Nosy Crow's Blog, page 107

Watch Helen Peters read an exclusive extract from her new book

Evie’s Ghost, the fantastic new 9-12 novel by Helen Peters, author of the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize-shortlisted The Secret Hen House Theatre, The Farm Beneath the Water, and the Jasmine Green series, will be in shops from tomorrow – and today you can watch Helen reading an exclusive extract from the book.

Part Gosford Park, part Charlotte Sometimes, and part The Go-Between, Evie’s Ghost is an absolutely brilliant time-slip story – spine-tingling, moving, funny and heartbreaking.

And as well as this exclusive extract read by Helen, you can also read the book’s opening chapters – here’s a look inside:

There are a very limited number of signed copies of Evie’s Ghost available from the Nosy Crow shop – you can buy your signed copy of the book here.

Creating Evie’s Ghost: a guest post by Helen Peters

Today’s guest post is by Helen Peters, author of The Secret Hen House Theatre, The Farm Beneath the Water, the Jasmine Green series, and the forthcoming Evie’s Ghost – out this week. Here’s Helen on Evie’s Ghost’s seven year journey to publication…

I first had the idea for the story that became Evie’s Ghost in May 2010. I started writing it at the beginning of 2011. Six years later, the story is finally done. There are many reasons why it took so long and went through so many changes, but I think they can be boiled down to two things: getting the story right and getting Evie’s voice right.

In terms of the story, my main challenge was to increase the tension and the jeopardy. In early drafts, Evie didn’t know why she had travelled back to the past until quite late in the story. In later drafts I had Evie discover Sophia’s terrible fate much earlier. This added far more tension, because now, instead of stumbling around in a daze for several chapters, Evie knows how much is at stake and is on a mission to prevent Sophia’s fate almost from the moment she arrives in the past. I also tightened the time limit, so that now Evie knows, from the beginning, exactly when the terrible event will take place and she know she has a very limited time to prevent it from happening.

The other element that helped increase the tension was to change Evie’s role. In the original version, she could only be seen by two people in the past, so she could wander around freely, without worrying about being discovered. My editor suggested that it might be better if Evie were not only visible, but had to work as a servant. As well as adding tension, this change made the story much more vivid and lively, since Evie now had many more problems to deal with and many more people to interact with.

Evie’s voice took a long time to get right. I experimented with several different Evies of different ages and in different home circumstances, before I found the one who came alive for me. The earlier versions never felt quite real, so I could never be sure that the actions and reactions I was writing for Evie were believable or consistent with her character, because I didn’t actually know her character.

Finally, I found the real Evie. I think this was down to three factors.

Firstly, I placed her in a different situation. In several drafts, Evie was staying with her godmother because her single-parent mum was in hospital undergoing a risky operation. I put Evie in this situation because I was convinced she needed to be in terrible jeopardy in order to make the story compelling. My editor, however, suggested it would be better if Evie wasn’t in such a difficult situation. As usual, my editor was right. When Evie’s situation was potentially tragic, she was much more likely to be frightened and cowed by the events she experiences in the past. In the final version, Evie’s single-parent mother has just married a perfectly nice man and has gone off on honeymoon. This, although obviously not life-threatening, seems intolerable to Evie, and gave me the opportunity to give her a stroppy thirteen-year-old’s attitude which does not go down well in a nineteenth-century servants’ hall.

Secondly, the point at which the voice came right happened to be at the same time as my eldest child was thirteen. That might have been a coincidence, but I do think it helped, in this case, to write what I knew…

Thirdly, and perhaps more helpfully for people who don’t happen to have a stroppy thirteen-year-old at home, I dug up my own thirteen-year-old memories. This is something I did when creating my previous protagonists, eleven-year-old Hannah and nine-year-old Jasmine, and it really helped bring them to life. Yet, stupidly, I resisted doing it with Evie for years. I kept telling myself that my own experience at thirteen was so different from Evie’s that there would be no point. When I finally succumbed, I was surprised to find it helped enormously.

To bring the memories back, I ask myself questions about my life at that age and write down the answers. I start with basic factual questions. Who were my teachers? What did I enjoy and hate at school? Who were my friends? What were my favourite songs and books? Then I find all sorts of memories get stirred up, and I start to remember more interesting things: my preoccupations, hopes, fears, insecurities and so on at that age. And although my situation and experiences at thirteen were very different from Evie’s, I think a lot of my preoccupations and worries were probably not that different. None of this came out directly in the book, but it made me much more confident when writing in Evie’s voice.

Writing this book was a long and convoluted process, sometimes immensely difficult and frustrating, occasionally joyful, always interesting. It would be great to be able to plan a story and then just write it, with none of the agony and the abandoned drafts, but you never know when you start a book how easy or difficult it will turn out to be, and I guess, for me at least, all the false starts, the dead ends and the constant brain-ache are necessary parts of the process. I’m incredibly grateful to my fantastic editor, Kirsty Stansfield, for her constant encouragement, guidance and patience, and to Daniela Terazzini and the wonderful team at Nosy Crow, for creating the beautiful cover and sending Evie’s Ghost out into the world.

Thank you, Helen! Here’s an exclusive look inside Evie’s Ghost:

And there are a very limited number of signed copies of the book available from the Nosy Crow shop! You can buy your signed copy of Evie’s Ghost here.

If you’d like to stay up to date with all of our book news, you can sign up to our newsletter at this page, or with the form below.

 

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What I’ve learned working with young people in school libraries: a guest post by SarahLouise McDonald

Today’s guest post is by SarahLouise McDonald, a librarian for the past six years. SarahLouise posted a fantastic list on Twitter of the things she’d learned working with young people in libraries, which she has kindly allowed us to reproduce below. Here’s her introduction, along with her list in full:

I’ve been a qualified librarian for six years, the past two and a half in Edinburgh school libraries – which has been great for my YA and teen fiction addiction! The best thing about my job is seeing the potential in kids and watching their eyes light up when they find That One Book that makes reading special to them. My favourite Nosy Crow book is Petunia Perry and the Curse of the Ugly Pigeon.

I want to tweet about some of the most important things I’ve learned working with young people in school libs (applicable to all though).

1. There is NO SUCH THING as a stupid question. Do not belittle people who are trying to find information or expand their experience.

2. Answer honestly if you can. Be professional, but it is okay to be honest too. Kids (and library visitors) will respect you more for it.

3. Say “I don’t know.” Show kids that it’s okay not to have info, and show them your process for finding it out. No shame in not knowing.

4. I can’t say this loudly enough. DO NOT ASSUME ANYTHING ABOUT THE KIDS. They will surprise you every day if you let them.

4b. Yes, they can be ratbags. But they can also be kind, funny, clever, sweet, and they honestly make my job worth going to every day.

5. Related to above: there is no such thing as a ‘Digital Native’. Do not assume that owning an iPhone means tech-confidence or competence.

6. Embrace their enthusiasm. If they are into comics, COOL! Start a club! If they’re into goth music, awesome! Have them review new albums!

6b. Find the things they like and run with it. It will strengthen their relationship with you, with the library and the associated literacy.

7. Literacy takes many forms. Let kids read books without words, build storytelling skills, debate books vs film. It all counts.

8. Try to say yes. Don’t dismiss things because they are inconvenient, try to work out why they are asking. Find a balance. Try to help.

9. People are rubbish at asking questions. If you don’t think they’re asking what they really want, engage with them. Be a detective.

10. BE KIND. You might be the only understanding face this kid sees all day. Even if you’re in a bad mood, give them your time. Listen. Try.

Thank you, SarahLouise! You can find SarahLouise on Twitter here.

Image credit: Stewart Butterfield.

Come and work for Nosy Crow: we’re hiring a PR and Marketing Assistant

We have an exciting opportunity for a talented publishing PR and marketing professional at the start of their career to assist in the promotion of Nosy Crow’s fast-growing, award-winning children’s list.  The successful candidate will join our team as PR and Marketing Assistant on a full-time basis, working in our London office near London Bridge.

Purpose of the Job:

The role of the PR and Marketing Assistant is to assist both our Senior PR and Media Relations Manager and Marketing Executive to promote Nosy Crow’s authors and illustrators, our high-profile list of titles and multi award-winning brands.

The PR and Marketing Assistant reports to the Senior PR and Media Relations Manager and will be joining the Sales and Marketing Department.

This role would suit someone with a year’s experience of PR or the children’s book industry.

We are a close team and we value the experience and creative input that we can each provide to help shape our products to be the best they can be.

Key responsibilities and tasks:

To work closely with the Senior PR and Media Relations Manager to help implement creative and targeted PR campaigns that deliver coverage and sales for Nosy Crow.
To set up and attend author tours, events and festivals.
To maintain our PR contacts database and look after publicity mailings.
Working under the guidance of the Marketing Executive, help to create a range of marketing material and collate and proofread the annual catalogue and rights guides.
To provide general admin support and assist in the smooth running of the office.

Key skills, characteristics and capabilities:

Previous experience working in the children’s book world, a range of press contacts and/or organising festivals, events, conferences and book tours is desirable, but not essential
Excellent verbal and written communication skills plus the ability to write persuasive copy
Appetite to deliver the best possible author care
A great eye for detail and the ability to proofread
Confidence in building and maintaining relationships with authors, illustrators and key contacts
Flexible and able to work evenings and weekends as needed
Willingness to be fully involved in our busy and fun office
A keen interest in children’s books

 

The successful candidate will have the right to live and work in the UK.

To apply, please email your CV, accompanied by not more than 500 words on what you think you could contribute to Nosy Crow, both personally and as a PR/Marketing professional.  Please send to Catherine Stokes (catherine@nosycrow.com), with details of your current salary.  We look forward to reading your application.

The closing date for applications is midnight on 17th April 2017 (UK time).

Two months to go until the next Nosy Crow Illustrator Salon!

There are exactly two months to go until the next edition of the Nosy Crow Illustrator Salon, our programme of quarterly evening events celebrating the art of illustration, and tickets are selling fast – if you’re interested in attending, book your place today!

Our special guest for the next salon will be Jamie Littler, the fantastic illustrator of The Secret Diary of John Drawbridge, Medieval Knight in Training. We’ll be returning to The Book Club, in Shoreditch, for Jamie’s Salon, on the evening of Tuesday 30th May. After an interview with Jamie there’ll be a Q&A with the audience, followed by a book signing and drinks.

And you can save money on a signed copy of The Secret Diary of John Drawbridge, Medieval Knight in Training by buying one now with your ticket!

General admission costs just £4. £7 will include entry to the salon, PLUS a signed copy of the book.

Doors will open at 6.30pm for drinks and conversation, and the salon will start at approximately 7.00pm.

Booking is essential and tickets are extremely limited – save your place today!

Here’s a look inside The Secret Diary of John Drawbridge:

If you don’t want to miss out on any of our future salon events, sign up to our mailing list below.

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We hope to see you there!

Come and meet us: we’re holding an illustrator surgery at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair

Are you coming to this year’s Bologna Children’s Book Fair? Are you an illustrator? Would you like to meet us?

We’re holding illustrator surgeries on Monday, April 3 and Tuesday, April 4 from 3.30pm – 4.30pm at the Nosy Crow stand (25 B 106) where you’ll be able to meet our editorial and design team, show us your portfolio, and receive some feedback on your work.

It’s first-come, first-served for the surgeries (and there is always a queue…) – but we have back-to-back rights-selling appointments for the rest of the fair, so if you’d like to meet us, those are the times you’ll be able to do so.

You might find this blogpost from three years ago interesting – advice for illustrators visiting the Bologna Children’s Book Fair from our Editorial Director, Head of Design, and Head of Picture Books.

And if you’d like to find out about other Nosy Crow books, events, and news, you can sign up to our newsletter below, and we’ll make sure you don’t miss a thing.

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We hope to see you at the fair – let us know on Twitter to @NosyCrowBooks if you’ll be there!

Come to the next Nosy Crow Reading Group – we’re discussing Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk

Would you like to come along to the next Nosy Crow Reading Group?

In April we’ll be discussing Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk. The recipient of a 2017 Newbery Honour, and currently shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize and the Carnegie Medal, the New York Times called Wolf Hollow “beautifully written, with spare, simple language perfectly suited to its subject and setting … full of grace and stark, ­brutal beauty.”

We’ll be meeting on Tuesday, April 25th at 6.30pm, here at the Nosy Crow offices – 10a Lant Street, London, SE1 1QR – for a discussion of the book (along with wine and crisps). If you’d like to come along, just register for a place with the form below, or at this page.

You can order Wolf Hollow online from Waterstones here.

We hope you can join us!

“Science fiction at its most moving and exciting”: The Guardian on The Jamie Drake Equation

Last week, The Times named The Jamie Drake Equation – the new book from The Many Worlds of Albie Bright author Christopher Edge – their Children’s Book of the Week. And this week we’re absolutely thrilled to see that the book has also been named as one of The Guardian’s best new children’s books in their March review round-up!

Imogen Russell Williams writes: “Packed with astrophysics, emotion and invention on a galactic scale, this is science fiction at its most moving and exciting.”

You can read the full piece here.

And if you’re new to the book, here’s a look inside The Jamie Drake Equation:

Combining action and adventure with cutting-edge space exploration and a compelling emotional core, this is truly awesome storytelling.

And we have a limited number of signed copies of the book available to buy from the Nosy Crow shop!

Buy your signed copy of The Jamie Drake Equation here.

If you’d like to stay up to date with all of our book news, you can sign up to our newsletter at this page, or with the form below.

 

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Watch Tom Hardy (!) read There’s a Bear on My Chair on CBeebies Bedtime Stories

There’s a Bear on My Chair, written and illustrated by Ross Collins, was featured on the CBeebies Bedtime Stories programme over the weekend – read by none other than Tom Hardy!

If you missed it, you can catch up on BBC iPlayer here.

The recipient of the inaugural Amnesty CILIP Honour, and currently shortlisted for a UKLA Award, There’s a Bear on My Chair is a JOYOUSLY illustrated picture book, with a clever single rhyme echoing Dr Seuss – it’s perfect for sharing. For The Sunday Times, Nicolette Jones wrote of the book: “This stylish, Dr Seussian, laugh-together picture book delights in simple, scanning rhyme, funny lines, a surprise ending and Collins’s sure, comical draughtsmanship.”

Here’s a look inside the book:

Buy There’s a Bear on My Chair online.

You can also buy beautiful, limited edition, signed and numbered giclee prints featuring artwork from There’s a Bear on My Chair exclusively from the Nosy Crow shop – here’s a look at the prints on offer:

Buy this print.

Buy this print.

Buy this print.

Buy this print.

 

Take a look inside Goldilocks and the Three Potties!

Next month we’ll be publishing Goldilocks and the Three Potties – the brand new picture book from Leigh Hodgkinson, author-illustrator of Goldilocks and Just the One Bear, Troll Swap, and The Big Monster Snoreybook. And today you can take a look inside the new book for the first time!

With a quirky, funny story, and an encouraging ‘keep trying’ message, this adorable book is an ideal potty-training companion.

Little Goldilocks wants to wear BIG GIRL PANTS that are not too frilly, not too silly, but just right – but even fairytale characters have to go through potty training!

Here’s a look inside the book:

Goldilocks and the Three Potties will be in shops from April 6. You can find out more about the book here – and if you’d like to stay up to date with all of our book news, you can sign up to our newsletter at this page, or with the form below.

 

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