The fascinating thing about The Islands of Chaldea is not that it is Diana Wynne Jones’s last book but that she died with it unfinished and it was completed and published posthumously. DWJ’s younger sister…
Time to celebrate the fabulous fathers of fiction. James Lane Madison Lane and the Wand of Rasputin Grounded Book 1 by Elle Carter Neal Maddie’s father is a librarian — a cover for his top secret…
Mothers are so often missing in children’s fiction (and YA), that it’s refreshing and uplifting when a book does feature a mother character or two who are multi-dimensional, fully-realised human beings raising children to be…
Because sometimes being an outcast is a superpower… Upper Middle Grade and Early Teen… Madison Lane and the Wand of Rasputin Grounded Book 1 by Elle Carter Neal Ages 10-15 Note: At middle-grade level, Madison Lane…
Previously we looked at the use of the colour red for the text on book covers. Today we’re going to dig into font choice, size, and placement. Let’s assume our author has worked out that…
We all want to create a positive and enjoyable reading experience for the children in our care. But sometimes, for certain children, diving straight into a book can backfire. Have you ever had the sense…
Your potential readers do judge your book by its cover… …but it’s not hard to make a good first impression. Today we’re going to look at a fairly common choice made by amateur book cover…
Book 1 : A Dash of Trouble Leonora Logroño’s family owns the most beloved bakery in Rose Hill, Texas, spending their days conjuring delicious cookies and cakes for any occasion. And no occasion is more…
Here’s an idea for your next book club catch-up: Many children’s books include the characters eating something, and some authors even make a point of including recipes at the back of the book. Your book…
Sponsors Find out more… I Own All the Blue by Elle Carter Neal “Pink is a flamingo colour. Blue is for bowerbirds.” Join bowerbird and his friends in a colourful tale of mayhem as they experience…
Why you should plan your novel even if you’re a pantser In this video, editor Elle Carter Neal talks about the book The Islands of Chaldea by Diana Wynne Jones, which was left unfinished when…
The Convoluted Key audiobook is very, very nearly here! I’m so excited, and I can’t wait to share it with you. Here’s an extract… Music: https://www.purple-planet.com Title sequence: onedsgn via Canva
Ghost-writing and authoring-by-committee is nothing new, and, now that publishers are feeling the pinch with the implosion of the traditional side of the industry in favour of independent publishing, this business model has been embraced…
How long does it take to write a book? Let’s look at some numbers. People are busier than ever these days, so you want your book to be quick and easy to read. Aim for…
Write a book? Where do you start? You are an expert in your field of business. You have a unique perspective to offer. And this is not the first time someone has suggested you write…