Not long now – Dublin folk, come and celebrate with me! This is the final piece of the Nine Lives adventure (and there’ll be wine followed by after drinks in Neary’s)… I really hope to see you there…
Tag: #ninelives
Real Places, Fantastical Worlds
When I started writing The Book of Learning (Nine Lives Trilogy 1), I was new to Dublin and infatuated with exploring this beautiful, friendly city. The parks, museums, theatres, cathedrals; there was so much to see. As I immersed myself in my new surroundings, the characters of Ebony Smart and Icarus Bean – who had been lingering in my head for some time – became so noisy and infuriating, that I had to start writing about them.
I always write my first draft in one month, and whenever I get stuck I take a walk. Wandering the streets of Dublin, the plot of The Book of Learning began to unravel, and the valuable role of this city emerged. When you’re writing about fantastical worlds, the details must be realistic so the reader will believe in your characters and your settings and I soon realised that Dublin’s hideaways and historical buildings suited my storyline and characters perfectly.
My Lower Hatch Street apartment transformed into 23 Mercury Lane, a Georgian house full of mystery and unusual events. The Botanic Gardens morphed into the secret Headquarters for the Order of Nine Lives and its villainous judge. The pond in St Stephen’s Green became a magical underground lair, and other landmark buildings like The National Library and The Natural History Museum provided the perfect backdrop for many weird and wonderful scenes.
Days like this have to be taken advantage of – Schull
But this was only half of the story solved. I’d always planned for The Book of Learning to be set in two different locations, so when I visited Schull in West Cork for a writing break, everything fell into place. I needed a seaside setting, with hills and islands – but I also needed woodland. So, rather than basing this section of my book on one particular village, I took the essence of West Cork and combined different parts of the area to make my own fictional village – Oddley Cove.
Gallows Island is based on Long Island, with added cliffs and a cave. Gun Point is the name of a real place (though I have moved it geographically), and the channel is my version of Roaring Water Bay. There’s a scene in my book that involves a stormy boat trip, and this is based on real events; while I was visiting Cape Clear, we were caught in bad weather returning home, only I exaggerated events to make them much more exciting.
Hopefully when you read #TheBookofLearning you’ll recognise some of the places. And when you’re wandering your own streets, wherever they may be, let your imagination wander – you never know where it might lead!
(Note: This piece was originally written for the Eason Edition blog – direct link not included because the competition has passed, but go have a look what else is on there!)
What does it feel like to get published?
Cheesy grin award goes to me as Sarah Webb launches The Book of Learning
Being a debut author is incredible. If you write, there’s nothing quite like seeing your book on the shelves, or (even better) in someone’s hands as they sit, engrossed in your story. My book has been on the shelves for just two weeks now, and it’s been crazy busy, but oh so exciting. On occasion, I still have to pinch myself to believe it’s real.
Since being published, people have asked me if things have changed. In some ways, yes, they most certainly have. For instance, I now have a physical book and so I can do things like attend the Tyrone Guthrie centre to write, and I can facilitate school and library events and take part in conferences as a speaker. I finally feel validated as a writer, and in my own heart and mind I know that all the hard work was worth it.
But I’m only human and in some ways, no, things haven’t changed. Old fears have simply been replaced by news ones – like, what if people don’t like the book? What if I struggle writing book two? What if no one comes to my launch and I have to read to myself in a mirror (this was an actual recurring dream)? Etc. Etc.
These are just niggles, and the good stuff outweighs the wobbles BY FAR, but the niggles are still there, and I think it’s important to say this because there’s bound to be people out there creating a book, an album, a work of art – people that are feeling this way too. We’re a society intent on achievement, on success, and we’re driven by results. I’m as guilty of this as anyone, but there’s one major lesson that writing with the aim to get published has taught me… and that’s to enjoy the journey.
That weird moment when your book starts travelling more than you! (This is Melbourne)
So, what do the first two weeks of being a published author feel like? For me, it’s been the best experience ever, because everyone – friends, family, fellow writers, readers – has been so supportive and so kind, it’s truly humbling. But when I say it’s been hectic, I mean hectic – just how I like it, but a bit of a shock to the system!
As well as my next two books to deliver by November (different books, different genres, different publishers), and my freelancing work, there have been two launches to organise and a heap of publicity to get through, including an online book tour that continues through to December. I’ve been doing radio and newspaper interviews, and I’ve got quite a few library and school visits on the horizon. You can read the exciting list of upcoming events here.
Recently, I was at the incredible Children’s Books Ireland conference as an attendee, and as a speaker in their New Voices event. This involved reading to an audience of children’s book lovers (librarians, teachers, readers, writers, booksellers) in an incredibly supportive and warm environment. I also got to listen to some incredible speakers and immerse myself in children’s books for a whole weekend. *Sigh*
Writing is a solitary career, so I can understand why many writers shy away from this side of things, but to be honest, I love it – and I can’t wait for more! And yet, there will always be small worries and fears. But I think it’s possible to celebrate this huge achievement, to remain fizzing with happiness, confidence, and energy, and embrace the fears. They have a rightful place; it’s all part of the rollercoaster of being a writer or doing anything creative. And if we don’t have fears, how will we challenge ourselves, improve and grow?
I say, take the rough with the smooth. Accept the fears and keep going. And above all, enjoy the journey. I know I am.
You’re invited!
Publication Day: The Book of Learning
In 2009, I started a story about a girl called Ebony Smart. Today, that story, The Book of Learning, hits the bookshops – and I can hardly believe it’s real.
I didn’t work on The Book of Learning every day of those six years. It took around one year to write and another to perfect, but that’s how long it’s taken to see the book in print.
So a huge thank you to everyone at Mercier Press for making it happen, and to everyone who has supported me along the way.
For me, this is such a huge day.
Share it with me by taking an extra hour for yourself, to do something you love.
Win a Limited Edition Copy of The Book of Learning
I have some very exciting news for readers in Ireland…
A few days ahead of publication day (Sept 2nd), you have the chance to win a special Limited Edition version of The Book of Learning over at Eason’s!
These Limited Edition covers are SILVER, they’re SHINY, and they’re just GORGEOUS (see below)!
To be in with a chance to win, read my blog post over on Eason’s and then answer the question – good luck everyone!
An update – this is getting real!
They’re real!
I’ve been a little slow updating this blog lately, and for that, I apologise. This debut author thing seems to be taking up rather a lot of time! As soon as I signed my first deal with Mercier Press, I knew the hard work would begin. And when I signed my second deal with Alma Books, I knew I’d just upped the stakes somewhat. But the truth is, it’s incredible and I wouldn’t change it for the world.
Yesterday, was the moment every aspiring author dreams of; I saw the first ever physical book with my name on it. Well, piles upon piles of them, if truth be told, as I signed several hundred to be unleashed on the world. It was one of the most exciting days of my life. Imagine… I’ve always loved books. They’ve been a part of my life forever, and now, there are some emblazoned with my name. It’s incredible, but I’m still soaking it all in.
Adding personal notes to review copies
Other little things that mean a lot are happening. Such as my first newspaper interview in The Southern Star. My first review from a 13 year old boy who loved the book. Congratulations from my neighbours in the village. Email requests and PMs asking where the book is available. Radio interviews are starting to roll in, and the review copies have left the building. I’ve got my launch lists underway and a little surprise for readers too (to be revealed shortly).
Meanwhile, I’m at my computer like clockwork, completing the edits for my next book (due out in March) and writing the second book of my trilogy. And all the while I’m pinching myself. Seriously – is this real?
This is what the five years of hard work has been for. And now, with review copies arriving on people’s doormats, and publication day (Sept 2nd) just around the corner, it’s about to get very real indeed. It is the most exciting yet most terrifying bit – hearing what people think. There’s no going back – it’s out there. Thankfully, I can bury my head in my future books and hope for the best.
For those of you aspiring to be in this position, remember – it’s a fine line between wanting a book deal and signing a book deal. You can be teetering on that line for a long time and it’s frustrating and terrifying and exciting all at once – but you have to just keep going. For what it’s worth, here’s a post I wrote on not giving up.
#MGiechat: Let’s talk middle grade books & authors!
One of my own personal favourites of 2015
If you love reading or writing middle grade books (books for a readership aged 8-12), and you’re also a twitter user, then there’s a new twitter chat starting tonight at 7pm – 8pm that may well be of interest to you – #MGiechat.
Now, I’m a staunch believer that children’s books aren’t just for children, and seeing as you need to be 13 to have a twitter account, this chat is aimed at the adults among us who still believe in the magic of storytelling and recognise the value of middle grade books.
The initial #MGiechat tonight is a meet and greet, so people can say hi, introduce themselves, talk about their favourite middle grade books and authors, and set some parameters for future chats – How often? What time? What topic? Does the chat need it’s own blog or can I wedge it onto my website?
This all came about because I recently realised that most of my chats on twitter about middle grade books were on #ukmgchat – a wonderful chat (don’t worry, I’m not abandoning you guys), but where was the equivalent in Ireland?
It wasn’t until the wonderful Michelle Moloney King (of #YAie brilliance) pointed out that I could start a chat here in Ireland, that I even considered it. So, consider the gap filled! Hopefully tonight will be the first of many, so do come along and say hi. We’re a friendly bunch.
If you’re new to twitter chats, here’s how: open twitter, search for the hashtag #MGiechat in the search bar, and click on the All option to see all the chats. Keep refreshing the page to stay up to date. You’ll see all tweets that include that hashtag – just RT, reply & tweet as usual.
Hope to see you there!
Full Cover: The Book of Learning
I’m currently visiting London on book business but here’s a very short post to update you all… this is the full cover for The Book of Learning 🙂 I hope you like it!
I’m delighted with all the hard work Mercier Press have put into the book; they’ve been so supportive and amazing, and have worked with me closely every step of the way which feels really special. I met a bookseller in London a few days ago that was raving about how wonderful Mercier are, and I have to agree!
The Book of Learning Book Trailer
So, here’s my book trailer for The Book of Learning, Book One of my #NineLives trilogy. I’m super excited about this and I hope you love it as much as I do!
Massive thanks go out to author, Alan Early, for making this happen. I only wrote the script; Sarah O’Flaherty at Mercier Press designed the fantastic cover, and Alan did all the rest. Isn’t he amazing?
E.R.Murray 