Competitions – Trisha Ashley
Win a copy of Trisha Ashley’s latest novel.
Trisha’s latest novel, Every Woman For Herself, was released by Avon on 8th May. Thanks to Trisha and Avon, we have two copies to give away.
To enter:
Comment on this post with your name and county. The closing date for entries is Monday 26th May at 23.59. Winners will then be announced on Tuesday 27th May 2014 on the Novel Kicks blog. They will be picked at random from the entrants. Winners will also be notified by e-mail within 24 hours of the winners being announced.
Good Luck.
About the book:
First comes marriage. Then comes divorce. Then it’s every woman for herself … Continue reading
by 
A Moment With Janey Lewis
Janey is the author of The Sweetness of Liberty James, released by The Book Guild in March 2014. Her book is about Liberty deciding to open up her own patisserie after going through a traumatic life changing event.
Today, Janey shares her five writing tips.
Only write for yourself.
Write about something you are passionate about. Books, like food, show if you put love into them.
Only write if you feel like it.
Read.
Read more.
The Sweetness of Liberty James is available to buy in hardback and e-book.
by A Moment With Renita D’Silva
Renita D’ Silva
Renita D’Silva’s novel, Monsoon Memories was released in 2013 and her second novel, The Forgotten Daughter was recently released by Bookouture. Renita talks about the books that she’s read that have made an impact on her.
Oh there are so many. I am reading constantly and I try and read as variedly as I can. While writing ‘MonsoonMemories’, some of the books that made a huge impact were Julie Myerson’s ‘Something might happen’,Chimamanda Ngosi Adichie’s ‘Purple Hibiscus’, MaggieO’Farrell’s ‘The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox’ and Rose Tremain’s ‘The Road Home’.
While writing ‘The Forgotten Daughter’ I read Margaret Atwood’s ‘The Blind Assassin’ and was blown away by the sheer beauty of her prose.
The book that made a big impact on me growing up was Arundhati Roy’s ‘The God of Small Things’. I obsessed over it – the plot, her prose, her beautifully evocative descriptions, Continue reading
by Book News – Fiona Walker
Escape to the country with best-selling author, Fiona Walker.
Fiona’s previous novels include, The Love Letter, Kiss and Tell and The Summer Wedding and fans of Fiona Walker will be very pleased to hear that her new novel, The Country Escape, is due for release by Sphere on 5th June 2014. It’s available to pre-order now in paperback and e-book.
Here’s the blurb:
Hidden amid lush parkland, Eardisford is the ultimate English country retreat and it’s just been sold for the first time in its history. Romantic daredevil Kat Mason has been bequeathed the estate’s lakeside sanctuary, Lake Farm, until she dies or marries. But the new owners want her out now . . .
In rides charming playboy Dougie Everett, the man hired to sweep Kat off her feet and off the property. Dougie loves nothing more than the thrill of the chase, but does he risk losing his heart along the way?
by Courses and Competitions – Writing Maps Writing Contest
Writing Maps think that good writing should be encouraged, shared and published.
Writing Maps are full of inspiration for writers. Each one contains at least 12 writing prompts and each map is beautifully illustrated. Maps available include; The Character Map, Writing People (for crowded places,) and My Writing Life.
Each month, to coincide with the launch of a new map, they hold a monthly Writing Maps Writing Contest
The challenge is to write and share a 150-word piece in response to their Prompt of the Month. This month, they launched the new box set and so, the word BOX is the prompt for May.
If you are one of the two winning entrants, Continue reading
by News – Film Adaptation For Second Ahern Novel
Harper Collins, 2004.
Fans of Cecelia Ahern will soon be able to see her second novel adapted for the big screen.
Love, Rosie is due for release in October. Directing is Christian Ditter and it stars Lily Collins (The Blind Side, Mirror Mirror,) as Rosie Dunne and Sam Claflin as Alex Stewart. Sam has recently starred as Finnick Odair in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.
Love, Rosie is adapted from the novel, Where Rainbows End. It is about two best friends, Alex and Rosie, who have known each other since childhood but are then separated when Alex moves to America with his family. Their friendship carries on through letters and e-mails (well, in the book anyway.)
This is the second 0f Cecelia’s novels to make its way to the big screen. Her debut novel, PS, I Love You was released in 2007 with Hilary Swank and Gerard Butler in the lead roles.
by Courses and Competitions: Get going! The Writing Project Starter Kit
Give your writing project the best possible start with acclaimed writer and critic Erica Wagner and The Faber Academy.
Maybe that great idea is ready to be put down on paper or you’re in the middle of something but need some support to get it finished? Wherever you are in your writing project, over the course of five summer evenings this course will give you the equipment to take your work to the next level.
You’ll share your work with the rest of the group in a lively workshop environment, and get feedback on new writing through exercises and assignments. You’ll learn tips and tricks to get yourself started and discover tools to develop your writing. Come with your notes, chapters, or even just an idea.
The course will be 2-hour evening sessions Continue reading
by Book News -Milly Johnson to release an e-book exclusive.
New e-book being released in May.
Sunday Times best-selling author, Milly Johnson, is due to release her new book, The Teashop on the Corner, in June but first, she’s releasing an e-book exclusive. It’s called Here Come the Boys. It’s available to pre-order now and is released on 22nd May 2014 by Simon & Schuster.
Here’s the blurb:
Angie Silverton and her husband are taking a much-needed holiday on the cruise ship Mermaidia, so the last person she hopes to bump into on the first night is her one-time best friend Selina and the man Selina stole from her and married twenty years ago.
And what she needs even less is to be marooned in Malaga with Selina when both of them manage to miss boarding the ship in port.
It will take three days for them to travel across Europe to catch up with the ship again in Croatia. And in the company of each other twenty-four/seven, a lot of old baggage is going to be unloaded.
by Book News – Get Started in Creative Writing
Teach Yourself: March 2014.
New Edition from Teach Yourself Series.
I have always been a fan of the Teach Yourself series and this new edition for getting started in Creative Writing has recently been released. It’s available in paperback and e-book. I find these books great in terms of dipping in and out of the sections where I need specific help. It’s also great as a whole for first time writers. I am looking forward to checking out this new edition.
Here’s the blurb:
Get Started in Creative Writing will help writers at the very beginning of their creative journey to gain confidence and find inspiration, and then support you in the completion of your first pieces of creative writing – a short story, a poem, a draft of a novel or screenplay. Each chapter includes a central writing exercise and four shorter ones, while key quotes, key ideas and focus points will be clearly signposted and will summarise important concepts and advice. At the heart of each chapter is a ‘Workshop’. The Workshop is a key exercise, in which you will gain a deeper insight into the craft of writing.
by Literary Fact of the Day
Thursday 1st May.
Joseph Heller, the author of Catch-22 was born on this day in 1923. He was born in Brooklyn, New York. His book, Catch-22 was published by Simon & Schuster in 1961.
by Cover Reveal – Tracy Buchanan
The Atlas of Us by Tracy Buchanan
The debut novel from Tracy Buchanan is due for release by Avon on 31st July 2014. We are very excited to be amongst the first to reveal the cover for Tracy’s novel. We think this cover is beautiful. What do you think?
About the book:
The Atlas of Us is about family, loss, resilience, reconciliation and hope…
When Louise Fenton flies to Thailand to find her mother, Nora, after the Boxing Day tsunami, she fears the worst when the only trace she can find is her mother’s distinctive bag. In the bag is a beautifully crafted atlas owned by travel journalist Claire Shreve, Continue reading
by Competitions: Sophie Hardach
Of Love and Other Wars – we have ten copies plus ten posters to give away.
THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED.
Thanks to Sophie and the lovely people at Simon and Schuster, we have ten copies of, Of Love and Other Wars, to give away. As well as the book, each winner will also receive a poster of the stunning book cover.
About the book:
At a rally in the Royal Albert Hall, two Quaker brothers, Paul and Charlie Lamb, sign a pledge of peace that only one of them will honour. Meanwhile, in a draughty Victorian mansion in Hampstead, Mr. Morningstar wonders why his wife, a crystallographer from dynasty of diamond cutters, turns into a cursing somnambulist at night, while their daughter, Miriam, comes home from her shifts at the munitions factory with her stockings inside out. As the streets throng with khaki, the Lambs and the Morningstars must decide how to do good in a world transformed by evil. Should a scientist use her skills to maximise civilian casualties? Should a Quaker stand by as millions are murdered? And is it possible to 
love someone if you hate their convictions? When the two families are torn apart by war, Paul is forced to choose between his conscience and the woman he loves.
To enter: Continue reading
by Books Need Us Blog: The London Book Fair
By Maria Vassilopoulos – Books Need Us.
In the Book trade we are currently in the middle of the London Book Fair, the biggest trade event we have in the UK! If you’ve been before then some of what I’m about to say will be familiar to you. If you are coming along then it may help, and if you are thinking of going next time then it will hopefully give you a good picture of what to expect.
What is it?
The London Bookfair has been going since 1971 and originally was a much smaller event – read more here. Nowadays the emphasis for the publishing business is around meeting their sales teams and bookstore buyers, showcasing new products, reminding customers about their past and best-selling titles and selling and acquiring international rights.
What’s there?
Basically most of the UK book trade under one roof. As the big publishing conglomerates have the plush stands its easy to spot them but also great to explore the medium and smaller publishers. There is also a digital zone were you can find out about the latest content driven technology. Each year a different country becomes the Market Focus – for example this year it’s Korea, so it’s quite interesting generally to see what publishing looks like in a different international market. There are seminars throughout the 3 days and these range from finding a job in publishing to marketing a children’s book – if you want to do a bit of networking then these are a good idea.
by Two nations, divided by a common book cover
By Michele Gorman.
I’ll never forget the day I first saw the cover for my debut novel back in early 2010. My editor emailed it to me while I was waiting to meet with my agent. I was sitting in a beautiful café on Piccadilly on a sunny February day (a rare thing in London). Excitement, tinged with nerves, fizzed when I opened that image. For months I’d wondered how Penguin would package the book that I’d spent years writing and rewriting until it was as perfect as could be. Would they take the same care over the cover? Would it reflect the story, about a young American woman named Hannah who moves to London only to find that she’s completely ill-equipped to live there?
It did, and I loved it. The cover fit perfectly with the story and perfectly with the romantic comedy genre in the UK – a pretty illustrated pastel cover. It reflected Hannah’s uncertainty, swept along and buffeted by London.
Then, about a month later, my agent took me out for dinner. “You’re not going to like what I have to tell you,” she said, pushing the cake we were sharing in my direction. “Penguin wants to change the title. To Single in the City. They feel that it has broader appeal.”
That explained why she’d been plying me with wine for two hours.
by Bella’s Scribblings: Ideas Are Everywhere
Those of you that have ever admitted to another living person that you are a writer whether ‘wanna be’ or official will at some point
Bella Osborne
have had the question ‘So where do you get your ideas from?’ fired at you. Unlike me you may well have a very articulate response to this. You see, I’m not entirely sure where my ideas come from, they either just materialise (sometimes at night like a spider from the skirting board) and sometimes it’s a Batman style POW moment.
Just the other day I had a POW moment and of all places it was at the vets. Now you need to understand that whilst I am friendly, I am generally not flirty. So after a tedious wait where me and the child had learnt about what plants are poisonous to rabbits and had both developed spontaneous itching thanks to the poster about fleas, at last the vet called out “Claude Osborne”. There’s an opportunity right there for a comedy moment or two but you need a good quality surname to start with like Ramsbottom or Butts or Winkle … you get the idea. Anyway, a rather good-looking man hiding behind outdated glasses was beckoning us and our protesting cat carrier forward with a welcoming smile.
by Robin York/Deeper Blog Tour: NK Chats to Robin York.
Robin York, also known as Ruthie Knox, is a USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance.
Robin York
We are very delighted to be part of Robin’s blog tour for her new novel, Deeper, which was released on 6th March. Robin tells us about her new book, her best moment as a writer so far and her advice for aspiring writers.
What is Deeper about?
Deeper is a love story and a coming-into-adulthood story. It focuses primarily on Caroline, a college sophomore who is struggling after her ex-boyfriend publishes sexually explicit pictures of her on the Internet, along with her full name, her location, and her Facebook page. Caroline is smart and ambitious — she wants to go to law school and become a judge, like her father — so when these pictures go viral it threatens not just her sense of self-worth, but also her future. What we see over the course of the novel is how Caroline adjusts and comes to terms with what happened to her, partly on her own, partly in a relationship with West Leavitt, a guy she’s always considered dangerous but who she can’t seem to stay away from. Eventually, we get to see her grow into a kind of fierce righteousness that is very satisfying.
Is there a book you’ve read that has made an impact on you?
I’ve never read another book about revenge porn, but certainly I’ve been influenced by all sorts of novels. One of my favorite New Adult novels is Charlotte Stein’s Sheltered, which is a beautiful story of a young woman from a very strict fundamentalist religious family who is falling in love — and experiencing a sexual awakening — with a dangerous-seeming stranger.
by Books To Movies – Part Two.
Films being adapted into movies.
Last week we listed some of our favourite book to movie adaptations. With so many books still being the inspiration for movies, there are quite a few being adapted into films over the coming year. Here are some of the ones we’re looking forward to seeing.
The Fault in Our Stars.
Adapted from the novel of the same name by John Green, this is about Hazel Grace and Augustus Waters who meet at a Kids Cancer Support Group. The two teenagers bond over many things, including the novel, An Imperial Affliction by Peter Van Houten. I am fairly new to John Green’s novels and blogs but from the moment I began reading this book last year, I fell in love with it. It’s such a beautiful, bittersweet love story and proof that young adult novels don’t have to be confined that audience. I am looking forward to seeing this adaptation. Anyone who follows John Green’s ‘Vlog Brothers’ posts will know that Green has been a regular visitor to the set. This has somehow given me confidence that the movie is being done right. The trailer had an enormous amount of hits within twenty-four hours of its release and it looks great. The film will star Shailene Woodley as Hazel Grace, Ansel Elgorth as Augustus and Willem Defoe as Peter Van Houten. It’s due for release in June 2014.
(Temple Hill Entertainment/20th Century Fox.)
by Our Favourite Things: Book to Film Adaptations
It was hard to pick but here are some of our favourite book to film adaptations.
I love books. I try to read the book before I see a movie else I can’t form it properly in my imagination and it spoils the book if I do then try to read it. I prefer the stories in book form but these are five of the adaptations we think were great.
The Taming of The Shrew/10 Things I Hate About You.
Yes, OK, this is essentially a teen movie adapted from one of the great Shakespearian plays. It’s been given a modern twist and is set in a Seattle high school but I just happen to think it’s a great film. There were many Shakespeare references too, (Stafford sisters.) Of course it’s not a serious film (the part with Can’t Take My Eyes off You is testament to that,) but it’s funny and by the end, you have a warm fuzzy heart-warming feeling. Plus there was Heath Ledger. It was worth watching just for him. A fun, tongue in cheek, light-hearted adaptation that you can re-watch and still love – definitely one of our favourites.
(The Taming of the Shrew: William Shakespeare, Folger Shakespeare Library. 10 Things I Hate About You: Touchstone/Buena Vista, 1999.)
Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption/The Shawshank Redemption.
This film was adapted from the novella by Stephen King. Although The Green Mile was Continue reading
by Favourite Character Names
Five of our favourite character names.
There have been many characters with great names over the years. Who would not have a soft spot for a bad boy named Rupert Campbell Black? Or want to look after a boy called Pip? Here are five of our favourites. Which ones would you add?
Vivien Leigh in Gone With The Wind, MGM (1939.)
by The First Time We Met by Pippa Croft
Extract from The First Time We Met by Pippa Croft.
The First Time We Met is the first book in the Oxford Blue Series. Released today, it is now available to buy in ebook format. We had a chat with Pippa yesterday (you can read our interview here.) Today, we’re featuring an extract from the book and we can’t wait to read it and find out what happens.
“By the time I get out of the hall, the tears are pouring down my cheeks. I tried, I really did, but apart from Immy and a few others, they’re a bunch of snobs and creeps, Rupert most of all. Why did I think this was a good idea?
Leaning against a wall, I gulp in the cool air and it helps a little, but it’s raining again and my dress is getting soaked. I’ve only been here a day and I already hate the weather and the people. So much for my big dreams of sophisticated independence when I can’t even handle a welcome dinner!
In my head, Todd’s laughing at me, clucking his tongue with his ‘Poor little Lauren, I told you you’d be better off staying home.’
No. I will not give up so easily. The Cusacks don’t quit. My father taught me Continue reading
by It Felt Like a Kiss by Sarra Manning – Blog Tour: Sarra’s Writing Space
Where the magic happens * wink, finger gun *
By Sarra Manning.
This is as tidy as I ever get, which is practically minimalist compared to how my desk used to look when I was on magazines. The piles of paper, mags, CDs, books, were so high that I literally could not see over the top of them. One of my proudest yet shaming moments was when an ergonomic expert took a picture of my workspace and showed it to the entire company as a good example of a fire hazard. So, progress!
Desk – Fifties, formica kitchen table, I got for free when I bought a 1930’s lounge suite, which fell apart within six months. The table is still going strong.
Chair – 1960’s chair that started life in a French hairdressers.
Macbook Pro – I have NEVER been PC, never will. Don’t even get me started. Although I write on a laptop, I have to work at my desk, no sprawling, legs akimbo on the floor in madcap Carrie Bradshaw-esque abandon for me.
Papers – that’s the marked up manuscript of the first draft of the novel I’m working on right now. Unfortunately, most of the bits I did mark-up I’ve now decided to cut and the bits I didn’t mark up, I wish I had. It’s a process. That notebook also has about version five on my outline.
Books – Continue reading
by My Favourite Leading Men.
My five favourite heroes of literature.
Throughout history, there have been many literary heroes in many different plots and portrayed in a variety of ways. Fictional heroes can inspire you, anger, frustrate or make you fall in love with them as much as any real, living and breathing person can do. When I came to looking at the male heroes, there are many to pick from and it was a struggle to pick five.
What do you think? Do you agree with my five? Who would you add?
Mr Darcy/Mark Darcy (Pride & prejudice by Jane Austen & Bridget Jones’ Diary by Helen Fielding.)
Colin Firth as Mr Darcy. BBC.
I couldn’t really compile a list where Darcy wouldn’t feature. He is one of my favourite literary men of all time. Whether it’s Mr Darcy in Pride & Prejudice or Mark in Bridget Jones’ Diary, he is a hero of mine because he is a gentleman. He loves Elizabeth/Bridget and he’s endearing even though he isn’t forthcoming with his feelings to begin with. He’s the nice guy. Unlike Daniel/Wickham, he is the dependable one and the character I trust. I love him.
by Book Corner: February 2014
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion (published by Penguin, 2014,) is our book club title for February.
About the book…
‘I’m not good at understanding what other people want.’
‘Tell me something I don’t know . . .’
Love isn’t an exact science – but no one told Don Tillman. A thirty-nine-year-old geneticist, Don’s never had a second date. So he devises the Wife Project, a scientific test to find the perfect partner. Enter Rosie – ‘the world’s most incompatible woman’ – Continue reading
by Writing Room – January 2014
Writing Room – January 2014: Write a diary entry.
It’s 2014. A new year. For this month, write a diary entry from the point of view of your character. If you’re currently working on a book, write as your main character or maybe you’d like to pick a supporting character? If you’ve not got anything you’re working on, write from the point of view from a person named Sam.
What would they write about? What are their resolutions for the year?
Write between 500 – 1000 words and post in the comments section. Continue reading
by Book Corner: January 2014.
Here’s Looking At You by Mhairi Mcfarlane (published by Avon, December 2013.) – our book club title for January.
About the book:
Anna Alessi – history expert, possessor of a lot of hair and an occasionally filthy mouth – seeks nice man for intelligent conversation and Mills & Boon moments.
Despite the oddballs that keep turning up on her dates, Anna couldn’t be happier. As a 30-something with a job she loves, life has turned out better than she dared dream. However, things weren’t always this way, and her years spent as the ‘Italian Galleon’ of an East London comprehensive are ones she’d rather forget.
So when James Fraser – the architect of Anna’s final humiliation at school – walks back into her life, her world is turned upside down. But James seems a changed man. Polite. Mature. Funny, even. People can change, right? So why does Anna feel like she’s a fool to trust him?
Discuss Here’s Looking At You… Continue reading
by Book Review: A Cinderella Christmas
A Cinderella Christmas by Holly Kingston. Released by Novelicious Books, November 2013.
Lucy Tilley dreams of a career in show business. But this isn’t quite what she had in mind …
This year’s Cinderella pantomime is the hottest production in town. What’s more, Lucy is starring alongside Ryan Aspall: famous TV actor, sex symbol and potential love of her entire life. One teeny problem – Lucy is tripping the light fantastic as … the back-end of the comedy cow. Surely nothing kills a flirty moment quite like wearing a massive set of udders?
At least she has the support of glamorous (if potentially flammable) Charmaine; a reality star diva of a Cinderella, who Lucy is completely fascinated by. But behind the fame and beauty, Charmaine is not all she seems.
With more drama off the stage than on it, and everyone
wanting to be star of the show, will Lucy find the confidence to make it out of the cow suit and into the spotlight this Christmas?
A Cinderella Christmas is the new novella from Holly Kingston. Set during a pantomime in Manchester just before Christmas, this was a warming, lovely story that had me laughing out loud in many places. Lucy is such a likeable, relatable character. Charmaine, Ben, Ryan and Bridget are great supporting characters. This story flowed so well and I wish it was longer. This book has well and truly put me in the festive mood and will be great for snuggling up on the sofa with a glass of wine and the Christmas tree lights on. Romance and Christmas… I loved this book.
by Luca Veste: Dead Gone Blog Tour
Novel Kicks was very pleased to be a part of Luca Veste’s blog tour for his great debut novel, Dead Gone. Later on, Luca will be chatting to us about his book. Be sure to also check out the other stops on the tour.
Coming up, a review of Dead Gone which is available now in e-book format. Below, a sneak preview (warning, there is a small amount of bad language.)
Experiment Two
She hadn’t been afraid of the dark.
Not before.
Not before it entered her life without her knowing, enveloping her like a second skin, becoming a part of her.
She hadn’t been claustrophobic, petrified the walls were closing in around her. Crushed to death without knowing they’d even moved. Not scared of things that crawled around her toes. Wasn’t afraid to sit alone in a darkened room and wonder if something was touching her face, or if it was just her imagination.
Nope. She wasn’t scared before.
She was now.
by Jon Rance: My Route to Publication
Jon Rance, the author of This ThirtySomething Life and Happy Endings, talks about his route to publication…
Whenever I talk or write about my route to being published, I always end up using the same words. Unusual. Different. Unconventional. When you think about getting a publishing deal you generally think about someone having an agent first and then the book being shipped around various publishing houses until the inevitable bidding war results in a large three book deal. This generally isn’t true either, but I didn’t even have an agent and I wasn’t really looking to get a publishing deal at all. I guess I should start at the beginning.
I started writing properly ten years ago. I wrote four full-length novels and followed the traditional path of trying to get an agent and failing each time. It always felt a bit strange though. I would spend a year and a half pouring my heart and soul into a book and then I’d send off thirty letters to different agents, wait for the rejections to come back before starting all over again. It’s a strange thing to do. So after I finished writing my fifth book, THIS THIRTYSOMETHING LIFE, I decided not to approach agents and instead self-publish it.
by Book Review: Solomon’s Tale by Sheila Jeffries
Solomon’s Tale by Sheila Jeffries. Published by Avon, November 2013.
Solomon’s Tale tells the story from the point of view of Solomon, a cat who is reincarnated back down to earth by an angel to take care of his previous owner. When he reaches Ellen, he finds that she is facing abuse and homelessness.
He enters Ellen’s home and soon becomes the family’s healer and protector and although facing many challenges, tries to save the family.
Solomon was the writer’s own cat but the story, Continue reading
by Practical Bags For Writers On The Go
I do like to take my computer out and work with a change of scenery. I take my iPad everywhere. My laptop also frequently travels with me and so I like to transport them in something that’s not bulky. Then there is the problem of all the other stuff in your bag damaging your laptop or tablet. If you’re anything like me, I struggle to find bags that are suitable for writers on the go. Our spotlight today falls on a selection of lovely bags from Knomo that are perfect for writers – whether it’s for a christmas gift or a treat for yourself….
The Cavendish tote is made from saffiano leather and comes with a removable quilted laptop sleeve (which snaps into the side of the bag.) It’s perfect for carrying your day-to-day belongings as well as the all-important laptop (and that sleeve will mean it won’t get damaged.) It fits up to 14″ laptop and is available in marine, black or black cherry. It’s currently £169.00 from Knomo.
Cavendish
by Novel Kicks attends the launch of Raising Steam.
Pratchett launches his 40th Discworld novel on-board the Iron Girder.
We were very excited to be invited to the launch of Raising Steam, the latest novel by Sir Terry Pratchett and the 40th book in the Discworld series. On Friday 22nd November at 3pm sharp, we arrived at the Watercress Line at Alton Station where we were greeted by the billowing steam of the train that was to be the Iron Girder for the day.
On the platform stood Sir Terry, proudly wearing his train conductor’s hat. Soon after arriving, we all boarded the train where we would have afternoon tea of scones, jam, cream, a cup of tea and even a small glass of sparkling wine. We were even Continue reading
by NaNoWriMo Author Advice: Day Eight
It’s day eight of National Novel Writing Month. Ali Mcnamara talks about what you should be writing….
When people ask me for advice about writing, I always say the same thing: Write what YOU love. Then your writing will come across as genuine, and heartfelt, and if you enjoy it reading it back, then someone else definitely will.
Also if you think your story is just as good or preferably better than those you’re seeing on the bookshelves, then never give up on your dream, no matter how many rejections you may get at first. Because someone some day will read your work and love it just as much as you!
by Ali McNamara’s Time Traveling Tour: Swinging 60’s Fashion
We are happy to welcome Ali McNamara and her blog tour for her new book release, Step Back in Time. Today, we go back to the decade of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and mini skirts….
60s Fashion 101
Women’s fashion evolved so much in the 1960’s that it’s difficult to pinpoint just a few trends…
At the beginning of the decade the height of fashion was the style favoured by Jackie Kennedy, the first lady of the United States. Her quintessential look was the smart suit, pillbox hat, and neat court shoes.
Then is 1964 hems shot up when Mary Quant introduced the first mini-skirt, and the monotone black and white look, that is so synonymous with the sixties today became popular. Make-up was pale, and the androgynous look made famous by the British model, Twiggy was the style to aspire to.
Towards the end of the decade – the hippie movement also exerted a strong influence on fashion, with bell-bottom jeans, tie-dye and batik fabrics being extremely popular amongst the young, hip and trendy set.
If I’d been a teenager in the 1960s….I think I’d have been a Mary Quant girl!
Step Back in Time by Ali McNamara is published by Sphere and is available to buy now.
Ali’s blog tour continues on Monday where she is stopping by One More Page and Life on Magrs
by Literary Fact: Stephen King
In 2007, Stephen King started signing some of his own books in an Alice Springs bookstore. The staff thought he was a vandal as they didn’t initially realise that he was signing his own books.
by Book Corner: November 2013
The Knot by Mark Watson.
(Published by Simon & Schuster, June 2013.)
Dominic Kitchen is a wedding photographer. Every Saturday since his career began in the sixties he has photographed a bride and groom on the happiest day of their lives, captured the moment they tied the knot forever, and then faded away into the background. But throughout his life, Dominic has felt a knot inside him tighten, threatening his own chance of a happy ever after. And as the years go by, it becomes more difficult to ignore, until the ties that bind threaten to tear him apart… Continue reading
by Harper Impulse get in the festive mood…
We may still be in the middle of August but Harper Impulse are already thinking about Christmas time (and I for one love Christmas,) and are launching their wonderful WINTER WONDERLAND competition.
They are looking for novels of any length, which have a Christmas, Hanukkah or New Year theme in them (and, of course, some kind of romance!).
by Claudia Carroll Winners.
Thank you to all who entered our competition to win a copy of Me & You by Claudia Carroll.
Avon, 1st August 2013.
Well done to Joanne from Herefordshire and Aileen from Wales who have both won a copy of the book.
by The President’s Hat by Antoine Laurain – Competition Winners.
Thank you to all the people who entered our competition to win a signed copy of The President’s Hat by Antoine Laurain.
Gallic Books, March 2013.
Well done to Mandy Carter (who’s superpower would be to look into the future,) Susan Nisar (who would like the power to heal,) and Kathleen Gallagher (who would like to be able to turn nasty food delicious.)
by Izzy’s Attic Competition Winner…
Thank you to all of you who entered our competition to win a beautiful bookmark from Izzy’s Attic.
Well done to Aimee Talbot from Kings Lynn. Your prize will be on it’s way to you shortly. Aimee would like to meet Hazel Grace Lancaster from John Green’s Fault in Our Stars.
The bookmarks are available to buy from Izzy’s Attic.
Read more about Izzy’s fantastic charity, Eyes Alight.
by Daily Fact – 20th June 2013
Daily Fact….19th June 2013
J.M Barrie (Sir James Matthew Barrie) died on this day in 1937. Great Ormond Street Hospital in London owns the copyright to Peter Pan.
by Book News: About A Girl by Lindsey Kelk.
Harper, 2013
Released, July 2013.
Here’s the blurb…
Tess Brookes has always been a Girl with a Plan. But when the Plan goes belly up, she’s forced to reconsider.
After accidently answering her flatmate Vanessa’s phone, she decides that since being Tess isn’t going so well, she might try being Vanessa. With nothing left to lose, she accepts Vanessa’s photography assignment to Hawaii – she used to be an amateur snapper, how hard can it be? Right?
But Tess is soon in big trouble. And the gorgeous journalist on the shoot with her, who is making it very clear he’d like to get into her pants, is an egotistical monster. Far from home and in someone else’s shoes, Tess must decide whether to fight on through, or ‘fess up and run…
by Daily Fact…
Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice was first published in 1813.
Its orginal title was ‘First Impressions.’
by Mike Gayle’s advice for New Writers…
Every time you hear the theme tune to EastEnders start writing. When you hear the end credits stop. Do the same for the Sunday omnibus and you’ll have a book within a year. Jenny Colgan told me that and I believe her.
Mike’s new book, Turning Forty will be released in July.
by Best Writing Moment… Phamie MacDonald.
Children’s book author and creator of The Planets series, Phamie MacDonald talks about her favourite writing moments and shares her writing space….
My favourite writing moment so far – is any moment at all when I get lost in the story. Every writer knows that frustrating blank page syndrome when all the words seem to have fallen out of your brain so it’s always a joyful, glorious time when the words flow, the story fits together and you can feel a new world being created. Bliss.
 Phamie MacDonald |
 Phamie’s writing space. |
My favourite, favourite, favourite writing moment ever was when I first conceived my children’s book series idea, The Planets. Continue reading
by Book News: Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy.
Jonathan Cape, Oct, 2013.
Coming October 2013.
I’m stupidly excited about the third installment and the follow up to Bridget Jones Diary and The Edge of Reason.
Here’s the blurb for Mad About The Boy:
Fielding introduces us to a whole new enticing phase of Bridget’s life set in contemporary London, including the challenges of maintaining sex appeal as the years roll by and the nightmare of drunken texting, the skinny jean, the disastrous email cc, total lack of twitter followers, and TVs that need 90 buttons and three remotes to simply turn on.
by The Language of Spells Winner…
Thank you to all the people who entered our competition to win a digital copy of The Language of Spells by Sarah Painter.
Carina, May 2013
The winner is… Irene Wright from Morecambe.
by Woman’s Prize For Fiction Competition Winner…
Thank you to all of you who entered our competition to win the Woman’s Prize For Fiction shortlist.
Well done to Catherine from Leeds. Sh has won all six books. She is looking forward to reading Flight Behaviour the most.
 Faber & Faber. |
 DoubleDay. |
 Granta Books. |
 Hamish Hamilton. |
 Weidenfeld & Nicolson. |
 Fourth Estate. |
by Blott Notebook Competition Winner….
Thanks to the lovely people at Blott, we had this gorgeous notebook to give away. Thanks to all of you who entered.
Congratulations to Beverley Kirwin from Salford. This notebook will be on it’s way to you shortly.
Check out Blott’s website for some lovely and inspiring stationary. Go on, treat yourself.
by Book News: Miranda is back…
Harper, 20th June 2013.
Revenge Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger.
Everything’s in place for the season’s hottest launch:
Tall latte (with two raw sugars)? Check.
Gucci trench (draped over desk)? Check.
Outrageous, unreasonable demands? Check.
Andy has just turned thirty and is an incredibly successful magazine editor, working closely with her best friend Emily, another Runway survivor. She’s about to get married – life’s on track and she’s been careful to stay clear of Miranda Priestly, her dreadful first boss. But Andy’s luck is running out. Miranda Priestly isn’t the kind of woman who hides in the background.
She’s back… and more devilish than ever.
by Ali McNamara’s tip for new writers…
Never give up! If this is what you really want to do and you genuinely believe your novel is as good as or even better than what’s already out there on the bookshelves, then keep going. Listen to the feedback to get along the way, take it on board, be brutally honest with yourself and then alter your manuscript if you think it’s valid (they’re not always right.) Then just keep trying…because one day it might just happen.
It did to me.
Read Ali’s interview.
by Billy and Me by Giovanna Fletcher – Winners Announced.
Thank you to all the people who entered our competition to win a copy of Billy and Me by Giovanna Fletcher.
Penguin, 2013.
The winners are…..
Laura from Spain who would like to meet John Keats, (who wouldn’t with some of the poems he produced.)
Shannon from Cumbria who would like to meet Giovanna Fletcher, (me too. A girlie chat with cake and coffee.)
Mona from Germany who would like to meet the Queen of England because she seems adorable. (I’ve always imagined her to have a brilliant sense of humour away from official life.)
Billy and Me is was released this week and is now available from Amazon (a link is on our widget on the right hand side.)
by Before I Met You by Lisa Jewell – Winners Announced.
Thank you to everyone who entered our competition to won a copy of Before I Met You by Lisa Jewell.
Arrow, 2013
The winners are (drum roll) …..
Val Leath, Eliza from Exeter, Trish from Blackburn, Natasha from Leighton Buzzard and Jacqueline Pye. Well done all. You’ve all won a copy of Before I Met You.
Before I Met You is available from Amazon UK.
by Five books to kick start your writing.
There are many books out there that will tell you how to create characters, plot your story and get published. These books will help you kick start your writing…
The Write Brain Workbook by Bonnie Neubauer.
(Writer’s Digest Books, 2006.)
I’ve used this book and have found it very helpful. It contains 366 exercises to help kick start your brain. It’s a workbook so you can write and draw straight into the book (For someone who never writes in books it took a while to get used to but great fun once I had.) One exercise a day. It will help warm up the brain before jumping in on the work in progress.
by Chris Baty’s tips for new writers…
Chris Baty was one of the founders of National Novel Writing Month. He’s now become a full time author and public speaker.
1) Follow your heart. Don’t write the book you feel you should write. Write the book that excites you.
2) Know that the books that inspired you to write started out as craptastic first drafts. Don’t be discouraged by the quality of your early drafts. They’ll get better over time.
3) Turn writing into a social activity. The sound of other people writing will make you want to write. Find other folks who are working on books and pick one night a week (or more!) to get together and write.
4) Use mini-deadlines to break up large, daunting projects into smaller, achievable tasks.
5) Remember that completion is more important than perfection. You have a lot books left to write. Get this one done and move on to the next.
To read his interview with Novel Kicks, click here.
by Blog Tour: Giovanna Fletcher.
I am very pleased to be the sixth stop on the blog tour for Giovanna Fletcher’s debut novel, Billy and Me which will be released by Penguin on 23rd May 2013.
My review of the book plus an exclusive Q&A with Giovanna will be posted shortly.
All of us on the tour were asked what our impressions were of the cover of Billy and Me. When I saw it, I felt warm -like I was getting a hug. I fell in love with the cover. It’s beautiful.
Giovanna matched our emotions by drawing an exclusive cupcake. I LOVE IT.
Tomorrow, the tour is stopping off at Fairy Tale Ending Book Reviews.
Previous stops on the tour:
by Marian Keyes competition winners.
The Mystery of Mercy Close by Marian Keyes.
Penguin, April 2013
Thank you to all who entered our competition to win a copy of The Mystery of Mercy Close.
Well done to Zoe, Jools and Roisin who have all won a copy of the book.
by Book News: Inferno by Dan Brown.
Inferno by Dan Brown is the fourth book in the Robert Langdon series and is released today via Bantam Press. Being a bit of a fan of the Robert Langdon books I have been looking forward to this one. I like all the mystery and history that usually comes with this type of book.
Here’s the blurb….
‘Seek and ye shall find.’
With these words echoing in his head, eminent Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon awakes in a hospital bed with no recollection of where he is or how he got there. Nor can he explain the origin of the macabre object that is found hidden in his belongings. Continue reading
by Sophie Kinsella winners.
We had three copies of Sophie Kinsella’s new book, Wedding Night (Bantam Press, April 2013,) to give away.
Well done to Vicki from Southampton, Tina from Devon and Theresa from Wakefield who have all won a signed copy of the book. Well done ladies.
by Leftovers competition winners.
Leftovers by Stella Newman.
Avon, April 2013
Thank you to all our entrants. Congratulations to Carol Peace, Rosie D and Katarina Micallef who have all won a copy of Leftovers.
by Book Club
