Sarah’s Diary and Newsletter

Summer 2008

Summer - how did that happen? One minute it's the depths of January and then, pow, June. The weather has picked up, thank goodness, and as I look out my study window it's actually sunny. Holy cow, Batman. Not good for writing; very good for playing with the kids!

News

I'm recently back from Miami. Months back actually, come to think of it, but hey, I don't get away much.

Miami is a vair, vair weird place my friends. I've written about it in my second teen book (2010!). I loved the Everglades and the crocodiles (and I don't mean the nasty plastic shoes - I know they are practical, but men should be banned from wearing them full stop - they only look cute on small children, folks and that's the truth - what's wrong with flip flops, people?). I loved the amazing bookshop where I spent hours and many, many dollars on cool American children's books. I could live in a children's bookshop, quite literally.

I did not like the heat; I did not like the fact that you have to drive everywhere. I adored this cute wooden house called The Barnacle which is near Coconut Grove. www.floridastateparks.org

It was a great break and I got lots of book ideas - what could be better!

West Cork Literary Festival in July

I'm reading at this wonderful festival in July - Wednesday 9^th July at 2.30 to be exact - in St Brendan's School. The reading is for children of 9+ and I'll be reading from my new Amy Green book, Amy Green, Teen Agony Queen: Boy Trouble. For more on this, see below.

I'll also be meeting up with some of my Cork writer friends, from Alex Barlay to Mary Malone. Marita Conlon McKenna will also be joining us as she's reading on Tuesday at the Festival. We'll have dinner and listen to Colin Dexter - I can't wait.

For more details of the festival: www.westcorkliteraryfestival.ie

My Writing

I'm currently editing my new adult book which is called Anything for You. It's about a young single mum who goes to work for a rich charity queen in Dublin. I hope it's funny and entertaining, it's supposed to be!

And I've just finished editing my first young teen book, Amy Green, Teen Agony Queen: Boy Trouble. Amy Green is a doll (not literally, I mean she's cute and fab and I love her!). She's 13 and she hooks up with her deranged aunt, Clover, who's 17. Together they right all kinds of teenage wrongs. It was so much fun to write and here's the very first sneak preview of the cover.

Anything for Love will be out in March in Ireland Amy Green, Teen Agony Queen: Boy Trouble will be out in Ireland and the UK in February

 

No Books Out This Year - Yeah!

Now when I first realised I'd have no books out this year I cheered. Yeah! No slopping around the country in the rain to bookshops. No talking at book clubs where they pick fights with you. (I don't know why they bother inviting me in the first place - it's not as if I write 'book club' material - my books are far too light and fun for that kind of malarkey - I guess Anne Enright is busy - I'll have to start saying no!).

No stressing over how the book will do. No frantically scanning the Neilsen sales reports the day after it hits Eason warehouse, missing my book on the list, going into a state of panic and then Sam finding it and saying 'You're number 79 out of 100, Mum. Is that good?' 'No, not really, pet. But the book isn't officially out yet.'

I'm a jelly mess the week my books come out, honestly. But I think all authors feel like that. I was reading Marian Keyes' newsletter recently and she says

Traditionally, during the run-up to a publication I go a little mental, with dread and paranoia and the fear that anytime I open my front door (assuming I had one) that someone would shout, "Oi! You're shite! Get a job making up paint names, you might do better at it!" And that everytime the 46A passed by my house (approx every 15 minutes) that the entire busload of passengers would yell, "I liked the last one but this one is shit!"

Phew! That makes me feel so much better. Her new book is brilliant. More in a mo on that.

But to be honest, come September, I think I'll miss not having a book out this year. I like highs and lows of seeing your book on the shelves (and believe me, there are many, many lows around publication time) and I like being busy. I'll miss visiting all my bookshop friends around the country. And maybe even the mad book club women. Well, maybe not.

 

Martina Devlin Nominated for the Irish Book Awards

Martina's wonderful book, Ship of Dreams, based on a true family story (her uncle drowned on the Titanic, leaving a pregnant wife behind) was shortisted for the Irish Book Awards. Yeah, go Martina! And if you haven't read it yet, do, it's a must.

 

My Shoes News

I've been good. Only one pair since Christmas. But they are beautiful. Armani. Black satin with ribboned lacing at the front. Ribboned lacing - does that make sense? Peep toe. V v high. Delicious. Padded inner soles - bliss.

Oh I do love a good shoe.

Jeans - the Eternal Quest

Found a new label in Miami that make your bum look smaller - honestly! They are called Joe's and I snapped up two pairs - 'clam diggers' ie ¾ length ones, and normal full length ones.

 

The Launch Lizard Diary and Blog

I'm managing to post regular pieces on my blog, and thanks must go to my trusty webmeister, Shane, for setting it up for me. You're a star, Shane!

If you haven't checked my blog out yet, please do. It's full of book news, launch details and general musings. I only post when I have something to say, as most of the time 'got up, fed the kids, wrote, ate, read, went to bed' isn't all that exciting. Ah, the life of a writer! But now and again there is something to write about - and September will be awash with launches to attend and review for your entertainment - hurrah!

Book Events Coming Up

There's a readers' day on 27^th September in Fingal. If it books out (and it always does) do ring and see if they have any cancellations. You could come along on the day - they usually have last minute cancellations - it's a bit risky but worth a go!

Booking line: 01 8906237

Here's the full programme - told you it was brilliant (if I say so myself!).

 

Brought to Book: A Reader and Writers' Day

Fingal 27^th September, venue to be confirmed, prob hotel near Dublin airport

10.05 -10.30 Why Didn't I Think of That?

A panel of writers discuss books they wish they'd written and why.

Clare Dowling, Marita Conlon McKenna, Morag Prunty (pen name Kate Kerrigan) and Jill Mansell

 

10.30 - 10.45 An Offer You Can't Refuse

A short reading of their latest work by Morag Prunty (Kate Kerrigan) and Jill Mansell.

 

10.45 to 11.30 Claimed by the Billionaire Bad Boy and Other Mills and Boon Love Stories

Two highly successful Irish Mills and Boon writers, Daisy Cummins (pen name Abby Green) and Trish Wylie tell their stories.

 

11.30 - 12.00 Coffee

 

12.00 - 1.00 The Life of a Writer

Bestselling UK author, Jill Mansell in conversation with Jacinta McDevitt.

 

1.00 to 2.00 Lunch and Bookshop

Your chance to get your books signed by the authors.

 

2.00 - 2.30 Together We Stand: The Art of Co-Writing

Two successful novelists, Roisin Meaney and Judi Curtin talk about writing together and writing apart.

 

2.30 - 2.45

The Caller

A short reading by bestselling crime writers, Alex Barclay and Arlene Hunt.

 

2.45 - 3.25 Bloody Women

Crime doyennes Arlene Hunt and Alex Barclay (back by popular demand!)

talk about their work with Vanessa O'Loughlin.

 

3.25 - 3.40 Coffee and Bookshop

3.40 - 4.30 Pitch Perfect: Pitching Your Work to an Agent or Publisher

Vital for anyone who wants to get published. Every successful book starts with a pitch to an agent or publisher. Knowing how to pitch your book effectively is essential.

 

Established writers, competition winners and first time authors will read out some of their actual book pitches and discuss what grabbed (or didn't grab!) their agent or publishers' attention and why. Top agent Faith O'Grady will talk about the best pitches she's ever read and how to make your pitch stand out.

Panellists: Faith O'Grady, Mandy Hearty, Vanessa O'Loughlin, Sarah Webb, Evelyn Cosgrave

You are invited to bring your own one line book pitch to test out on the panel.

 

4:30 - Close

 

Books I've Enjoyed Recently

 

Ten Things They Don't Tell You About Getting Published

1/ If, like me, you bite your nails, you will have no nails left by publication date. If you don't, you'll start.

2/ Book launches were invented to test the steel of an author's nerves. If it starts at 6.30, the room will be empty except for embarrassed looking bookshop staff, your mother and the weirdo in the stripy jumper from the library your mother begged you to invite because 'he's always asking about you', oh and your publicist if you're very lucky (I am, he's lovely!).

3/ You will always get a spot on your nose on the day you're due on Seoige and O'Shea to talk about tractors. Or sex. Or both. They never want you to talk about your book.

4/ You will always get a frog in your throat the day you have to talk on local radio about hopskotch. They too, will not want to talk about your book. Apart from East Coast FM, who are lovely (did I mention I was guest presenting this week!)

5/ You will put on several pounds - comfort eating.

6/ If you visit a bookshop on publication day you will never find your book on the shelves. If you ask the staff they will check their computer and say 'never heard of it'. Don't go near a bookshop unless you're into self flagellation. Get your mother/sister/friend to do it instead. If you are said mother/sister/friend lie and tell author there were hundreds of copies in the shop, sure the shelves were practically breaking from the weight of all your books.

7/ Strangely, when you hold the finished copy in your hands for the first time, fresh and clean like a new born baby (actually there's nothing clean about a new born but you know what I mean), the book labour all seems worth it.

 

Happy summer reading!

Much love,

Sarah XXX

sarah@sarahwebb.info or sarahsamwebb@hotmail.com