorbals by-elections of 1908,1948, 1969 and 1982; the ScottishConvention of 1948; the Devolution Referendum and theimpact of Thatcherism on Scotland’s industrial base. On thefootball side it emotionally tells ofthe Ibrox Disaster of 1971 as wellas the less fatal disasters of

Wembley in 1961 and Argentina in1978. “I suppose the book is onemassive history lesson,” Sandylaughs. Indeed, the author has quitea history himself. After living inAyrshire, Fife and Spain, he has finally settled down in Glasgowwhere he was born.“I was a Senior Social Work manager with Strathclyde RegionalCouncil, working as Assistant Director with children and families.” He left social work in1991 to pursue his dream of becoming an author. He publishedOwn Goal, The Great Escape andGraeme Souness: The Ibrox Revolution and the Legacy of theIron Lady’s Man and worked onthe first draft of A Subtle Sadnessbefore returning to social work. “Ibecame Chief Executive of ‘Includem’ which is an organisation dedicated to providingsupport to Scotland’s most troubledyoung people. I worked with ‘Includem’ for 25 years and received and OBE in 2008 for thework I did,” he says proudly. Retiring in 2007, he retreated toSpain where he worked on hisbooks. “I came back from Spain in2011 and that was when I sat downseriously to write A Subtle Sadness,” Sandy says.A Subtle Sadness will officiallylaunch on March 27 at the BerkeleySuite, 237 North Street in Glasgow.Many new Scottish authors will bein attendance, there will be a question and answer session withSandy himself, plus the opportunityto get a copy of A Subtle Sadnesssigned.

-A Subtle Sadness is now available to buy on Amazon andthe Ringwood website

A Subtle Sadness

... launched

On March 27, many friends, family and colleagues ofSandy Jamieson gathered in a crowded Berkeley Suitein Glasgow to finally see the official launch of A Subtle Sadness. Ringwood Publishing, who Sandyworks with and who also published his book, gatheredproudly to finally see the launch of a book that hasbeen 17 years in the making.In a moving and witty speech, Sandy speaks abouthow long it took him to finish the book and the supporthe received from his wife and from Ringwood, whom

with he has worked with for many years. Forgoing theusual readings from the book, Sandy instead chose tospeak in length about what the book stood for andwhat he hoped to achieve with it. The question and answer session that followed provoked a very lengthydebate about the relationship of the book to the currentindependence debate going on in Scotland.Ringwood were delighted at the attendance ofWilliam McIlvanney, a very famous Scottish author.

Sandy Jamieson signs copies of A Subtle Sadness

“Thank you all for coming to support me on this momentous occasion. Getting to this point wasnot an easy process, but after nearlyeight years in the making, I am finally a published author.”Amidst many cheers and claps,Gordon Johnston begins his emotional speech at the officialbook launch of his superb psychological thriller. On February13 in the crowded Berkeley Suitein Glasgow, friends, family and fellow authors gathered to helpGordon celebrate the release of hisfirst published book; Calling Cards.The book itself has been describedas a fresh and exciting addition tothe ranks of Tartan Noir. Gordonsays: “It is an exploration into theimpact that stress has on human beings. It explores the path thatpeople follow when they resort toaddiction: then the road to recovery. It highlights how corruptive the need for success orrevenge can be for a person.”Calling Cards links the small Scottish worlds of journalism andpolitics. In a favourable

comparison to State of Play, Calling Cards creates an intricatenetwork of linked strands thateventually builds to a compellingclimax. Published by RingwoodPublishing, a small publishinghouse in Glasgow, this debut titlefrom Gordon Johnston is said to bea “psychological thriller worthy ofa place in the top rank.” Executiveand author at Ringwood Publishing, Sandy Jamieson says ofthe book: “It is a fascinating examination of people under stress.It is extremely well written in afluid style, very easy to read. Thestory tells of an increasingly des-perate hunt for a Glasgow serialkiller, while highlighting how peo-ple cope under intense pressure. Itmarks the arrival of a new and verywelcome addition to Ringwoodpublishing. We are pleased to haveGordon join our ranks and additionally to the ranks of distinguished Scottish crime writers.”Gordon’s launch is a busy and funevent with many authors, distinguished and new, in

attendance. He reads an extractfrom his book, makes his speechand answers questions from the audience. Then the real booklaunch begins.Gordon says: “Just because peoplehave shown up to the launch, doesnot mean they are going to leavewith a copy of the book. The bookmay be published but the hard partis just starting: getting people tobuy the book.”After his individual question andanswer session, Gordon joined theRingwood Writers Panel to answerqueries from the crowd.“The road to getting published isnot an easy one. But with the rightpublisher and the right peoplearound you, the right attitude andthe determination, every aspiringauthor has an excellent chance ofgetting their work out there,” Gordon finishes proudly.

-Calling Cards is available to buyon Amazon and the Ringwoodwebsite

the sole purpose of a book launch is to convince people thatthe book is worth buying

Calling Cards“ ”

As well as celebrating the launchof a book, the sole purpose of abook launch is to convince peoplethat the book is worth buying.Being a small publishing company, Ringwood has to workthat bit harder to get readers in thedoor, generate interest and letthem know about their upcomingtitles. Attending Gordon’s booklaunch were also a selection of authors that Ringwood have already published or new authorsthat are being published in the upcoming months.“Book launches are essential toany publisher and any author. It iswhen you get to introduce yourbaby to the world!” Sandy gushes.“It is a very important way to kickstart sales of the book. As a smallpublisher, it is vital that our booklaunches are successful and wordof the books are spread by peoplewho attend.”Small publishing companies likeRingwood face many difficultiescompared to bigger publishers.They do not have as many resources, or the publicity that bigger publishing houses obtain.That being said, there is some pros.“From Ringwood’s point of view,

we feel like we are giving these authors a chance. Most of the writers we take on have never beenpublished. We publish around 10%of the submissions that we receive,

which is a great deal more than bigger publishing companies. Withso little staff it sometimes is astruggle to get things done, but wealways get there,” Sandy explains.Small publishers struggle to make

any money at all, caught betweenAmazon, who insist on a 60% discount to sell your books andbookshops who also insist on highdiscounts. Most booksellers struggle to make money on anybut the most popular books andeven then, supermarkets and othernon-traditional booksellers tendto undercut them.It is very hard for new unknownauthors to get published for thefirst time. There is a classic Catch22 that prevents new authors getting published. Publishers willno longer accept manuscripts unless submitted by a LiteraryAgent, but Literary Agents won’ttake on new clients unless theyhave a publisher interested.Sandy continues: “Big publisherswill print 50-60 books per year,small publishers much less. Thisyear Ringwood hopes to publish8 books, a record for us, but nothing compared to a big publisher. The process is veryslow. It can take months after submission before an author is toldtheir book may be of interest andthen many more months before theprocess of editing is started.”

How do small publishing companiessurvive?

This project will allow these young journalists todiscuss these issues and will help to shape how

the next generation reports on the news“

”As part of Glasgow’s AyeRight! Festival, the 2014Cultural Programme willoffer the next generation ofaspiring writers the uniquechance to join in with thisyear’s CommonwealthGames. The three-day event startson April 14, 100 days before the CommonwealthGames kick off and it is afantastic opportunity foryoung journalists to gainvaluable experience beforeScotland’s biggest culturaland sporting event. Up to300 young people will bechosen from 14 Commonwealth nations,

including the United Kingdom. Promising writers have already beenselected through the city’sEducation Services department and many arealready involved in producing stories for schoolpublications. Candidate Caitlin Marshallsays: “It is a massive privilege to be a part ofsuch an exciting and dynamic opportunity. Whenyou have your heart set onsomething, to be allowedeven the smallest insightinto the way it works is agreat boost.” A chief Commonwealth component for

Glasgow’s literary festival will include a visitfrom the 2013 Booker Prize winner EleanorCatton, author of The Luminaries. The festivalwill also feature a tribute event to the late SouthAfrican President, Nelson Mandela, a conference with 300 young journalists and master classes with some of the country’s leading writers and reporters.

The Mitchell Library, Glasgow

SchoolDaze

In a hugely enjoyable frolicthrough the social, sexual and professional dilemmas of threenewly qualified young teachers;School Daze is sure to be a hit withteachers and students alike.Being a high school teacher herself, author Elaine McGeachydrew very much inspiration fromher own personal experiences inorder to write School Daze. In atime where many stories concerning relationships betweenteachers and students have stormedthe headlines, Elaine’s novel takesa refreshing twist on the issue witha pleasant absence of sensationalism. It is a down toearth, realistic take on high schoolsin Scotland and a welcome additionto the range of novels that Scottishteenagers can read and relate to.On the launch of her debut novel,Elaine is giddy with excitement,surrounded by proud friends andfamily and ready to present herbook to the world. In the Koh-I-Noor restaurant in Glasgow, around50 or so guests attend Elaine’s

book launch. “I’d just like to thankyou all for coming tonight, it meansa lot to me and really humbles methat you could all attend. For thoseof you here that know me, you’llknow this has been a dream ofmine since I was a wee girl. Writing a book has been numberone on my bucket list for as long asI can remember,” Elaine says. Elaine goes on to speak about hercareer in teaching and how shedrew on the experiences she hashad with her high school studentsfor the book. She stresses that allcharacters in the book are fictionalbut she has used small personalitytraits from those closest to her andsituations that she or fellow teachers have been in. School Dazefollows the lives of three youngteachers, Caitlyn, Jamie and Jennifer, and how they cope withthe ever-increasing stresses of themodern day world of education.The characters all run into temptation at some point involvingan attractive male pupil, a highlycharismatic head teacher and a

mysterious stranger. The bookdeals with how they juggle theirprofessional responsibilities whilemaintaining their social lives. Thisis something that Elaine can personally relate to and admits, “Ittook me so long to finish the bookbecause I was so busy during theschool year that I could only workon it during the summer holidays.”After a hearty meal and somedrinks, the guests settle down tohear some readings from the book.Elaine’s best friend reads animatedly the sections that Elainethought were best to introduce thecharacters to the reader. After thereadings came a lively question andanswer session that seen Elainelaugh, “I won’t be writing anotherbook anytime soon, I think my husband would divorce me!” afterbeing asked if there will be a sequelto School Daze.

-School Daze is available onAmazon and the Ringwood website

The dazzling tale that is SchoolDaze will be loved by all youngteachers, and by all those evertaught by a young teacher whowondered what passions might

lie behind the prim face properlypresented in the classroom.

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Issue 1April 2014Ringwood Edition

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