Debi's News

Is there an editor in the house?

2011-08-26T00:02:00.002Z

Um ... yes, that will be me then.

Regular visitors here will know that I have been editing and critiquing manuscripts for several years now. (First mentioned here.) During that time, I have worked on an average of 2-3 novels a month.

Most of the manuscripts come to me via Writers' Workshop but some authors come directly to me. On Twitter today I was asked what I charge and what I offer and realised that info isn't readily available online without a lot of digging. (I also realised how hideously out-of-date my website is, but I can't imagine having time to sort that out any time soon.)

Anyway, the point of this post is to tell anyone who's interested what my editing services consist of and how much they cost.

The service
I like to be flexible and tailor my feedback to the author's needs, so the content of my report varies accordingly, though it will always be a minimum of 3000 words for a full length MS. This will usually cover the following:

the commercial potential of your concept and where your book fits in the market
analysis, comments and suggestions re structure, plot, pace, characterisation, prose style
if appropriate, feedback on your synopsis and covering letter

As an author myself, I'm very aware that I hold someone's beating heart in my hand when I work on their lovingly crafted book. I'm always careful to point out where an MS's strengths lie, as well as those areas that need attention.

As I said, different authors have different needs. Some people are hoping to be signed with an agent and achieve a traditional publishing deal, others may intend to self-publish, and some people might just love writing and want to make their novel as good as it can be. My feedback is designed to provide each person with what they need to have the best chance of fulfilling their particular ambitions.

Needless to say, it takes time to read a full MS and prepare a detailed report. I also offer further conversations after I send the report, to discuss any issues that arise or clarify anything where necessary. None of this comes cheap, but, at the risk of sounding like a certain advert, I think I'm worth it.
*tosses hair and gurns at camera*

Anyway, where was I? Ah, yes, the £££.

The charges
I charge £4.50 per 1000 words for a full length MS.
£75 for feedback on synopsis, covering letter and first 5000 words.
Other charges, eg longer extracts, proof reading etc, are available on request.

I have experience of working in all genres. Recently, I've had the enormous pleasure of seeing 3 authors I've worked with go on to be signed up with agents. Roger Hardy has written a fast paced international thriller. Sean Walsh has created a magical children's story and Katherine Hetzel is the author of a fantasy adventure story for young adults. See here for my blog post re Sean and Katherine and here for my post about Roger.

Please feel free to email me - info at debialper dot co dot uk - if you think I can help you.
Or leave a comment here.
Or message me on Facebook.
Or contact me on Twitter @DebiAlper.

I do sometimes wonder how any of us find time for writing.

Of course ...

2011-04-05T11:34:00.000Z

I've just realised it's April. How did that happen?

Just a quick post to let people know about some courses on offer this month (Quick because I have to dash off to do the prep for them!)

On 30th April, I'm running a 1 day workshop in Waterloo on behalf of Writers' Workshop. It's a How to Write Your Novel course, aimed at people who want to learn the basics and costs £99 (includes lunch, refreshments and a discount voucher for WW services).

If you're looking for something more advanced and want to work online and at your own pace as well as receive feedback on your own writing, Emma Darwin and I are co-leading a 6 week course beginning 16th April: Self-Editing Your Own Novel.

For details of both go here and click on the date of the course you're interested in or follow the links above.

If you can't afford any of the above but are looking for help with techniques, feedback from fellow writers, or just general chat with a warm and supportive community, I strongly recommend you get yourself over to WordCloud which is free and you can't say fairer than that!

Literary balls

2010-04-02T15:06:00.000Z

I'm referring to the number of lit-related balls I'm juggling at the moment.

I've just finished reading and critiquing one book and have another MS waiting.

***

A week from today I will be in York for the Festival of Writing.

By this time next Friday, I'll be part of the way through the mini-course I'm running with Emma Darwin - Self Edit Your Work for Market.
With over 60 participants booked, we won't be able to give individual feedback but are working hard to ensure the course will give aspiring authors the tools they need to edit their own writing and learn the requirements of the market.

The following morning, my workshop on POV has been shifted to a giant amphitheatre as a result of 90+ bookings.

My one-to-one Book Doctor slots on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning are also booked out.

In between, there's a veritable feast of stuff going on and there had better be plenty of coffee available to keep me going when the adrenalin runs out.

I'm grabbing a few days after that to go away with the family. (Remember me, guys? I'm your mother.)

***

At some point, I really hope to be able to make my own WIP a priority. I've typed up the revisions and now just need to go through the 2nd draft for the final polish.

***

I've completed my short story set in Croydon for 33 and it's been accepted by Glasshouse Books.
The launch is scheduled for 6th July and there are plans afoot for lots of events.

***

Blimey, but there are a lot of people writing their hearts out in this world ...
I've just received an email from The Brit Awards. (I'm one of their 'high profile' sic judges.)
The response to the competition has been overwhelming and they've had to postpone the process.
The Awards ceremony will now take place on 15th July.
Meanwhile, the first layer of judging is taking place with over 21,000 submissions being sifted through by the first layer judges.

***

I could go on. I have more workshops booked in central London coming up soon, for example ...

***

And on and ...
There's plenty more where that came from but I really should be getting on and doing it rather than talking about it.

I'm considering live blogging the Festival, so I shouldn't be gone too long.

Meanwhile, I need another coffee.

The Long List

2010-02-18T14:02:00.001Z

I've just sent my regular 'what I'm up to' email to my agent. It's always good to take a step back and remind myself exactly how it is I spend my time, so I thought I'd reproduce it here.

I've been approached by a new publisher, Glasshouse Books, and asked to contribute a short story to an anthology with a story set in each of London's 33 boroughs. Mine is set in Croydon.
I've been doing an enormous amount of editing, mostly through Writers' Workshop, but some also direct to me. I've also been mentoring an unpublished writer, which has been very rewarding.
I've been hosting creative writing workshops, some alone and some in tandem with Emma Darwin.
I've been asked to be one of the 'high profile' (their words) judges for the Brit Writers' Awards.
I'm participating in the Festival of Writing in York in April: co-hosting the mini course, running a workshop and taking part in Book Doctor one-to-one sessions.

my writers' group has set up its own imprint and published an anthology - the first print run of which has sold out. My contribution is a tighter version of the first chapter of Me, John and a Bomb (largely due to the local link)

As far as I'm concerned though, the most important piece of news is that I've finished the 1st draft of Identity Flawed and I'm very excited by it. My top priority now is to work on this whenever I have time. I hope to get the final draft to you within the next few months.

It's in the bag!

2010-01-27T17:00:00.001Z

I've been teetering on the edge of finishing Book 6 for some time.
I love that final stretch where the words spill out, tripping over each other in their haste to reach the finish line.

Last night, while the boys watched the footie, I unplugged Desdemona and wrote the epilogue, lying on the settee.

Then - I danced round the room ...
poured a large slug of Malibu into my camomile tea ...
ate some chocolate ...
a packet of crisps ...
two satsumas ...

Yeah, I really know how to party.

I'm looking forward to the 2nd draft refinements, which will be my first opportunity to see how it all hangs together, pruning the bits where the pace drops off and fleshing out the scenes I've skated over.

Then on to the the 3rd and final draft where I make sure I've always chosen the best word/phrase/image, before I enter the nail-biting phase where I send it off and wait for my agent's feedback.

Meanwhile, I have another 3 MSes to edit, so I'm izzy wizzy. Add that to continuing email problems and it means I might not get here much for a while.

But I'm close ... very close ...
What a ride!

Collectormania

2009-11-10T15:13:00.002Z

Click here to see details of a rather surprising - but totally wonderful - event I will be appearing at on 28th and 29th November.

I'm about to enter the fascinating world of Collectormania.

Click here to see the forum discussion re the event.

Latest on the lit front

2009-10-26T11:20:00.002Z

Time for an update. I've expanded my editing services with the next logical step - mentoring. And I'm loving the way it enables me to a be a part of the whole journey with an author. Luckily for me, my wonderful mentee seems to be loving it too. (More details in this post.)

Still working on my current WIP. It's first draft, so I have no idea how it's hanging together, but so far so good (I think).

Also busy working with the writers' group and various other projects (see below) .

I know many of you are as yet unpublished.
Just as I know that many of you are talented writers who deserve to be published.

One way to get recognition for your words is to enter competitions.
In which case, you might be interested in the Brit Writers' Awards Unpublished 2010.

There are adult and child categories for novels, short stories, poems and songs with a whopping £10,000 prize.
There is a one-off admin fee of £10.95 and you can make as many submissions as you like once you've paid that. Entry rules and conditions are here.
I've been asked to be on the panel of judges for the adult novel category.
Judging criteria here.

Or ...

How do you fancy a whole weekend devoted to writing?
Would it help to know there is an amazing line up of authors, editors and agents?
That it will be held on the campus of the fabulous York University with en suite accommodation and all meals provided?
That the price for the full weekend (£345) also includes all events on the programme, your choice of workshops and 3 one-to-one slots where you can directly pitch your writing to a top agent?
That there is also a one day option (£145) or a mini course (£60) on the Friday?
If so, welcome to the Festival of Writing 2010 which will take place next April.

I've been asked to lead a workshop and, together with Emma Darwin, run the mini-course.
Tickets on sale from 1st November.

And ...

Hoovering the Roof, the anthology by members of the East Dulwich Writers' Group, is in the final stages before going off to print.

We have a launch event planned for Thursday 26th November at the Bookseller Crow on the Hill, my fave indie bookshop.
Details nearer the time.

As always, see my main blog for details re the above and much more.

Where I'm at in 2009 ...

2009-02-27T11:41:00.004Z

I really should remember to come here more often to update readers on what's happening with my writing ...

Work on my 6th book had been progressing really well. But then life got in the way, as it has a habit of doing. I was contacted last November by a woman who is making a documentary about the revolution in Grenada. (If you've seen my biog page, you'll know that I lived in Grenada on and off between 1982-1986.)

Anyway, as a result I decided to turn my blog over to documenting those years. As you might imagine, this is no easy task and brings up a lot of painful memories. So all other writing, fiction and bloggy, has been put to one side for the time being.

It's only a temporary blip and meanwhile, I hope you'll find the Revo posts interesting. At this point, I'm up to the 13th post in the series, publishing one a week.

If you click here, you'll see links to the previous posts and can follow the devastating story as it unfolds.

Pipestock meets Slipperfest

2008-09-05T10:47:00.002Z

Pipe & Slippers is a quarterly South London lit/music event usually taking place at the Ivy House pub in Nunhead.

This Sunday, 7th Sept, promises to be a bit different - the first ever Pipe & Slippers festival, taking place in Brockwell Park.

Not only have I been asked to read, but they also describe me as a 'local hero'!

Details from the P&S site here.

Yet more for Tatiana

2008-07-10T14:09:00.003Z

Sue Guiney has published a wonderful review of Trading Tatiana on her blog.

For the clickphobes, this is what she says:

One of the unexpected joys of becoming a part of this blogging world is the way I have met authors I might never have come across and have become familiar with their work. One of these authors is the talented and funny,

Debi Alper and one of those books is her novel, Trading Tatiana. This is neither Debi's first nor most recent book (which is why I chose it, to be honest). It was published in 2004 and has everything a political crime thriller should have: drug-addicts, Eastern European thugs, S&M devotees, mysterious foreign women, oppressed single mothers, dangerous and ruthless men. It is fast-paced, expertly constructed, written with an acute eye for detail and facile use of language. In short, it was great fun to read. I, quite literally, couldn't put it down. But there is something else about this book which makes it more than a terrific beach read and I believe it is the heart and soul of all of Debi's work and, probably, Debi herself. Trading Tatiana is steeped in the difficult political issues of our urban community back in the UK -- political asylum, the plight and exploitation of Ukrainian refugees, the abuse of women. It is about how one single person can change the world and be changed by it by refusing to turn a blind eye. And so Trading Tatiana is more than "just" a great read with a terrific plot. It creates a world of living characters and forces them to do what so many of us "real" people refuse to do, namely, "the right thing." At the heart of this work is an investigation of the problems and power of political activism, and so Debi's work becomes not only exciting and captivating, but also challenging to us all, to the way we live our own lives and the roles we are willing to play in our own communities. An excellent find indeed!

River Reviews Tatiana

2008-06-23T09:48:00.001Z

It's some time since Trading Tatiana was published, so it's great to know she's still attracting new readers.

It's even better when they go to the trouble of posting a review.
And better still when the review is as positive as this one from Riverwillow.

In case anyone is linkophobic, this is what she had to say:

Like Debi's previous book, Nirvana Bites, this book is set in South London and is full of local colour and we do end up back at the Nirvana Housing Co-op, which is wonderful. The book is fast and furious, Debi has a great sense of humour, the scene where Jo first meets Bare Botty Man's botty (you have to read this) is wonderful. What is also fantastic is that, as anyone who's met Debi or has read her blog knows, she has a very strong sense of social justice which comes across in this novel. If you can get your hands on a copy of this and read it, do, you will be entertained, terrified and ultimately moved.

The Book Cook

2008-04-30T15:19:00.001Z

Having recently finished The Gene Pool, I've just begun to cook a new character and plot.

Karen Townsend would be known as Kaz by her friends.
If she had any.
A woman with a tragic past gradually revealed in a series of flashbacks, Karen finds it difficult to engage with other people.
Her vivid Virtual Life is a lot more interesting.
But when a sinister stalker makes the terrifying leap from cyberspace into Real Life Karen has to decide how hard she's prepared to fight to stay alive.

I haven't started writing Karen's story yet, but she's moved in and I'm getting to know her.

Watch this space ...

Tatiana has a new friend

2008-02-21T17:38:00.002Z

Sarah Salway, who has been described by Authortrek as 'one of Britain's best writers', has posted a wonderful new review of Trading Tatiana, which you can see here.

It's always great to receive a good review, but when it's written by someone you admire and respect, it's especially sweet.

My hero!

2008-01-11T14:14:00.000Z

It's a very strange feeling when you hear one of your books is going to be translated into a language you don't speak.

When I heard Trading Tatiana was going to be published in Spain, I was of course delighted on one level.
On another, I was filled with dread.

Who would do the translation?
How could I expect anyone to agonise for hours over the correct word to use ... the right image ... the most powerful phrase ... in the way that I had?
What if they didn't get the voice and the intentions behind it?
What if they hated the book, as I'm sure must happen sometimes to translators?
Or - perhaps even worse from my point of view - what if they had very different politics and subtly changed the slant in ways undetectable to the editor who presumably had never read the original English version?

Eventually, via Steve Redwood whose wonderful book, Fisher of Devils, has been translated by the same person, I had a name - Frank Schleper - and the reassurance that he was one of the good guys.
And people I know who have seen both versions have told me it's a faithful translation.

Then, in the dying embers of the old year, I received an email from the man himself.
And I knew at last that my baby had been in a safe and caring pair of hands.

With Frank's permission, I'm reproducing part of our conversation that lead me to say the man is a hero of the first order.

Hi Debi,
this is Frank, "your translator" into Spanish (of Trading Tatiana). I meant to write earlier but somehow never got around to it. But now that I finally finished reading"Nirvana Bites" there's no way to put off writing any longer. I very much enjoyed the book, maybe even a bit more than Tatiana because in many ways I "feel" a little closer to Jen than to Jo, but basically I enjoyed the story, the suspense and the wit just the same in both books. One of the things Jen and me have in common is that it is not easy for us to cry, but I finally did last nite when her drugged schizophrenic brother finally recognizes her.

Oh hi, Frank! How wonderful to hear from you. I feel a bit like I’m making contact with someone I donated one of my kidneys to … or maybe a child I gave up for adoption …

Hi Debi, I like your comparisons with kidneys and adopted kids, especially the second one, and your "safe hands" expression. And I am glad to hear (from what you wrote further down) that there's somebody out there who thinks I am a good adoptive parent.
I have been in love with books for most of my life. I would not mind to be able to write (I mean, as good as you or Steve, for example), but since I am not, translating as well as possible is the least I can do to pay you guys back at least a small part of what I have received spiritually, emotionally, humourously and a bunch of other -lys, too. It was a real privilege for me to translate Tatiana, after having read it first and written the reader's report.

Frank - Ah now you see this is the point you got me and I fell hopelessly in love with you. Starting with such a passionate love of books would have had me weak at the knees on its own but then spicing it up with the concept of paying something back – something I believe in passionately in every area of my life …. My heart is yours forever, Frank!

Nirvana Bites its long tail

2008-01-11T14:11:00.000Z

Nirvana Bites was first published nearly 5 years ago, but it continues to demonstrate the length of its tail with two new recent reviews.

The first is by Riverwillow, whom I've met in Real Life a couple of times but only just realised she has a blog.
You can see her review here.

And the second is by Suzan Abrahams, who used to blog here but has moved here now.
Click here to see her review.

New year, new reviews and new links.
Goody - starting the way I'd like to carry on.

Done it!

2007-12-19T16:56:00.000Z

On Thursday 13th December, I wrote:
Phew!
Just had to come in here and say I'm on a rollercoaster with the The Gene Pool.

Nearly finished the first draft and I've just written a couple of chapters that make me feel like I've lived through several traumatic lifetimes simultaneously.

Some people think that writing means you sit on your arse all day, so what can possibly be difficult about it?

I'm too drained to even begin to explain ...

On Monday 17th December I wrote:
I've just written the last words of the first draft of The Gene Pool!

I can't quite believe it.
This book has taken double the length of time of any of its 4 predecessors and has caused me more angst than all the others put together.

Is it any good?
To be honest, I don't know yet.
But at least I now have something to print out and work on in order to trim any excess fat and add garnish and flavour as necessary and come up with a finished manuscript.

I'm excited.
And triumphant.
Excuse me while I go off and dance around my laptop ...

My Cup Runneth Over

2007-11-22T10:18:00.000Z

The divine Clare Sudbery has posted her wonderful review of Nirvana Bites here on her blog and also here on the Bookarazzi site.

It's a wonderful feeling when you can see a reader has really 'got' your creation ...
... And then goes to the trouble of making sure the world knows about it!

It's been a while ...

2007-11-06T10:34:00.000Z

I've realised it's been a long time since I posted about what's happening with my own writing.

Truth is, my current book - the 5th in the Nirvana series - has taken longer than any of the others for a complex set of reasons.

What I needed was a boost.
Something to reassure me that I'm not wasting time with my creations.
That there are people out there who care about my characters and want to see more of them.

And - hey - thank you, life, because yesterday I received a wonderful email from fellow blogger and Bookarazzi pal, Zinnia Cyclamen.

I read Nirvana Bites on Wednesday evening, and Trading Tatiana this afternoon. (Er, yes, quick reader.) And now I want to read the next two! I loved them both ... because they're damn good books. I thought the characters were original and delightful. I like the way you don't make heavy weather out of their damagedness, but weave it into the story as and when it's relevant to what's going on, rather than beating the reader over the head with it. I loved some of the cameos like the Rasta guy in Trading Tatiana.

Trading Tatiana seemed, and I hope you don't mind me saying this, more accomplished than Nirvana Bites; more as if you knew what you were about. (Although I did really like Nirvana Bites too, honest - and I love the energy and the humour and the humanity in both books.) And, again, although I learned a lot about human trafficking, I didn't feel as if you were beating me around the head with the Issues, but telling me a very human story.

I really liked the way you made Trading Tatiana a kind of sequel that wasn't entirely a sequel, with a different main character and, initially, a different setting. I was interested to see how you dealt with backstory from Nirvana Bites so that Trading Tatiana could be read as a book in its own right but also worked as a sequel. You made it look easy. I bet it wasn't! But for me as a reader, it worked really well.

So, anyway, thanks for writing them!

Right! I'm on the home run of the 1st draft of The Gene Pool now and it's whispering insistently in my ear again.
Thanks for giving me such a well-timed and motivating kick up the rear, Zinnia!

New directions

2007-07-20T11:41:00.001Z

Having been through the full editing process for my own books , as well as having amassed 8 years as an active member of the East Dulwich Writing Group , it's been a logical step to use those skills and do freelance editorial work.
I'm registered with 2 of the major literary consultancies but am happy to accept direct commissions.
Here's how it works

You contact me by email so we can discuss how I can best help you
Assuming we're both happy, you send me your manuscript (double spaced and with page numbers) in the post
I email you my report, which will be a minimum of 3,000 words, within the next week or so
We have further email discussions to clarify any points raised in the report, culminating in a phone conversation

I charge £4.50 per 1,000 words and am happy to consider working in any genre.
Read on to see some of the positive comments I have received from authors whose books I have worked on.

'The overwhelming message I want to send you is "Thank You". I received your report yesterday and have read it - ooooh 30 times! Not only have you identified the key points (both fundamental and in finer detail) but also you have given precise and workable pointers towards where and how the improvements should be made. I feel validated and expertly instructed.I know you are 'doing your job' - but I feel you have applied great care and empathy in your reading and review of my manuscript, for which as a lonesome, first-time novelist working in isolation is very heartening and I'm so grateful. I'm also chuffed that you seemed to like it too!' MC

'As for your detailed report - it's very impressive. I agree with almost all your comments (and where I disagree I know you're probably right). I can't believe that you can see the issues so clearly... Debi - I can't thank you enough. Writing is such a solitary business. It's a great relief to get some encouragement after all this time, and so much good advice.' AC

'Thank you so much for this. It was vastly more than I expected and I doubt all the time that you obviously put in was covered by the fee that I paid for the appraisal! You’re a great lady for detail and I can see a number of instances where you’ve latched on to something, usually in dialogue, with which I’ve struggled manfully and still haven’t got right.' JC

'I have now been through your notes in detail and once again many, many thanks for your conscientious attention to detail. There is very little which you have noted that I am not prepared to look at again with a view to amending, tightening or deleting, and in regard to making the plot work more smoothly.' JC

And this is a copy of an email forwarded to me. It was sent by the man who runs one of the consultancies I freelance for to an author who wanted to work with me again on his 2nd draft:
'You can rely on Debi's suggestions. If you feel strongly that she's erred in a particular comment, then go with your gut feel not hers. Otherwise, trust her completely. If you get another opinion from us, then it'll most likely agree with Debi's on at least 90% of major points. If you get another opinion from anyone else, then it'll either (i) agree mostly with Debi, or (ii) be wrong. Your best bet is to get stuck into revisions, then come back to us when you're done. And thanks for your nice words about Debi - she's a star.' HB

New website for writers

2007-07-20T11:39:00.000Z

This is cooler than cool.

No, I'm not talking about the migration of the polar ice cap to the freezer box of my fridge resulting in the fridge door not closing and me having to add defrosting the damn thing to my already unmanageable list of things I have to do today ....

No, no indeed.
I'm talking about this - the newest, bestest, coolest place to hang out in the literary blogosphere.

You may remember me telling you some time ago that I'd joined a Bloggers with Book Deals group, which explained the explosion of fab links (eyes right) since that time.

Well, for the last few weeks, we've been absorbed in creating a new collectively-run website.

(Actually, Lucy Pepper did the clever techy stuff and Clare's done sterling work as ever in pulling it all together.)
There are about 50 of us involved - some of the biggest names in the literary blogosphere, so you can imagine we're really excited about this.

The site is packed with resources, regular articles and features as well as links to all the Bookarazzi members' bios and books.

There's a blog where you can pop in and comment,
a useful FAQ section for writers,
news and events pages,
comprehensive links
and lots more.

The site will be regularly updated and will always be a work in progress.

Pop along now and make sure you bookmark us for future visits.
We look forward to seeing you there.

Tatiana in Spain

2007-07-20T11:34:00.000Z

Senor Redwood has kindly forwarded this to me - a very positive review of Buscando a Tatiana - the Spanish translation of Trading Tatiana - written by Zeki, editor of Gangsterera.
(Clearly an enlightened and highly intelligent individual with wonderful taste in literature.)

My lovely man in Spain has also been kind enough to provide me with a translation.

Snippets:

'Looking for Tatiana (El Tercer Nombre) by the English writer Debi Alper reminds me of another novel which at the time, despite its undoubted qualities, passed more or less unnoticed through the commercial bookshop sector without attracting much critical interest. I’m referring to The Dwarves of Death by Jonathan Coe, another English writer. Both novels portray English society from the viewpoint of hopeless (’defeated’) young people who expect little from an establishment which has already destined them to the most menial tasks. They move through the underworld of the ghettoes relying on social aid, somewhere between the world of outcasts and libertarian and creative bohemia, resisting the failure looming over them with a mixture of hope, making do with the least possible, and a belief, somewhere between idealist and disillusioned, in the eternal values of solidarity and brotherhood.'

It's interesting that he's picked up on the way the book has passed under the general radar.

But he's also been very astute in sussing out the underlying themes of the book:

'The story combines the flight of the two young women in a kind of interior immigration. Tatiana, an immigrant from an eastern European country, fights to escape the clutches of unscrupulous compatriots intent on keeping her as a sex slave, while Jo, a permanent exile on the edges of the welfare state, strives for a place in this society which is denied her.

We are presented with the radiography of a cosmopolitan and variegated society which hides its social deficiencies under the cosmetic of a savage liberalism. However, the novel delves into the tiny opportunities left by hope, gambling on human relations free of spurious interests, struggling to give birth to an optimism that ends up by proving itself to be almost impossible.

A special sensitivity in the creation of the characters gives us a highly evocative reading experience that allows us to glimpse the challenges confronting the younger generations. Spaces of utopia won’t be created without victims – but they will be created: that is the final message of this text that goes beyond the usual clichés.'

Debi made Hay - and the sun shone ...

2007-06-03T10:48:00.000Z

I was delighted to be commissioned (at the last minute) to go to the first days of this year's Hay Festival as a litblogger/author. All expenses paid and all I had to do was blog about it.

Mission accomplished!

Click here to see my epic post re my experiences.
Check the previous posts to see the buildup.

I was commissioned by ArtsWOM on behalf of SkyArts.
And the post was quoted in yesterday's Guardian.

Still here ...

2007-05-20T11:17:00.001Z

I haven't posted here for ages.
Sorry!

Life's been trundling on.
I've been doing a lot of freelance editing and continuing to work on The Gene Pool, which is nearing the end of the first draft.

For more details of how life is going and what's been rocking my boat recently, check my other blo g where I regularly post.

Name change

2007-02-25T14:48:00.000Z

Depth Charge is dead.

Long live ...

The Gene Pool

Click here for further details ...

2007- the year of wish fulfillment

2007-01-20T18:02:00.000Z

I decided 2007 was going to be the year of wish fulfillment before the old year had gasped its last.

And I'm delighted to tell you that so far it's living up to its designated title.

You already know that Trading Tatiana has just been published in Spain.

Well now I've been emailed by the PR at El Tercer Nombre. Wow! Direct contact at last!

Apparently, 2 Spanish radio networks want to interview me - but only if I speak fluent Spanish, so that's out. Shame ...

But 2 Spanish magazines - one national monthly and one online - also want to do interviews after they've read the book. If they're done by email, translation shouldn't be a problem. As long as they don't use Babel Fish ...

I hadn't wanted to admit, but I was struggling a bit with my current novel, Depth Charge. The plot revolves around local government corruption but the theme is blood relations. (As opposed to the alternative Nirvana family.) I was worried that I wasn't binding the two together effectively. Over the holidays, I read through the story so far and wrote the content (or intent) of each chapter in 3 or 4 words. Then a few days ago, I had a bathtime moment. For the first time in ages I jumped out and, still dripping, grabbed pen and paper and scribbled down an outline of where I was going as well as a later chapter that I'd visualised clearly. It works! You see, I'd forgotten. This panic always happens about 30-40,000 words in.

Remember I said I needed to find work? Debi got proactive. Think irons ... think fires ... I put my cv in at LG's school for possible classroon assistant work; I applied for a p/t charity finance worker job; on the advice of my agent, I contacted some of the literary consultancies. And guess what ... I have my first 90,000 word m/s to read and write a 3,000 word report on!

This is what I said the last time I posted about getting work:

So the harsh reality is that I'm going to have to look for a job. I can't see any way round it. I'll try to find something that fits in around the school hours. It would be good if it was local, so I don't have to spend hours travelling. It would be wonderful if it was related in some way to writing.

Blimey! This wish fulfillment thing is mighty strong medicine ... Pinch me ...

Tatiana goes to Spain

2007-01-19T10:22:00.000Z

Well here she is! Buscando a Tatiana.

Literary treats indeed!

2006-12-11T14:56:00.000Z

Click here for words and photos re the Coven launch/blogmoot event I organised at the Crow on Saturday.

Because I can't resist, here's a photo of Zoe Fairbairns holding a copy of Trading Tatiana!

It's not every day you meet an icon ...

Literary event

2006-11-29T10:47:00.000Z

AN EVENING OF LITERARY TREATS!

· The London launch of A Coven of One by Kate Bousfield.

A magical book – both in content and in the story of how it came to be published.

· 2nd National Literary Blogmoot.

An opportunity to meet influential literary bloggers – writers, readers, reviewers, commentators and booksellers.

· Guest appearances.

· A chance to stock up on gifts at the best independent bookshop in town

<>BOOKSELLER CROW ON THE HILL
<>50 Westow Street <>
<>Crystal Palace
<>London
SE19 3AF

<>6.30 – 9.00pm Saturday 9^th December 2006

Consider me uplifted!

2006-11-13T11:47:00.000Z

The evening with Rotherhithe Library Reading Group was nothing less than wonderful. What an amazing and generously-spirited group of people!

Click here for a full report back of a very special evening.

Another south London invite

2006-10-27T13:08:00.000Z

Following the successful gig in June with the Dulwich reading group, I've been invited for a follow up in Rotherhithe.

7.00-8.30pm Thurs 9 Nov at Rotherhithe Library.
Address is Albion Street, SE16 7HY.
The Library is situated in Albion Street between the Norwegian Church (with the green steeple) and the Finnish Church.
There’s parking space outside and also lots of public transport options. Bermondsey Tube (Jubilee Line) is less than 10 minutes walk away. Rotherhithe Tube Station (East London Line) is 5 minutes away. Buses stopping at the big roundabout by the entrance to the Rotherhithe Tunnel include the 47 and 381 to London Bridge and the 188 and C10 to Elephant and Castle.

If any of you can make it, you just KNOW I'll be delighted to see you!

Incidentally, in my between writing states, when I'm on the lookout for displacement activity, I sometimes go to this link to the libraries. You can go in and enter an area and see how many of your books are in stock/out on loan etc.

Well ... for the last few weeks every copy of both my books have been out in Southwark! What a blast!

The Spanish deal

2006-10-12T12:16:00.000Z

The Spanish translation of Trading Tatiana was originally scheduled for publication in September.

Apparently the Spanish publishers have rearranged their schedule and it's now due to be published in January 2007.

So now we know ...

Update

2006-09-26T10:53:00.000Z

Been very busy on my main blog, so haven't posted here for ages.

I've reconnected with my current book, Depth Charge, and am also working on Minx's book, Coven on One, which I'm helping her publisher to edit.

Busy ... busy ...

Yet another review!

2006-07-18T11:07:00.000Z

The It's a Crime blog has a great review of Trading Tatiana.

Phew ... that's a relief!

2006-07-18T10:52:00.000Z

I'd been concerned about how Depth Charge was going. I've been so busy blogging and general living-hectic-life-ing that I was unsure whether the book was working.

At the writers' group last weekend, I read out chapter 4 and the consensus was that my writing is improving all the time and this was looking like my best yet! Talk about relief ...

I'm up to chapter 11. We're going to be away for most of August, with no access to internet. (Blogging from a tent? Puhleeease ...)

I'm hoping the book will really come to the fore during that time.

Now all I need is some good news about De Nada Nirvana and Me, John and a Bomb

Two more reviews

2006-07-02T09:33:00.000Z

Maxine has posted a wonderful review of Nirvana Bites on Petrona.
Crimeficreader has done an equally thoughtful review on It's a Crime.
Maxine also posted a lovely write up of the evening at Dulwich Library Reading Group.
Ah, the power of the blogosphere ... the reviews are just the icing on the cake - meeting up, whether in Real or Virtual Life, with these and other wonderful people is such an unexpected bonus.

A south London gig

2006-06-23T09:16:00.000Z

I've been invited to Dulwich Readers' Group at Dulwich Library, Lordship Lane next Thurs 29/6 from 7.30pm.
I'll be doing a couple of readings and then there will be general chat about writing, getting published etc etc.
Entrance is free and there's wine and nibbles.
If you're in the area, I'd love to see you!

Viva Espana!

2006-06-21T10:39:00.000Z

I've just heard that Trading Tatiana is to be translated into Spanish and published by El Tercer Nombre. I don't know the publication date yet, but will post soon as ...

While I'm here ... There's loads of brilliant stuff going on in my blog - stimulating debates, skills and information sharing and a really supportive virtual community.
To get a full flavour, check out the comments on the posts and also the links on the right hand side.

Lots of buzz this week ...

2006-06-16T11:39:00.000Z

Petrona has posted a wonderful review of Nirvana Bites on her blog.
Crimeficreader has been giving me loads of advice and suggestions to pass onto my agent.
There's also been some really brill debates going on in my blog and those I'm linked to.
I so love this virtual community I've found myself a member of ...

A fantastic review!

2006-06-08T08:47:00.000Z

Mystery Women have done a fab new review of Trading Tatiana in the June issue of their mag.
Reviewer Ruth Wade (I think I love her!) says, 'DA brilliantly evokes the lives of people living on the fringe...the central character is engaging and sparky and the runway teenage prostitute, Tatiana, is very believeable in her complexity...DA writes with a lightness of touch that does leave room for lots of gentle moments...A book threaded through with the warmth of caring relationships and ultimately says a lot about the triumph of compassion over sleaze...Full of fast-paced action and tension, TT is a book I recommend reading. It opened my eyes to a thing or two.'
Yippee! This is the kind of thing that gives you strength to carry on.

Home again

2006-06-06T11:49:00.000Z

While we were in Italy I only put pen to paper once - and that was to do a Sudoku!
Blogging is taking a big chunk out of my creative time now that I'm back (as well as having to battle for use of the laptop with its new downloaded racing games - whatever was I thinking of letting them buy them?) but I see it as a different part of the same process. In fact I can't help wondering if things would have been different if I'd had the site and blogs set up when Nirvana Bites first came out. Ah well, life's too short for regrets.

We're off!

2006-05-23T09:51:00.000Z

We're going away tomorrow for 10 days!
I won't have access to the internet, so no blogging! But plenty of writing hopefully ...

What's in a Name?

2006-05-14T10:27:00.000Z

I can't quite decide on the title for my coming book.
I thought I had settled on Depth Charge, but now I'm not so sure ...
The plot revolves around local government corruption - specifically round closure of a swimming pool.
But the main theme of this one is families. The real flesh and blood kind as opposed to the alternative 'family' of the Nirvana community ...
I'd like somehow to combine the two in the title. The obvious choice would be Thicker than Water.
Unfortunately this has already been used.
Several times ...
Hmmm. Any suggestions?

new(ish) news

2006-05-06T11:33:00.000Z

I've been invited to visit the Dulwich Library Readers' Group on 29th June. It's my birthday on that day so I'm cravenly using that in the hope they'll go easy on me! I've never done a session to a reading group before - previous readings have been at my launch party and at Vox 'n' Roll sessions. I'm assuming a reading group will be much harder to please ...
Meanwhile it feels very strange going into the library doing the usual book borrowing/returning thing and see my name on a big poster - while simultaneously being aware that the person stamping my book has no idea that I am she! I could of course sieze the opportunity to say, 'Do you know who I am?' but that's hardly my style ...
Fortuitously, I'm going to a Society of Authors seminar on giving readings on 15th May.
Between all this, setting up complex spreadsheets to check G's wages for last year (they're wrong!), organising dad's return home from hospital, (thinking about) doing last year's accounts, preparing for Joe's SATS (bah humbug!), blogging etc, there's notalotta time left over for writing. Nevertheless, Depth Charge is crawling along ...

The Harold Shipman of the Book Doctor world ...

2006-04-25T09:39:00.000Z

Huh! And harrumph! That's me being CROSS!
I refer to the Observer's review section of last week. There's a section called 'Book Doctor' for writers wanting advice on their ... erm ... writing. Anyway, someone wrote in saying they were writing a book but had received advice from several people telling him/her to 'only bother' writing the first four chapters and then send them off to agents/publishers. That way, if it gets rejected, they won't have 'wasted all that time writing the whole book'!
Which would be bad enough, but the advice from the not-so-good doctor was 'Absolutely right!' So in other words, value can only be measured in monetary terms. If you're not going to make £££ from your writing, don't bloody bother. And since everyone knows making any money (let alone a living) from writing requires little short of a miracle these days, no one should ever bother writing at all!
So - don't write just because you feel a need (or compulsion) to tell a story.
Don't write just because it gives you an outlet for your creativity.
Don't write just because it gives you pleasure.
Don't write just because it feels like part of your identity.
Don't write just because you find it therapetic.
Don't write just because you feel you have something to say that maybe, just maybe, someone else would like to hear.
In fact, don't bother bloody writing at all. Leave the literary world to the likes of Dan Brown and the Chick Literati who have already 'made it' ie their books are on the 3 for 2 tables at Waterstones.
What a hideous comment on the state of the publishing world. With book selling dominated by the huge chains with their central buyers, independant bookshops being squeezed to within a millimetre of their lives, getting that elusive deal becoming harder and harder - not only for first timers but also for the dreaded mid-listers, what advice does the industry (as represented by the Book Doctor) give?
S/he might as well have said straight out that the only valid reason for writing is to make money - and since you won't, don't bother.
Well I may not be medically qualified, but this is MY advice to that would-be writer:
Write and enjoy. If you do get a deal, consider that to be particularly scrummy icing on the cake, but don't consider it to be the only possible validation that what you are doing is worthwhile and has intrinsic value. And if you don't get a deal, you will have had the pleasure and huge sense of achievement of having created something from nothing.
In my not-so-humble opinion, people who write simply in order to be published will probably be writing stilted formulae that have less chance of being picked up anyway. Whereas if you write because you genuinely want/need to, what you produce will be more likely to be fresh and interesting.
So fuck the Book Doctor! Find yourself a good local writers' group (or start one yourself if necessary). You'll get good feedback, a ready made audience for your work and the motivation to carry on past those first four chapters. Alternative medicine!
Good luck!

Sun, sea and sand. Well, sea and sand at least ...

2006-03-31T08:58:00.000Z

We're off to Camber Sands for a long weekend. It's come at just the right time to give us all a break. Dad's still up and down and I'm continuing regular treks north of the river to visit him. Meanwhile the pool where Greg works as a swimming teacher has just closed indefinitely on health and safety grounds. (Years of underinvestment and neglect being entirely coincidental of course.) So it's bye bye income. I don't suppose I'd know what to do with a nice cosy secure existence if it hit me. Probably just as well ...

This is what progress looks like ...

2006-03-21T11:17:00.000Z

So - I've been bullied by my fictional creations, encouraged by the ever wonderful East Dulwich Writers' Group and inspired by my dad's awesome strength. I'm now working on the 3rd chapter of my 5th book and can reveal the following:
The provisional title is Depth Charge.
The plot is loosely based on local government corruption.
Gotta get on now ... got some bureaucratic arse to kick ... I can tell I'm going to enjoy this ...

I'm trying ... but it's trying ...

2006-03-12T11:40:00.000Z

My Nirvanan family are sitting on my shoulder waiting for me to release them from my head and onto the page. But there's so much else going on in this world, it's hard to make the transfer.
'So why are you sitting there blogging?' shrieks Jen.
'Get back into your own world,' I reply.
'No!' Jen says, 'Your world and my world are one and the same. So stop making excuses, stop blogging, and start typing. Blimey, you haven't even got a title for this 5th book, have you?'
'Maybe. I have a few ideas ...'
'Huh! What you have is an ability to raise displacement activity to an artform.'
'Look, I'm having a hard time, right? Don't have a go at me. I've got enough on my plate without my fictional creations ranting at me!'
'Your fault, matey. You created me but I'm out there now and it's too late for regrets.'
'Oh, all right then ...'

Life, eh?

2006-03-01T11:07:00.000Z

Work on Book 5 is intermittent as my dad's in hospital following a major heart attack, so I'm currently mired in the real world with little opportunity for escape to the fictional realm ...
I did manage to get to a Society of Authors meeting re author websites earlier this week though. It was well-presented and interesting but to be honest, I felt a bit been there-seen it-done it. More than anything else, it proved what a brilliant job Aba has done on my site. (Like I needed proof!)
Call me childish if you like (you won't be the first) but I was amused by a notice on the inside of the toilet door when I was there. 'Do not put any foreign objects down the toilet.' As the venue was the Royal Overseas League, the choice of words tickled me ...

Stops and starts

2006-02-10T13:43:00.000Z

I began working on my 5th book (not sure about title yet) a couple of weeks ago. It always amazes me that it's so hard to start, but as soon as I do, I just feel so much better. About everything.
So it's frustrating that I've had so little time to concentrate on it. Last week Joe was off school all week with a nasty virus. Then this week I went with his class on a trip to the Science Museum, attended the last session of a course on helping to teach children literacy skills and now today it's Jacob's turn to be off sick. And next week is half term, so I won't be getting anything done then either.
On the plus side, I've received my first newsletters from Mystery Women, been invited to attend Dulwich Library's reading group and have received a lovely email from a woman who really enjoyed reading Nirvana Bites and Trading Tatiana. Thanks Kath! You're a star!

Welcome to my news page

2006-02-03T11:52:00.000Z

She Who Should Be Listened To Cos She Knows Everything (but doesn't like to be named) has told me news will keep my site fresh. She also assures me the potential for mega displacement activity in running two blogs is not an issue. It's all writing-related. And blogging is equally creative ...