Judge Caroline, Judging Caroline, Caroline the Judge.

At the beginning of the year, Tonto Books launched a new Arts Council-supported project to discover, develop and publish talented new writers from the North East of England.
Part of this was the mentoring work that I did with the lovely Roz(s).
And the other part is their North East New Novelists contest.

Two writers will win publishing contracts and see their novels published by Tonto Books in January 2009. The contest was open to all writers currently residing in the North East of England, who had not previously had a novel published.

Then, last week, one of the judges was no longer available.
And so, Tonto Books asked if I’d step in.
Of course, I said yes.
(in a very calm, collected, mild mannered way)

Tonto books announced HERE:

“The judging process continues for our New Novelists contest - the winners will be announced in June. There is one piece of news, however, as there has been a change to the judging line-up. Newcastle-born author Caroline Smailes now joins Wendy Robertson to select and mentor the winners.”

So.
Straight to work.
I have the shortlist and am currently working through the manuscripts.

I won’t say anything specific about the submissions.
But, what I will say is that I am looking at writing from a completely different perspective.
This is all new to me, intriguingly so.

The shortlist has very different genres and writing styles within it.
There is no doubt that each of the writers has talent.
But I am looking beyond the talent, to see which one I would like to work with, or even which one I feel that I can add to, in some way.

I am looking for a spark.

And that spark has to come from the actual writing, as I have no author information at all, not even a name.
So I can not consider how marketable the author is or any other pr related factors.
It’s so refreshing.

I have been asked to pick the one that I prefer, the one I like best.
And, I think I’ve decided.
I think I decided on the second page.
But I am continuing reading all of them.

I wonder if I’ve chosen the one Tonto Books thought I would.
I guess my choice will reveal something about my reading tastes and personality …
(hmmmm)

Anyway.

Of course, I will carry a huge amount of guilt around with me forever and ever.
Guilt for those other books on the shortlist, those that I will not choose.
It’s like eating one pea from a pod and discarding the rest.
(oh the guilt, the guilt)
All peas should be eaten and kept together, forever.

I really should be quiet now.

I have official news.

Mid January I received an email containing the proofs for Black Boxes.
I was working and waited until February 1, the day that the paperback of In Search of Adam was published, to email my proof reader about the schedule.

She emailed back:

“I'm not working on the proofs, I'm afraid. I'd just started a job for them when I got their creditors' letter saying they didn't know when they were going to be in a position to pay outstanding invoices... ”

I had a house full of friends. I’d nipped into my study to check my email.

I can’t begin to explain how I felt.

Over the next few weeks, news spread across the net.
My publisher, TFP, went into liquidation.

These last few months have been hideous.
There has been much written online about TFP and the creditors and the authors.
I can sympathise with most of them.

Then.

There was news that a big publisher was interested in buying some of TFP assets.
I was emailed and told that they were interested in In Search of Adam and in Black Boxes.
This would mean that In Search of Adam wouldn’t go out of print.

I had to wait for formal word. And word dragged.

In the meantime, I read more online.

I read how some would view people who chose to stay with TFP.
Some of the things written have been directly aimed at the authors and some of the people commenting have been abusive in a direct and personal way.
I have had anonymous insulting comments left on my blog and I’ve been forced to question why I write and why I blog.

Last week, it was announced here and here:

“HarperCollins has finally acquired certain assets from collapsed blog-to-book publisher TFP, two months after it went into administration.

HC bought TFP’s website, name and author contracts for an undisclosed sum from administrator Panos Eliades, Franklin and Company. TFP will be housed in the Press Books wing of HC, with publishing director Clare Christian, publisher Scott Pack and managing editor Heather Smith reporting to Press Books m.d. John Bond.

Around 30 authors have moved over from TFP including Caroline Smailes, Tom Reynolds and Mark Brendon, whose expose of swing culture will be published in August. TFP’s first title under its new owners, Nasim Marie Jafry’s The State of Me, will be published in July... "

I hadn’t signed anything, then.
So, I couldn’t comment.

But.
Now I have.

I have signed 2 contracts with TFP, who are to become an imprint of HarperCollins.

And.
So.
On September 4 2008 Black Boxes will be launched.



These last few months have really rocked my confidence and I’ve been given a taste of blogging that I've hated.

I've kept my head down, had sleepless nights, agonised over decisions, spent far too many hours talking to Nasim on the phone and I have hoped.

I couldn’t let In Search of Adam go out of print, not before it was given a chance. And also, although much was being said about TFP, I knew a different story.

I am not staying with TFP because I have no other options, I am staying because I want to, because I am excited by them and because it is a fabulous career move.

I know how upset people are, how many authors have had their dreams destroyed and how many creditors are owed thousands of pounds. I understand how let down these people feel.

I feel that I have been lucky.
I know that some people will mock me for this.
But that is how I feel.

I feel that I am starting again, with a clear sense of the type of writer, blogger and person that I will remain.
I won’t be bullied away from blogging or from writing.

So today, I am announcing that I have signed my contracts with TFP.

And, I am thrilled for my books and for me.
I am beginning to feel excited again.

Of course, I keep stopping myself from feeling those flutters, just in case it breaks.
It's still very fragile.
And yet, exciting and fresh.

So.
Now you’re up to date.
And now I can start looking forward.
I really must tackle those proofs.
(115 days till publication!)

ps. A special thank you to lovely Nasim who, luckily, has been up and down in opposite to me.

Sunday Reading - Sally Hinchcliffe

I believe that both writing and having a debut novel published are major achievements.
And, I am more than happy to host virtual book tours for debut writers.



Structured around the beauty of bird sightings and bird-watching, Out of a Clear Sky is a crafted debut that is intrinsically layered with themes and characters. Skilful, clever, well researched and with inspired prose, this stimulating debut transported me into specific locations with seeming ease.

After Manda Brooks’ long term relationship ends she hopes to continue her list, collecting and cataloguing bird sightings. The bird sightings provide stability, continuity and some form of consolation, as her friends and her ex fade from her life. Set in the midst of a community of bird-watchers, the events and locations drive the characters through early morning mists, coastlines, into campsites and into hides. Each sense of place and each bird sighting is intensely induced.

As Manda journeys and searches for sightings, she is pushed to her limit as she becomes the prey of another birder. The obsessive natures of individuals are then considered, linking Manda and birds through subtle simile. As she flees and as her life is methodically taken to pieces (again on a number of layers), Manda begins to re-examine, to revisit her upbringing and, in doing so, reaches conclusions regarding her personal connections.

Out of a Clear Sky is an exploration of interaction, human nature, love, loss, obsession, truth, betrayal and much more. The delicate weaving through layers, the seamless joins, are all controlled with a delicate hand. Attention to detail and discriminating observation combine making this, above all else, an enthralling read.

This psychological thriller is both an original and an impressive debut

* * *



And, because I thought it would be of interest to many of my blog friends, I asked Sally a few questions regarding her journey from unpublished to published.


When did you start writing?

Probably around the age of six, when a teacher suggested I 'make something up' instead of writing my daily news at school. An hour later, I was still writing... After that, I must have started countless novels in little red-and-black hardbound notebooks (I still can't see one today without having the urge to start a story, although I've moved on to a laptop now). But I let it go once I got into my twenties, and only started writing seriously again in my thirties. I always thought I was going to be a writer, I just didn't do much writing and it was only when I started to make proper space in my day for writing, every day, that I began to get somewhere.

Have you had anything published before?

I've had a handful of short stories published, mostly through short story competitions, and one broadcast on Radio 4, but this is my first book.

Have you ever taken a creative writing course?

Yes, I was one of the first students to do the MA in Creative Writing at Birkbeck. A good MA, or a creative writing course of any kind can be incredibly helpful, not because you are in any way taught 'how to write', but because it gives you the tools to critique your own writing and improve it. It gives you the language to discuss writing, what works and what doesn't and if it's a good one, it will also put you in contact with a whole community of other writers, who can form a support network after the course finishes. And finally, it forces you to make space to write and to admit that you want to take your writing seriously, which for a lot of people can be a huge step. They're not for everyone, but I found the year I spent at Birkbeck probably saved me about five years of struggling on on my own.

Is writing your full time occupation now?

Yes, as of about this week. My partner and I have just moved out of London to Dumfries and Galloway, and I'm going to make a go of writing full time. I don't really earn enough yet, but we've enough saved up to survive for a couple of years at least. It's a scary prospect, but I realised that I could no longer continue to work full time and write seriously as well, not without sacrificing everything else. With a choice between my job and my writing, it was no contest.

Did you submit your writing elsewhere & were you ever rejected?

Oh God, endlessly rejected. Put it this way, I started to work through the Writers and Artists' Yearbook alphabetically, and I was at 'C' before I found my agents (Conville and Walsh). Prior to that I'd already tried agents I'd met through the MA course, and those I'd had recommended to me, any contact I had basically. Once I had an agent and the book was ready, finding a publisher was much quicker and easier, but even so OUT OF A CLEAR SKY got turned down by a fair few publishing houses.

What do you plan to do next? What are you writing now?

I'm working on my second novel, but it's too early to say anything about it now.

Any tips for people wanting to be published?

Assuming you've got the writing side sorted out, I'd say, go for an agent first, don't contact publishers directly however tempting it may be. Try and get as much of a publication track record as you can - short story competitions are excellent for this and there are a lot of them about. Most of them publish some sort of an anthology of the winners and runners up and, besides the buzz of seeing your work in print, having had your work published anywhere will make your enquiry letter stand out from the crowd.

Agents are as eager to find talented writers as writers are to find an agent, but I think they have to kiss a lot of frogs in the process, so anything that distinguishes you from the run-of-the-mill will perhaps get your work a more considered reading. An MA in Creative Writing can help too - it says that you're serious about your writing (they're not cheap) and that you will bring a certain degree of professional rigour to your work. Write a really good synopsis (there are sites on the internet that will explain how to write them) and make sure your first three chapters - what you'll be sending out initially - are the strongest they can be. And don't be discouraged by rejection. Everybody gets rejected, over and over again, before they meet with success. Keep rewriting and re-sending out and eventually you'll find someone who sees it's worth.

On that last point, one thing I found psychologically helpful was to send out my enquiries in small batches, usually to three agents at a time, and then start the next round of submissions at about the time (usually three months) when the rejections were due to come in. That way there was always some hope to cling to.

Have you learned anything about the industry that has shocked you, surprised you?

Not shocked, but I was surprised by how long everything takes. The whole publishing industry does seem like something out of a more leisured world. Agents will take a long time to read manuscripts and get back to you, and even when you're at the stage of signing a publication contract, you're looking at publication in a year at the absolute earliest - or even more like eighteen months.

What are you currently reading?

A book called 'London in the 19th Century' which is in a roundabout way research for my next novel. It's rather strange to be reading it among green fields and sheep, instead of the streets, buses and sirens I was surrounded by when I started it. The last novel I read was Philip Roth's Deception, which I found a bit hard going, to be honest.

Do you, in any way, know Simon Cowell?

I'm afraid not, and I probably wouldn't recognise him if I passed him on the street. One of the things I sacrificed when I was combining writing with a job was pretty much any television at all. Popular culture of the last five years has entirely passed me by...

***

You can buy Out of a Clear Sky HERE
Sally Hinchcliffe’s website can be found HERE

If you have any questions for Sally, then please ask ...

Caroline in London - part 2.

So.

I caught an early train to London, expecting a nice relaxing book-and-coffee kind of journey.
Alas.
The train was overcrowded and some bugger had stolen part of the overhead train wire thingie.
So.
The just over two hours journey took just over 5 hours.

I arrived in London flustered and very late.
It was hot and dusty.
(London always seems so much smaller when it is sunny)

Anyway.

I’ve told you about The Berkeley experience.
But, what I haven’t told you is that after Afternoon Tea we decided to get last minute show tickets.

And, on my list of 23 things, number 12 is to Go to a West End show.



We managed to buy fabulous seats in row H of the stalls.
And we watched Hairspray.

I loved it.
The performances were outstanding.
And.
I was especially impressed that I could drink alcohol whilst watching.
And I bought a Hairspray highlighter pen.
(it has 5 different colours in one pen (!))
(I can tell that you’re mega impressed too)
(really)



Then, after the show, a rickshaw (or pedicab according to Wiki) to the hotel.

I am skimming over the fact that after the rickshaw I couldn’t stomach another whisky.
(it was so bumpy)
(I am an alcohol lightweight)
And.
I am skimming over the fact that ‘the person who I was with’ really really lurves Michael Ball.
(I didn’t realise that she was a he, was a Michael Ball)



We ended up eating sandwiches in the hotel bar.
(I'm not sure if we paid for them)

And there was a man wearing only his knickers and a shirt in the hotel reception.

I wish we’d asked him why.

Then, the next day, I had to do proper grown-up person work.
Which was very very very interesting.
(honest)

Number 13. Take PRÊT-À-PORTEA Afternoon Champagne Tea in London.

I was invited to The Berkeley in Knightsbridge to experience number 13 on my list of 23 things, a PRÊT-À-PORTEA.

PRÊT-À-PORTEA is described as a Fashionista’s Afternoon Tea.
It has been designed to add an imaginative twist to the classic elements of the traditional English afternoon tea.

The cakes and pastries are inspired by the latest fashion season’s catwalk designs and so The Berkeley pastry chefs visit London fashion week shows to be inspired.

And the PRÊT-À-PORTEA is the most exquisite experience.

The visuals, the atmosphere and the tastes.
All was delicate, yet delectable.
I am almost lost for words and so, I’ll let the photographs talk to you.

Title - Caroline and Clare at The Berkley.

Clare and I arrived a little late (let’s not mention Virgin trains) and were shown to my reserved table in The Caramel Room.



We were served chilled champagne in Baccarat crystal flutes.



The menu and the links to the catwalk designs were explained to us, before we were given a selection of miniature mouth-watering savoury skewers, ‘taster’ spoons and elegant canapés.



Next came the display of Cakes and Fancies, in the colours of this fashion season.

Have you ever seen anything so perfect?
(Clare is looking very happy)





This one is Chanel stars and stripes strawberry and vanilla pannacotta with chocolate sunglasses.



And these, Luella yellow frill vanilla dress biscuit and Christian Dior pink chocolate bikini biscuit.



Next came a choice of tea, perfect to the finish as all was served on fine-bone china by Paul Smith for Thomas Goode.



And finally, we were given these ultra cute bags containing 3 of the collection.



Everything about the afternoon was just right.

All on my list of 23 things has a back story.
And, sitting in The Berkeley, surrounded by history and warmth, I felt like I was finally beginning to accept that I deserved ‘nice things’ to happen to me.

I am hoping to visit The Berkeley again.

Are you missing me yet?

For the next couple of days I will be working and playing, away from the office in my house.

(the comma is there for oh so many reasons)

I will be away, just for a few days.
But, oh, how I will miss you all so much.

My heart is aching, already...

I’ve finished my work preparations.
So the train journey will be coffee and a book.
(the luxury)
Then to a hotel.
Then.
I will be doing one of my 23 things to do before I am 40.

I am totally, utterly and absolutely squeaky-excited about it.

(I do feel very very very sorry for the person who will be with me)

Oh and, at some point, I’ll have to be ultra professional.
(I will not have a hangover I will not have a hangover I will not have a hangover)
And talk to people and do the grown-up-proper-work that I am being paid to do.

I’ll be back on Thursday.
Please, really please, do miss me.

* * *

And in other news …

I still have no my books news for you.

(insert sad face)

And.

This blog has been launched today by Shanta Everington.

Shanta is writing a fictional blog before the launch of her next book, Give Me a Sign, on 1 July 2008.

Sunday Reading - Celebrity Writing.

Ant and Dec are reported to have won a £2.2 million advance from Penguin, for a book that will be out in 2009.

Darcey Bussell has been signed for a series of Magic Ballerina books. She is working with an ‘established children’s writer.’

And I’m left wondering.

I’m interested in both of these books.
The first, because I’d love to know which is Ant and which is Dec, the second because I’m hoping that she’ll add something ‘additional’ to the typical ballet books.
But I can’t see me actually buying either of them.

I can’t help but wonder about this obsession with celebrity that we seem to have.
And this somehow lessens the craft of writing.
I mean, it’s not enough to just write a good book.
Now there needs to be backing and almost a ‘sexy’ image to go with it.

Is this because it’s all been done before?
Is there no chance of being original?

It could all become a bit depressing.

An author emailed me this week to say that her agent had dumped her. She believed that it was related to her age and that being over 50 made it more difficult to sell her debut. She was told that she was 'unmarketable'.

I don’t get it.

I mean, authors tend to sit in a corner and are not particularly comfortable touring the country and seeking stardom.
The majority would prefer to use words, not image.
But there does seem to be a need to conform, to almost sell something of yourself for the sake of marketing.

It feels wrong, but this is perhaps because I am amongst it.
I am trying to decide which parts of me I will give up.
You write a book and straight away marketing people want to know which parts are true and talk about your actual experiences, not the fiction.

Deborah Rey had to 'expose' herself a couple of weeks back.
She had used a writing name and someone had sought (read - hounded) to find out her true identity, and thus revealing her celebrity past.

I have huge respect for Deborah and the fact that she didn’t ‘use’ her status to promote her books.
But, it seems to me that the author is as much of the product, as the actual book itself.
And that’s just something that I (and other writers) need to accept.
We have to decide what we're happy to sell and establish boundaries.

I wonder if one day I’ll have my own writing identity.
Of if I’ll be writing ‘for’ or ‘with’ a celebrity.
And I wonder how I’ll feel.

So.
Because it's a Sunday.

Which celebrity story (living or dead) would you like to read?
Or perhaps even better,
Which celebrity would you like to write about/become through writing?
Or.
Which celebrity would you like to see writing children’s books?
(with an established children’s writer)

Or.
For those who write.
Do you feel happy to sell yourself along with your writing?
Will you be happy to become part of a brand?

Actually, I wonder if those who blog already have this.
We expose ourselves on our blogs and, I guess, we already have established personas.

What do you think?
As bloggers, are we selling out or are we simply becoming market savvy?

Gosh(!)
So many questions for a lazy Sunday morning.
You really don't have to answer them all (!)