After a gap of many months, I’ve been able to spend some time on my new book these past few weeks and at last feel as if I’ve returned to it in earnest. I thought about keeping a diary of its progress but instead I’m going to record key breakthroughs. Maybe they’ll chime with your… Continue reading Five Things About My New Book
The online fiction serial I began writing at the start of the year has become a book. From the start, I’d hoped the pieces would, at some point, have another life. And then, at a Byte the Book networking evening, I was introduced to Jon Watt, the UK Country Manager for Type and Tell –… Continue reading Introducing My New Book
Last year, I wrote on here about the importance of the second novel, because I’d heard that the best thing you can do to support the book you’ve written is to produce another one. Critical mass really helps create a presence in readers’ if not retailers’ minds. So, I duly set about starting another novel… Continue reading My New Online Fiction Serial
It’s usually the case that when an agent or editor says ‘No’ to your work you hear the sound of a door closing. It’s not the end of the world. There are other doors to knock on. You need only one of them to be opened and to be welcomed inside. Occasionally, an editor or… Continue reading ‘Have You Got Anything Else?’
In my editing life, I’ve been using track changes a lot. I’m all for it. It’s efficient – no waiting for manuscripts to thump through the letterbox (or having to collect them, mysteriously shredded, from the post office); no expense of high-level security postage, lest it gets mislaid en route. It’s great for culling repetitions… Continue reading Standing On Top of Your Manuscript
On this blog, I’ve introduced you to Linda Newbery and the late Belinda Hollyer, whose friendships through books and writing have and do mean the world to me. Another writer I’ve known for longer than anyone else, practically (apart from Cassandra Golds – whom you’ll meet one day soon) is Sophie Masson. Sophie launched her… Continue reading Writing Friends – Part 3
Not so long ago, you could attend a publishing launch party practically every night of the week. (I wasn’t inundated with invitations personally, but I know people who were.) Nowadays, publicity budgets are stretched so launches are few and far between. That’s come as a huge disappointment to lots of authors – I suspect that… Continue reading A Time to Celebrate
I’ve taken the independent route to market for my debut novel, Ready to Love, which I think of as a sitcom with saucepans – but it’s also about the successes and mistakes we make in life and love. Its official publication is today. (Audio, ANZ and US and Canadian rights available. Please apply herein.) Clays,… Continue reading Indie Publishing: A Case Study
reading and writing 