Congratulations on the publication of RUFF by Rod Carley, publishing today with Latitude 46 Publishing!
Rod Carley is back with another theatrical odyssey packed with an unforgettable cast of Elizabethan eccentrics. It’s a madcap world more modern than tomorrow where gender is what a person makes of it (no matter the story beneath their petticoats or tights).
Will Shakespeare is having a very bad year. Suffering from a mid-life crisis, a plague outbreak, and the death of the ancient Queen, Will’s mettle is put to the test when the new King puts his witch-burning hobby aside to announce a national play competition that will determine which theatre company will secure his favour and remain in business. As he struggles to write a Scottish supernatural thriller, Will faces one ruff and puffy obstacle after another, including a young rival punk poet and his activist-wife fighting for equality and a woman’s right to tread the boards.
Will and his band of misfits must ensure not only their own survival, but that of England as well. The stage is set for an outrageous and compelling tale of ghosts, ghostwriting, writer’s block, and the chopping block. Ruffly based on a true story.
Praise for RUFF:
“Rod Carley has written a captivating and bewitching novel set in England, more than 400 years ago, yet it runs rife with contemporary relevance and resonance. Sophisticated, funny, insightful, timeless yet timely, my list of plaudits grew as the pages turned. Beautifully written, with characters that lingered in my head and heart long after the curtain fell, this is a story to be savoured. Bravo!”
– Terry Fallis, Two-time winner of the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour.
“Kooky, clever and wildly entertaining, RUFF explores art, politics, gender and mid-life woes in the golden age of quills and queens—with a modern edge. Carley is a master of the pun, bard none. A rich and playful novel worthy of a standing ovation.”
– Ali Bryan, Author of The Crow Valley Karaoke Championships.
Rod Carley is the award-winning author of four works of literary fiction: RUFF (September 2024), GRIN REAPING (long listed for the 2023 Leacock Medal for Humour, 2022 Bronze Winner for Humour from Foreword Review INDIES, a Finalist for the 2023 Next Generation Indie Book Award for Humor/Comedy, and long listed for the ReLit Group Awards for Best Short Fiction of 2023); KINMOUNT (long listed for the 2021 Leacock Medal for Humour and Winner of the 2021 Silver Medal for Best Regional Fiction from the Independent Publishers Book Awards); A Matter of Will (Finalist for the 2018 Northern Lit Award for Fiction).
Rod is represented by Carolyn Forde.
Congratulations!