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Launched on the Publisher's Website...

8/8/2011

Launched on the Publisher's Website...

Yeeey! I'm officially launched on the publisher's website.....happy dance. :) Click on the link below to see my profile, mug shot and a sample chapter of Catching the Eagle.

http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/authordetail.php?id=45

Very exciting. Strangely enough, the thing that gives me the greatest thrill is seeing the ISBN number of my forthcoming book.....how unreal is that? Little, old me has got an ISBN number!

Happy dance again..... :)

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Publishing Deal

6/7/2011

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Publishing Deal

Fantastic News!

The contracts have now been exchanged, and Catching the Eagle will be published by Knox Robinson Publishing later this year. The skeleton will finally fall out of the family cupboard into full public glare, on December 8th, 2011. The hardback version of the book will be out first (priced £19.99) and the paperback version and the eBook will follow a few months later.

Chris and I are absolutely delighted.

I am looking forward to a very exciting time ahead working with Knox Robinson, and can still hardly believe that this is happening to me.

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Lucky number thirteen...

16/6/2011

4 Comments

Lucky number thirteen...

On Monday the 13th of June 2011, I received a reply back from the London-based Publishing House who had asked to read the full manuscript. They have made me an offer for Catching the Eagle and the next two books in the series. They are also really interested in the Detective Lavender spin off series. This was the thirteenth submission I had made since Christmas. Guess what my new lucky number is?

I am absolutely over the moon and can still barely believe it. Apparently, they want to go with a December release. Catching the Eagle could be in the shops by Christmas. We are still sorting out the details of the agreement at the moment and getting to know each other; they seem a really decent firm.

It is the strangest feeling in the world when you have a dream come true. I first announced that I was going to be a writer when I was eight years old. I can still vividly remember my Mum and Aunt Maureen being rather startled at the time. I wrote an embarrassing poem about this writing ambition when I was thirteen. (It's funny how this number keeps cropping up.) I am very tempted to post the poem on here, but holding the attention of you blog readers is hard enough, without subjecting you to the ramblings of a dreamy adolescent.

It is going to be a lot of hard work for the next year; I will be continuing with the demanding teaching job, writing a second book and publicising the first one all at the same time. There is no going back to my 'comfort zone' now but I have no doubt that parts of the marketing will be fun. I have always enjoyed meeting new people and never baulked at appearing in the paper or on TV. Yes, I was once on TV - and it wasn't on Crimewatch either. ;)

The best thing of all, though, is that I will be able to concentrate on my beloved writing. No more worry that I am wasting my time. No more fretting about finding a publisher.

It is amazing and very, very motivating.

Thirteen is a lucky number.

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'I would like to request the full manuscript for consideration...'

9/6/2011

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'I would like to request the full manuscript for consideration....'

Oh, those sweet, sweet words. So sweet in fact, I can hardly write without gushing treacle. Since this request to see the full manuscript of Catching the Eagle landed in my inbox, my emotions have run the full gamut from elation to disbelief, and from incredible pride to a sense of unworthiness. I have alternated between rushing around making giddy emails/phone calls to all my friends, biting my nails with worry and sitting for long stretches with an idiotic smile on my face.

And somehow, as I hover in this hiatus between devastating rejection and longed-for success, I have to continue to function in a classroom full of teenagers, plod on with the second novel and hang bedroom curtains.

I have been told, by my well-meaning friends and family, not to build up my hopes and to continue with my marketing plan for Catching the Eagle. I have been told to find out - and fast - what the bloody hell to do, if I pull this off and the publisher offers me a deal.

I have also been told to: 'enjoy your moment.'

I think I'll take that last piece of advice.....for now.

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Forward>>

Launched on the Publisher's Website...

Launched on the Publisher's Website...

Publishing Deal

Publishing Deal

Lucky number thirteen...

Lucky number thirteen...

'I would like to request the full manuscript for consideration...'

'I would like to request the full manuscript for consideration....'

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