FAQs

This page contains answers to some of the questions Jacob Ross gets asked through the site and on his travels.

Best short story I ever read

Hard to say. I can think of the most influential writers of the form and perhaps I will list them one day. But the short story writer I admire most is Olive Senior. She’s all too often overlooked but is in my view, one of the greatest living practitioners of the craft.

What are you reading now?

Last month I read Bernardine Evaristo’s, Blonde Roots, and was bowled over by the dexterity and wit of this writer.  Nothing literary since then.  Just scientific facts which can be just as fascinating as good fiction. One of the dominant characters in my next book is a marine biologist. So I have to learn about what he does exactly.

Recommended reading

Depends on where you are. Start with the literature from your region or country or cultural space first. Then branch out to the wider world. Every continent has something wonderful to offer. If literature were food; there would be no starvation.

My favourite bookshop?

Centerprise Bookshop; or more precisely it’s restaurant in Dalston, Kingsland. Old! Old as the history of the Caribbean-African-Asian Arts Movement in Britain. Have met many a student there for intense mentoring sessions; or just to relax,explore ideas or thrash out issues with not-so-friendly friends.

I wrote to you a few months ago and you still haven't replied

While I promise you I read all E-mails sent to me, my friends and family will tell you I'm not the best correspondent. Mainly because I tend to devote most of my time to writing, reading and teaching Narrative Craft. I only come up for air occasionally. So while I may not send you a personal response immediately, I will endeavor to answer you directly as soon as I can. So please bear with me!

Can you read my manuscript?

Unfortunately my writing and teaching schedules do not allow me to read  unsolicited manuscripts. And when I do read work, it is a detailed, comprehensive job for which I must charge to justify my investment in time.

I do recommend that new writers join writers' groups to obtain feedback and  support from other writers. There are courses and readers services available that will assist. If there aren't any where you are, why not get together with other writers and create one? Keep checking this site for links to useful resources and advice that can help you. Good luck with your work.