Quick Spotlight: Memory Stick
I am a HUGE fan of interactive books. Not only does it help with the creativity of finding new ideas (as you never know how they are going to strike,) it also gives my critical editor a night off and lets me just have fun where my writing is concerned.
Memory Stick by Polly Smart is available from Huck & Pucker (August 2014.) I love this book and I think it’s great for storing all your ideas for stories and creative projects and there is no danger of it corrupting like a computer USB stick would. It’s a scrapbook of your ideas and thoughts and I am liking making my way through it.
Here’s the blurb:
Need a place to store all those moments, ideas and experiences, both crazy and everyday? Fill this journal with memories to create a record of who you are and what makes you tick. Download your brain into MEMORY STICK! A scrapbook of thoughts, happenings, hurrahs, ideas and conversations I have had.
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Mick’s Musings: Jealous?
Jealous? Nope, not the right word. Envy? Getting closer, if I’m being honest, but certainly very happy and proud are correct words to describe what I’d like to chat with you about today. If you’re a regular, or even if you’re not, on this wonderful site, then you may be aware of my good friend Bella’s column, Bella’s Scribblings-https://www.novelkicks.co.uk/bellas-scribblings-christmas-shopping/ – click the link for updates folks! But the reason for my kind of cryptic start to this column is the wonderful news that she’s got a two book contract with Harper Collins and the first, ‘It Started at Sunset Cottage’ is set to go on sale in February next year. I first met Bella at the Romantic Novelist’s Association Convention in Sheffield last year. Two newbies to the New Writer’s Scheme, both nervous and not sure what was going on, nor what to do, but she’s become a good friend and now, if I may say, an inspiration to those of us still hoping to get published. She’s worked very hard on this novel and without giving anything away, I would put it on your wish lists for a nice Valentine’s Day (yes, I’m fully aware that Christmas hasn’t even come along yet) present to yourself. So, where does that leave me? Well, I’ve submitted to just seven Agents/Publishing companies so far and, sniff, the first rejection came through this week. I slightly surprised myself but not cracking up completely when that email came through; though it was tempting, but I didn’t think my boss would understand a teary bloke at work. It’s actually made me more determined to approach others. I still have a couple on the list I was given by the RNA, so will have to print (yep, I did say ‘print’) out a couple and see if I can get those off shortly. Continue reading
by December Book Club: Christmas Themed Books
Penguin, November 2014
Ebury Digital, November 2014
Book Corner is our monthly online book club.
How it works…
We love books and we love chatting about them even more. Every month, we pick a new book for discussion. We will post a question to kick things off and then you can talk about any of your thoughts about the book in the comments box below. The best thing about our book club is that EVERYONE CAN TAKE PART. It’s open to all. You can read the book at any point in the month or if you’ve already read it, tell us what you think.
This month, our pick is Christmas.
As it’s December, we invite you to come and chat about any book you’ve read or are reading that is Christmas themed from A Christmas Carol to something more current. We are going to be reading Christmas with Billy and Me by Giovanna Fletcher and Secret Santa by Scarlett Bailey (two festive short stories.)
You are welcome to read these or pick your own festive themed book and then come and discuss what you loved or didn’t love about it.
by Competitions: Writing Maps Gift Pack Winner
Writing Maps think that good writing should be encouraged, shared and published.
Devised by writer and creative writing tutor, Shaun Levin alongside a wide range of designers and illustrators, Writing Maps are full of inspiration for writers. Each map 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.
Well done to Julie Mcfarland who has won herself the lovely Writing Maps gift pack. Check your e-mail (including junk and spam folders,) as an e-mail is on its way to you, Julie.
Writing Maps are a great gift idea for Christmas for either the creative person in your family or a gift to yourself. If you would like to find out more about Writing Maps, visit their website at http://www.writingmaps.com.
by A Moment With…Talli Roland
Day thirty of National Novel Writing Month. Earlier, author Julie Cohen took us through her editing process and now Talli Roland talks to us about her experience with self publishing.
Self-publishing provides another route for authors to get their books directly to an audience. I think it’s wonderful to be living in a time when authors have choices. No longer do they need reach readers through a publisher – they can decide what is right for them and for the book.
I had a wonderful relationship with my publisher, but as a small independent, their distribution reach was limited. Most of my sales were ebooks, and I’d spent a great deal of time building up my platform. It made sense for me to go out on my own, hire a cover designer and an editor, and keep my profits. It was very scary jumping ship – jumping off the ship! – but I’m so pleased I did.
It’s been an amazing journey – hard, challenging, and somewhat obsessive – but I’ve really enjoyed having control over everything from cover to content to timelines. And it’s been wonderful to make living from writing, too. That said, like any business, sales can fluctuate, depending on many factors. You don’t have the security of an advance from a publisher, so that can be a little daunting.
by Book Club
