Did I ever mention this before?
The Hillary Johnson Author’s Advisory Service.
When I submitted the original draft of Angels to them, they suggested to morph it into Young Adult. Previously it was adult fiction. But because of the ’supernatural element’ (her words), the reader thought it was best suited for YA.
Supernatural love is hot, apparently, in the YA world. (See Twilight for reference).
Which is why my central character is about to meet her love interest! He’s modelled a bit on Lee Mead from Joseph (last year’s TV crush). Dark wavy hair, slightly latino looking, sultry, hot, sexy. And he plains a mean guitar. Not Lee Mead. The love interest.
YA is a huge market right now so it’s hugely exciting to be part of it. When I wrote Lizzie’s trials and tribulations at school, it reminded me of how icky those teenage years could be.
Good fun to write though.
I have been hanging out on authonomy so much that I neglected my poor little blog. So after a few nudges from my new *friends* I feel compelled to update.So the good news?Somehow I managed to make it to the top of the pile! The Voices of Angels (new draft) is currently number one on the authonomy website. Wow.Authonomy is the new Harper Collins website for writers looking to be published. The online equivalent of the slush pile. You need to upload a min of 10,000 words. The site works great as an online writing circle, with lots of useful feedback from fellow writers.Anyway, after uploading the new version (and I still remember how nervous I felt) I’ve received a tonne of feedback, edited it a few times, and swung my way to the top! Only 3 more weeks to go until the end of the month. If I can hang on in there, then I’ve made it to the ed’s desk. Whilst making it to the ed’s desk is no guarantee of getting a deal (the most I can hope for right now is that they want to read the rest - better get writing), it does attract a certain amount of kudos.And it’s really boosted my confidence. I made the number one spot last night and felt ecstatic. So if you want to read the current authonomy numero uno. Click here! http://www.authonomy.com/ViewBook.aspx?bookid=831
Finally! I have got round to both writing the new and improved draft AND uploading it!!!
You can find the first 10,000 words on the Harper Collins Authonomy website. You can also leave comments here, so please do, because all constructive advice only serves to build a better book. This link will take you directly there…. http://www.authonomy.com/ViewBook.aspx?bookid=831
It’s a completely new-look draft so am hoping you will like it! Remember it’s young adult fantasy fiction.
It’s title is Novel Metamorphis.
It’s basically a workbook with lots of different ways to look, break down and consider the first draft of your novel. It also has an idea about starting a spread sheet when you start your novel that tracks a headline, time (year, time of day, etc), characters present, setting, action, pulse and words for each chapter. Also a quick way to look and see how plot/subplots are developing and how evenly spaced your character interaction is.
The author that sent me this message says "I love anything that helps me look at my novel differently. I don’t think you can revise a novel by just reading it front to back again. I love anything that asks me questions about my novel and makes me think about it in a different way."
This came my way:
"My business is publishing young children’s picture books electronically. They look like a ‘real’ book on the screen, turn pages just like a real book however they have audio, flash animation, games, quizzes etc. I differ from the traditional publishing model in terms of contract as the author gets 40% of all the sales not the miserly 7.5% royalties currently offered. We bear the costs of illustration, editing, production etc plus we go global straight away. I am staring with English speaking countries this year and move into multiple languages next year.
I pilot in Sept and launch in Dec. I will be actively seeking submissions from September onwards so if you know any talented authors of children’s picture books then let me know."
Her name is Jeanette McLeod and can be contacted on family.mcleod@googlemail.com
