It’s hard to keep updating a blog during the summer months, especially in August when lots of folks are on their holidays and most activities seemed to be taking a breather until schools re-open in September. Then, with the autumn leaves and the cooler air, come the evening courses, exciting conferences and host of interesting… Continue reading »
Mar
03
Making your Mansucript Stand Out – advice from an editor
At the SCBWI International Conference in New York in February this year, I was at a talk given by Alexandra Cooper, Senior Editor with Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers. She spoke about the importance of making a book stand out, particularly in these challenging times when editors and publishers have to make tough… Continue reading »
Feb
08
Get to the Heart of your Story – SCBWI Conference Report 1
Have been way too busy running around Scotland and the U.S. to blog regularly over the last couple of weeks, but now I’ve heaps to write up. I’ll be filling you in on my various activities over the next few posts. During the SCBWI Winter Conference in New York last weekend, I went to a… Continue reading »
Sep
30
Autumn events for aspiring writers and illustrators
It can feel very lonely, as an aspiring writer, to be struggling endlessly with your work. Sometimes it can feel like you’re getting nowhere and that nobody appreciates the effort and grind that you put in day in, day out. Writing, by its very nature, is a solitary pursuit. When the blood-stained manuscript you have… Continue reading »