Angela M. Joyce is a new writer in my area, and she has quickly established herself as a mover and shaker in the local literary scene. Her first novel, The Rydle Year, was released just over a year ago, and she is now working on her second. It is not often that I get to meet my clients in person, but I have been fortunate to meet Angela three times. She kindly invited me to her book launch for The Rydle Year in Kendal, the book for which I was hired as line and copy editor. We were also both in the audience for a mutual acquaintance’s author talk in Bowness-on-Windermere, and most recently, I had the pleasure of attending the inaugural Kendal Book Fair, organised and hosted by Angela last October.
I would love for you to add Angela to your list of literary acquaintances. So, without further ado, let’s get to know her better.
1. Before turning to writing, what did your working life look like, and are there skills from that earlier career that have proved useful as a novelist?
In a previous life, I was a business librarian and IT researcher at Bristol University. Yes, there were some skills I have taken from then – writing, even! Academic writing is different, but there are still similarities. And speaking to groups and marketing at the university have been good experience for promotional events around writing.
2. Who are you as a reader? What kinds of books tend to be on your bedside table, and are there particular authors or genres you always return to?
I love reading all types of books. Right now I’m reading Robert Goddard’s Closed Circle, and have Stories & Memories by Tom Crosby and The Savage Isle by Michael Arnold to read. I also love Maura Laverty, Sarah Harper, David Lodge and Charles Palliser.
3. What drew you to set your debut novel, The Rydle Year, in 1970, and why was Plymouth the right place to anchor Hazel’s coming-of-age story?
I’m a Plymothian! Although, I have moved around a lot too. After coming to Cumbria, I felt that I wanted to preserve memories of my Plymouth childhood (even though I love it here). The Rydle Year was one way of doing this, through personal experience and through research.
4. Hazel is drawn into the Rydles’ world of art and free expression. Beyond writing, what role does creativity play in your own life?
It’s so important for me. I also play the fiddle in a band, and music and writing take me out of myself. They help me to forget my worries.
5. Your husband supports your creative projects by dressing up in theme for your bookish events. Does he also play a role in your writing process, for example as an early reader, or do you rely on others to read your first drafts?
Yes, his punk costume at The Kendal Book Fair was stunning 😊 My husband supports what I do and encouraged me to start writing in the first place – during the Covid lockdowns. But generally other people act as early readers.
6. Can you describe your writing setup and environment? Do you tend to work in a notebook or on a laptop, and in which locations do you feel most productive?
I write first drafts in the beautiful surroundings of Kendal Library, by longhand. It’s a great place and I am away from distractions. I then type my work up and refine it on my laptop, usually in the kitchen. So that I’m near the kettle…
7. How did you come across my editing services, and what made you decide that professional line and copy editing was the right step for your manuscript?
You were recommended by the writing tutor Vicki Woof. You and I had a useful Zoom to discuss my requirements and I concluded that I needed line and copy editing, which worked well.
8. Is there anything you’ve learnt from the editing process that has changed the way you write or self-edit?
Watch out for copyright issues!
[Editor comment: Angela’s manuscript (pre-edit!) included some song lyrics. I flagged the issue in my edit, and Angela was grateful. Sidenote: here’s a video I put together to share advice on what you can and can’t do with song lyrics.]
9. You’ve become very active in the Cumbrian literary scene and founded the Kendal Book Fair for indie authors in 2025, with plans for a bigger 2026 event. What motivated you to invest so much energy locally, and what do you hope the fair offers to indie writers and readers?
Initially I just wanted to promote my own work, perhaps in a café. Then I thought – “why not go bigger?” Kendal did not appear to have a book fair for local writers, so I took a risk and set it up. I had some experience of events management from my working days, which helped. It went well and I met a lot of lovely writers. A group of us are organising the next fair: get ready for The Kendal Book Festival on 12 September… booking will be open soon.
10. What can readers look forward to from you next, and where can they find you online to follow your writing journey? I’m working on my second novel, a nineteenth-century one set in rural Devon. It’s loosely based on the life of my great-great grandmother Mary Vooght. And I hope to support local writers and get out and about to literary events.
Thank you for all of your hard work in the local literary scene, Angela. Speaking as a Cumbrian, I can say: we appreciate it. All the best with your next novel, and thanks for letting us spotlight you!
CherryEdits 