Judith's Blog

Twitter - a fabulous way to connect with authors

By Josie

ONE of the reasons I love Twitter is the way you can connect to the most unlikely people - including authors. I've been tweeting with Jackie Collins - I'm not writing erotic novels but I do find it funny that she's on Twitter as her books certainly played quite a part in my formative years *cough*.

So last night I tweeted her (she's @jackiejcollins) the following questions: how many pages do you write a day when you're working on a book, and do you always draw on real life experience?

Here's what she had to say:

'10-15 handwritten pages'
'yes unless you're writing a fantasy novel' (I'm presuming by fantasy she meant Lord of the Rings type fantasy, not - er- erotic fantasy).

So there you have it. 10 to 15 handwritten pages a day... not sure how much that translates to in typed pages but it sounds perfectly doable... doesn't it?

Do you have any tips from published novelists? If so, share them below!

Ten blindingly obvious things I learned in my first year as an author

Linda Jones shares some harsh realities of a book deal with a small publisher.

1. A book launch may be more hassle than it’s worth This time last year, I was feeling pretty pleased with myself. My first book, the modestly titled Greatest Freelance Writing Tips in the World had just been published. Holding some initial copies in my quivering hands, I’d felt a rush of pride. Now here I was, preparing for my very own book launch. Then one by one, more than half the confirmed guests dropped out. My heart sank. Even though local paper reports and reviews followed and those lovely guests who did come along were overwhelmingly positive, I was disappointed. In hindsight I can see my expectations were unrealistic. But I hated feeling like Billy no-mates.

"Throw mud against a wall" Fran Sandham on publicising your book

FRAN Sandham walked across Africa solo from the Skeleton Coast to the Indian Ocean at Zanzibar.

His groundbreaking journey is told with great humour in Traversa, which has been met with critical acclaim.

Interviews with The Liverpool Echo and The Argus in Brighton have already been published, as well as reviews in the likes of New Statesman, Metro and Travel Africa, among others.

Further regional and specialist media column inches are in the pipeline.

He's also been interviewed by Radio Four's Excess Baggage and has now turned his attention to gaining national newspaper coverage by pitching freelance articles.

Approaching an agent: Fifteen tips from an insider

IF you have ever wanted to see inside the mind of an agent, especially when they are checking out your synopsis and chapter samples, then head over to Andrew Lownie's website.

He offers 15 common sense tips on how to approach an agent.

There's also a wealth of advice in various other articles.  

Sunday's Child by Elizabeth Eastham

ON Judith's Blog, we will feature works by members of our community which have entertained, moved or inspired us. We're kicking off with this loving poem by proud grandparent Elizabeth.

 

Sunday's Child

31.5.2009

 

Midsummer Day...

But you couldn't wait, small and sweet as a peach,

To come to us.

 

Honeysuckle and roses,

Pigeons cooing and a robin in the apple tree,

Welcome you home.

 

At the end of May

After a hot, sunny day,

As half a silver moon, hung in a velvet sky

You came to us,

 

Mummy's daughter,

Daddy's delight,

Gregory's girl...

 

NATASHA

'Books should enlighten and educate' June Austin on self-publishing

SELF PUBLISHED writer June Austin says the days when 'vanity publishing' was the norm are long gone. Here, she argues why battling against the frustrations of working with commercial publishers, needn't be the only route to success as an author. Her book Genesis of Man was first published in 2006.

THE book buying public cares little how the books they read were published, only that they are interesting, well written and affordable. It is only those within the publishing industry who seem to have a problem with self publishing.

The reasons they give are usually that such books are: * Nothing more than "vanity press" * Badly written with little if any editing * Difficult to market as the author has to do everything themselves with no outside help * Self publishing companies will publish anyone who can afford to pay I aim to dispel all of these myths and maybe some more.

Favourite reads: The Girls by Lori Lansens

I have never looked into my sister's eyes. I have never bathed alone. I have never stood in the grass at night and raised my arms to a beguiling moon. I've never used an aeroplane bathroom. Or worn a hat. Or been kissed like that...So many things I've never done, but oh, how I've been loved. And, if such things were to be, I'd live a thousand times as me, to be loved so exponentially."

So begins Lori Lansens' The Girls. Who could fail to be moved by such a tender and evocative beginning? And it just gets better and better.

Rose and Ruby Darlen are as close as sisters can be. Born joined at the head, they have lived a life full of spectacle, ridicule, love and wonderment. Now approaching 30, the girls are telling their own story in two contrasting styles,  capturing all the hopes, fears, crashing disappointments and ordinary yet tender moments in two extraordinary lives.

I found Lori Lansens' evocative tale deeply affecting. It’s a long time for me since any fictional characters leapt from the page like Rose and Ruby, remembering their beloved Aunt Lovey and Uncle Stash.

A beginner's guide to e-books

WRITER and media coach Joanne Mallon tells us why she decided to take the electronic route when publishing her book, The Beginner's Guide To TV Interviews.

"E-book" is a slightly fugly word which stands for electronic book. Rather than a traditional hard copy of a book, the reader receives a file which they can either print out or read on a computer screen or via a specialist e-book reader.

Because they’re usually read using a computer, e-books can benefit from all kinds of multimedia gubbins – hyperlinks in the text to relevant websites, podcasts etc.

It may sound somewhat futuristic, but mainstream publishers are getting in on the act and you can even buy e-books on Amazon.

Fictional characters' Facebook and Twitter accounts: A step too far?

HEARD the latest about Steffi McBride? She's been asked to sign up for the next series of I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, apparently. Oh and she has had a rose named after her, writes Linda Jones.

Perhaps you don't have a clue about this latest D-lister to hit the party circuit who says she's stayed up all hours with Paris and Kylie. And possibly you don't care a jot. But what, arguably, makes Steffi more interesting than your average airhead celeb is that she's the figment of an author's imagination and these tantalising - or annoying - insights into her star-studded existence come courtesy of her updates on Twitter, the social media "microblogging" site, and her Facebook page.

My writing day: Author and lecturer Maria McCarthy

MARIA McCarthy is the author of The Girls' Guide to Losing Your L-plates: How to Pass Your Driving Test and The Girl's Car Handbook, contributes features to national publications and is a lecturer in journalism. She still found time to share her writing day with us...I hope you find it an inspiration, I certainly did.

THE day starts with a cup of industrial-strength tea at my computer. I’m currently working on a feature for one of the colour supplements entitled ‘I found a fortune’ - about people who’ve found junk at car boot sales or in the attic which has turned out to be worth thousands. I’m finding it good fun to do and most importantly, the case histories aren’t proving too hard to track down.