A passion for words and writing has always driven Rebecca Netley …resulting in two gothic historical novels being published by Penguin Michael Joseph. The Whistling, which appeared in 2021, was adapted into a play last year, and performed at the Mill at Sonning. Elestr Lee enjoyed a fireside chat with the author
I’VE ALWAYS written, and there are a lot of writers in my family,” Rebecca told me when we met just before Christmas. “I always loved writing short stories, lyrics for songs as well as poetry. I have a passion for words, and how words come together. When I was in my 20s, I won a couple of short story competitions. But after I married and the children came along, I didn’t have the time and stopped writing. I was busy doing the accounts for my husband’s business, so I decided to take on an accountancy course – I thought that the skills I had learned could come in useful – but I absolutely hated it!
“I gave up the course and sat down for three to four months to write a thriller. I managed to finish it, and it was published by a small publishing company, which has sadly since closed.
“The whole experience gave me the confidence to go on writing. I wanted to move on to a bigger publisher, but I had learned that they don’t accept manuscripts, you must be taken on by an agent. To get an agent you need to submit three chapters and a synopsis of your novel – a lot of writers do up to 60 submissions. You must be able to deal with a lot of rejection letters. Tenacity is your greatest strength!”
Rebecca changed tack from writing thrillers to the gothic historical genre. “When I had my children, I found I didn’t want to read long, literary novels, but I was drawn to thrillers. I really got the structure, and thought ‘I could do that!’! In fact, I thoroughly enjoyed writing my first novel, even though it had to be edited heavily – but the whole experience whetted my appetite, and I wanted to write another novel.
“I knew that the thriller market was flooded, however there was a revival of interest in gothic historical fiction. Writing a gothic story had more potential to be noticed – the idea and premise of my story came to me, and an agent was interested!”
In fact, Rebecca’s agent got her a two book deal with Penguin Michael Joseph. “The Whistling was published in 2021, and it has done very well, being translated into five languages, and there is also a deal for it to appear in Canada. My second for Penguin, The Black Feathers, set on the Yorkshire moors, was published in October 2023.”
Rebecca candidly describes herself as a ‘chaotic’ writer, but her fascination lies in the atmosphere of the places where her novels are set. “My husband Hugh and I used to do a lot of wild walking. We went to Rum, a tiny island off the Inner Hebrides, and it was an incredible experience. We have also been walking in Pembroke and Cornwall in February, during the winter – I am inspired by the dramatic locations, the sense of isolation and wildness.”
Fans of Rebecca’s novels are drawn to the spooky atmosphere she creates, and The Whistling, set on the remote Scottish island of Skelthsea in 1860, has won the Exeter Prize and been longlisted for the Michael Ondaatje Prize, which is awarded to novels which ‘invoke the spirit of a place’.
Last autumn The Whistling was adapted into a play and produced at The Mill at Sonning. “Adam Rolston, who is co artistic director at The Mill, had wanted to commission a new play. He had read my book but had no idea I was local – it was a complete coincidence!
“He approached my agent, and once it was all agreed, he found two scriptwriters who adapted my novel into a play, as well as a composer who created the music, then of course all the actors… I was completely blown away when I saw it!”
After The Black Feathers Rebecca was approached to write a third gothic historical novel, but instead she is now working on a contemporary ghost story. “The setting of the story is the most important consideration for me,” Rebecca explained. “The setting opens the door to the characters I create. I do think it is important to know what places feel/taste/smell like. Most importantly, I must write what’s in my heart. Each book will take at least a year to write – I am working to get the next one done!
“It is something I have to do. I write every day, for as long as I can – until I can’t write any more.”
Find out more:
The Whistling
The Black Feathers,
both by Rebecca Netley, published by Penguin Michael Joseph, available from Four Bears Bookshop
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