Helena Halme's Blog, page 36
November 17, 2013
The Englishman in paperback - nearly!
Yes, you read it correctly, The Englishman is very, very nearly out in paperback.
When I received the proof copy in the post last Thursday, I felt quite emotional. This is the first time one of my novels is in proper print, ink on paper, and the feeling of holding my own written words in my hands (or arms, I was hugging the book at this point!) was overwhelming.
When, later, I spoke with Big Sis over Skype about how proud I felt about the book, but also silly for being so emotional (I was again pressing the novel to my chest), she very wisely said, 'Of course you feel like that! You're realising your dreams!'
I've been thinking about her comment since, whilst dealing with some last minute issues with the printed copy. Those words have given me strength and a belief that I am indeed doing the right thing.
Once the small hitches have been ironed out, I'll be able to give you a final publishing date. Hold the front page!
When I received the proof copy in the post last Thursday, I felt quite emotional. This is the first time one of my novels is in proper print, ink on paper, and the feeling of holding my own written words in my hands (or arms, I was hugging the book at this point!) was overwhelming.
When, later, I spoke with Big Sis over Skype about how proud I felt about the book, but also silly for being so emotional (I was again pressing the novel to my chest), she very wisely said, 'Of course you feel like that! You're realising your dreams!'
I've been thinking about her comment since, whilst dealing with some last minute issues with the printed copy. Those words have given me strength and a belief that I am indeed doing the right thing.
Once the small hitches have been ironed out, I'll be able to give you a final publishing date. Hold the front page!
November 5, 2013
Don’t use a smiley face on me!
I know what you’re going to say – you use smiley faces ALL the time! Yes, and I hate myself for it. I am a writer and should be able to express my feelings in words – that’s my business.
But these little icons for emotions are addictive. Once you start to use them, you cannot stop. Yet, they are oh, so naff! And they don’t really mean anything at all, do they?
Besides, how often are smiley or sad emotions used to soften the blow of a negative email? Like when you are cancelling on someone, you often see ‘Sorry L ‘ when ‘I’m sorry’, would've been enough.
Or if you are telling someone off, ‘That wasn't such a nice thing to say! J ‘
Then there are the variations; the winking smiley face ;-). This is my particular weakness; I am a sort of a winking person as a whole.
Or the glasses smiley face 8-) (which I should really use).
Or the big nose one :^-)
I actually prefer these slightly more adventurous icons, because at least there the author of the message has exercised a modicum of creativity.
I shall endeavor not to use any smiley faces or other emotions in my messages in the future. And I grant you permission to tell me off as soon as you see a smiley face from me!
Rant over….
November 2, 2013
Osteria Tufo in Finsbury Park, London
Photo by By: Sunil060902 (Own work) via Wikimedia CommonsEver since we've been in North London, for me Finsbury Park has just been a place to take the tube from. Lately, however, I've noticed that the area is undergoing a definite transformation.Just a stone's throw away from the station is the newly opened Park Theatre, which we are yet to try out, but which has had great reviews for its first season. And a few streets away is an Italian restaurant called Osteria Tufo, which Son had heard good things about, so off we went last Sunday lunchtime to try the place out.
The place is owned by an Italian couple, Paola and Morris, who have over 20 years' experience in the restaurant business, including time spent at Carluccio's.
The shortness of the menu at Osteria Tufo gave me immediate hope for freshly cooked food, as did the simple decor. I and Son's fiancé (still looove saying that!) opted for traditional antipasti of Calamari Fritti, which was beautifully fresh and light, although I would have preferred the dish not to be served in a glass Pyrex dish. That and the cheap paper napkin which lined the dish, really let the presentation down.
The Englishman chose Polpette di Pesce to start. This was delicious tuna and swordfish meatballs served with chill tomato and capers, which tasted delicious. Son had Parmigiaba di Melanzane; oven-baked aubergine with tomato and mozzarella, which he was very happy with.
For mains we girls chose pasta. I had absolutely perfectly cooked ravioli with ricotta and spinach in a gorgonzola sauce, while Son's girlfriend had flat pasta with sausage meat and truffle oil. We all agreed this was the best dish of the day,with the meat tender and the truffle adding a beautiful scent of a rain soaked woodland. (Or perhaps it's the Finn in me that thinks of forests when eating anything with fungi in it?)
The boys had meat in the form of Porchetta, 'Savoury pork roast of Italian culinary tradition, layers of stuffing meat fat and skin.' Not something I would have chosen, but the Englishman said the taste delivered on a much higher level than its description.
For puddings the others shared a Babba Napoletano, a dish that came highly recommended. The sweet baked sourdough was indeed melt-in-the-mouth as was the dessert I always opt for, if it's on the menu: Affogato. Here they serve it with two scoops of ice-cream, but I asked for just one, because for me, the espresso needs to be the star of the dish. The staff were more than happy to oblige.
For the wines we chose a Sicilian house red, and a Gavi for the white. Both bottles were of excellent quaffing quality with a price tag to match. The whole meal came to £125.20 (for four, including a couple of beers to start), which I think is pretty good value for London.
This is beautifully executed traditional Italian food, with friendly, unfussy service. A simple task, you might say, but it's so very rarely achieved even by the big names in the industry.
We will definitely go back Osteria Tufo, if only to take Daughter who couldn't join us this time. This local Italian will also be the perfect place to shelter from bad weather when the tubes and trains are out of action. Here's hoping for some more storms and snow this winter. (Only joking)
Osteria Tufo
67 Fonthill Road
London N4 3HZ
Tel 020 7272 2911
www.osteriatufo.co.uk
November 1, 2013
Fireworks Are Not For Dogs
Our old terrier hates this time of the year (I know because he's told me). All it takes is a single firework going off and he becomes a shivering wreck, looking at me with his big puppy dog eyes, whimpering and asking for me to make the noise stop.
Of course I can't.
Over the years we've tried everything to calm him down; cuddles, having the radio on, talking to him in a calm voice. But none of it helps. Sometimes he even looses the control of his bladder (which makes the cuddling interesting). The trouble is, where we are in North London the fireworks season can go on from pretty much now until January. Sometimes I wonder how people can afford to blow money up like this, but I digress.
The situation is worse when we are out at night and the terrier has to cope on his own. On our return we quite often find a wet patch on the carpet, but worse is the thought of the terror our little dog has had to endure on his own.
This year, when I saw we're going to have the return of the Alexandra Place fireworks, which is very close to us, I decided to look for something that I could give the terrier to calm down. A dog Calpol if you like. British parents will know this children's medicine as a miracle worker: it takes away pain and makes your children into charming little angels (ok, not quite).
But instead of a medicine, I found a plug-in diffuser called Adaptil with a smell that only dogs can sense, and which emulates the scent of their mothers. You can plug in this device whenever you think you might need your dog to be calm. And ladies and gentlemen it works!
We've only had the occasional nasty pang or two so far, but judging by what an amazing effect this thing has on our (still at the age of ten!) hyperactive terrier, I'm hopeful that the Guy Fawkes and New Year's celebrations won' t be as dramatic as they usually are for our little 'stinky'.
October 27, 2013
Mad About The Boy by Helen Fielding
Sunday 27th October.
Books finished: 1, Weight: not telling! Alcohol units: too many, Calories: not counted, Family lunches at new Italian restaurant in up-and-coming Finsbury Park: 1, Puddings: 1.5 (one own, half of the Englishman’s shared), Words written on novel:0.
Yes, it’s addictive, this diary writing thing, as Helen Fielding has found out, since she has now written no less than three books featuring the overweight (in her mind!), alcoholic (yes, that in her mind too), boyfriendless Bridget Jones.
The third book in the saga of Bridge Jones' life doesn't disappoint, yet it doesn't shine in its unique brilliance either. Like all the books, it basically charts a year in an affluent woman's life. Because, at the root of it, Bridget is just a well-to-do Londoner with very middle-class woes.
Yet, the life of Bridget Jones, at the age of 50+, is (again) irresistibly imperfect. Ms Jones, now tragically widowed (this plot twist was all over the media pre-publication, but if you haven't heard: Mr Darcy has been killed off) is sex-starved, ‘born-again virgin’ and a particularly disorganised single mother, who’s been constantly thrown in a bad light against the more confident and ambitious mothers (crucially with husbands in tow) at her children’s school. The lack of Bridget’s motherly ambition and skills, as well as a dangerous aptitude for everyday catastrophes like setting fire to the kitchen while attempting to cook, takes up large part of the book, as does the escapades of the other mothers (one is called Nicolette who Bridget naturally dubs Nicorette). The other half of the book is devoted to sex – or the lack of it, and to sometimes quite explicit descriptions of the said act.
While reading Mad About The Boy, I kept seeing it in my mind’s eye as the film this book is surely going to be turned into. And I was enjoying what I saw. It’ll be lovely London based Rom Com with good dialogue and lots of laughs. The film, like the novel, will not win any prizes for artistic merit, but I bet you anything they will both be successes at the bookshop tills and the box offices around the world.
Mad About The Boy is very modern bit of escapism with some quite funny bits and some very sweet bits and a corny life lesson at the end. But I enjoyed it, although I’m not sure this will do my Nordic writer’s street-cred much good. Oh well, who cares?
Books finished: 1, Weight: not telling! Alcohol units: too many, Calories: not counted, Family lunches at new Italian restaurant in up-and-coming Finsbury Park: 1, Puddings: 1.5 (one own, half of the Englishman’s shared), Words written on novel:0.
Yes, it’s addictive, this diary writing thing, as Helen Fielding has found out, since she has now written no less than three books featuring the overweight (in her mind!), alcoholic (yes, that in her mind too), boyfriendless Bridget Jones.
The third book in the saga of Bridge Jones' life doesn't disappoint, yet it doesn't shine in its unique brilliance either. Like all the books, it basically charts a year in an affluent woman's life. Because, at the root of it, Bridget is just a well-to-do Londoner with very middle-class woes.
Yet, the life of Bridget Jones, at the age of 50+, is (again) irresistibly imperfect. Ms Jones, now tragically widowed (this plot twist was all over the media pre-publication, but if you haven't heard: Mr Darcy has been killed off) is sex-starved, ‘born-again virgin’ and a particularly disorganised single mother, who’s been constantly thrown in a bad light against the more confident and ambitious mothers (crucially with husbands in tow) at her children’s school. The lack of Bridget’s motherly ambition and skills, as well as a dangerous aptitude for everyday catastrophes like setting fire to the kitchen while attempting to cook, takes up large part of the book, as does the escapades of the other mothers (one is called Nicolette who Bridget naturally dubs Nicorette). The other half of the book is devoted to sex – or the lack of it, and to sometimes quite explicit descriptions of the said act.
While reading Mad About The Boy, I kept seeing it in my mind’s eye as the film this book is surely going to be turned into. And I was enjoying what I saw. It’ll be lovely London based Rom Com with good dialogue and lots of laughs. The film, like the novel, will not win any prizes for artistic merit, but I bet you anything they will both be successes at the bookshop tills and the box offices around the world.
Mad About The Boy is very modern bit of escapism with some quite funny bits and some very sweet bits and a corny life lesson at the end. But I enjoyed it, although I’m not sure this will do my Nordic writer’s street-cred much good. Oh well, who cares?
October 25, 2013
Coffee and Vodka FREE Weekend Offer!
I know it's crazy, but I am offering Coffee and Vodka free this weekend only!
You can download a copy from Amazon today until midnight on 27 October 2013.
This is what people are saying about my Nordic family drama:
‘Coffee and Vodka is a rich story that stays with us….with moments of brilliance.’ - Dr Mimi Thebo, Bath Spa University.
‘The descriptions of the difficulties of childhood, sisterhood, relationships and parenthood transcend national borders.’ - Pauline Masurel, editor & writer.
‘Like the television series The Bridge, Coffee and Vodka opens our eyes to facets of a Scandinavian culture that most of us would lump together into one. I loved the way the narrative wove together the viewpoint of Eeva the child and her shock at arriving in a new country, with Eeva the sophisticated adult, returning for the first time to the country of her birth, and finding it both familiar and irretrievably strange.’ Catriona Troth, Triskele Books.
‘I loved reading this. After picking it up (or opening it on my Kindle I should say) it was hard to put it down; I even missed my stop on the bus to carry on reading.’ Gretel, Goodreads.
Hurry, there's only three days to download your free copy of Coffee and Vodka!
(If you don't have a Kindle, you can downloaded a Kindle App from here)
You can download a copy from Amazon today until midnight on 27 October 2013.
This is what people are saying about my Nordic family drama:
‘Coffee and Vodka is a rich story that stays with us….with moments of brilliance.’ - Dr Mimi Thebo, Bath Spa University.
‘The descriptions of the difficulties of childhood, sisterhood, relationships and parenthood transcend national borders.’ - Pauline Masurel, editor & writer.
‘Like the television series The Bridge, Coffee and Vodka opens our eyes to facets of a Scandinavian culture that most of us would lump together into one. I loved the way the narrative wove together the viewpoint of Eeva the child and her shock at arriving in a new country, with Eeva the sophisticated adult, returning for the first time to the country of her birth, and finding it both familiar and irretrievably strange.’ Catriona Troth, Triskele Books.
‘I loved reading this. After picking it up (or opening it on my Kindle I should say) it was hard to put it down; I even missed my stop on the bus to carry on reading.’ Gretel, Goodreads.
Hurry, there's only three days to download your free copy of Coffee and Vodka!
(If you don't have a Kindle, you can downloaded a Kindle App from here)
October 24, 2013
Accidents Happen by Louise Millar
This is a second novel by a local North London writer, Louise Millar which I've read and loved. Her first, The Playdate, was a story of a mother's very modern nightmare - who can you trust to look after your children? Scary to say the least.
Accidents Happen is an equally disturbing tale about Kate, who after the sudden death of her parents, followed by the loss of her husband in a violent attack, believes she is cursed.
After being widowed Kate and her son Jack move away from London and settle in Oxford, to be near Kate's in-laws. But her late husband's parents see Kate as an overreacting, paranoid mother who can't look after their grandson. Even Saskia, Kate's sister-in-law and former confidante, is turning into an enemy rather than a friend.
While Kate spends her days studying statistics of bike accidents or disasters occurring to children at school, she meets a handsome American professor, Jago, who takes upon himself to 'cure' Kate of her paranoia. Slowly Kate begins to relax and believes that she and Jack may be normal and safe after all.
But why do things keep moving around in Jack's bedroom at night?
And why is the Nordic neighbour, Magnus, taking such and interest in Kate and Jack?
This tightly knit tale of a single mother's struggle to survive, to keep her son safe from the dangers lurking in the outside world, is very well executed. Kate is a likeable, strong character, while also being vulnerable - a combination which keeps the reader's interest piqued all through the story.
If you haven't yet read Louise Millar, the new dame of the domestic thriller genre, I urge you to try The Playdate and Accidents Happen.
Accidents Happen
by Louise Millar
Pan Books
£7.99
Accidents Happen is an equally disturbing tale about Kate, who after the sudden death of her parents, followed by the loss of her husband in a violent attack, believes she is cursed.
After being widowed Kate and her son Jack move away from London and settle in Oxford, to be near Kate's in-laws. But her late husband's parents see Kate as an overreacting, paranoid mother who can't look after their grandson. Even Saskia, Kate's sister-in-law and former confidante, is turning into an enemy rather than a friend.
While Kate spends her days studying statistics of bike accidents or disasters occurring to children at school, she meets a handsome American professor, Jago, who takes upon himself to 'cure' Kate of her paranoia. Slowly Kate begins to relax and believes that she and Jack may be normal and safe after all.
But why do things keep moving around in Jack's bedroom at night?
And why is the Nordic neighbour, Magnus, taking such and interest in Kate and Jack?
This tightly knit tale of a single mother's struggle to survive, to keep her son safe from the dangers lurking in the outside world, is very well executed. Kate is a likeable, strong character, while also being vulnerable - a combination which keeps the reader's interest piqued all through the story.
If you haven't yet read Louise Millar, the new dame of the domestic thriller genre, I urge you to try The Playdate and Accidents Happen.
Accidents Happen
by Louise Millar
Pan Books
£7.99
October 21, 2013
VAT on e-books
In my other job as accountant, I've recently been involved in examining in detail the VAT rules for the travel sector, where the EU is desperately trying to harmonise the taxation rates across its member states.
Much like travel, VAT on books is also charged at different rates in different countries.
In the UK e-books carry 20% VAT while print books are free of tax. In France e-books have 5.5% VAT, while in Luxembourg where Amazon is based, the VAT is charged at 3 percent.
This week, however, according todays Bookseller magazine, the European Council is going to debate the issue, with the aim of harmonising VAT on e-books across Europe.
Related to this issue is a new law coming into force in 2015 where VAT has to be charged on the level of the rate in the country where the book is sold, not in the country where the e-store is based. This will make pricing decisions more complicated for us indies, but, on the other hand, if the UK becomes VAT free for e-books, it will also reduce the price of the books for our readers.
Here's hoping that the European Council will come to the right decisions for us, and that e-books will in the future be charged at 0% rate VAT, to make them equal to print books. Because, even if e-books are generally cheaper than print books, surely there is absolutely no reason to charge VAT on the digital content if the print copy doesn't carry it?
Here's a link to The Bookseller article for those who are interested in these matters.
Much like travel, VAT on books is also charged at different rates in different countries.
In the UK e-books carry 20% VAT while print books are free of tax. In France e-books have 5.5% VAT, while in Luxembourg where Amazon is based, the VAT is charged at 3 percent.
This week, however, according todays Bookseller magazine, the European Council is going to debate the issue, with the aim of harmonising VAT on e-books across Europe.
Related to this issue is a new law coming into force in 2015 where VAT has to be charged on the level of the rate in the country where the book is sold, not in the country where the e-store is based. This will make pricing decisions more complicated for us indies, but, on the other hand, if the UK becomes VAT free for e-books, it will also reduce the price of the books for our readers.
Here's hoping that the European Council will come to the right decisions for us, and that e-books will in the future be charged at 0% rate VAT, to make them equal to print books. Because, even if e-books are generally cheaper than print books, surely there is absolutely no reason to charge VAT on the digital content if the print copy doesn't carry it?
Here's a link to The Bookseller article for those who are interested in these matters.
October 20, 2013
The Fussy Librarian
I came across this new website which promotes books in rather an individual way, called The Fussy Librarian.
This site gives readers their very own personal librarian. You type in your email, tell them what kind of books you like to read and how you feel about profanity, violence and sex in novels. Then a daily email comes with your ebook recommendations.
What's more they're featuring my book, Coffee and Vodka soon and they're supportive of authors like me, so I hope you'll support them and sign up!
Here's the site address give them try, I've already downloaded a couple of books they have recommended to me according to my preferences (which I decided myself). www.thefussylibrarian.com.
Coffee and Vodka
This site gives readers their very own personal librarian. You type in your email, tell them what kind of books you like to read and how you feel about profanity, violence and sex in novels. Then a daily email comes with your ebook recommendations.
What's more they're featuring my book, Coffee and Vodka soon and they're supportive of authors like me, so I hope you'll support them and sign up!
Here's the site address give them try, I've already downloaded a couple of books they have recommended to me according to my preferences (which I decided myself). www.thefussylibrarian.com.
Coffee and VodkaOctober 16, 2013
Win a FREE copy of Coffee and Vodka!
I am delighted to tell you that I am in the Author Spotlight over at a lovely book review blog called, Jaffa Reads Too. I talk about the writing of Coffee and Vodka, and about what inspires me (apart from coffee!) and I even proffer some advice for aspiring writers.
What's more, there's even a giveaway of a FREE copy of Coffee and Vodka!
So hop over to Jaffa Reads Too and enter the competition! There's only 6 days left...
