Debra J Edwards

Amanda Hocking

2012-01-20T11:05:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-30T12:28:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-23T12:30:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-23T12:27:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-12T13:48:00.001-08:00

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!

2011-10-28T13:54:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-28T13:05:00.000-07:00

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

2010-11-18T12:40:00.000-08:00

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

2010-05-08T08:13:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-24T08:23:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-09T07:32:00.000-07:00

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

2010-03-28T08:48:00.000-07:00

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

2009-11-09T12:10:00.000-08:00

'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

2009-11-01T10:40:00.000-08:00

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

2009-10-07T14:49:00.000-07:00

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 ...

2009-10-07T14:39:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-10-02T14:47:00.000-07:00

Had a good week so far as books go. Sold 62 which is brilliant!

Tomorrow I'm at Watertone's Alton, Hants. I'm hoping there are lots of people about who would quite like a novel about teenage tooth fairies! Let's hope they are all open minded!

I'm loving having the set of books to offer people. The three books look stunning together - thanks to Tara, of course!

2009-09-24T13:32:00.000-07:00

If anyone's is around north London on Saturday, pop in and see me in Waterstone's Finchley Road branch. I shall be signing copies of my books from 11-3pm.

Talking of signings, I've had a lot of interest just lately. Lots of signings up to Christmas at W H Smith branches as well as Waterstone's which is great. I just need to make sure I sell lots of books because, as we know, they won't move if I'm not there!!

Wish me luck!

RANT

2009-09-13T10:00:00.000-07:00

I need to rant!

After trailing round Waterstone's branches for three years, they still won't stock my books centrally because my books won't sell if I'm not there. I don't have the budget to compete with the likes of mainstream publishers. All I have is my family to help market my work. How on earth can I reach the nation like other publishers do?

They keep books in their stores that have probably stay on the shelves for years yet won't give mine a chance even though I have probably outsold many of their 'mainstream' authors if the figures were tallied.

Instead, I must continue to peddle my books through weekly bookstore signings and school talks.
I love writing, but sometimes ...

Books have arrived!!

2009-08-12T10:11:00.000-07:00

Seven boxes of Hero Required were delivered today! Brilliant! These are for my talks and book fairs. rest will be delivered to wholesalers as needed so that the world can read the final part of the trilogy ... unless there's a comeback novel. Well, Take That did alright ...

Still no book!

2009-08-06T10:50:00.000-07:00

Well, sadly, I am still waiting for the third book to be delivered. the printers have promised that it will be in the next few days. Just hope the distributors don't start getting ratty with me!

On the good side I have lined up five book signings for the autumn with Waterstone's and W H Smith's - hopefully the books will be here by then!

Draft Book Arrived!

2009-07-27T00:05:00.000-07:00

The draft book of Hero Required has arrived at last! I'm now in the process of checking that all the errors I found previously have been corrected by Clare at YPS.

I still find it amazing to hold the finished book in my hand for the first time. It's thicker than the last books so a little more expensive to produce and sell. The cover is stunning and it fits in easily with the other two books.

Now just waiting for the first batch to arrive and mass selling begins!!

2009-07-18T06:17:00.000-07:00

Still waiting for draft book to come through and getting a little nervous about meeting publication date!

Time to tackle Marvin now while waiting. Now where were we ...

2009-07-11T02:19:00.000-07:00

Have just seen that I am number five on the Authonomy children's book chart. May not mean much to some, but means hell of a lot to me.

Authonomy is a great site on which to get your writing critiqued by fellow writers plus there is a chance of it being picked up by Harper Collins who run the site!

http://www.authonomy.com/Profile.aspx

2009-07-05T02:58:00.001-07:00

Have finished proof reading, thank goodness. How come that even though three people have read through the work, there are still loads and loads of typos!!! Arrgghh!

Still, it's ready to go back to the printers tomorrow. Let's see what happens next!

First Order for Hero Required

2009-06-27T05:18:00.000-07:00

Today the very first order came in for 'Hero Required'! So exciting to know that people want to read my book ... and unless they read my blog or look on other sites, they'll be completely unaware that said book is sitting next to me still being proof read!

First Proofs Have Arrived!!!

2009-06-25T06:45:00.000-07:00

A nice fat padded envelope arrived today - first proofs of Hero Required. Just 309 pages to wade through! Interestingly, I have to correct any errors with a RED pen which is quite ironic as in school we're not supposed to use red pens. It's apparently a throw back from the old school days when everything was crossed through and marked in red, leaving the poor pupil quite traumatised! So what about me then - what if I become traumatised whilst correcting it?? Heigh-ho!

Wednesday writing workshop

2009-06-24T12:26:00.000-07:00

So the writer's workshop went well. About twenty children turned up which was a good number to work with. I used characterisation as a focus which is a fun way of getting children to talk to each other and stimulates their thinking.
I just have a box of bits and pieces i.e. scarf, glasses, travel brochure, candle, an orange etc. You need around fifty items to share between groups of four children. I give a mix of 'artifacts' to each group and a large piece of paper with marker pens. Then I get them to talk about who the character could be, based on the artifacts they have. After a quick chat they draw out the character and make notes around the figure. Finally they present their characters to each other. Great fun! In longer sessions I ask the children to come up with a story summary using two or three of the characters. It certainly seems to inspire story writing which is why I like doing it!

Writing workshop

2009-06-23T14:55:00.000-07:00

Have a writing workshop at school tomorrow. I shall go through how to create good characters using different artefacts to help. Hopefully, I'll sell some books too!

Book launch

2009-06-17T13:54:00.000-07:00

After placing my order with the printers for the new book, I'm now turning my head towards the book launch. My local Waterstone's have kindly offered to host it. I'm probably going to have a small gathering for friends and family during the week with an author signing on the following Saturday. Just need to tie the printers down to a firm delivery date ...

Another school talk

2009-06-10T08:49:00.000-07:00

Gave an author talk to years 3/4/5/6 at Cuddington Croft Primary School today. They were a fabulous audience and listened really well. Sold loads of books. The staff were great too. Thank you!

2009-06-08T12:01:00.000-07:00

The interview I was doing about self-publishing has just gone live! Look really good and the book covers look great!

Have a look and let me know what you think!

http://talltalesandshortstories.blogspot.com/

New Book Gone!

2009-06-07T14:38:00.001-07:00

Crikey, that feels good! The third book, Hero Required, is completely finished and has gone off to the printers - at last.
It has taken so long to get this one out as I have been writing other books in between. I feel really pleased as its written in a completely different way.
It's due out in July - not sure what date, but will let everyone know as soon as I do.

New book cover!

2009-06-05T13:26:00.000-07:00

Hooray! The cover for the third Aggie Lichen book 'Hero Required' has finally been finished. The cover has been sent to the printers for a sample print just to test out the colour and to see if the white print stands out enough. The designer, Tara Bush, has done a fantastic job and I'm really pleased. What do you think?

School visit

2009-06-03T11:38:00.000-07:00

Today I gave an author talk to 100 Yr3/4 pupils at Northolmes Junior School in Horsham, Surrey. They are looking at British writers for their literacy topic. It seemed to go down well and the children were very interested. Sold a few books too which is always good news.

Had some fabulous questions asked:
Who is my favourite author?
What's the longest story I have written?
Did I draw the cover too?

But my favourite was:
If I didn't have a talent for writing, what talent would I wish for?

2009-06-01T12:58:00.001-07:00

Today I am responding to questions from Tracy Baines about self-publishing. I found out that Tracey was blogging a series through SCBWI. She had some great self-published authors already on the blog and kindly agreed to let me rant and rave about the trials of self-publishing so I am just in the middle of explaining what it all entails. Do look out for it either through SCBWI or Jacketflap. Hopefully I will come across as sophisticated and knowledgable ...

Finished!

2009-05-31T10:07:00.000-07:00

So the third Aggie Lichen book is now finished. Hero Required should hit the shelves July 2009 - well, that's the plan. It all takes a while to pull things together, but I feel confident that the date will be hit!

Hopefully, there will be a launch party at my local Waterstone's branch in Sutton. If you would like to come, please forward me your email address so that I can send you an official invitation nearer the publication date.

Not just yet ...

2008-11-12T04:34:00.000-08:00

Well, to date no publisher has been bashing down my door to get me to sign with them. I'm not too downhearted as I have many other things occupying my brain at the moment. With 'Hex Marks the Spot' finished, I am now concentrating on the third Aggie book and I'm determined to have it published by Feb 2009. I get a lot of emails from people asking about it so I have decided that it is my duty as a writer to get the book finished!! The third book of the series will be called 'Hero Required' and picks up from the end of book two 'Arty's Revenge'. It's written differently in that I am the narrator rather than Aggie herself. Well, I think talking as a Grublin all the way through would not only be too much to write but be a little onerus to read. Look out for it in the new year.

Possible publisher?

2008-06-25T10:33:00.000-07:00

So I now hear that nine publishers are interested in publishing my books. Hurray! And ... Fox films have taken the manuscript back to the US to have a look at. Hurray!

Now comes the long wait - it could be months, it could be years, it could be never!!

Still, I have plenty of school work and writing to keep me busy in the mean time. And - I'm very patient!!!

I have an agent!

2008-04-17T12:15:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since my last post but I have truly exciting news! I have, at last, signed with an agent! Suzy Jenvey of PFD Literary Agency will now be representing me worldwide. For me, this means I may now attract a mainstream publisher which will leave more time to concentrate on my writing. But for the time being, I shall still be signing in book stores and giving author talks in schools ...

If you would like an author talk please contact me at purpleraypublishing@hotmail.co.uk

A new world

2007-03-17T09:00:00.000-07:00

So I wanted to know where the tooth fairy put all those teeth, after all, they must have to go somewhere! Surprise, surprise - none of the children knew! It was then that it came to me - a world where the tooth fairies lived - Mirvellon. It all seemed so clear. They needed a world to live in, a portal to come and go through to the human world, a school to educate them in the ways of teeth. But what would they look like and what DID they actually do with all those teeth?

2006-10-31T10:29:00.000-08:00

The brain starts ticking ...

2006-10-27T15:22:00.000-07:00

At first I just started getting ideas that made no real sense. I thought about fairies or Ppfairies as I called them They were a mixture of pig and fairy living at the bottom of gardens. Quite bizarre! But these early images were to have a profound effect on my writing life. As young girl - yes, I was one too - I had always loved fairies and mythical creatures. Then as I began teaching fate stepped in - in the guise of Year 2 children. Have you ever noticed how children aged 6-7 never seem to have all their teeth? Yeah, well me too! I used to get inundated with tales of how the tooth fairy had been the previous night and left money under the pillow. Day in and day out came the news of the tooth fairy visit. It all got too much one day and my kind exterior finally broke down ...

Me - write a book??

2006-10-26T06:48:00.000-07:00

I was never really one of those writers who had always wanted to become an author as a child. I wanted to be a window dresser! The fact that my artwork was actually rubbish did not deter me. I was determined to be a window dresser and guess what - at fifteen I left school ( no exams taken!) and became ... a banker!! So much for doing what you really want to do! I stayed with banking for quite a few years and accquired a marriage and two children on the way.
Yet still at this point there was no story even contemplating entering my head. I don't even think I read that much at this point, so what changed? Well, let's just say that after my first marriage collapsed I found new confidence. I started to realise that I could do anything I put my mind to and with that went off to college to train for five long years to become a teacher. Then the strangest things started happening in my mind ...