G.R. Mannering's Blog, page 11
September 1, 2014
August 12, 2014
July 29, 2014
Two Book Deals
You may have seen on my twitter/instagram/booktube that I had two wonderful pieces of news to share last week – I had two titles accepted by publishers, Skypony! The first is a picture book called BOO’S BEARD, which explains the photo above. The little beard in that picture belongs to my very own Boo who looks very chilled out about the news, but despite her relaxed exterior, I’m sure she was celebrating on the inside. For BOO’S BEARD I will be teaming up with illustrator, Bethany Straker, once again (we produced my first picture book, THE SPOTTY DOTTY DAFFODIL together) and I’m excited to partner up with Beth again. BOO’S BEARD is full of beautiful, autumnal colours and it will be released autumn/fall 2015.
The second title set for publication Spring 2016 is the sequel to my first YA fantasy novel, ROSES. ROSES is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast set in a fantasy realm in the midst of a crisis and its sequel, FEATHERS, continues the overarching storyline. Although the main character will be different, Beauty will still appear in FEATHERS (how could she not?) and the tale of the realm will progress. I’m super excited about this one too and I can’t wait to get working on it!
As always, I’m really awed by the wonderful support of everyone on releasing the news. I created a video about it on my booktube channel (which is below) in which I mention the possibility of creating writing video diaries as I go with FEATHERS, and the response to this has been really positive so it’s something I’ll start planning soon. It’s going to be scary sharing my writing journey with everyone (I’ll have to conceal the ugly bits) but I think it’ll be fun too.
July 18, 2014
Reading, Reading, Writing
So the last six months have been pretty hectic and amazing, what with finishing my degree and getting my first picture book with Bethany Straker, The Spotty Dotty Daffodil, published. I feel really blessed and happy, and I’ll hopefully have some more exciting news to share very soon!
But in the meantime, I’ve been trying to take stock and relax. I’ve been doing lots of reading and trying to catch up on my massive to-be-read pile (if you’d like to follow how I’m getting along with that then check out my goodreads account). This year I (rather ambitiously) set myself the task of reading 100 books and I’m *cough* way behind on reaching that target. However, I don’t think it’s all over yet, there might be time to catch up.
However, I have to remind myself that it’s actually not about reaching targets and setting goals – I read and I write because I love reading and writing, and if I’m not enjoying it, then what’s the point? Quite luckily, many of the books that I’ve read recently, I’ve actually really enjoyed e.g. The Last Runaway by Tracy Chevalier (SO amazing!) and Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. I would recommend both of those titles to anyone and everyone.
This was just a little catch-up post to let you know that, although things have been quiet, I’m still here and still reading and still writing.
May 29, 2014
Interview with Kate Ormand
The future world has been divided into sectors–each the same as the other. Surrounded by thick steel fences, there is no way in and no way out. Yet a cyborg army penetrates each sector, picking off its citizens one by one, until no one is left. Behind the sectors’ thick walls, the citizens wait to die. Few will be chosen to survive what’s coming; the rest will be left behind to suffer. A new world has been created, and its rulers are incredibly selective on who will become a citizen. They want only those with important roles in society to help create a more perfect future.
Sixteen-year-old Sia lives in one of the sectors as part of a family that is far too ordinary to be picked to live. According to the digital clock that towers high above her sector, she has only fifteen days to live. Sia has seen the reports and knows a horrific death is in store for her, but she is determined to make the most of her final days. Sia refuses to mourn her short life, instead promising herself that she’ll stay strong, despite being suffocated by her depressed mother and her frightened best friend. Just when Sia feels more alone than ever, she meets Mace, a mysterious boy. There is something that draws Sia to him, despite his dangerousness, and together, they join a group of rebels and embark on an epic journey to destroy the new world and its machines, and to put an end to the slaughter of innocent people.
R: Hi, Kate! I am literally so excited about the release of DD (and I’m sure that you are too) thank you so much for agreeing to answer a few questions with me today. How are you feeling about the release?
K: Thanks so much! It’s a little surreal, especially when I look back on my journey with this book. The publication date has always seemed so far away, but the time flew by and now here we are. I’m both excited and nervous that it’s almost “officially” out there!
R: Where did the idea for DD come from?
K: I have put the idea down to a love of dystopian books and action films. I remember thinking of the clock counting down and a cyborg army approaching a walled community where no one could escape. The story just grew from there.
R: Your cover is gorgeous! Did you get much input into the design of the book?
K: Thank you! I made a mood board, and put together some covers I liked and what I liked about them, which was submitted to the design dept. After that it was out of my hands until I saw it. There was option to discuss if I didn’t like the finished design, but of course I liked it!
R: What was the editing process like? How do you find editing?
K: The first time I got the MS back it was really overwhelming. I panicked. A lot. But when I got started on it and had more idea of what was required, and the pace I worked at, I started to calm down. Each time I received edits back after that was a lot less daunting. Despite the panicking, the input from my editor got me really excited about the story all over again, and seeing it improve and grow was wonderful.
R: I loved Sia! Where did she come from? Is she based on anyone you know?
K: Thanks, Rose! I’m glad you liked her. Sia isn’t based on anyone I know. I thought about her and the world she was living in for a while before I started writing. She’s in a really extreme situation, so at first she just wants to make the most of the time she has left. She’s more or less resigned to die because she sees no way out of what’s coming. But she does have things to fight for, and she knows she needs to make decisions and make them quick. It’s try or die, and once she grasps that her journey was a lot clearer to me. She just had to find her way there first.
R: How long did it take you to write DD?
K: About three months for the first draft and to edit it myself before sending it anywhere. I signed with my agent in September 2012. DD placed with Sky Pony in February 2013. We finished with the editing process some time in February/March this year. So by the time it releases it’ll have been about two years since I started writing it.
R: Do you write everyday? What’s your routine like and do you have any traditions? Like snacks or drinks that help you along?
K: I write most days. I get a bit restless if I don’t! In terms of routine, I just get anything else I need to do out the way first, then I know it’s just writing to focus on after that. I go out with the dog, or exercise on the bike or treadmill, on full writing days. So that makes me move at least. Food and drinks? I often don’t realise it’s lunchtime until my stomach starts growling. I do like to drink tea, though.
R: Lastly, what are you working on next?
K: I’ve got a few picture books releasing next year, written under the name Kate Louise. I’m also working on another YA novel, and experimenting with a MG idea!
Thank you so much for speaking with me, Kate!
See DD on Goodreads
Get it on Amazon UK
Get it Amazon US
Get it on Book Depository
And see DD’s Trailer:
May 23, 2014
Penned App – An App for Budding New Writers
Hey guys!
The new app Penned contacted me to ask if I would share my book, ROSES, on their app. They explained that Penned is a new app for budding writers and I was completely intrigued. Below is a short video explaining how it works and why it’s so awesome! If you wanna find me on there then I’m rose_mannering – we should totally be friends.
May 10, 2014
Booktubers Who Have Reviewed ROSES
Hi guys, today I just wanted to say a big internet-thank-you to some amazing Booktubers who have brought, read and reviewed my book, ROSES.
Some of you may be aware that I participate in the Booktube community on youtube, which is basically a group of creators and watchers who make/watch (and often both) videos about books. If you’re intrigued, then the link to my channel is in the menu bar above.
The support I’ve had from Booktube surrounding the publication of ROSES and then also THE SPOTTY DOTTY DAFFODIL has been amazing! I’ve really been humbled and so touched by everyone and although I’ve individually thanked these Booktubers (who are awesome) I wanted to collect together their video reviews of ROSES into a playlist to share on here. So I’ve popped it below to have a look at if you’re interested. As an aside, these booktubers are all fantastic so if you’re not subscribed to them on youtube (or you’re interested in the booktube community) then you should check them out.
