Sanjida Kay's Blog, page 15
August 21, 2016
Bone by Bone out in paperback!
BONE BY BONE OUT IN PAPERBACK!
I’m so delighted – in ten days time Bone by Bone will be out in paperback! My other exciting news about the paperback release is that it’ll be in Sainsburys! You’ll be able to pick up a copy with your tea bags and chocolate Hobnobs!
The paperback has a few additions: a Bone by Bone – Author Q&A with me, some book club questions and the prologue to The Stolen Child – in case I can tempt you to pick up a copy!
Bone by Bone paperback book trailer
I’m also thrilled that Audible have bought the rights to turn it, and The Stolen Child, into audio books! I’m a big fan of the form – I listen to books most days. I’ll let you know who the narrator is going to be!
What do you think of audio books? Do you like them or do you think the narrator can distract from the story?
August 17, 2016
The Stolen Child
I’ve just finished the edits and copy edits for my second thriller, The Stolen Child!
They stole my child from me.
And now I want her back…
For those unaware of the various lengthy processes a novel goes through, after I’ve handed the manuscript in, my editor highlights areas that could be improved and I have another go at reworking those sections to her satisfaction. I finished that bit the day before going on holiday – phew!
The manuscript then goes off to a copy editor. This editor is basically in charge of getting grammar and spelling correct and making sure the book is in the publishing ‘house’ style. So, for instance, Corvus Books prefers recognize and organize, but the British spellings for curb and tyre.
In my case, most of the edits were ‘deleted invisible characters'(!) and a removal of all my hyphens, replacing them with en-dashes. A mystery to me! I don’t think I possess an en-dash on my computer.
Who knew cheese on toast has no hyphens and cafe no longer has an accent?! But then, in the novel there’s a line of dialogue that goes: ‘Her spelling is appalling.’ My copy editor is probably thinking, ‘Yup, and add grammar to that.’
July 17, 2016
Summer holiday thrillers
I can’t wait to pack my bikini and my books! We’re heading to Italy for an unadulterated beach holiday. We’ve got one suitcase between three of us, so already I’m worrying which novels to take as I like to read real books in the sand!
Here are my favourite summer thriller recommendations, that will be perfect for down time, whether you’re by the sea or up a mountain
My Husband’s Wife by Jane Corry, published by Michael Joseph
Lily feels unloved and unlovely. When she meets wealthy artist, Ed, she thinks it’s her one chance of marriage and she takes it, in spite of barely knowing her future husband.
Lily is working as a trainee solicitor. Her first case is on behalf of Joe Thomas, who is appealing his conviction for the murder of his girlfriend. Lily is dangerously drawn to Joe. He has Asperger-like traits and reminds her of Daniel, her dead brother, who also had Asperger’s.
Lily and Ed befriend a nine-year-old Italian girl, partly to paper over the gaping holes in their marriage, and partly because Ed is fascinated by her and loves painting the girl. As Lily’s case reaches its climax, their friendship with the child goes disastrously wrong.
‘Sometimes you have to do something wrong before you can make things right.’
Fifteen years later, Carla returns, hell bent on revenge.
This is a slow burn of a novel, set over a period of seventeen years. We know from the outset, however, that Ed is going to be murdered, but not by whom or why. Although not a rollercoaster ride of plot twists, this is a story that immerses you in the lives of the characters, particularly the two, strong female leads, Carla and Lily, and embeds you in Ed and Lily’s dysfunctional marriage. Carla, I felt, was much better written as an adult, and the first half, from Lily’s perspective, particularly when she was visiting Joe in prison, is especially strong. The ending, like a nest of Russian dolls, is unexpected and satisfying.
My Husband’s Wife is a captivating portrayal of the consequences of one small mistake…
Black-Eyed Susans by Julia Heaberlin, published by Penguin Books
I loved this book and have written about the fairy-tale themes interwoven into the Texan backdrop and its grim, Bluebeard-esque story for Women Writers. So I’m absolutely delighted and, frankly, astonished, to be sharing the long-list for the CWA Ian Fleming steel dagger award with Julia Heaberlin!
‘Snow White poisoned. Cinderella enslaved. Rapunzel locked up. Tessie, dumped with bones. Some monster’s twisted fantasy.’
Seventeen-year-old Tessie is discovered in a shallow grave with the bodies of three murdered girls. Around the grave are black-eyed susans, a striking American wildflower. Tessie recovers from her ordeal, though she can remember almost nothing about it. Shortly afterwards, Darcy Goodwin is convicted and sentenced to the death penalty for the murder of the women.
Tessa, as she now calls herself, is almost forty, and has a teenage daughter of her own. But when Goodwin is about to be given a lethal injection, Tessa finally agrees to speak to the charity campaigning to free him. For Tessa has always known the wrong man was in prison: every few years, someone plants black-eyed susans outside her house.
Will Tessa be brave enough to relive what happened and track down the real serial killer? A clever, beautifully-written, literary thriller.
The Darkest Secret by Alex Marwood, published by Sphere
I haven’t been able to stop thinking about this novel. Twelve years ago, three-year-old identical twin, Coco, is abducted from her father’s holiday home in Bournemouth. Sean Jackson is a millionaire property tycoon; he’s celebrating his fiftieth birthday with his closest friends who, like him, are rich and powerful, and include his second wife, a PR guru, a Conservative MP and a celebrity doctor. The group marshall their considerable resources and launch a media campaign aimed at finding Coco.
Twelve years on, Sean has died. His daughter, Milla, from his first marriage, and Ruby, the remaining twin, are on their way to his funeral. It will be attended by the initial group of friends and his fourth wife, who was barely into her teens at the time of Coco’s disappearance. Will the pair find out what really happened to Coco that August bank holiday?
Without exception, all the characters are despicable. Milla, a selfish, trustafarian, develops into a responsible and kinder person; it’s abundantly clear that money is no compensation for neglect and a lack of love. This is a book about the terrible things that those with money, power and privilege can get away with, and the price their cavalier attitude exacts on themselves and those around them. It’s a cleverly-written novel about class, hedonism and the property-boom just before the 2008 recession; breath-taking in the darkness of the plot twists.
The Perfect Girl by Gilly MacMillan, published by Little Brown
I loved Gilly’s first novel, Burnt Paper Sky, so I couldn’t wait to read this one. Like her debut, it’s beautifully written with a satisfying story. Unusually, from the blurb, the reader knows the basic plot from the outset.
Zoe Maisey is about to give the performance of her life, with her step-brother, Lucas, who is also a piano-prodigy. It’s a huge step for the brilliant teenager; she’s recently been freed from juvenile detention for killing three people. It’s also her first engagement as part of her new, ‘second-chance’ family, with her step-father, Chris, and her baby sister. Their recital is interrupted by a distraught, angry man. Six hours later, Zoe’s mother, Maria, is dead.
Who kills Maria? And how did Zoe murder her classmates? The story unfolds over the course of a day, as well as flashing back in time to Zoe’s teenager years as a talented child on a scholarship to a private school where she doesn’t fit in. It’s told from multiple points of view: Zoe’s; her aunt Tessa’s; Sam’s, who is Zoe’s attorney and is dating Tessa; Richard, Tessa’s husband, and Lucas. This is a novel about what it means to be a talented child, the hopes and fears parents have for their children and how far they’ll push a gifted child, and ultimately, what some people are willing to sacrifice in order to create a new life.
The Missing by CL Taylor, published by Avon, Harper Collins
Six months ago, fifteen-year-old Billy Wilkinson disappeared. His mother, Claire, and father, Mark, are out of their minds with worry, and barely clinging on to their marriage. Claire hasn’t been able to return to work for her boss, Stephen, Mark’s step-brother. She feels she’s losing her relationship with her other son, Jake, too, who lives at home with his girlfriend, Kira.
‘We all have secrets. Most are guilty, a few are wretched and some are too precious to share.’
One morning, Claire wakes up in a hotel room, with no idea how she got there, or why. The doctor thinks she could possibly have a brain tumour, or be reacting to the stress of not knowing where Billy is or what’s happened to him. But it’s quite possible, that what Claire is actually reacting to is knowledge…the knowledge that someone she knows, loves and trusts, has done something terrible to Billy. As Claire searches for her son, we learn a little more about her Billy. For Billy is not the sweet and innocent child his mother believes him to be…
A dark thriller about secrets we keep from those we love, that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.
I’ve heard great things about this book, which I’m currently listening to: In her Wake by Amanda Jennings, published by Orenda Books. I’m enjoying it so far, and I’ll let you know how I get on!
And do let me know what you’re planning to read!
July 8, 2016
Blurred lines: Separating fact from fiction
BLURRED LINES: SEPARATING FACT FROM FICTION
I’m delighted to be featured in Writer’s Aloud, the Royal Literary Fund‘s podcast. This week I’m talking about the distinction between imagined and real worlds in novels.
Writer’s blur the lines between fact and fiction – we can’t help it – our work comes from us, our heads and our hearts; in the end, everything is, in some shape or form drawn from our own experience.
Have a listen and let me know what you think!
June 28, 2016
Who am I? Finding ourselves in others
WHO AM I? FINDING OURSELVES IN OTHERS
Last week I gave the keynote speech at Sidcot School’s Peace Festival. It was a double honour, because it was also the launch of the James O’Connell Peace Field. Named after my Dad, the field is full of wild flowers and several yurts, which are spaces for meditation, reflection, doing a bit of homework, as well as being part of the Peace and Global Studies Centre that Dad inspired.
My brother, Pat O’Connell, said a few words about Dad, and my mum, Rosemary O’Connell, cut the ribbon.
The day was about identity and I talked about how we find our identity as we’re growing up (or even as grown ups!). Identity, I believe, is formed by where you come from, who you love and who loves you, but you can also shape it yourself. Your origins do not have to be your destiny. And as you grow and change, your identity changes too.
My two favourite quotes from the talk are by Coco Channel:
A girl should be two things: who and what she wants.
…and Dr Seuss:
Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.
What do you think forms and shapes your identity?
May 22, 2016
Long listed for the Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award!
LONGLISTED FOR THE IAN FLEMING STEEL DAGGER AWARD!
I’m so delighted – I’ve been longlisted for The Crime Writer’s Association Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award. I can’t quite believe BONE BY BONE is alongside Lee Child’s MAKE ME and Julia Heaberlin’s BLACK-EYED SUSANS.
Ian Fleming said there was one essential criterion for a good thriller – that ‘one simply has to turn the pages.’
And my day continued to get better, as I sat next to Ian Rankin for dinner at Crimefest! Ian said that he was a mid-list writer for eleven years before he broke into the best-seller list with BLACK AND BLUE. So with perseverance and luck there’s hope for us all.
Please keep your fingers and toes crossed for me to get through to the shortlist!
April 24, 2016
Why I’m supporting anti-bullying charity, Kidscape
WHY I’M SUPPORTING ANTI-BULLYING CHARITY, KIDSCAPE
Novelist Sanjida Kay has just published her latest book, a psychological thriller called ‘Bone by Bone’. She is donating a percentage of her profits to Kidscape – she explains why.
I went to ten different schools and I was bullied at nine of them. Most kids don’t have such peripatetic education, but otherwise my experience is not uncommon: according to the NSPCC, nearly half of all children and young people are bullied at school. Why was I bullied? Like any child it was because the bullies perceived that I was different. In my case, I was always the new kid and I was different. I’m mixed race and went to schools where most of the kids were white; in Wales I went to an all Welsh-speaking school; when I arrived in Yorkshire, I had a Northern Irish accent (that didn’t last long!). I was also small, shy and smart – and being academically good, poor at sports and short were more reasons some kids felt they could pick on me.
As soon as my daughter was born, I started to worry about her. Would she – mixed race too – be bullied? What could I do about it? Would she be able to stand up for herself when I had not been able to? I started imagining a scenario where a mother discovers that her daughter is being bullied. She wants to help but she feels powerless – yet like any parent she’ll do anything to protect her child. The mum confronts the bully herself, which ends up with tragic consequences for her and her daughter.
She felt as if she had no bones, like a jellyfish, hooked from the sea. She walked slowly towards them, her ears ringing, but they ignored her. All except for Levi, who stood at the end of the bridge, his hands in his pockets, smiling. -Bone by Bone
That idea became my first psychological thriller, Bone by Bone, published by Corvus Books, this March. The story is told by the mum, Laura, and by her daughter. I decided to make the child – shy, sweet, artistic Autumn Wild – nine-years-old because there’s something dreadful about the idea that a primary school child will be bullied. Somehow, I think we all think bullying only happens to students at secondary school but, from my own experience, I know it can happen at any age. None of the specific events that happened to me in real life have ended up in the book, but I used my experiences to imagine what it was like for Autumn to be the target of an older bully. Thankfully, when I was growing up, there was no such thing as cyber bullying. When verbal, emotional and physical abuse isn’t enough for the bully in my book, he turns to cyber bullying. According to Ditch the Label, last year 62 per cent of children who were the targets of bullies were cyber bullied.
Autumn began to run. She felt an icy terror flood through her. He must have been waiting for her. He’d followed her all the way here. To this open, empty place. He knows where I live. -Bone by Bone
I would love to live in a world where no child is bullied. It’s a tiny step on this journey, but I’d like to donate a percent of the profits I make from selling Bone by Bone to Kidscape, to help us prevent bullying and protect our children.
Autumn put in the DVD she’d been watching every night. It was Deadly 60. It was all about animals that could be a bit tricky if you tried to catch one. There was something comforting about watching it over and over and over again. You knew what was going to happen. There were no surprises. And even though all those animals bit, squeezed, stung, spat or poisoned, they did it because they were hungry or frightened. They didn’t do it because they thought you were stupid and ugly and they wanted to hurt and humiliate you. -Bone by Bone
Originally published by Kidscape
March 27, 2016
Book Club Questions
One of the wonderful things about being a writer, is that once your book is out there in the real world, other people can read it, argue about it and come up with their own interpretations. And one of the wonderful things about being a reader, is connecting with like-minded people and being able to chat about books, preferably over a cup of coffee or a glass of wine!
So in honour of readers and reading groups, my publisher, Corvus Books, have come up with some Book Club
questions about Bone by Bone. Do let me know if you discuss Bone by Bone with your Book Club, and what you think!
If you were in circumstances similar to Laura how would you have reacted?
Did the revelations about Levi later in the novel change your opinion of Laura?
What are some of the themes raised in this book?
How important is the notion of being a ‘good person’ in this book? What makes a ‘good person’?
Laura herself wants to fit in amongst the other mothers at the school. What are your opinions about children inheriting anxiety from their parents?
Do you think Laura was bullied too?
Do you think that events would have transpired differently between Laura, Autumn and Levi if the gender roles were reversed?
What emotion did Bone by Bone most prominently invoke in you?
Autumn’s parents, Laura and Matt, have separated. Do you think this has any bearing on her victimisation, or her difficulty to connect socially?
Do you think the way Levi’s character develops following the initial event with Laura justifies his behaviour?
‘How far would you go to protect your child?’ Bone by Bone uses this question to explore the definitions of right and wrong. Can unconditional love be immoral?
March 22, 2016
Bone by Bone is 99p!
An early Easter bargain – Bone by Bone is 99p in all e book formats, such as Amazon, iBook and Kobo.
Sorry it’s not chocolate, but I hope you enjoy reading it over the holidays!
March 20, 2016
Blog tour!
Over the past couple of weeks I’ve been on a bit of a blog tour! A number of bloggers, some are authors themselves, have kindly hosting me on their sites. Here’s a round up of where I went and what we chatted about.
‘Make no mistake – fairy stories are dark tales of misogyny, social climbing, child abuse and infanticide. If narrative is part of our soul, fairy stories are cautionary tales about human nature.’
Talking about fairy tales in thrillers and the theme of Little Red Riding Hood in Bone by Bone with Women Writers.
‘We live in a multi-racial society, yet I don’t see this kind of diversity reflected in the literature I read.’
Discussing the lack of ethnic diversity in thrillers with Asian Writers.
Followed by a Q&A
It’s hard to imagine Wuthering Heights without the Yorkshire moors…’
My thoughts on sense of place in novels, and particularly, how Bristol influenced the writing of Bone by Bone.
‘I had a dream. Unlike Martin Luther King, it was not a glorious dream of freedom. It was small and dark.’
On Isabel Costello’s Literary Sofa, discussing changing genre.
‘I started playing Sandi Thom’s I wish I was a punk rocker. Autumn, a slightly other-worldly child, is certainly not a punk rocker – in exactly the same way that Thom sings about punk with the nostalgia of one who never experienced its raw anarchy; aching for a world that never was, whilst wearing flowers in her hair.’
The Undercover Soundtrack with Roz Morris – the music that shaped Bone by Bone.
‘The story is already there, buzzing about, waiting to be set free…’
Where stories come from? With We Heart Writing
‘Once in a while to escape from the monastic stillness of my office and fling myself into the real world, and partly because there’s never enough cake in the house.’
Describing where I work to Novelicious
‘When I was five years old I wanted to be a zoologist and a novelist…’
Q&A with Greenacre Writers
Thanks to Steph Broadribb, aka Crimethrillergirl, who hosted a Q&A with me; Shaz’s Book Blog who launched the Bone by Bone book trailer, and Michelle Ryles, The Book Magnet, who hosted a video Q&A with me, all of which you can see on the Bone by Bone page.
