Carina Axelsson's Blog, page 11
July 18, 2014
YAY!
Hi everyone,
I’ve been pinching myself since this arrived in the mail yesterday:
I think seeing one’s book – live, for real, and in print!!! – for the first time, is one of the most exciting moments on the road to publication.
Heck, who am I kidding? Make that one of the most exciting moments in my whole life!!!
So how lovely does this cover look?
I love the purple background, with the dazzling NYC skyline, not to mention Axelle’s fab green trench coat!
I also love, love, love the How To Speak Supermodel (yes, slightly different from the one in A Crime of Fashion) at the back of the book, and my New York List of fave things to see and do (also at the back of the book).
Anyway, I had to share this…now I can’t wait for you to read it!
Stolen with Style will be on available in the UK on September 1st.
Carina x
July 17, 2014
Karaoke and More…
Hey there!
To find out what my karaoke song of choice is, along with a few other fun things, check out the interview I did with the fab book blog, The Book Cellar. I also answered a few questions about my writing process, so take a look!
Carina x
My Karaoke Song of Choice…
Hey there!
To find out what my karaoke song of choice is, along with a few other fun things, check out the interview I did with the fab book blog, The Book Cellar. I also answered a few questions about my writing process, so take a look!
Carina x
July 15, 2014
New Video: London Book Haul!
Check out my new London Book Haul video!
Hi everyone,
Check out my London Book Haul and get some inspiration for you summer reading! I had a blast in London – and some retail therapy was a part of it! I came back with an armful of books…so watch my video to find out what I, as a writer, like to read…Happy watching – and reading!
Carina x
July 11, 2014
I Heart NY!
Hi everyone,
I was super excited about writing Model Under Cover: Stolen with Style (UK pub date is September 1st!) – in no small part because it takes place in fabulous NYC!
I was lucky enough to live in this inspiring, extraordinary city for a few years when I was working as a fashion model. And while the city demands the best of everyone and everything – no doubt about that – it also offers up a world of dazzling delight and wonder.
So here’s a list of some of my favourite Big Apple sights and experiences. And, just so you know, New Yorkers are a savvy, stylish bunch – so feel free to indulge your inner fashionista in this sparkling, buzzing city!
Central Park : Whether you’re in the mood for a brisk morning run or a romantic stroll at sunset, this is the big-city park that dreams are made of. Romance, beauty, a sense of escape, and cute, bushy-tailed squirrels: this park has it all. I dare anyone to spend some time in this sylvan fantasy of fountains, vistas, and wooded trails, and not fall in love with it.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art : We all need brain food, and the Met, as it’s known, is the ultimate grocery store for brain food. From intricate Egyptian jewellery that’s thousands of years old to the famous painting of Madame X, prepare to be dazzled. Afterwards, take a break by siting on the grand stone steps outside.
New York Public Library : Right. So there are libraries, and then there are libraries. Where else can a book lover experience the thrill of having two iconic stone lions waiting to greet them, awesome architecture, a leafy terrace upon which to read the books you just checked out, and a snack bar in an elegant marble hall? Not to mention having one of the finest and largest book collections in the world at your fingertips? Nowhere but here, that’s where.
Empire State Building: Go at sunset, on a clear, warm evening, to the viewing platform on the 86th floor to enjoy what has to be the most romantic view in the Big Apple! Plus this sumptuous and sleek Art Deco building is straight out of Batman – even the lifts are amazing. So don’t forget your camera. And don’t forget to brush your teeth before going – you never know when romance might strike, and if it happens at the top of this building, you definitely want to be prepared!
(I took this picture from the Empire State Building while in NYC for my Stolen with Style research trip!)
Balthazar : Let’s face it, sight-seeing works up an appetite. So if you’re craving some French-via-New-York brasserie food, feel like you’re oozing style, and want to do some major people-watching in the heart of SoHo, Balthazar is the place for you. I find lunch is best – and don’t forget to order the fries. Oh, and if you see the Beckham’s, try not to stare!
The High Line: Need to escape the gritty NYC pavement, and maybe stop for an ice cream while listening to songbirds trill? Want to experience Downtown NYC at its funkiest best? Then the High Line is the place to go. This park of tall grass and blossoming shrubs is built on a former elevated train track. How cool is that? Every city should have one. Seriously. You’ll love it.
Bendel’s: Although every floor of this enchanting department store oozes glamour, I have a special weakness for Bendel’s chic toiletry bags. Covered in the iconic Bendel’s brown and white stripe, they may be pricey, but they are worth it – they instantly add a touch of Manhattan pizzazz to any bathroom!
(And check out the super fun and fashion-y illustrations of the artist known as IZAK. He’s done many drawings for Bendel’s.)
Street Art: Keep your eyes peeled, girls, because NYC has the most amazing street art! Just walking around, you’ll literally walk into or past all sorts of fab graffiti; you’ll see walls, sidewalks, and even the sides of trucks that have received clandestine art treatments. And all of those sleek skyscrapers and the miles of gritty cement pavements really make the perfect backdrop to the colourful, vibrant street art you’ll find. Take photos!
Premium Laces: Like Axelle, I have a weakness for a cool pair of sneakers, and in NYC you’ll find oodles of fun, fab ones. You’ll find them everywhere, although I can say that, as of this printing, there’s an especially fantastic collection of sneakers at the tiny shop, Premium Laces, in SoHo. Definitely keep a bit of extra space in your suitcase for the trip home!
Museum of Modern Art: More brain food! And not only is the art amazing – my favourites being Van Gogh’s Starry Night and the gorgeous Georgia O’Keefe orchids – but there are several delicious restaurants, a fab library and store downstairs, and the architecture is super cool. So go and release your inner art geek at the MoMA!
(In case you’re wondering, this is a photo I took of a 1966 oil on canvas painting by Tom Wesselmann called Mouth, 7.)
Burger Joint: Need a classic American meal? Then look no further! Hidden behind an enormous red velvet curtain in the lobby of the very grand Le Parker Meridien hotel, you’ll feel like Alice in Wonderland slipping down the rabbit hole as you walk into the teeny, tiny, graffiti covered Burger Joint. (And, yes, it’s called the Burger Joint!) Your coolest pair of jeans are the perfect gear for this hidden gem!
HAVE FUN!!! And don’t forget to get yourself a silk eye mask for the flight back home!
Carina x
I Heart NYC!
Hi everyone,
I was super excited about writing Model Under Cover: Stolen with Style (UK pub date is September 1st!) – in no small part because it takes place in fabulous NYC!
I was lucky enough to live in this inspiring, extraordinary city for a few years when I was working as a fashion model. And while the city demands the best of everyone and everything – no doubt about that – it also offers up a world of dazzling delight and wonder.
So here’s a list of some of my favourite Big Apple sights and experiences. And, just so you know, New Yorkers are a savvy, stylish bunch – so feel free to indulge your inner fashionista in this sparkling, buzzing city!
Central Park : Whether you’re in the mood for a brisk morning run or a romantic stroll at sunset, this is the big-city park that dreams are made of. Romance, beauty, a sense of escape, and cute, bushy-tailed squirrels: this park has it all. I dare anyone to spend some time in this sylvan fantasy of fountains, vistas, and wooded trails, and not fall in love with it.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art : We all need brain food, and the Met, as it’s known, is the ultimate grocery store for brain food. From intricate Egyptian jewellery that’s thousands of years old to the famous painting of Madame X, prepare to be dazzled. Afterwards, take a break by siting on the grand stone steps outside.
New York Public Library : Right. So there are libraries, and then there are libraries. Where else can a book lover experience the thrill of having two iconic stone lions waiting to greet them, awesome architecture, a leafy terrace upon which to read the books you just checked out, and a snack bar in an elegant marble hall? Not to mention having one of the finest and largest book collections in the world at your fingertips? Nowhere but here, that’s where.
Empire State Building: Go at sunset, on a clear, warm evening, to the viewing platform on the 86th floor to enjoy what has to be the most romantic view in the Big Apple! Plus this sumptuous and sleek Art Deco building is straight out of Batman – even the lifts are amazing. So don’t forget your camera. And don’t forget to brush your teeth before going – you never know when romance might strike, and if it happens at the top of this building, you definitely want to be prepared!
(I took this picture from the Empire State Building while in NYC for my Stolen with Style research trip!)
Balthazar : Let’s face it, sight-seeing works up an appetite. So if you’re craving some French-via-New-York brasserie food, feel like you’re oozing style, and want to do some major people-watching in the heart of SoHo, Balthazar is the place for you. I find lunch is best – and don’t forget to order the fries. Oh, and if you see the Beckham’s, try not to stare!
The High Line: Need to escape the gritty NYC pavement, and maybe stop for an ice cream while listening to songbirds trill? Want to experience Downtown NYC at its funkiest best? Then the High Line is the place to go. This park of tall grass and blossoming shrubs is built on a former elevated train track. How cool is that? Every city should have one. Seriously. You’ll love it.
Bendel’s: Although every floor of this enchanting department store oozes glamour, I have a special weakness for Bendel’s chic toiletry bags. Covered in the iconic Bendel’s brown and white stripe, they may be pricey, but they are worth it – they instantly add a touch of Manhattan pizzazz to any bathroom!
(And check out the super fun and fashion-y illustrations of the artist known as IZAK. He’s done many drawings for Bendel’s.)
Street Art: Keep your eyes peeled, girls, because NYC has the most amazing street art! Just walking around, you’ll literally walk into or past all sorts of fab graffiti; you’ll see walls, sidewalks, and even the sides of trucks that have received clandestine art treatments. And all of those sleek skyscrapers and the miles of gritty cement pavements really make the perfect backdrop to the colourful, vibrant street art you’ll find. Take photos!
Premium Laces: Like Axelle, I have a weakness for a cool pair of sneakers, and in NYC you’ll find oodles of fun, fab ones. You’ll find them everywhere, although I can say that, as of this printing, there’s an especially fantastic collection of sneakers at the tiny shop, Premium Laces, in SoHo. Definitely keep a bit of extra space in your suitcase for the trip home!
Museum of Modern Art: More brain food! And not only is the art amazing – my favourites being Van Gogh’s Starry Night and the gorgeous Georgia O’Keefe orchids – but there are several delicious restaurants, a fab library and store downstairs, and the architecture is super cool. So go and release your inner art geek at the MoMA!
(In case you’re wondering, this is a photo I took of a 1966 oil on canvas painting by Tom Wesselmann called Mouth, 7.)
Burger Joint: Need a classic American meal? Then look no further! Hidden behind an enormous red velvet curtain in the lobby of the very grand Le Parker Meridien hotel, you’ll feel like Alice in Wonderland slipping down the rabbit hole as you walk into the teeny, tiny, graffiti covered Burger Joint. (And, yes, it’s called the Burger Joint!) Your coolest pair of jeans are the perfect gear for this hidden gem!
HAVE FUN!!! And don’t forget to pick up a silk eye mask for the flight back home!
Carina x
July 4, 2014
London Calling…
Hi everyone,
If you follow me on Facebook and Instagram, then you’ll know that I’ve just returned from a fab week of work and play in London. This enormous city never fails to amaze me; there is so much to see and do!
I love the meandering London streets, the pulsating span of the swirling Thames, the vast number of restaurants and neighbourhoods to choose from and visit, and, of course, the bookstores – there are lots of lovely ones all over the city…and let’s not forget the shopping!
Plus, London has that whole detective-vibe thing going…like, I can’t help but think of foggy street corners, and Sherlock Holmes…and Axelle, who’ll soon be starring in her own London mystery…But shhh! That’s still a bit of a secret!
I covered so much ground, it’s a miracle I didn’t lose half my body weight. I had lunch and meetings with my editors, Anne Finnis and Sarah Stewart, at Usborne Publishing. The last few tweaks to the final proofread copy of Model Under Cover: Stolen with Style (book 2) are in, and it went to the printers this week. It’ll be in UK bookstores on September 1st! Yay!
I also met with Anna Howorth and Amy Dobson (Amy is taking the photo, so that’s Anna with me at the table), from the marketing department at Usborne, to discuss the fall book campaign for Stolen with Style. Amy and Anna are sooo brilliant at what they do, and, in case you missed my last blog post, the campaign they planned and executed for Model Under Cover: A Crime of Fashion just won an award for best children’s book campaign. How fab is that?
For me, a trip to London just isn’t complete without a visit to my agent Andrew Nurnberg Associates, who, conveniently, is located within walking distance of my publisher. ANA is also just next door to a pub called The Bleeding Heart. You don’t really need to know that, but I think the name The Bleeding Heart is super cool and, quite simply, I felt like writing it! And don’t my agent’s bookshelves look great, by the way? And what about my pink jacket? Love!
I also squeezed in a bit of time to stop by a number of bookstores including the Waterstones on Piccadilly and King’s Road, to sign the MUC books they had in stock. At the Waterstones I visited I was delighted to see that A Crime of Fashion was placed front and centre of their promotional tables. Thanks Waterstones! Keep it up!
At the end of the week, I met up with fellow Usborne writers, YA author Holly Bourne (Soulmates, and the soon to be released, A Manifesto On How To Be Interesting), and children’s author Kelly McKain (Rainbow Beauty and Totally Lucy series), for a working lunch. The huge amount of yummy Mexican food we ordered was purely accidental…Okay not really, but it did start as a work lunch!
And did I mention that Holly and Kelly are both uber-fab writers? Check out their websites, NOW (highlighted above). And I’m not just saying that because they’re good friends of mine…well, sort of. But still. Check them out!
Afterwards, Kelly and I went to check out the new Foyle’s premises, which are amazing! I was also happy to see that the books they carry are pretty amazing, too…you knew I had to say that, right?
So what about the down time on my visit to London? Here it is… I saw the amazing American actress Kathleen Turner at the Duchess Theatre in a play called Bakersfield Mist. It only lasted an hour which meant I had enough time for a dinner before and after the play…Does traveling make you hungry, too?
I also went to the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden to see Puccini’s opera, Manon Lescaut. I love the ROH and try to see the ballet and opera as often as I can.
I saw my first opera, Faust, on a school trip when I was about eight years old. My entire class went up to the San Francisco Opera House to watch an afternoon performance, and, basically, I’ve been an opera fan ever since! I’d say that definitely ups my nerd credentials, wouldn’t you?
Ballet on the other hand, is something that my mum loved and took us to regularly…but I never really liked it until recently. Now you can’t hold me back from a good performance!
Of course, the really fab thing about London is that you can always find a good cup of tea and scones! Jasmine is my fave in the afternoon, in case you’re wondering…
And I had to go by Piccadilly for some Ladurée macarons. You know what cravings are like, right?
While at Piccadilly I also went by Hatchard’s the bookseller – what other bookstore has a portrait of the Queen hanging over a fireplace?
And I stopped by that lovely old department store, Fortnum & Mason, for a new teapot, and to look at their sweets, which are pretty amazing! I dare you not to agree.
Last but not least, I couldn’t leave without a lunch at my favourite Mexican restaurant in London, Wahaca. As usual, I ordered way too much – you can only see half of it in the photo below!
So did I get to do all of the research that I’d hoped to do?
No way!
Will I have to go back soon?
You bet.
Am I happy about that?
Of course – I heart London!
Carina x
July 2, 2014
Yay! BMS Award!
Hi everyone,
I’m thrilled to announce that my fab UK publisher, Usborne Publishing, has won an award for best children’s book campaign! Head on over to the Book Marketing Society website to find out more.
In the meantime, I’d like to send a huge thank you to all of you who are following MUC and me – you’ve helped make this campaign a success! THANK YOU!
Carina x
July 1, 2014
Now out in the USA!
Hi everyone,
YAY!!! Model Under Cover is out today in the USA, just in time for summer reading!
The US title for the first MUC book is Model Undercover: Paris. Many thanks to my US publishers, Sourcebooks, for such a great cover – and editing!
Is there a huge difference between the UK and US editions?
No. Just little tweaks that take the slight language differences into account.
And just so you know, MUC is available at all major booksellers in the US.
Carina x
June 30, 2014
Such A Novel Idea Interview…
Hi everyone,
US-based book blogger Jessica Chiles has just posted an interview I did for her blog, Such A Novel Idea. Not only is this blog a great place to find out about new, buzzy books…but I also really liked the questions I was asked! There were lots of fun ones about being an author, and writing Model Under Cover: A Crime of Fashion. (US title, Model Undercover: Paris). Check it out and let me know what you think…
Carina x
