Richard Francis
I write both fiction and non-fiction. I’ve published ten novels so far, a book on utopian thought and biographies of Ann Lee, the founder of the Shakers and of Samuel Sewall, the only one of the Salem Witch trial judges to admit the whole thing was a miscarriage of justice
I have had two books out in 2010. The Old Spring is a novel set in a pub and was published by Tindal Street Press in July. Fruitlands: The Alcott Family and Their Search for Utopia, is non-fiction and gives an account of an eccentric and ill-starred utopian experiment that was set up in Massachusetts in 1843 by Bronson Alcott, the father of the author Louisa May Alcott, who was in fact a child at the community. Yale University Press published it in the USA in November and it will be coming out in the UK on 14 January 2011. For up-do-date information about these books, check their individual pages and the News page.
I’m feeling even more inspired to write and get published after the talk you gave at Bath Spa University this evening, thanks.
Thanks so much for taking the trouble to write. I really enjoyed doing the talk – my first at Bath Spa since I left 16 months ago. It made me feel very nostalgic for the place. Don’t forget you’re welcome to come to my talk at Toppings on Tuesday – 7:45 for 8:00 pm. Just say at the door you’re a guest. All the best, Richard
I have a question regarding literature which has occupied my mind for sometime. I am sure there must be writing on this subject, but as a professor of creative writing, do you think there exist objective means by which we can know literature to be ‘good’, or is it all a matter of taste, of subjective opinion? For example, can we ‘know’, that Jane Austen is ‘better’ than Barbara Cartland? I’d be very interested in your answer and also grateful if you could direct me to some works that deal with this question. Thank you.
Dear Tim
The nearest thing to an objective test I suppose is the verdict of history – on the whole, the novels that have the most subtle characterisation, the most meaningful stories and the best writing, tend to survive. People I suspect will be reading William Golding in fifty years and not Barbara Cartland. But individual judgements are bound to be subjective, though the more a person reads the more he or she is likely to home in on books that are ambitious and which make serious explorations of life. Practically any critical book is ultimately aimed at establishing the criteria of quality. But the best method is to read as much as possible, with close attention, and see which books reward that time spent. Not everyone will agree with your choices, but that’s OK. you end up as part of an overlapping consensus. To answer your other question, I no longer teach creative writing, but write full time.
Best,
Richard
whoah this blog is great i like reading your articles. Keep up the good paintings! You know, a lot of people are looking round for this info, you could help them greatly.
Have you got the wrong blog?
Non-fiction is something I have never really explored or wanted to write.
However after hearing your talk tonight at Bath Spa University, it is now something I am excited to try out. I would have never made a historian but I am fascinated by history – in particular history’s horrific events such as the Salem Witch Trials you write about in ‘Judge Sewall’s Apology’. The research involved in writing non-fiction must be fascinating.
Thanks for a passionate and inspiring lecture.
Dear Amy
Thanks you so much for taking the trouble to write. You were a great audience. I do think biography and non-fiction generally are a bit overlooked by many CW students. Yes, it is fascinating to do the research. Good luck with it!
Best wishes,
Richard
Dear Mr. Francis,
I really enjoyed reading Judge Sewall’s Apology but I have some lingering questions. What specifically would you say your argument was? (Judge Sewall went back on his verdict and apologized years later?) I also have a more personal questions, how do you situate your work in the existing scholarship on the topic?
Thanks,
Liana
Dear Lianne
I’m in France at the moment, but would be happy to answer your query when I return to England. Many thanks for taking the trouble to write – and so glad you enjoyed the book.
best wishes,
Richard
Hi Richard,
Just used your Fruitlands book for a research paper. Found myself to be so interested in your writing I actually couldn’t put the book down! Thanks for the fascinating information
Hi Liane
Many thanks. I’m so glad you enjoyed it – and thank you for the taking the trouble to write.
best wishes,
Richard
Whoops sorry. I used the name of another correspondent by mistake! So sorry Marianne.
Best,
Richard
Hi Richard,
Great talk at Bath Spa today. It has got me to consider reading some historical biographies and thinking about trying to do something a long the similar style. I currently do a lot of non-fiction as it is for http://pie-magazine.net
Thanks again!
Sorry to take so long to reply, Ben! I’m delighted you found the talk useful – and good luck with your own biographical work.
best,
Richard
Sorry – he must be an imposter, just like that guy who wrote crime novels about horse racing!