Jessica Shirvington's Blog, page 7
April 7, 2011
Cosmo's Fun Fearless Female Awards
Okay ... so, a lot of cool stuff has happened since releasing Embrace and Enticed, but this one ... I never saw coming!
I have been nominated in the author category of Cosmopolitan Magazines Fun Fearless Female of the Year Awards 2011. Hooray!
Am I a fun, fearless female? Er ... I'll leave that up to everyone else to decide!
But, if you think I might qualify - stop by the Cosmo website and lodge your vote. You'll find me in the author section (you have to vote in each category and then register your info at the end for it to work properly) or, you might see someone else you prefer!
http://www.cosmopolitan.com.au/fun-fe...
My husband cringed when I made him vote and register his details for a chance to win the Libra goodies pack! LOL!!
I have been nominated in the author category of Cosmopolitan Magazines Fun Fearless Female of the Year Awards 2011. Hooray!
Am I a fun, fearless female? Er ... I'll leave that up to everyone else to decide!
But, if you think I might qualify - stop by the Cosmo website and lodge your vote. You'll find me in the author section (you have to vote in each category and then register your info at the end for it to work properly) or, you might see someone else you prefer!
http://www.cosmopolitan.com.au/fun-fe...
My husband cringed when I made him vote and register his details for a chance to win the Libra goodies pack! LOL!!
March 26, 2011
THE NAIL BITING PUBLISHING EXPERIENCE
First off, apologies – this blog is huge! It is a big topic so I have broken it into two parts – will post part 2 during the week. But I have found it is a subject a lot of people are interested in.
When I first started on the road to becoming a published author, I had no idea what to expect. I knew it wasn’t as simple as write a good story and publishers around the world will drop everything to read your manuscript (in complete) simply because I said, ‘hey, trust me, it’s good!’
So … what’s it all about?
What do you do once you write that amazing story?
Who do you tell?
And what happens then?
These are only a couple of the many questions that floated through my mind and I have discovered it is much the same for everyone. So, here is some of what I learnt:
1. Completing a manuscript – whether good, bad or in the murky middle ground is a monumental thing! There is a very large percentage of the world’s population that think they could write a great book and many have every intention of getting around to it on the day that never seems to arrive. A finished manuscript is a BIG thing, so if anyone reading this is sitting on one of those rare completed stories – well done you! Unfortunately, in the grand scheme of things that doesn’t mean all too much, but definitely pat-on-the-back worthy.
2. Having a completed manuscript is great, but is it any good? Tough question – usually with even tougher answers. The fact is – I wrote my first draft of EMBRACE in 6 weeks. The story came to me quickly and the plot worked together nicely – but tweaking, re-writing, making changes, cutting exposition and of course, ‘killing my darlings’ all took time. It was on about my 5th draft of EMBRACE that I thought to myself – yeah, I’m ready to do something with this.
SO what was I going to do?
Damned if I knew!
3. But really, I did. You have to start handing out the manuscript to people to read and generally, the first people you can convince to read this great pile of a story you ‘claim’ has potential, are the people who love you. It is no small thing to give it out. For me, my heart had gone into that story and characters and I knew, yeah … we all know, family and loved ones are usually crap at lying. Plus, I’d never handed out anything I’d written to anyone to read before and I was FREAKING OUT.
The question was … could I take the criticism and work it to my advantage? The answer, yes! I wasn’t about to let fear of failure stop me from trying but that didn’t mean I didn’t sweat bullets through the entire process!!!
4. Ah, family … My personal favourite – the vigorous nod, short worded ‘Uh-ha. Loved it. Really good,’ followed by speedy trip to the fridge for unwanted drink and driven home with abrupt subject change. Err … cringing just thinking of it! Because I did get a few of those and maybe it was because they didn’t like it and maybe (more likely, I told myself) it just wasn’t their cup of tea, which was fair enough, too. But on the whole, my family and friends gave me a pretty genuine thumbs up – not that any of them had any idea whether that meant it was good enough to be published or not….
5. Then, I sent if off to have a manuscript assessment. It took about a month and funnily enough during the that time I’d made many of the changes or addressed problems the assessment drew my attention to but it was a great way to reaffirm many of my instincts.
6. So what now?
7. Use the feedback and rewrite again.
This is the time I really had to dig deep. Based on feedback I had to decide what was right – the parts I was just turning a blind eye to, and what was matter of opinion. It was at this time that I rewrote the first 5 chapters and let me tell you, it was not easy to let go of the ones I’d previously written – there were some scenes that I just adored. But, just because you love them as a writer doesn’t make them absolutely essential to the telling of this particular story – so, they had to go.
When I finally made the leap and changed the beginning of the manuscript it was then that I finally tapped into my heroine’s voice and I found it had an on-flow effect to the entire manuscript. It felt a bit like striking gold!
8. BUT … and this is very important. There were a fair few things that people said, opinions about characters or the directions scenes should go in that I didn’t agree with. It was here that I had to TRUST MYSELF. A story can only be good if you believe in it fully, in the characters, their motivations, their emotions, all of it. Someone else might believe it would be more appropriate or entertaining to go in a different direction and sure, sometimes you might take on their advice and play with it, but if it doesn’t work you just have to go with your instinct. To me, this is one of the most IMPORTANT assets for any writer.
To be continued ...
When I first started on the road to becoming a published author, I had no idea what to expect. I knew it wasn’t as simple as write a good story and publishers around the world will drop everything to read your manuscript (in complete) simply because I said, ‘hey, trust me, it’s good!’
So … what’s it all about?
What do you do once you write that amazing story?
Who do you tell?
And what happens then?
These are only a couple of the many questions that floated through my mind and I have discovered it is much the same for everyone. So, here is some of what I learnt:
1. Completing a manuscript – whether good, bad or in the murky middle ground is a monumental thing! There is a very large percentage of the world’s population that think they could write a great book and many have every intention of getting around to it on the day that never seems to arrive. A finished manuscript is a BIG thing, so if anyone reading this is sitting on one of those rare completed stories – well done you! Unfortunately, in the grand scheme of things that doesn’t mean all too much, but definitely pat-on-the-back worthy.
2. Having a completed manuscript is great, but is it any good? Tough question – usually with even tougher answers. The fact is – I wrote my first draft of EMBRACE in 6 weeks. The story came to me quickly and the plot worked together nicely – but tweaking, re-writing, making changes, cutting exposition and of course, ‘killing my darlings’ all took time. It was on about my 5th draft of EMBRACE that I thought to myself – yeah, I’m ready to do something with this.
SO what was I going to do?
Damned if I knew!
3. But really, I did. You have to start handing out the manuscript to people to read and generally, the first people you can convince to read this great pile of a story you ‘claim’ has potential, are the people who love you. It is no small thing to give it out. For me, my heart had gone into that story and characters and I knew, yeah … we all know, family and loved ones are usually crap at lying. Plus, I’d never handed out anything I’d written to anyone to read before and I was FREAKING OUT.
The question was … could I take the criticism and work it to my advantage? The answer, yes! I wasn’t about to let fear of failure stop me from trying but that didn’t mean I didn’t sweat bullets through the entire process!!!
4. Ah, family … My personal favourite – the vigorous nod, short worded ‘Uh-ha. Loved it. Really good,’ followed by speedy trip to the fridge for unwanted drink and driven home with abrupt subject change. Err … cringing just thinking of it! Because I did get a few of those and maybe it was because they didn’t like it and maybe (more likely, I told myself) it just wasn’t their cup of tea, which was fair enough, too. But on the whole, my family and friends gave me a pretty genuine thumbs up – not that any of them had any idea whether that meant it was good enough to be published or not….
5. Then, I sent if off to have a manuscript assessment. It took about a month and funnily enough during the that time I’d made many of the changes or addressed problems the assessment drew my attention to but it was a great way to reaffirm many of my instincts.
6. So what now?
7. Use the feedback and rewrite again.
This is the time I really had to dig deep. Based on feedback I had to decide what was right – the parts I was just turning a blind eye to, and what was matter of opinion. It was at this time that I rewrote the first 5 chapters and let me tell you, it was not easy to let go of the ones I’d previously written – there were some scenes that I just adored. But, just because you love them as a writer doesn’t make them absolutely essential to the telling of this particular story – so, they had to go.
When I finally made the leap and changed the beginning of the manuscript it was then that I finally tapped into my heroine’s voice and I found it had an on-flow effect to the entire manuscript. It felt a bit like striking gold!
8. BUT … and this is very important. There were a fair few things that people said, opinions about characters or the directions scenes should go in that I didn’t agree with. It was here that I had to TRUST MYSELF. A story can only be good if you believe in it fully, in the characters, their motivations, their emotions, all of it. Someone else might believe it would be more appropriate or entertaining to go in a different direction and sure, sometimes you might take on their advice and play with it, but if it doesn’t work you just have to go with your instinct. To me, this is one of the most IMPORTANT assets for any writer.
To be continued ...
March 17, 2011
ENTICED GIVE AWAY!
Anyone interested, my publishers are giving away 10 signed copies of ENTICED over the next couple of days!
If you would like to put your hand up for one of these just go to the offical facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Vio...
and follow details as they are posted.
Good luck!!
If you would like to put your hand up for one of these just go to the offical facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Vio...
and follow details as they are posted.
Good luck!!
March 4, 2011
ENTICED, less than 3 weeks to go / EMBLAZE, cover!!
I can't believe how quickly time flies when on a deadline! It feels like it was just last week that I was holding my breath for the release of EMBRACE and now it is less than three weeks until ENTICED hits the shelves.
I received the first copies the other day and have been cooing over it ever since - it is just so pretty! This cover was really important to me and I am so lucky to have such amazing publishers that have pulled the look of the series together so well.
I hope to be posting the first chapter on my website - www.jessicashirvington.com - next week, so keep an eye out.
A small update on EMBRACE - it will be released in Germany in just over a month (with another stunning cover!),
through Random House. They have entitled the book ERWACHT which translates to AWAKENING.
The UK will release EMBRACE in October this year with Hachette imprint - Orchard books. Other international news: Both Turkey and Brazil will also be releasing EMBRACE in the months ahead (I will confirm dates as soon as I have them!)
Now, on to EMBLAZE news (Bk3 in The Violet Eden Chapters). The book will be released in October this year (in Aus & NZ) and the cover is now up for viewing. I would love to know what you think!!
I have posted it below (sorry it is small, I can't figure out how to make the image larger!)
I received the first copies the other day and have been cooing over it ever since - it is just so pretty! This cover was really important to me and I am so lucky to have such amazing publishers that have pulled the look of the series together so well.
I hope to be posting the first chapter on my website - www.jessicashirvington.com - next week, so keep an eye out.
A small update on EMBRACE - it will be released in Germany in just over a month (with another stunning cover!),
through Random House. They have entitled the book ERWACHT which translates to AWAKENING.
The UK will release EMBRACE in October this year with Hachette imprint - Orchard books. Other international news: Both Turkey and Brazil will also be releasing EMBRACE in the months ahead (I will confirm dates as soon as I have them!)
Now, on to EMBLAZE news (Bk3 in The Violet Eden Chapters). The book will be released in October this year (in Aus & NZ) and the cover is now up for viewing. I would love to know what you think!!
I have posted it below (sorry it is small, I can't figure out how to make the image larger!)
February 20, 2011
RED GROUP GOES UNDER ...
Big news in the book world in Australia. The Red Group, who owns two of the largest book chains, Angus & Robertson and Borders has gone under.
What does this mean for books in Australia?
It's hard to know. There are a lot of different views flying around at the moment, but on the whole it is going to be one of those – time will tell – issues.
The good news seems to be, that for bookstore owners that owned franchises of A&R - it is now their opportunity to get out from under the corporate flag and do things the way they want to. This could lead to a whole new brand of independent bookstores which would be great. I don’t know about you but I love going to my local independents that stock intelligent ranges of material and are well informed about the books they stock. More of those has to be a step in the right direction, right?
Anyway, I’m interested to know how you guys feel about all of this. I am sure some of you will have shopped in these stores and may even end up losing your local bookstore. Some people are blaming the likes of eBooks and internet sales for the downfall of the chain stores, but I don’t know, I think the main thing would be the massive price differences. I won’t go into it in too much depth, but I’m sure you all know there are stores that charge a lot less than the marked prices in borders and A&R. So, let me know your opinion on the issue if you have one.
Oh, by the way. I heard that A&R were going to honour gift certificates, but only if the person purchased double the value. For example, if you had a $20 gift voucher, you would have to select $40 worth of product and then use your certificate plus pay $20 on top of that. Does anyone know if that is true? On one side, I guess it is better than nothing, but on the other, I feel sorry for people that have unused certificates!
On to my book news ... ENTICED went to print about a week ago so we should receive first copies shortly. I am SO excited to have the book finished and even more so to get it out on shelves! Countdown is definitely on – just over 4 weeks to go!!
In the meantime, I am busy tapping away at my computer working on an early draft of the third instalment which, I can now confirm, will be titled EMBLAZE and will be released later in 2011. Yes, clearly we’re loving the ‘e’ words. Hope you do, too!
What does this mean for books in Australia?
It's hard to know. There are a lot of different views flying around at the moment, but on the whole it is going to be one of those – time will tell – issues.
The good news seems to be, that for bookstore owners that owned franchises of A&R - it is now their opportunity to get out from under the corporate flag and do things the way they want to. This could lead to a whole new brand of independent bookstores which would be great. I don’t know about you but I love going to my local independents that stock intelligent ranges of material and are well informed about the books they stock. More of those has to be a step in the right direction, right?
Anyway, I’m interested to know how you guys feel about all of this. I am sure some of you will have shopped in these stores and may even end up losing your local bookstore. Some people are blaming the likes of eBooks and internet sales for the downfall of the chain stores, but I don’t know, I think the main thing would be the massive price differences. I won’t go into it in too much depth, but I’m sure you all know there are stores that charge a lot less than the marked prices in borders and A&R. So, let me know your opinion on the issue if you have one.
Oh, by the way. I heard that A&R were going to honour gift certificates, but only if the person purchased double the value. For example, if you had a $20 gift voucher, you would have to select $40 worth of product and then use your certificate plus pay $20 on top of that. Does anyone know if that is true? On one side, I guess it is better than nothing, but on the other, I feel sorry for people that have unused certificates!
On to my book news ... ENTICED went to print about a week ago so we should receive first copies shortly. I am SO excited to have the book finished and even more so to get it out on shelves! Countdown is definitely on – just over 4 weeks to go!!
In the meantime, I am busy tapping away at my computer working on an early draft of the third instalment which, I can now confirm, will be titled EMBLAZE and will be released later in 2011. Yes, clearly we’re loving the ‘e’ words. Hope you do, too!
February 2, 2011
ENTICED - FINAL COVER
Here it is! The final cover for Enticed. And yes, that is me you hear sighing in relief! Covers are a tricky business, not to mention - an emotional rollercoaster. We went through so many different versions of this cover to get it right and I couldn't be happier with the finished result!
I hope you all love it as much as I do.
Stop by my website: www.jessicashirvington.com to read the teaser. First chapter will be posted soon!
Also, thanks to everyone who has enquired about the ebook for Embrace. I have been assured by my publishers that the ebook for both Embrace and Enticed will be released over the next couple of months. Sorry for the delay, but these things sometimes take a little more time than anticipated. I will keep you up to date with any developments. x
I hope you all love it as much as I do.
Stop by my website: www.jessicashirvington.com to read the teaser. First chapter will be posted soon!
Also, thanks to everyone who has enquired about the ebook for Embrace. I have been assured by my publishers that the ebook for both Embrace and Enticed will be released over the next couple of months. Sorry for the delay, but these things sometimes take a little more time than anticipated. I will keep you up to date with any developments. x
January 21, 2011
NEW WEBSITE LIVE!
Hi everyone,
Just a quick post to let you know that my author website,
is now live! Yea!!
If you get a chance, stop by and have a look. Would love to know what you think and if anyone has any suggesitons.
x
Just a quick post to let you know that my author website,
is now live! Yea!!
If you get a chance, stop by and have a look. Would love to know what you think and if anyone has any suggesitons.
x
January 15, 2011
ENTICED TRAILER RELEASED!
I was very excited to receive a call from my publishers this week to let me know that the video trailer for ENTICED was now available for viewing.
I have uploaded it in my videos section so if you are on the ENTICED page or on my profile you can easily click and watch and I've also added the direct link below for viewing on YouTube if easier (there is probably some really clever way to have loaded it into this blog - but I have serious tech limits!).
A big thanks to the publishing team for doing such an amazing job on it.
Hope you like it!!
I have uploaded it in my videos section so if you are on the ENTICED page or on my profile you can easily click and watch and I've also added the direct link below for viewing on YouTube if easier (there is probably some really clever way to have loaded it into this blog - but I have serious tech limits!).
A big thanks to the publishing team for doing such an amazing job on it.
Hope you like it!!
December 27, 2010
END OF YEAR
It would be an understatement for me to describe 2010 as a busy, surprising, fantastic, hectic, exciting, nerve wracking and exhausting year! In actual fact, more than anything, it has been excellent! I really do have a lot to be grateful for. My husband and children are happy and well and I have gained a new little nephew and a niece in the last couple of months so that has been just beautiful. And, for some insane reason, my husband and I decided to buy a puppy, so we also have a new addition to the family - a very cute (and naughty) Beaglier called Tommy.
Of course, a big reason this year has been so great is due to the publication of my first book! The reaction to EMBRACE has been amazing and unexpected - so thank you to everyone for all of your support and friendship!
Finishing 2010 is an exciting time as 2011 promises to be another crazy year and best of all, there is an amazing wealth of new books that will hit the market which I can't wait to read! I must say though, this year has produced some amazing books and I will take this opportunity to point out that HUNGER GAMES by SUZANNE COLLINS has been the series that will stay with me for many years to come. Beautifully written and fabulously developed plot and characters. I don't think there is anything the series could've given us that it didn't and for me, it is the stand out series of 2010.
As for news on THE VIOLET EDEN CHAPTERS, I am currently working on the first draft of book 3 (still to be named, but hopefully not for long!) which I am really excited about. Book 2, ENTICED, is now in copy-edit and well on track for release on the 24th March, 2011. Finally, my author website: www.jessicashirvington.com should (fingers crossed!) go live in the next couple of weeks!
I'll sign off here by saying I hope you are all enjoying the festive season and have a sensational start to 2011!
xx
Of course, a big reason this year has been so great is due to the publication of my first book! The reaction to EMBRACE has been amazing and unexpected - so thank you to everyone for all of your support and friendship!
Finishing 2010 is an exciting time as 2011 promises to be another crazy year and best of all, there is an amazing wealth of new books that will hit the market which I can't wait to read! I must say though, this year has produced some amazing books and I will take this opportunity to point out that HUNGER GAMES by SUZANNE COLLINS has been the series that will stay with me for many years to come. Beautifully written and fabulously developed plot and characters. I don't think there is anything the series could've given us that it didn't and for me, it is the stand out series of 2010.
As for news on THE VIOLET EDEN CHAPTERS, I am currently working on the first draft of book 3 (still to be named, but hopefully not for long!) which I am really excited about. Book 2, ENTICED, is now in copy-edit and well on track for release on the 24th March, 2011. Finally, my author website: www.jessicashirvington.com should (fingers crossed!) go live in the next couple of weeks!
I'll sign off here by saying I hope you are all enjoying the festive season and have a sensational start to 2011!
xx
November 30, 2010
ENTICED UPDATE / ROAD TO PUBLICATION
ENTICED
Okay, so book 2 in The Violet Eden Chapters, Enticed, is well on the way to completion. The amazing team at Hachette Australia have read the manuscript and are just as excited about the story as I am. I am so excited about the book and can't believe how quickly time is marching on. It will be out on the shelves in just 4 months!
With that in mind, it is a fairly tight schedule. Edit is currently underway and I am so excited to have my publisher Vanessa Radnidge and editor Kate Ballard at Hachette leading the charge! I really have lucked out to have had such a wonderful team on Embrace and now again on Enticed. So, if anyone is wondering what I'll be doing over the Christmas period, the answer ... editing!
THE ROAD TO PUBLICATION
Writing a book and getting published has been a bit of a crazy ride for me.
I could tell everyone that it has been my lifelong dream, that I was the kid on the school bus always reading a book, walking down the road trying to hold my line on the page while dodging people on the pavement. But the truth is - I wasn’t. I was the kid that often opted for the movie version of the set reading at school and then didn’t really expand all that much at home (yes, I hang my head in shame).
As a result, I TOTALLY missed out.
Now, at the age of 31, when I see that kid with his or her head stuck in a book while sitting in a cafe or at the beach or even curled up in the corner of the library, I am completely envious as I look at them and wonder who they are cheering for, who they want to see get what’s coming to them, where in the world they are currently exploring and if they are even in our world at all! And after all of those thoughts (which actually only take a small moment), I want to kick myself.
As a kid, all I wanted to do was escape for a bit here and there, have some time to myself that didn’t have to solely revolve around what I was or wasn’t going to be ‘when I grew up’ or if I was ‘keeping up’ with everyone else. Knowing what I know now, how much books can give a person, the doors they can open, the imagination they inspire, the places they can take you etc, etc, etc, etc, I know – I really missed out.
So, unfortunately, this is the start to my non-start to becoming an author. Yes, since that time I have changed and become a dedicated reader of most genres (still working on my appreciation for biographies) and whilst it’s all little embarrassing ... it’s honest. There were a fair few steps along the way to getting Embrace published and I won’t bore you with them all at once, but I will filter them through here and there if anyone is interested. And whilst I am sure anyone reading this might say – well this wasn’t actually a step toward writing a book at all – believe me, it was.
Okay, so book 2 in The Violet Eden Chapters, Enticed, is well on the way to completion. The amazing team at Hachette Australia have read the manuscript and are just as excited about the story as I am. I am so excited about the book and can't believe how quickly time is marching on. It will be out on the shelves in just 4 months!
With that in mind, it is a fairly tight schedule. Edit is currently underway and I am so excited to have my publisher Vanessa Radnidge and editor Kate Ballard at Hachette leading the charge! I really have lucked out to have had such a wonderful team on Embrace and now again on Enticed. So, if anyone is wondering what I'll be doing over the Christmas period, the answer ... editing!
THE ROAD TO PUBLICATION
Writing a book and getting published has been a bit of a crazy ride for me.
I could tell everyone that it has been my lifelong dream, that I was the kid on the school bus always reading a book, walking down the road trying to hold my line on the page while dodging people on the pavement. But the truth is - I wasn’t. I was the kid that often opted for the movie version of the set reading at school and then didn’t really expand all that much at home (yes, I hang my head in shame).
As a result, I TOTALLY missed out.
Now, at the age of 31, when I see that kid with his or her head stuck in a book while sitting in a cafe or at the beach or even curled up in the corner of the library, I am completely envious as I look at them and wonder who they are cheering for, who they want to see get what’s coming to them, where in the world they are currently exploring and if they are even in our world at all! And after all of those thoughts (which actually only take a small moment), I want to kick myself.
As a kid, all I wanted to do was escape for a bit here and there, have some time to myself that didn’t have to solely revolve around what I was or wasn’t going to be ‘when I grew up’ or if I was ‘keeping up’ with everyone else. Knowing what I know now, how much books can give a person, the doors they can open, the imagination they inspire, the places they can take you etc, etc, etc, etc, I know – I really missed out.
So, unfortunately, this is the start to my non-start to becoming an author. Yes, since that time I have changed and become a dedicated reader of most genres (still working on my appreciation for biographies) and whilst it’s all little embarrassing ... it’s honest. There were a fair few steps along the way to getting Embrace published and I won’t bore you with them all at once, but I will filter them through here and there if anyone is interested. And whilst I am sure anyone reading this might say – well this wasn’t actually a step toward writing a book at all – believe me, it was.
