Debra J. Edwards's Blog, page 13
July 4, 2013
Quiz on Goodreads
Why not have a read of the first chapter of Marvin's Curse on Goodreads then take the quiz! Just for fun!
http://www.goodreads.com/quizzes/28261-a-quiz-for-ya-paranormal-book-marvin-s-curse
http://www.goodreads.com/quizzes/28261-a-quiz-for-ya-paranormal-book-marvin-s-curse
July 3, 2013
Previous Covers for Marvin's Curse
A little late, I suppose, but I thought it might be good to post the other contenders for the cover of Marvin's Curse. There are a few so I'll post some over the next few days and see what you think! Did I make the right choice???? A reminder of the chosen cover.
I liked this one of the weeping angel, but couldn't work on the colour with my limited experience. I did like the way the wings were so full and the way the angel was positioned to the front of the shot.
With this one, I liked the openess of the photo. There was still the all important angel to the left of the photo, but more space to allow the title and author name to fit in easily. The colours worked, the blues and black together, but it didn't have that feel that YA books had on bookstore shelves. I didn't want to go to the typical black cover, but there was a need for the book to sit comfortably with others of it's genre.
I liked this one of the weeping angel, but couldn't work on the colour with my limited experience. I did like the way the wings were so full and the way the angel was positioned to the front of the shot.
With this one, I liked the openess of the photo. There was still the all important angel to the left of the photo, but more space to allow the title and author name to fit in easily. The colours worked, the blues and black together, but it didn't have that feel that YA books had on bookstore shelves. I didn't want to go to the typical black cover, but there was a need for the book to sit comfortably with others of it's genre.
July 2, 2013
3 out of 4 stars for Marvin's Curse!
Another review in, and it's not bad, from the Online Book Club.
Reviewer Casper says,
'The book alternates between a full blown horror story and black humour: more than a few of the characters are obvious comedians, or even caricatures, and some of the dialogue and Marvin's asides can be quite amusing. There are times when Ms Edwards creates real edge-of-the-seat suspense and she follows this up with vivid descriptions of the nauseating conditions that Marvin encounters which are quite repulsive - in the nicest possible way.
The author is certainly not afraid to touch on some pretty profound subjects on the way: life, death, loss, grief, and different ways of dealing with bereavement feature in the first few chapters. A strong secondary theme in the book is the relationship between step-parent and step-child, and the pressures this puts on the family, especially when mixed up with the usual teenage angst. Poor Marvin certainly has more than his fair share of problems to work his way through, but, as the adventure forces him to mature and take on responsibilities, some of his fondly held illusions are shattered and he realises the truth about many things including his own faults.'
Full review can be found here:
http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=13607
Reviewer Casper says,
'The book alternates between a full blown horror story and black humour: more than a few of the characters are obvious comedians, or even caricatures, and some of the dialogue and Marvin's asides can be quite amusing. There are times when Ms Edwards creates real edge-of-the-seat suspense and she follows this up with vivid descriptions of the nauseating conditions that Marvin encounters which are quite repulsive - in the nicest possible way.
The author is certainly not afraid to touch on some pretty profound subjects on the way: life, death, loss, grief, and different ways of dealing with bereavement feature in the first few chapters. A strong secondary theme in the book is the relationship between step-parent and step-child, and the pressures this puts on the family, especially when mixed up with the usual teenage angst. Poor Marvin certainly has more than his fair share of problems to work his way through, but, as the adventure forces him to mature and take on responsibilities, some of his fondly held illusions are shattered and he realises the truth about many things including his own faults.'
Full review can be found here:
http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=13607
July 1, 2013
KFC Snackbox Versus Marvin's Curse!
I have discovered that at £1.99, a KFC Snackbox is the same price as my YA novel Marvin's Curse! But! My book is definitely more tasty and pretty sure it will last a whole lot longer. Why not add the Pepsi for just 99p as you read it through...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Marvins-Curse-ebook/dp/B00DCDC1OA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1371824340&sr=8-1
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/325225
And how about sharing this with people you may (or may not) know??
https://www.facebook.com/events/151627771695285/
June 30, 2013
Local produce and craft market
So, I had a stall at the local market yesterday. It was a nice day, weatherwise, although the wind did threaten a bit. Lots of different stalls ranging from charity to jewellery sellers so a good mix.
I sold lots of books, which was great. I was also pleased to shift some of the books my dog had scrateched up when he'd been spooked by fireworks and attacked a box of books!
I spent a lot of time talking to people. It's amazing how writers attract writers. I met a lovely lady, Jillian, who has just published her book and discovered that we both used the same Yorkshire based printers, YPS.
I also attract other people... A lady who insisted on calling Marvin's Curse, Mary's Curse, a man who kept telling me that the bookstore, Waterstone's, was just on the corner, plus another man who kept asking how a dog could damage books while his wife suggested I cut off the dog's head to stop him!
And the Mayor of Sutton stopped by! We shared a joke as he remembered me from before when he didn't buy a book. He didn't buy one this time either!
I sold lots of books, which was great. I was also pleased to shift some of the books my dog had scrateched up when he'd been spooked by fireworks and attacked a box of books!
I spent a lot of time talking to people. It's amazing how writers attract writers. I met a lovely lady, Jillian, who has just published her book and discovered that we both used the same Yorkshire based printers, YPS.
I also attract other people... A lady who insisted on calling Marvin's Curse, Mary's Curse, a man who kept telling me that the bookstore, Waterstone's, was just on the corner, plus another man who kept asking how a dog could damage books while his wife suggested I cut off the dog's head to stop him!
And the Mayor of Sutton stopped by! We shared a joke as he remembered me from before when he didn't buy a book. He didn't buy one this time either!
June 27, 2013
Senior School Visit
So the possibility of a senior school visit has appeared on the horizon. It will be the first time I'd have given an event linked to the new book so lots to think about!
I think I might use the trailer as a way in, as an intoduction - or I could make a trailer about myself...
Talk about the choice of cover, the reason behind it - could look at the other covers I designed too.
Being gifted like Marvin - was it a curse? What would be a 'gift'?
I could... do some stuff on graveyards... that could be fun! Look at different statues etc. Do spooky stuff...
Any suggestions????
I think I might use the trailer as a way in, as an intoduction - or I could make a trailer about myself...
Talk about the choice of cover, the reason behind it - could look at the other covers I designed too.
Being gifted like Marvin - was it a curse? What would be a 'gift'?
I could... do some stuff on graveyards... that could be fun! Look at different statues etc. Do spooky stuff...
Any suggestions????
June 26, 2013
Craft Market
I'm looking forward to the local craft and produce market in Sutton on Saturday. I took part last year in a similar event and sold quite a lot of Aggie Lichen books.
One of the nice aspects of being outside on a stall, is that you get to chat to people passing by. Usually, not about writing, but about Sutton itself.
We met the mayor last year and photos taken too for the local paper.It's a great way of showing off local talent too. More towns should have this kind of thing. It just brings something different to town centres and creates community too. I wonder if other towns offer this?
I'm going to have a hard job pushing 'Marvin's Curse' as it's an e-book. Any suggestions?
One of the nice aspects of being outside on a stall, is that you get to chat to people passing by. Usually, not about writing, but about Sutton itself.
We met the mayor last year and photos taken too for the local paper.It's a great way of showing off local talent too. More towns should have this kind of thing. It just brings something different to town centres and creates community too. I wonder if other towns offer this?
I'm going to have a hard job pushing 'Marvin's Curse' as it's an e-book. Any suggestions?
Marvin's Curse book trailer still getting some views and ...
Marvin's Curse book trailer still getting some views and up to 186 as of today. I wonder if anyone reading my blog has taken the plunge and created their own trailer?
June 25, 2013
Where I write
So, I thought I'd give you a little look at where most of the writing takes place. The study also serves as a library come DVD storage centre. Lots of folders, dictionaries, pencils, diary and a large pile of brand new notebooks.
Yes, it's a bit messy - well, actually, I tidied up for the photo!
And just a few of the books I still have to read. Oops, no, I think I've read most of these. Lots of YA/kids books here. Also, lots of paranormal going on. Any surprises?
Yes, it's a bit messy - well, actually, I tidied up for the photo!
And just a few of the books I still have to read. Oops, no, I think I've read most of these. Lots of YA/kids books here. Also, lots of paranormal going on. Any surprises?June 24, 2013
Hello USA!
A big shout out to my blog viewers in the US! Hi and thanks for stopping by the blog. Hope you like what you see. If not, let me know what you want to see more of! Have a good day!
