If anyone can help me, has ever been in the same situation, or struggles with this same problem, I would really really appreciate some advice!

I've always assumed my problem with writing is a lack of discipline. I've worked on this, forced myself to write every day for the past few months and as a result my writing confidence and style I think is improving. But now I'm finding that my problem isn't just discipline, it's that I'm plain terrified of middles. I have a filing cabinet full of story… Continue

After celebrating Candy Gourlay's wonderful book deal news on my blog, I return to the WRITING ADVICE series with a post by guest blogger, Janice Hardy.

Janice is the author of debut novel, THE PAIN MERCHANTS.
In the first of three Writing Advice posts, Janice discusses How to Market Your Book.

Running in conjunction with Janice Hardy's posts is a chance to win a signed copy of her novel, THE PAIN MERCHANTS.

You can read more on -… Continue

I've crossposted this from my LJ.

I am ridiculously excited about my first SCBWI British Isles conference being held this coming weekend in Winchester.

** I'm travelling up by my ownself
** I'm staying in a hotel on my own
** I'll be attending talks and talking to people, on my own

People, this is huge! It is so scary. Am going somewhere completely different and new and talking to new people, experiencing new things. Did I mention I'm doing this on my own? You may laugh but sometimes I have t… Continue

Why be a blogging writer? Is it all a time-wasting exercise in navel-gazing?

Another writer said to me this week, (or rather emailed, since we don't do anything as old-fashioned as actually talking any more) that she didn't know where to start with a blog and that she preferred to write about other people. This is a fair point and sent me scurrying to find a passage from my first (unpublished) novel. The scene is between an aspiring young writer and his succesful but deeply troubled mentor:… Continue

I am ENORMOUSLY, GIGANTICALLY thrilled to tell you all that I have a two book deal with David Fickling Books!
TALL STORY my book about a boy with gigantism will be published in hardback in June 2010 in the UK and then later in the year in the US. My agent has negotiated a separate deal with a publi… Continue

Many thanks again to Candy to posting this event - I attended Michael Morpurgo's sell-out live performance of Private Peaceful at UCS last night with my little sister and brother in tow, and a performance it was.

It started with a procession of the performers - three signers and Michael, all clad in black with a small splash of red from their poppies - lead by the haunting wails of a bagpipe. Once on stage Michael checked his watch and launched straight into reading extracts from the book - swi… Continue

Independent children's non-fiction publisher Tick Tock is to launch a fiction list in May 2010 with up to 16 titles in 2010 and double that in 2011. The list will include chapter books to books for teenagers. Read more.

The proofs of Undiscovered Voices dropped into my inbox yesterday. Yay! Not just for the fact that this must mean I'm being published, or something, but I get to proofread too! I spotted two mistakes in the introduction and I wasn't even supposed to be checking that bit...

I don't think it will all feel completely real until I have a printed copy in my hands, but a PDF is a pretty good start. I also finally get to read the other winning entries and what do you know - they're really good! How di… Continue

Cross-posted from http://www.chocolatekeyboard.blogspot.com

This week, I went to a SCBWI social. That’s the word ‘I’ and the word ‘social’ in the same sentence, which is usually the sort of thing that causes my boyfriend to protest: “Who are you and what have you done with Anna?”

But reader, I went.

I joined the SCBWI a couple of months ago, and I must confess the move was preceded by a certain amount of hesitation. I googled widely befo… Continue

Just to add to post on authonomy. Also try Bookarmy and Jacketflap sites.