Lesson Summary

Elizabeth and Morgen discuss various aspects of Elizabeth's writing career and future plans:

• Redesigning book covers and upcoming release dates
• Plans for future book launches and expansion into audiobooks
• Participation in local events like Christmas markets and literary festivals
• Involvement in online writing communities
• Reflection on how having a writing and editing background influences reading habits

Elizabeth, a prolific writer, shares insights into her journey from non-fiction to fiction writing:

• Initial experiences with writing competitions
• Transition to creative writing in 2006 and pursuit of novels and short stories
• Completion of the first novel 'Gorgito's Ice Rink' through creative writing courses
• Participation in the National Novel Writing Month #NaNoWriMo challenge and publishing short story collections

Elizabeth talks about her writing process, genre exploration, and future projects:

• Focus on crime fiction with plans for projects related to Russian historical locations
• Involvement in writing and publishing events and organizations
• Integration of real-world elements into fiction and consideration of new genres like fantasy
• Writing series and stand-alone works, and developing a Kate Mosse-type time-slip story concept

Moreover, the authors talk about Elizabeth's writing business and handling feedback:

• Her focus on non-fiction about the business side of being a writer
• The importance of simple systems for running a writing business efficiently
• The use of spreadsheets to organise feedback from alpha and beta readers
• The preference for alliteration in book titles and collaboration with designers for book covers

Elizabeth Ducie has been writing since she was very young. When a teenager, essays and poetry helped her win her first overseas trip via a newspaper competition. She returned to creative writing in 2006 after 30+ years as a technical writer.

Since then, Elizabeth has had great fun experimenting with different types of writing including articles for content websites and on commission. She has written short stories and poetry for competitions, and has had a couple of wins, several honourable mentions and some short-listing.

As its editor, the Chudleigh Phoenix Community Magazine has grown from a 4-page bimonthly publication to a monthly 14-20 pages. Together with friend and fellow writer Sharon Cook, Elizabeth launched the Chudleigh Phoenix Annual Short Story Competition, which ran for five years.

In July 2011, they published a collection of short stories, 'Life is Not a Trifling Affair', which received such positive feedback from their readers, they brought out a second collection in November 2012, called 'Life is Not a Bed of Roses'. Both anthologies are available either as paperbacks or as ebooks.

Elizabeth went on to publish many books for herself and a few for others. 'Gorgito's Ice Rink', Elizabeth's debut novel, is set in Russia and based partly on her travel experiences. It was started in 2006. In 2010, frustrated by the time it was taking to complete, and to provide structure and discipline to the project, Elizabeth signed up for an MA in Creative Writing at Exeter University and graduated in January 2013.

The novel was finally published in October 2014 and the following year, was runner-up in the Self-Published Book of the Year Awards.

Elizabeth has since published three further novels: 'Counterfeit!', 'Deception!', and 'Corruption!'. The fourth in that series, 'Redemption', is due out 1st September 2024. They are thrillers based in the sometimes murky world of international pharmaceuticals.

Her fifth novel, Murder at Mountjoy Manor, came out in October 2021 and was the first of her Coombesford Chronicles, a series of cosy mysteries set in an English village.

Elizabeth also writes non-fiction. The Business of Writing series is based on lectures and blog posts aimed at helping writers set up and run their own small businesses. The latest part in the series deals with the topic of Indie Publishing.

Elizabeth is a member of Chudleigh Writers' Circle, Exeter Writers, and ALLI (The Alliance of Independent Authors). At the beginning of 2020, she took on the role of Director for the Exeter Literary Festival. In 2021 she was a presenter at the Women in Publishing Summit.

Elizabeth admits to spending far too much time on Facebook and Twitter, but has met some great writing buddies that way.

Elizabeth's website is https://elizabethducieauthor.co.uk and you can find out more about her books via https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/author/B0080DIL8M/allbooks.