Tuesday, November 27, 2012

SCBWI conference - Winchester

Wow! Another amazing conference. How do they do it, I wonder? Celia Rees!! Celies Rees for goodness sake AND Debi Gliori!!! Yes, Debi Gliori!! Then I have a breakout session with Justin Somper, author of 'Vampirates'! I have been left feeling more than a little inspired, I can tell you! (God, I love exclamation marks!)

And... then there were all my wonderful scoobie friends - old and new. We shared the ups and downs of our writing, celebrated the highs and lows of publishing, ate lots of cake and drank lots of coffee. Bliss!

Friday, November 16, 2012

Had a lovely time at Ewell Castle Junior School this week. What great kids! I spent about 50 minutes with Years 3/4 and then Years 5/6 and they were so receptive. They laughed at my silly anecdotes from my younger years and were astounded to find out that one of my books was around 50, 000 words long. And to cap it all, I sold 40 books which was fabulous!! I should also mention that the staff offered coffee and somewhere to sit quietly before hand. Very important!
I also had to call in to High View Primary School as they had an order of 14 books for me. All in all, a good week, bookwise!

Wednesday, November 07, 2012

I send out around 300 emails a week to schools offering free author talks and receive perhaps one or two replies. Now, very much like closing the door after the horse has bolted, I have an idea for reeling in some more schools. When I take part in book signings I often talk to pupils from schools I haven't yet visited. Now, if I had a card ready for them to hand to their teacher, something on the lines of:

(name) met a real author today at Waterstone's Sutton. (He/She) thought that your school (School name) might like a free author talk from the author, Debra J Edwards. (followed by a little bit about me and the books).

After the horse has bolted - well, I have probably given around 50 talks already! Still some ideas are slow to form...

Other ideas gratefully received!

Sunday, November 04, 2012

I love signing in Waterstone's Sutton, as you probably know. I get a table and chair and am left to get on with it, which suits me just fine. Other authors might like to be 'attended' to, but I find it makes me work even harder to secure a sale, especially in Sutton which is my home town. Outside of Sutton, though, I do liked to be looked after with the occasional coffee or 'How's it going?'. I think that's down to the unsureness of where you are if the town is alien to you.
Friday's Sutton signing was not a great success in terms of book sales, but it did enable me to chat with people who were on the same planet as me. I had great fun exchanging book reads with a lovely lady called Natalie. We'd read very similar books and had similar favourite authors. I think I made her late back to work from her lunch break. Sorry, Natalie!
Also, the signing gave me a chance to talk to some local primary school pupils, some of whom I had met on author visits to their schools. Others were kind enough to want me to visit their schools and will be talking to their teachers about having a free author talk. I had a great chat with Siobhan of St Mary's, Carshalton, who bought a book and was eager to get me to come in and talk to her fellow pupils.
And finally, a lady from Egmont Publishing, Linda, was drawn to my table by my book covers. Now that especially pleases me as I am self-published and self-published covers are usually criticised heavily. I rattled on relentlessly about what I do as a self-published author and my book sales. Also tried to pitch my latest book, Marvin's Curse, but failed miserably although she did go away with my card!
I think what I'm trying to get across with this post is that it's not all about book sales when doing a signing event. I'm the first to get hung up on how many books were sold, but there are so many other opportunities at events like this. I just need to keep reminding myself!!

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Review

In Hong Kong and received this lovely, but unexpected comment on my books from Geneva Martell:

'Hope you remember me from Sutton, i'm glad I saw you because as soon as I got home I absolutely loved the books.

As I started reading the first few chapters of "Aggie Lichen:Pilp collector" I have to admit it was very hard to put the book down, I wanted to know what was going to happen and i had to know before i could sleep well.

I love all the characters escpecially Aggie she is a very bubbly and funny character because the way she treats her sister and that she is very bossy and ready to get the job done herself. Gilbert just made me laugh every time he moaned about something making all the other characters angry at him, I did not expect the 'smell' but thats what kept the story funny.
I really loved how you described the sprites and every other creatures, the picture I got in my head of every moment was great.

On the second book I did not expect that from Victor at all and of course Aggie and Arty in "Aggie Lichen:Hero required" it was unexpected, a very creative and excellent book.

Was very easy and enjoyable to read, a lot of description in place.
Also Debra you better get back writing because I am waiting for a new book to come out
This is one of my favourite collections.

Thank you Debra for giving me the opportunity to read an excellent book. '

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Kindle Freebie

Well, over 300 people downloaded the freebie Kindle edition of Aggie Lichen; Pilp Collector. If you are one of those, I'd be grateful for a review of the book which , hopefully, you enjoyed.

Aggie is back on Amazon, but no longer a freebie. Arty's on there too!

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Notes

Marvin's Gift is starting to form in my head now. Made notes, just as real writers do, and can actually see a plot coming through. Rather pleased with myself that I had laid down the main idea in my last book without even knowing!!

Old Kedigan's revenge ...

Returning to Moghador ...

Now comes the problem of time to write ...

Thursday, April 05, 2012

Smashwords



So here's Aggie at Smashwords. Just about to put a price on her ...

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/140896

Debra J Edwards

Tuesday, April 03, 2012

Editing, Kindle, Smashwords and stuff!

So with Aggie on Kindle already, it's now time to get Arty ready for his first outing into the world of ebooks. Some editing to do first then it's on. Be good to see Hero follow pretty soon afterwards.
Have sold my soul to the devil - also known as Smashwords. Have put Aggie on there as a freebie while I test the water. Will be putting on at a decent price soon then Arty will follow.
Still no sign of Marvin, which is a good thing really. Gives me time to clear out cupboards, sort the recycling, tidy the study etc.
Have changed reading from Linger to Magyk! tried really hard with linger, but just needed aa bit more colour and excitement. Angie Sage does it so well!

Sunday, March 04, 2012

Marvin's Curse

Did you miss me?
I have been slaving over the 321 editorial comments from my editor over the last few months. At last, I have finished and the book is now back in the safe hands of editor Lucy. As much as I love Marvin. I was so glad to see him go! I find editing so difficult, like walking through treacle! I'm hoping that the corrections are made have improved the book, but as always, I'll just have to wait and see!
Starting to think about 'Marvin's gift' as a sequel although I have been asked by some readers to write another 'Aggie Lichen' book ... Decisions, decisions ...

Friday, January 20, 2012

Amanda Hocking

Last night I was so lucky to be invited to attend a very informal event with Amanda Hocking!! If you haven't heard of her, she is the twenty seven year old American writer who has sold over a million copies of her ebooks. Amanda went down the normal route of trying to find an agent/publisher, and when that didn't happen she decided to self-publish her work as ebooks. She has now signed a seven book deal worth a seven figure sum! She was lovely to talk to, and really honest and down to earth. The lovely Chloe and Bella from Mcmillan supplied us with pizza and fizz, and of course free books! A fabulous evening in all. You can find out more about Amanda on http://www.panmacmillan.com/author/amandahocking