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 ...

Smashwords

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

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

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!

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 ...

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

Reviews

I need to be more pro-active about getting reviews so, if you have read any of my books ... and enjoyed them ... would you please be kind and review it/them on Amazon etc for me. Thanks.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss/276-9005011-0277723?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=aggie+lichen&x=0&y=0

Book events

Have just finished the last of my Christmas book signings and so pleased! Have sold lots of books and met some fabulous people too. Many thanks to all the book stores and readers who bought my books. Merry Christmas!

Edits

Well, the MS is back from Lucy with 327 comments. I've already made lots of changes, but still a long way to go. Have moved the finishing line to beginning of March as no way can I get it done any sooner!

Waterstone's Sutton

Home from home! I just love signing at Waterstone's Sutton! There's no fuss. I just get on with talking to people in the hope they might want to buy my book. The staff are so suppportive and always check to see if things are going okay. They build me up by telling me that I'm their best selling local author with little signs by my books saying just that! Just love it!

Okay, let's skip to the SCBWI agent's party.
A good turn out of SCBWI members and lots of lovely literary agents. Some of them seemed to be after exactly what I hade written; Marvin's Curse. So after introductions and questions I decide to approach one of them. I wait patiently in line for my turn, wishing the other writers would just hurry up, after all, it was my work she wanted, not theirs.
So my turn comes ... and my mouth goes into involuntary spasms. I spout something out about a boy who sees and speaks to ghosts; she's not impressed. So I try harder, too hard. 'W-What if he had mental health issues?' I babble. Well, to say the colour drained from her cheeks would be an understatement. 'Have you ever tried writing a pitch?' she says. Oh, god. Beam me up Scottie.

catch up

At last. I have been trying to access my account for sooo long. So here I am. I'm back and here's a quick catch up
- several author signings at schools completed
- lots of signings at bookstores
- eldest daughter married
- new website up and running
- grandson started school
- Marvin re-edited by Lucy Cuthew
- attended SCBWI agents party

And lots, lots more

Will start filling in the details ...

SCBWI Conference

Just returned from SCBWI conference and am full of ideas from the inspirational speakers I heard. I really do need to get on with editing Marvin, but school work getting in the way as usual! Found the critique meeting useful and will be putting some of the ideas into practice, but certainly not all of them. Made new friends, Kathy and Mel, and met up with lots of Facebook friends too. A great weekend in all.

Cornerstones report

So here I am, report in hand, looking through all the things that may need changing. It's amazing how when you write a book you just don't see the blatantly obvious - well, I don't.
One thing that came up was using too many other words for 'said' as it disturbs the flow of the reading. I can see that, but in school we are always on at children not to just use 'said' which puts me in a dilemma. We have lessons on, 'how many words can you find to replace 'said'', words to make your writing more 'interesting'.
Hmmm!

Marvin

After a long hard think, Marvin will be renamed as 'The Curse'. It sounds quite dramatic and relates well to the plot of the story. I keep thinking about covers to and have been playing with colours, shapes etc. I am hoping that it will be published mainstream, but I suppose there is always a chance that I will need to self-publish again.

Final stab

I have decided to send 'Marvin' off to Cornerstone's to see if they can give me some pointers seeing as no publishers have been interested.
I'm also thinking that if this doesn't work it may be time to throw in the towel. I'll still write, but for me. Sometimes you just have to be realistic!

Marvin

Marvin, the seventeen year old in my current book, is still moving along at a pace - snail's pace to be honest. Finding time to write has always been difficult and seems all the more so now. I have to just keep plugging away and hope I will eventually come to a natural end - that's the book, not me!

A surprise review from an Authonomy member

'It's easy to see that this is from the pen of an accomplished writer. It may be a simple child's story, but the imaginativeness and inventiveness place it far higher than that. Creating languages that can be read by humans but are easily seen to be foreign is just genius. Using language in such a creative way is exactly what sparks the minds of adults and children alike.'


If only a publisher could look at it like that ...

Red House Children's Book Award

The new book 'Hero Required' has been nominated for the Red House Children's Book Award!!

It is the only award voted for by children which makes it very special.

If you have read the book and would like to vote for it, here's the link;

http://www.redhousechildrensbookaward.co.uk/nominate-books-for-2010-award.html

Did you know that the inspiration for the background of the all book covers is Prague? Not sure what tooth fairies are called in the Czech Republic ...

Having a good week so far.
Wholesalers have just sent through an order for 102 books!

Also sold lots of books at a school talk today!