I’ll be cracking open something fizzy tonight…because today I signed with a literary agent! 🥂🎉
@Rachel_petty_
from
@TBP_agency
is amazing, and we will do great things together! ✨📚
I love it when
@VictoriaCoren
says Back to the Future is the greatest film of all time, because a) it is, and b) I'm glad I'm not the only one banging on about it
Another rejection but focussing on the positive comments: "You have a lot of commercial potential", "Your writing is solid", "You have a good sense of voice throughout your writing." I will get there :)
Thrilled to have made the
@writementor
long list!
I’m not allowed to say the title, but my crit group might recognise it 👀
A huge well done to all - and thank you to
@writementor
for the sensitive and thoughtful way they released the results.
I finished ‘Mudlarking’ by
@LondonMudlark
last night. It’s deeply fascinating but also a relaxing read. You feel like you’re on the foreshore with her.
@nlyonne
Honestly, half of us in Britain don’t either. They are pretty useful at making front page news, which covers up whatever our shady government are up to in the background.
At the start of 2021 I turned from other creative writing activities to writing for children - I'm so pleased with how this year has gone!
- I joined a lovely, amazing crit group
- I've had 2 agents request more
- I have been longlisted
Feels like I'm where I'm supposed to be :)
I’m so happy to introduce Penguin and Pup, who will star in four books published by
@MacmillanKidsUK
, with the first - The Perfect Christmas - out on 24 Oct. Illustrations are by the incredible
@DoodleDyson
who has brought P&P to life in a way I could only have dreamed of!
If anyone out there is like me and finds calm from data - just well presented data without the media hysteria or spin - then I recommend following
@RP131
@ganeshran
@cricketwyvern
Wow. I couldn’t put this down and devoured the whole thing today. An excellent read from our UoM chancellor
@lemnsissay
. Heartbreaking in parts, but inspiring.
@nlyonne
When I was pregnant last year I said to my 4 year old son, “there’s a baby in there”, his face dropped with horror and he said “did you...eat a baby?”
@StuartJones7
@MrsMartin1988
@ProfKarolSikora
I could do all the other aspects of lockdown for another couple of months if I could see close family. As it is I'm struggling. It would make such a difference just to see a handful of people, for my children too. I could hang on a lot longer.
My confidence was low, then I longlisted with Searchlight and took that new-found confidence into my next round of querying. Then came my agent, and in October comes my first book. I have a lot of love for this competition ☺️
Our popular Best Novel Opening and Best Picture Book Text competitions will open again for entries next week. Last year our talented picture book winner
@SarahLCDollar
accepted representation from our agent judge
@LindsayLit
. We are sooo ready for 2024!
@youngvulgarian
A fair question. I enjoy being a parent but lockdown with little ones is extremely intense. It’s the complete lack of respite, the night wakings, I’m exhausted beyond words both mentally and physically.
5 years today since my dad died of cancer. Grief never diminishes, but I think of it as a cat. It comes to you feral and thrashing, then gradually becomes tame. I let it out now and then on purpose, and am sometimes subject to sharp unexpected claws.
Huge, huge congratulations to all those on the shortlist for the
@WritingAwards
judged by
@finbar_hawkins
🥳 For me, it wasn't meant to be, but I'm still super proud of my story The Dream Moth.
Exciting! Regardless of the outcome I am SO PROUD of my entry for this. I took my writing in a different direction and had a bit of a writer-breakthrough.
Huge congratulations, shortlistees! 🎉
I didn’t make it but was pleased to hear I was close with my story about a shy pufferfish. Thanks to all the readers and to
@writementor
2022 Picture Book Award - the Shortlist
Congratulations to the 6 entries on here.🎉
Big, Jedi hugs to those who didn't this time. I've emailed you all saying all that needs to be said. Process this in your own time and way. Come back stronger.❤️
Announcing the longlist for Best Picture Book Text 2022. It’s been an incredible competition and your entries have been superb. Our reading team now pass the baton to our fantastic judge
@KayleighKeam
. Good luck!
CONGRATULATIONS 🎉 to my critique group pal
@_BethanClarke
on her debut, Holey Moley! Such a funny, fabulous book, gorgeously illustrated by
@andersfrang
Oh wow, this short story I’m writing is just pouring on to the page! It’s YA, which I’ve not done before. FUN! Glad
@WritingAwards
gave me an excuse to do something different.
Announcing our shortlists for our 2024 Novel and Picture Book Awards. Sponsored by
@bonnierbooks_uk
.
Congratulations everyone, and good luck for the next stage.
My mum is being discharged as we speak and is on her way to our house to stay here for a while to continue her recovery. There’s a way to go but I’m relieved beyond words.
Advance copy arrived, along with some cute marketing material! Penguin and Pup’s first adventure - The Perfect Christmas - will be published on 24th October by
@MacmillanKidsUK
🐧🐶
Once upon a time I went to a Blackadder party dressed as Queenie. There was a 'turnip shaped like a thingy' contest, for which I painted a suitably phallic looking butternut squash. I have lived a rich and full life.
Today we celebrate the life of my dear friend, Seb, who left us at the young age of 45. Together, we drank many beers, laughed many laughs, shared many good times…I will love and miss him always. Life is the briefest of moments.
Love fiercely, hold tightly.
20 years since I started university. It feels like yesterday, but yet: our work was saved to floppy disk; we didn’t have internet in our flat; I used my tape Walkman and CD Discman; a pint in my halls bar cost £1.20
Happy Father’s Day. This was my dad, who died at 62. That’s pretty young, and I feel robbed. Honestly, I also feel robbed I never inherited his cheekbones. Love you, Dad.
This is our last competition for a while, so don’t miss the boat. We’ll be working on our anthology of winning stories - exciting! Our next competition won’t close for entries until the end of August.
#WritingCommunity
#kidlit
#YA
#MG
#amwriting
I’m calling it. Summer is dead. My Halloween tights have arrived (Bats! Snakes!), I’ve lit a pumpkin candle, I’m over it. Choosing to ignore the actual weather outside and living my Autumn life.
I am 38 today! 20 years ago on my 18th I went to my college ball, got two hours sleep then went to Ozzfest wearing a neon and black fishnet top. I am still that person inside, I just need more sleep haha.
Wish I’d written a slightly more literate tweet now, haha. I’m just very happy and excited and I’m really proud of my story. Congratulations to all the other longlisted
@WritingAwards
writers!
Writers! There’s only 1 month to go to enter
@WritingAwards
Best Picture Book Text and Best Novel Opening.
This year, I’m a reader for the former and can’t wait to get reading all your entries :)
Had a really peaceful afternoon - wrote a couple of chapters of a new book, cuddled my cat, read some more
@margaretmcpens
, listened to
@dukegarwood
, all is good today
I am writing a job application. It turns out I have lots of good things to say about myself and my experience. They would be lucky to have me. Probably.
A fully grown human man just cycled past on the pavement and started popping wheelies and I’m afraid my eyes rolled so violently they became detached and flew out of my skull.
I’m in full Pup mode after seeing Penguin and Pup in
@thebookseller
buyer’s guide highlights of the season. So glad you enjoyed it,
@CharlotteLEyre
🐧🐶🎄