KIM STEDMANKATHLEEN O'DWYER | If you want to know how to sort out your finances and have more money to spend, pop in and see Kim Stedman and Kathleen O’Dwyer at Forestfield Newsagency, Edinburgh Rd, Forestfield, WA on Saturday 9th June from 10 am to noon. They will be signing their books - Economic Vision by Kim, and Kathleen will be signing the first edition of her book which is now called Simply Brilliant Budgeting. Details of the books are on the book's pages. Select the cover in the Book Shop. They will also be on radio KCR.fm on 12th June at 10.10am, in conversation with Nichole O’Neil. Don’t miss the chance to pick up some money saving tips. |
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Gunnedah Hero has had another great review. This one posted on the NSW Writers' Centre website. Follow the link to read the review. THIS EXTRACT SAYS IT ALL: Tucker paints a thoroughly Australian story. The dogs, cattle and horses are central, as are the countryside and the family cattle station, Wiralee. Done poorly this ends up with everybody eating meat pies while they drive around in Holdens with their Akubras on, but Tucker doesn’t fall for this trap. The Aussie atmosphere is woven into the story. Gunnedah Hero will also provide an education about the times for its intended young adult market. The cover of Gunnedah Hero displays a couple of awards the book has won. They are well deserved. http://www.nswwc.org.au/2012/05/gunnedah-hero-by-clancy-tucker-emerging-writers-festival-joins-us-for-366-days-of-writing/ AND THE WINNERS ARE ...
Congratulations to the following authors. I look forward to working with you. I will be in touch in the next couple of days. Hettie Ashwin – The Crowing of The Beast Darryl Greer – Calvus Sally Odgers – Tom’s Island Dimity Powell - PS What About Christmas Melissa Wray – Crossroads The decision was hard as all shortlisted stories were of a high standard. I will be sending the judge's feedback to the unsuccessful from the short list in the coming weeks. My thanks to all who entered. Not everyone can win these competitions and not winning does not mean you are not good at your chosen craft. Please keep writing. The blog tour for Stephen Anastasi starts today. His two books The Druid, the first book in The Land of the Rainbow’d Sun series, and The Runes of Ire, first book in the series Mathemagicians of Yore, were released this month and his following is growing daily. Even though these books are fantasy stories for children, Stephen’s writing style and subject is quite diverse. I delved deeply into the mind of this prolific author to find the answers to the questions I was sure you would like to ask. Over the next ten days, you will learn much about this fascinating author and discover the reason I decided to invest in his books. Below you will find the tour spots and dates. Please share his tour; you will learn something new each day.
We’ll start today with a few questions on the book The Druid and his journey to publication. Describe your book ‘The Druid’ in five words or less. Girl saves the world. How did the ideas for this book come to you? After I wrote my first novel – The Runes of Ire – the question came to me, ‘How come the people of this world speak a kind of English? I don’t like it when all the aliens mysteriously speak English. The answer is that the first person to come to this place was from a place that has some variety of English as the Mother tongue. This meant I had a girl tending sheep in that English speaking world, and worrying about Swarthymen and Mystals. Why did you choose to write in the fantasy genre? I write in several genres – fantasy, future fiction (like Michael Crichton) but I liked The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. I guess this book is somewhere in the middle. Did you have to do much research for this book? I read up about Druids, but knowledge of their practices a long time ago is fairly scant, so pretty much anything goes. Can you tell me about the main character, and what you like/dislike about her? Titian is a very sincere person who feels things very deeply, yet has a great inner strength. Only once does she doubt herself. Is there something that sets this book apart from others? Several readers have noted that this book has an odd characteristic –the story seems to get quieter and quieter, until you feel like you are in a vast, empty room. It’s almost like falling through space. Did you have the manuscripts professionally edited before they went to the publisher? No, but I took on board the advice of many people in the industry as I wrote the books. I learned some good advice from an agent. She said – ‘Show, don’t tell!’ I learned some good advice from Stephen King. He said – ‘Ditch the adverbs!’ I gained some good experience from writing screenplays and learned – ‘Just tell the story!’ If you take this on board, it means you have to write sparsely – maximum story in minimum words. If you do this, there isn’t much left to edit. Did you submit your manuscripts to many publishers before you had an offer to publish? Only three publishers, but then I just sat and stared at the manuscript. It’s not the rejection, just the emptiness of enquiry. The big two liked them very much ... but. The manuscript for The Druid was shortlisted for a Varuna Award, strong evidence that the writing was fine. Do you have any tips for writers about the writing process or the path to publishing? Show, don’t tell! Ditch the adverbs – use ‘power verbs’. Just tell the story – in a modern world of bites, long winded is a death sigh. Dropping the verbose adds air and light, and turns verbal heartburn into prose. Never give up on your dream. What's next for you? Are you currently working on or have plans for future projects? As well as the next two books in the series Mathemagicians of Yore, and The Land of the Rainbow’d Sun, I am also presently working on several other novels – Carlisle’s Mind, a Crichtonesque future fiction which explores the rise to sentience of a computer, and its way of sorting out the problem of humans, and also ‘The Brotherhood of the Apocalypse’ a chiller that also looks at an endpoint scenario for the problem of humans. And a book that will cause great cntroversy – my theory of evolution – a theory not supported by the many other books on the subject. Visit with these tour hosts to learn more. April 22nd: http://www.morrispublishingaustralia.com/news-update-blog.html. April 23rd: http://carolwarner.wordpress.com - Interview April 24th: http://elaineoustonauthor.com - Interview and review April 25th: http://misshelenwrites.wordpress.com Helen Ross - Interview April 26th: http://bluedingo.ning.com - guest post. April 27th: http://authorjillsmith.wordpress.com Jill Smith Review. April 28th: http://www.kids-bookreview.com reviews. May 1st: www.buzzwordsmagazine.blogspot.com Vicki Stanton - Review Anastasia Gonis. May 8th: http://bugreviews.wordpress.com reviews by Angela Hall. Date to be advised: www.sherfordbear.co.uk Deb Cullen – Review. The Runes of Ire and The Druid are available from your local bookshop. They may not be in stock, but the store can order it through distributor Dennis Jones and Associates. They are also available in many on-line stores as a paperback and as an eBook. Signed copies can be purchased from http://morrispublishingaustralia.com. You can win a signed copy of either book in a competition we are running as a part of this promotional tour. One of each book is up for grabs. To go in the draw, simply go to the website by the link above and on the contact page form write: Stephen’s competition, your name, email address, and your book preference. If you are on the Gold Coast this weekend, pop into Supa Nova and say hello to author Stephen Anastasi. For all his confidence that his books are great, he is new to ‘putting himself out there’, so take pity on him and seek him out to say hello. He will be very grateful. You will find him amongst the many exhibitors there, maybe looking a little lost in the crowd. Read on to learn more about this interesting and quirky debut author. When I first met Stephen Anastasi at a library event last year, I was a little taken aback at his confidence in his writing. No shrinking violet, Stephen told me how great his stories were and how much I would love them. At that stage, they were published only as eBooks. Having met many writers, I had deduced that the ones who most loved and boasted about their writing were mostly wrong. Being an amateur psychologist, I decided that they boasted to cover a feeling of uncertainty – a position of, ‘if I tell everyone how wonderful they are, it will somehow make it so’. The best writing I had seen came from the ones who were quietly confident that their books were okay. But when I sat down to read
Stephen’s book the Druid, I changed my mind. He was right, they are wonderful and I did indeed enjoy the books. His writing style is a little quirky and he has a tendency to make up words if he can’t find one that suits (as did many famous writers, like Shakespeare, he constantly reminds me), but his writing is tight and entertaining and the stories are woven from an amazing imagination. When I learnt what he did for a living, one obvious question came to mind; how did a teacher of mathematics and physics come to write, and in particular, write fantasy stories for children? Stephen told me, “In 1992 I bought a computer and learned to touch type. At that time I had what some authors call a ‘High concept’. This was,‘What if they could put a kind of superconductive hair net over your brain so that you could be seamlessly connected to a computer? Is the limit of human evolution still human?’ When I started writing this I story, I soon realized that this was going to be a quarter of a million words. That seemed impossible to me then. So I wrote it into a twenty thousand word screenplay. That was my first foray into writing.” This is more the kind of writing I would expect from Stephen. So I persisted and asked how his first book, The Runes of Ire come to be. He said, “One day I met a man whose name was Garney Barnicoat. To me, the name Garney Barnicoat sounds like an adventure. When I heard the name, I said to someone, ‘What a ripper name. You could write a book with a title like that…how about, ‘Garney Barnicoat goes South,’ or ‘Garney Barnicoat goes to Africa, or, ‘Garney Barnicoat and the Runes of Ire. Hey, what would that be about?’ I sat down and wrote the story. Now I know.” I asked Stephen if he did any research for the story he said, “My background is in physics and mathematics. Knowing the rules that govern the universe makes it easier to know how far the rules can be bent. I try not to break them (all evidence to the contrary in the book). Reality is; all I did was allow one of the world’s fundamental constants – Planck’s constant – to be much larger than it is in our universe. Then I dropped an unsuspecting twelve-year-old into that world and watched him swim.” He says, “I write because it seems to be the only way in which I can walk other people through the unusual architecture of my labyrinthine mind. He says, ‘I like to think that, like Jack London, or Harper Lee, when I’m gone, people will smile, or cry, or feel something special because of something I wrote.” Stephen has released two books at the same time, a concept that is very unusual - especially as they are both the first books in two different series. On this subject he told me, “The Runes of Ire was the first of these two books completed. After I read it again, I realised that there was a back story to how the 4 ½ dimension world our hero Garney Barnicoat finds himself in was discovered, so I set out to tell that story in The Druid. Even though these books are the first in two different series, it seemed appropriate to release them together.” The Druid was shortlisted for a Varuna Award – one of Australia’s most prestigious award for emerging writers. He regularly slips out of his writing space and falls into a world where there are teachers and students of science and mathematics. There, he does his best to make students believe that to a sufficiently advanced mind, physics, mathematics and magic are nearly indistinguishable. Stephen says, “Occasionally a student gets it—sees the greater reality—and goes electric with understanding. I like to think that these students will carry a torch to others.” The author has had a short story published; a true story of a man lost at sea who had to swim many kilometres home. But mostly, he likes to write about the quirky side of life—funny, scary, odd; for example his other stories are; the true secret world of a cemetery manager (A Tale from the Crypt), the life of a rat dog trainer (Rat Dogs), the rise to sentience of a supercomputer (Carlisle’s Mind), the world of a man who is never allowed to die because he knows too much (A Note from 23C), and the endpoint solution when the world is faced with an Easter Island scenario (The Brotherhood of the Apocalypse). He is also working on a book that will cause great controversy – his theory of evolution – a theory not supported by the many other books on the subject. These books are only the beginning for Stephen Anastasi. That he will become well known author is a given. You will hear much more of him in the future. Wow! Clancy has done it again. Gunnedah Hero has been 'Commended'
in the FAW Christina Stead Award in the 2011 National Literary Awards. His book is a great read for anyone who loves historic, Australian, adventure books. Obviously many others think so too. Want to see what you're missing? Download a sample from any of the online stores below or buy a printed copy or eBook from our Book Shop. Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=Gunnedah+Hero Google eBooks, Apple iBookstores, Barnes and Noble, Sony and Kobo. After much deliberation, many sleepless nights, hours of reading and re-reading, and long meetings with lively debate, we have come up with our short list of possible winners. As we are all aware, there are many reasons why manuscripts don't make the final cut. The other entries all had their merits, but we felt those below had the most potential.
In her blog interview with me, Jill Smith asked the following question: Last year you were appointed Managing Editor of Morris Publishing Australia. Has this position given you more insight into other writers and the whole publishing process? My first reaction to that question was “God yes!” I now understand the frustration of a publisher’s editor. There are countless stories submitted that have great merit, but some need a bit of work to get them to publishing standard. As a publisher, you have to choose the ones that are closest to ready as possible. Of course, you also have to look at commercial appeal – but that is a subjective thing and, right or wrong, you can only rely on your own judgment and that of your chosen readers. So right or wrong, this is our list. THE SHORT LIST: Congratulations to the following authors for making the list. Hettie Ashwin – The Crowing of The Beast Shirley Coughlin – The Search Darryl Green – Calvus Gail Luck – Fiasili’s Legacy Sally Odgers – Tom’s Island Dimity Powell - PS What About Christmas Joan Small – Day of Gooligah Jill Smith - Vashla's World Jackie Tritt - The Invincible Slime of Renown Lana Webber - Isis, Osiris, Lucifer and Me Melissa Wray – Crossroads Now comes the even harder part - choosing five from this list. More sleepless nights and long drawn out meetings will occur. Regards Elaine OUR COMPETITION FOR A PUBLISHING CONTRACT IS NOW CLOSED.
There were many outstanding entries and the judges are having a hard time deciding the top 10 to put on the short list. But we will get there. The short list will be announced, listed on this site on March 1st, and publicised on Facebook. The five winning entries will be announced on April 30th, and published on this site and on Facebook. Good luck to all entrants. The blog tour for Clancy's book, Gunnedah Hero is over. A huge thank you once again, to all of our wonderful blog hosts. The eBook competition winners are, Feona West and Nicole Benoit-Roy. Congratulations and thank you for entering our competition. I'm sure you will enjoy reading Clancy's story.
The entries on each site still remain. If you missed the tour, go to the pages to learn Clancy's deep dark secrets. Plus much more information on other great authors and books. Clancy Tucker - Gunnedah Hero - Blog Tour Schedule January 14th http://www.kids-bookreview.com - Author Interview January 15th http://authorjillsmith.wordpress.com - Book Review January 16th: www.buzzwordsmagazine.blogspot.com - Article - Writing Historical Fiction January 17th: http://carolwarner.wordpress.com/ - Author Interview January 18th: http://elaineoustonauthor.com/ - Review January 19th: www.buzzwordsmagazine.blogspot.com - Review January 20th: http://sherylgwyther.wordpress.com - Author interview January 22nd: https://www.facebook.com/aussiebookreviews - Review January 23rd: http://www.morrispublishingaustralia.com/news-update-blog.html January 24th: www.sherfordbear.co.uk - Review January 25th: http://misshelenwrites.wordpress.com - Author Interview January 25th: http://content.boomerangbooks.com.au/kids-book-capers-blog/ January 26th: Grand finale - http://www.blogbud.com/clancytucker - What's next for Clancy Clancy's blog tour is creating great interest in his entertaining, 'have to keep reading' novel. So today, I thought I would share with you some of the comments of his readers. As you will see, these people are from all walks of life and age groups.
‘I have just finished reading Gunnedah Hero and I have to say " I doffs me hat to you mate". I thoroughly enjoyed the read, Well done on a good, well written yarn.’ Reader age: 65 ‘Clancy, what a great book. So typically Australian, a great bush story, mateship, of overcoming hardship, courage, love, and triumph. Never dull moment, and makes you want to read on with every chapter. Full of compassion, and warm hearted moments, the reader is not infrequently in tears filled with real emotion.’ Doctor Judith O’Malley-Ford – published author and MD. ‘I fell in love with Billie.’ Reader age: 30 ‘Its a fast moving story..... ya can write a great story CT... I like the positive approach to the sense of strong positive relationships.’ Reader age: 21 I loved the story. ‘I found the plot believable and the characters authentic. The structure of parallel narrators works well, particularly because both boys are a similar age and have the same standards or principles. You have the very successful formula of the kids showing just how capable they are in the absence of adults, plus a few “baddies” to test or push them a little further.’ - Geri Coughlan – head librarian Trinity College. ‘WOW! What a story. I loved it. It wasn’t a book I would normally pick up to read, but it was a book I couldn’t put down. Smokey was my fave, I found that I didn’t keep reading to see what was in the envelope, I kept reading because loved being on the journey with Smokey. I want the sequel now haha. Fantastic, really. I came to work with bleary eyes on numerous occasions because I stayed up late to read, unable to put it down. Tammy Lovett, Editor, Alexandra Standard, Yea Chronicle.’ ‘Read Gunnedah Hero while I was away. I really appreciated the realism and the mammoth amount of research that must’ve gone into it. I also liked the way the book alternates between current day and 1910. Using naming the foal as a common thread throughout the current-day story was a master stroke. As Gunnie would say, love ya work. Wishing you every success with it.’ Vicki Tyley – author. ‘Thank you for the great read, fantastic book enjoyed the story amongst the few tears.' It's your fault I have not done any work for a few day's. A good job the boss is away, hahahaha. Keep up the good work.’ Reader age: 54 ‘I like the voice of the book, sounds like you, short simple clean sentence structure, and you set the scene early, and define some of the intrigue..... What's going to happen next, I wonder.’ Reader age: 28. Clancy also has 17 young readers, 9-17 years-of-age, who read his work before it is published, and complete a simple questionnaire. They are boys and girls, Muslims, Aborigines, Christians and Jews. All 17 have read this story and loved it. I would love to hear from you if you have read the book. Tell us your opinion. Here is the synopsis and review again. SYNOPSIS: Fourteen-year-old Gunnedah ‘Gunnie’ Danson is despondent because he has an assignment on the drought. As a ‘Townie’ he knows nothing about the effects of this blight on the rural industry; but that is about to change. When he returns home from school he receives a surprise gift. His late grandfather has left him a box containing a manuscript. It was written by Gunnie’s great-great-grandfather, Smokey ‘Gun’ Danson after his journey up the long paddock as a fourteen-year-old drover; during a harsh drought in 1910. At the back of the manuscript is an envelope. It’s NOT to be opened until Gunnie has read the entire story. Gunnie spends the weekend at Wiralee Station – a cattle station that’s been in the family since 1848. There, he reads the awesome manuscript and learns of Smokey’s adventurous journey. But while he is at Wiralee, he learns more than he expected – Wiralee is again under threat but for a different reason. Will the contents of the mysterious envelope save it? REVIEW The story is set in the Australian bush and parallels the lives of two boys – Gunnie, a present day lad of 14, and his great-great-grandfather, Smokey, at the same age. The story is based around a manuscript left to the present day lad that tells the story of his great-great-grandfather’s heroic journey to save the family’s cattle property during the 1910 drought. To do this he must take the property’s cattle on a trek up the long paddock. (For townies, that is the road verge – in times of drought cattlemen took their cattle on a long trek up the main road looking for places to feed them). The property that Smokey saved is still in the family, and Gunnie goes there to read the manuscript. During the stay, he learns that the property is again under threat, but this time from a different source. Gunnie finds an envelope in the back of the manuscript that is not to be opened until after he has read the story. This envelope holds the key to save the property from this new threat. Some of the adversity Smokey faces would be daunting for adults, but with guts and determination, he picks himself up, dusts himself off, and continues with his allotted task. The life lessons that his example sets for the young readers will stick with them and, hopefully, help them to deal with their own setbacks. It is cleverly written and is a heart warming and enjoyable read that will appeal to more than the child and young adult audience it is targeting. I became totally lost in the bush setting and the lives of the two main protagonists and felt like I was there with them. |
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