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Novel set in East Dulwich, 1979.

Intothegroove

By Intothegroove
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Intothegroove

Intothegroove

Posted
Posted

Hi everyone, just a quick post to tell you about my first novel, 'Becoming Nancy', which has just come out in paperback on Corgi (through Random House) and is set in East Dulwich in 1979 (specifically around Lordship Lane).


I was born in Ashbourne Grove in 1962 and I went to St John's school in Archdale Road(still living in East Dulwich now). The area was quite different then, and apart from a bit of creative 'tweaking' of a couple street names, the description of Lordship Lane and the feel and character of the area (in the book) is just how I remember it.


If anyone fancies a look at the synopsis you can see it on my website here http://www.terryronald.com/becoming-nancy


I had a lovely book launch at Roullier White on Thursday, and they are stocking the book. Chener books have been extremely supportive and they too are stocking it, and Rye books have promised to stock it too.


It's also available on ibook and Kindle.


I've had great support from people in the area so far, and I'd love to hear from anyone who has read it.


Cheers


Terry

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i*Rate

Posted
Posted

Hi intothegroove,


Very pleased to hear about your book, my wife and I moved here in 1980 so it should be a very interesting read. We will be requesting that Southwark Libraries stock the book so that it will be available to as many people in the borough as possible.


Good luck, I hope that the book proves popular and that you get some good reviews.

indiepanda

indiepanda

Posted
Posted

I finished reading it yesterday, really enjoyed it.


I only moved here in 2008 so I can't comment on how closely it reflects the area of the time, but it was nice being able to recognise places mentioned in the book. Though I am a bit younger than the characters in the book, I remember just enough of the late 70s to recgonise a lot of the contemporary references - funny to remember a time when Findus Crisy Pancakes seemed exciting!


However, I think what really makes the book work is the wonderful characters - very real and likable and a story that in many respects is universal, trying to work out who you are and having the confidence to be it despite the punishment that's likely to come your way from your classmates. I think most people can identify with that, gay or straight.


Do you have another book in the pipeline?

Intothegroove

Intothegroove

Posted
  • Author
Posted

indiepanda Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I finished reading it yesterday, really enjoyed

> it.

>

> I only moved here in 2008 so I can't comment on

> how closely it reflects the area of the time, but

> it was nice being able to recognise places

> mentioned in the book. Though I am a bit younger

> than the characters in the book, I remember just

> enough of the late 70s to recgonise a lot of the

> contemporary references - funny to remember a time

> when Findus Crisy Pancakes seemed exciting!

>

> However, I think what really makes the book work

> is the wonderful characters - very real and

> likable and a story that in many respects is

> universal, trying to work out who you are and

> having the confidence to be it despite the

> punishment that's likely to come your way from

> your classmates. I think most people can identify

> with that, gay or straight.

>

> Do you have another book in the pipeline?


Thanks so much for your lovely feedback indiepanda. As a new writer I still get really excited when someone tells me that they enjoyed the book, and although some of the events and characters are made-up, the basic story and much of what happened was real. I do have another novel on the go, yes! But I also work in music and theatre and collaborate with people on their autobiographies- which pays the mortgage better than novels at the moment! I just worked with Pauline Quirke on her book, and before that Dannii Minogue. I'm just about to start another big one! Because of all that my novel sometimes takes a back seat- which is frustrating- but I guess I'm very lucky to be able to earn a living doing something I love. Thanks again!


Terry

indiepanda

indiepanda

Posted
Posted

Lucky maybe, but I am guessing it wouldn't have happened without a lot of hard work on your part. I used to dream of writing a book but 20+ years after leaving school I've still yet to do anything even vaguely constructive to make it happen! I could feel envious of you, but frankly I've no right given my lack of effort, plus I've concluded that envy is one of the ugliest emotions and I'd rather nip it in the bud than doing anything to nurture such feelings.


Oh well Mary Wesley didn't publish her first book till she was in her 70s so there's time for me yet, and in the meantime I can still enjoy other's efforts. Do let us know when your next novel is out :-)

  • 2 weeks later...
Peckhampoet

Peckhampoet

Posted
Posted

I just finished your book, Terry and I loved it! I like your style and really enjoyed the pop vignettes of Debbie Harry, Kate Bush et al. I could really relate to that period and you brought back a lot of memories. I am going to pass it on to my brother and his husband as I think they will both enjoy it too.


I really liked the stuff about Rock against Racism - I wish I had been a teenager in London during that time! I also liked your reference to Gaby's deli which is under threat at the moment - see facebook for the Save Gabys campaign. I hope your book gets the cinema treatment as it would work really well (a la Billy Eliot). Look forward to the next one.

Intothegroove

Intothegroove

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thank you for those lovely words Peckhampoet! I'm working on the movie or TV treatment. The Rock against racism movement was a big part of my young life . I'll check out the Save gabby's page- i know it's under threat.


Giggirl- don't they still do mini YOYO??? x

  • 1 month later...
citizenED

citizenED

Posted
Posted

Hi Intothegroove,


I bought "Becoming Nancy" during the Easter hols when I'd forgotten to pack a book on a trip up town. Got off the 176, headed to that brilliant Waterstone's on Picadilly, waltzed in and found it under R in the Fiction section. Read it over April and May: Loved all the ED references and the 70s/80s nostalgia. I know a girl called Frances who is loud and proud which made a nice resonance for me.


Good luck with it -


Citizen

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