Geraint Roberts - Ramblings of a would-be published novelist

Sorry if I appear a bit lightweight these days. I have a rough idea where I am at least. Problem is, the great move is going too well in theory, but has plenty of potential pratfalls that are no closer to negotiating. We could have everything and actually be better off in Wales than we were in England. It could all be wiped out, like some particular evil episode of 'Deal or no deal'.]

My house sale is close to exchange, within a chain of 3 buyers, only the lowest rung has yet to sign contracts. They have had a new mortgage offer sent as the old one was wrong. It's so close, but can't be counted on until exchange of contracts as you all know...We have a house to buy - vacant possession, but of course if the first bit doesn't happen, it's all fiction, do have a mortgage offer though...

I went to a job interview with a financial institution (the Spanish monastic one) and was offered a job as Aberystwyth Branch Manager on the spot. I worked for 18 yrs for them until 2003 (mostly in Head Office), which helps. Unfortunately, the verbal offer has yet to be a written (ie legal) one and the feedback is the dreaded HR are still processing references. Said references have yet to be approached. It's a neat gig and would tie in beautifully, but the next box might be £250,000...

I had my Ms rejected by Gomer Press recently. This was following up a named lead given to me by another Press Editor. The response was:

Thank you very much for sending me your work which my colleague Mairwen Jones passed on to me. I enjoyed reading the extract, but know that this would not be right for Pont Books, our children’s imprint. We are constantly exhorted by the Welsh Books Council to avoid retrospective representations of life in Wales, as we already have a very strong record in the publication of material with a historical bias. We are always eager to receive well-written material with a focus on contemporary realities for young people in Wales, and I would be willing to look at other typescripts if you felt you had something which was suitable. In the meantime, I am going to pass your original submission to my colleague Ceri Wyn Jones, who deals with books for adults. He is an extremely busy person, however, so it is unlikely that he will be able to come back to you in the immediate future. I hope this arrangement will be acceptable to you. Thank you once again for sending me your work.

So, there's a lot going on. But it's so frustrating the sitting an waiting... Feel quite impotent at the moment, taken to painting garden furniture.

posted by Geraint @ 1:43 pm 0 comments

Hope in June

More applications, more interviews. I went to a dental practice on Tuesday for the post of manager. Then I got a rush message. can you go to Oswestry for an interview with Abbey? Great irony here, considering I had 18 years of working for them until I was unceremoniously outsourced as part of the price for BT's business. Still, I started feeling sentimental thoughts and warmed to the idea. Strange sito, I was verbally offered the job. Until I get it in writing though, I won't crack the champagne - this is all sorting out too easily, surely?

The house sale is going great guns - contracts are being drawn. The house purchase is struggling as we can't get a mortgage - even for only 20% of the purchase price. they don't like me being unemployed, Aile being foreign etc etc. Abbey are still thinking about it, perhaps if they could confirm my job, it might solve all ills?

I have been bouncing to Northampton and back l;ike a YO-YO, bringing back bits and bobs. it's a bit tiring, wish it was all over and I can sit down, relax, plant a few fruit trees, build a model railway and write. I haven't done any more, but he's definitely going to Stafford.

posted by Geraint @ 9:34 pm 0 comments