Monday 2 December 2013

Writing, Publishing and Country Hotel

View from our window
 
What a lovely weekend I had speaking down at the Dumfries and Galloway region in the south of Scotland. The writing and publishing day was full of information, networking with other writers and an overview of the choices available to writers these days and the practical considerations of running a small business. My own talk and presentation was about e-publishing and self-publishing options and the comparison with traditional print publishing.

The sun shone the whole weekend and my husband and I stayed overnight nearer to the coast in a beautiful hotel that was once an eighteenth century mansion. Situated in its own massive grounds, with woods, lots of walks and golf course, we wished for more than one night! To cap it all, there was an unexpected (to us) dinner dance in the evening and we took to the floor for a couple of Scottish country dances and the odd waltz - very fitting for St Andrew's Night!

Our window seat

The location was stunning and the hotel full of spacious, elegant public rooms. Unfortunately, we didn't have time to enjoy the full length indoor swimming pool but did appreciate the cream tea on arrival! We shall definitely make a return visit at a different time of year so we can explore all the walking routes. Great for researching that period of building for future novels.

Graceful interior
Now, I need to absorb all the information I gleaned from other writers at the conference and get my next writing projects organised. At the same time, I'm judging the Romantic Novel Award at the Scottish Association of Writers Weekend Conference in March, which also involves me writing a fairly detailed constructive critique on each. And the bundle of entries will be arriving any day from the competition secretary! Guess what I'll be doing for the next couple of months, in between Christmas. Looking forward to reading them all and offering my humble advice.

Remember the half price kindle sale which includes Midwinter Masquerade and The Aphrodite Touch until 8th December - and the great list of other books from Tirgearr Publishing.

Rosemary

10 comments:

Wendy's Writing said...

It sounds as though you had a wonderful time, Rosemary.

Vikki said...

Looks and sounds like a great weekend!

Mary Smith said...

So glad you enjoyed your brief visit to my wee part of Scotland. I am, of course, biased, but I do think it is beautiful. Hope you will come again.

Rosemary Gemmell said...

A lovely interlude, Wendy!

It was, Vikki!

It is indeed, Mary, and we're definitely going back at some point!

Frances Garrood said...

It looks/sounds idyllic, Rosemary.

Joanna said...

It looks and sounds beautiful, Rosemary, especially the gorgeous window seat. I would love to curl up there with a book for a day or two.
I'm so glad you had a good time.
It will be very rewarding and interesting to read and judge the entries over the next couple of months. What fortunate writers to have the benefit of your critique. x

Anonymous said...

This hotel is really looking very awesome. I have stayed in such type of hotel in Bangalore recently.
Whitefield luxury hotel

Rosemary Gemmell said...

We wished it was for more than one night, Frances!

I said the same about the window seat, Joanna! Thank you for your lovely comment about the stories - hope the writers feel the same in the end!

Jean Bull said...

Sounds like a great weekend, Rosemary. I hope you're able to return to the hotel for a longer stay!

Suzanne Ross Jones said...

Sounds like you had a fab time, Rosemary. xx