Why I'm MIA

Hey guys! 

Quick post to say that the reason I haven't posted in the last week and won't until Sunday is because I'm on work experience with Orion Books! It's absolutely amazing but it means that my blogging has fallen behind for this fortnight. I'll be back next Sunday/ Monday as normal :). 

Thanks for still visiting!

Leahxx

GUEST POST: Caroline Healy Talks Getting Published

Today I have the lovely Caroline Healy on the blog to talk about her journey to publication, her novel Blood Entwines and the top ten books that inspired her writing!



 They say that getting to the destination is not important; it is the journey along the way that matters. I challenge that statement – the destination is pretty sweet. Having my first book, Blood Entwines, published by Bloomsbury was the culmination of a very long and arduous process.

The journey to publication is different for everyone but I think I can speak for everybody who sits down to write a book – it’s hard work! 

The act of sitting at a desk and tap-tapping 250 pages of words, hopefully coherent, is a very strange task in itself. I wanted to have a go. I mean that's what I sat down with, the notion - Sure, I'll have a go, I've always wanted to write a novel! - I was as green as grass and didn't have a clue what I was doing. It was a total train wreck...but I got my 250 pages down. Then I went and took some writing classes, went back to college, learned about the art and discipline of writing. I wrote short stories, I wrote some longer short stories, I won a few prizes, got a little more comfortable with the notion of writing and then I went back to my manuscript and I cut 200 pages and started with the bare bones of 50 pages. And I worked on it, writing and editing and editing some more. 

Then I submitted it, to see what that aspect of the process was like. I felt a huge sense of achievement. I had seen the whole process through from idea to submission, so I turned my back on Blood Entwines and went on to write my second book. Not thinking for a moment that anyone would be interested. When I got a call from Bloomsbury and I snorted some tea dribble down my nose I was in such shock (I was on my eleven's tea break at the time). Bloomsbury actually wanted to publish my book!

The journey has been a long one. I set off in 2010 and now, four years later I can see the fruits of all my hard work. I learned a huge amount along the way, I am still learning (which is great). This leg of the journey might be complete, but I’m not done trucking just yet.

Harry Potter #76

This is a meme hosted by me here at my blog :).The aim of this meme is to share with fellow bloggers a character, spell, chapter, object or quote from the books/ films/ J. K. Rowling herself or anything Potter related! I will be picking a topic within HP for us to focus on each week and then if anyone wants to take part feel free! All I ask is to link back here, to my blog :). There is now a full list of the topics to come in the Harry Potter section of my blog here.

REVIEW: Roomies - Sara Zarr, Tara Altebrando

Title: Roomies
Author: Sara Zarr, Tara Altebrando
Series: None
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Source: Review Copy
Publication Date: 2nd January, 2014

It's time to meet your new roomie.

When East Coast native Elizabeth receives her freshman-year roommate assignment, she shoots off an e-mail to coordinate the basics: television, microwave, mini-fridge. That first note to San Franciscan Lauren sparks a series of e-mails that alters the landscape of each girl's summer -- and raises questions about how two girls who are so different will ever share a dorm room.

As the countdown to college begins, life at home becomes increasingly complex. With family relationships and childhood friendships strained by change, it suddenly seems that the only people Elizabeth and Lauren can rely on are the complicated new boys in their lives . . . and each other. Even though they've never met.

National Book Award finalist Sara Zarr and acclaimed author Tara Altebrando join forces for a novel about growing up, leaving home, and getting that one fateful e-mail that assigns your college roommate.

BLOG TOUR + GIVEAWAY: Ascension of the Whyte Author Interview

Today I have the lovely Karen Wrighton on the blog for a quick chat about all things book related and to showcase her upcoming book, Ascension of the Whyte.

 

 

 

1. What's your writing process when writing a novel? Do you have any specific things that you must do?

I have developed a system that works for me, though it is still evolving. I use Microsoft OneNote to keep track of all my story notes, character information, plot lines, and details of the developing world of the Afterlands etc. OneNote syncs over multiple devices so I always have my up-to-date notes with me. I find it invaluable. 

One great way of using it is for developing my characters, I have a characters note section where I file a page with a tag for each character and list their main characteristics which gives me a detailed character map of each of them so that hopefully, I always manage to write in the distinct voice of each character.

BLOG TOUR: EXTRACT: Better Than Perfect by Simone Elkeles

Today I'm excited to share with you the second chapter of the fantastic Better Than Perfect (Wild Cards)by Simone Elkeles and a cheeky snaptshot of her phone! This is a book that I'm very excited about and can't wait to see what you guys think! Check out Faye's post over at A Daydreamer's Thoughts for the first chapter reveal of this stunning book.

Better Than Perfect

 

 

 

Ashtyn’s life just got complicated. Her boyfriend is being distant and her sister’s back at home after ten years – with a stepson in tow!Derek has a perfect body, THE sexiest smile and a car – Ashtyn’s only way to escape from her crazy life. But Derek likes to play by his own rules and is keen to take Ashtyn on a ride she’ll never forget. As they spend more and more time alone together, will Derek’s flirty games drive Ashtyn wild? A sweet and steamy romance from New York Times bestselling author Simone Elkeles.

Teaser

 

REVIEW: The Jewel - Amy Ewing

Title: The Jewel
Author: Amy Ewing
Series: The Lone City #1
Publisher: Walker Books
Source: Review Copy
Publication Date: 4th September, 2014

A shocking and compelling new YA series from debut author, Amy Ewing; The Handmaid's Tale meets The Other Boleyn Girl in a world where beauty and brutality collide.

Violet Lasting is no longer a human being. Tomorrow she becomes Lot 197, auctioned to the highest royal bidder in the Jewel of the Lone City. Tomorrow she becomes the Surrogate of the House of the Lake, her sole purpose to produce a healthy heir for the Duchess. Imprisoned in the opulent cage of the palace, Violet learns the brutal ways of the Jewel, where the royal women compete to secure their bloodline and the surrogates are treated as disposable commodities.

Destined to carry the child of a woman she despises, Violet enters a living death of captivity – until she sets eyes on Ash Lockwood, the royal Companion. Compelled towards each other by a reckless, clandestine passion, Violet and Ash dance like puppets in a deadly game of court politics, until they become each other’s jeopardy – and salvation.