Richard Hawley

Reviewed by Steven Kay on his 1889 Books Blog - there are more than you might expect!

Sheffield novels

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...and I'm going to add one more! My new novel is going to be set in Sheffield.

Too early for hints yet, but I might ask for assistance and suggestions, as the work progresses.

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UPDATE. One year on, and progress with the novel has been strong - it's coming out at more than a chapter a month, which is good for me. I'm hoping to have the first draft finished by summer.

No hints yet about the content, but if anyone who loves reading and/or Sheffield fancies a read, I'd be happy to receive comments or feedback. It's always (well, usually) helpful to learn what readers make of my work.

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I'd be happy to have a read. I've done technical reading for Harper Collins and Letts and have written educational text books for them - plus I'm retired now, so I supposedly have more time...

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Thank you, that would be great! Would you prefer to wait for the full first draft?

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That would be excellent - give me a shout on Facebook when you're ready. No rush!

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Will do - not rushing, exactly, but wanting to get a first draft finished. That's when the real work starts.

Enjoying your photographs, by the way.

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UPDATE: The Sheffield novel got its first full manuscript request from a literary agent last Friday.

No guarantee of anything further, but this is always exciting!

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Brilliant! If it's the one I read, it's got great potential. Good luck

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Yes, that's the one! Thank you once more for reading, and your kind words. Be nice if the agent agrees.

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Here's how I've been selling it to agents:

Oliver Twist rewritten by the Arctic Monkeys, with ten lessons in Economics. Contemporary fiction with one foot in the criminal world and an eye on higher things, much like its Sheffield narrator.

Jake is 25 and has escaped city gangs to make a living recruiting prostitutes. But he begins to question his career when fiery young Viti steps off the train, challenging his assumptions and stirring his heart.

Reading about Economics helps Jake understand his place in the world, which is about to change. The city is undergoing redevelopment, and everybody wants a piece of the action, from street-level pimps and urban gangs to property barons and high-class Madams. There's plenty at stake, but not enough for everyone. So somebody's going to lose out.

When a ruthless stranger arrives in Sheffield, shaking up the pimps and gangs as he searches for Viti, Jake's chances of a better life are jeopardised, and Viti's temper threatens to undo everything. As Jake tries to better himself, Viti struggles to control herself.

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I hope it comes off for you. I've enjoyed a few of the short stories you've linked to.

Thank you! It really does mean a lot when people read and enjoy.

Will update as and when anything progresses.

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