Change of name

Sitrep as of 20 May, 2011... ... ...

Well as it stands now, I'm three quarters of the way through checking through the manuscript. I know it's going to be edited and proof read, however I didn't want to send it off without having a last look through to cross the T's and dot the O's, as it were (as in Ö which comes up quite a bit actually).

My input into the Night website seems to be growing by the week. Once I would switch on the computer, check my emails and then read the news. Nowadays I turn it on, read emails, Facebook, Night, every now and then check my blog and then read the news.
Why is life so complicated? Weren't computers designed to simplify everything? ^^

I recently held a poll on Night as well The question was whether I should use my full name, Richard Rhys Jones, or stick with R.R. instead. A certain Mr. John Holt brought the matter up and it stuck in my brain like an irate beetle until I put it to the vote.
After much to-ing and fro-ing I decided on using my whole name.

I know most of you call me Reg but Reg Jones doesn't inspire seriousness, in fact it sounds like a character in a 1960's Carry On film.
Dick Jones either belongs in a private eye firm or the porno industry and R.R., well... it goes like this. A very nice chap called Matt Hammond pointed out that RR sounds a bit, in his words, "piratey". Piratey as in, "Ar, Ar Jim me lad, shiver me timbers," etc etc. I'm sure you get the point.

That clinched it I'm afraid.
The last thing I need is people thinking Treasure Island when they hear my name.
Hence the title change.
The Literary Trials of Richard Rhys Jones.
As ever, feel free to comment, I will simply ignore all the nasty ones :-)

Tara peeps, back to the MS.
Reg :-D

So, where to now?

On Sunday the 14th of October, 2007, I wrote my first entry into this Blog.

The idea to start a Blog was Richard's, of Struggling Authors.
"It'll keep your hand in with writing and it's a point for people to go to, to learn about Division until we sort out a website" were his words.

Then it was called, "The Division of the Damned" and it dealt solely with the trials and tribulations I experienced trying to sell my manuscript to an interested party.
As the months went by, it slowly morphed into an open diary, making public my feelings about certain things or events in my life that had nothing to do with, "Division".

I chronicled my first rejections, my learning the unwritten laws of manuscript submission, my first published works, my near publications that were so often dashed to the rocks and a whole menagerie of useless junk that even I, the author, don't know why it's there.

However now, things have changed.
On Monday the 2nd of May I received a message from Tim Roux, the head honcho at Night Reading:

"Well, you did it, mate. Walkover. Many congrats!

A masterly performance.

Which e-mail should I use to send you the contract for you to decide whether you
are interested or not?
Tim."

And here endeth the first chapter, peeps.
My goal to attain publication, without resorting to putting my hand in my pocket, has been achieved.
The years of trial, disappointment and sheer bloody mindedness have actually paid off and at the moment, it's actually nice being Reggie Jones for a change.

The publication of "Division" also now gifts me a sense of closure on something that has become one of the book marks to my life.
Not only have I the chance to sell my book on the open market, I can now move onwards on the projects I started but never actually finished. After every rejection, "Division" afforded me, I would drop everything to tinker around with my vampires and Von Struck. Consequently any other project was left stranded on the wayside as it were...

Hopefully this is all now history.

So, to close, many thanks to all who helped me along the way, Tee, Richard, George, Adam, Vanessa, Dixie, Bob, Andy, Joey, Gar. When I needed you all, you were there for me.

To ALL who voted for me, posted my link on their wall or told their friends about it, I thank you.

A massive thank you with extras to my patient wife, who left me to my devices and never complained when I spent countless hours of "Our Time" wrapped in my own world of disillusioned SS, Sumerian Gods and Right Wing Vampires.

And to my family who didn't bat an eyelid when I told them I was going to write a book; and instead boasted to their friends of all my minor achievements. I love you all, wife, family and friends.
I appreciate everything you have ALL done for me and I hope you know that.

However, this is not the end my friends, it's not even the interlude; this is only the beginning.
Reg :-D