Alexandra Page's Page
Novel progress-o-meter
Profile
- About Me
- I'm 26 and a half years old (the half is important), which is exactly double the age I was when I had my first picture book idea, like a bolt of electricity into my skull one morning. After rushing into my parents' room and explaining in vast detail what the idea was, they (to my amazement) took me seriously and told me to get writing. And they've been telling me that ever since. (My Dad even brought it up on my wedding day – tuh!)
I love writing picture books, and series fiction and novels for the pre-teen age groups. I've never stretched into teenage and frankly after reading Twilight realise I probably never will be able to! I’ve sent some things off for review and publication but a mixture of over-sensitivity to criticism, a pure lack of discipline and nerves always prevented me from taking it seriously enough. Joining SCBWI, however , has helped change that and I am now determined to finish some of my longer stories, rework my picture books and send, send, send until I get something published, however long it takes!
I also love to draw and paint and have dabbled in illustrating my own stories, but a full-time job gets in the way of that and I tend to devote what spare time I have to writing. I live with my husband in Herts.
- What are you working on at the moment?
- I'm currently writing the first draft of a dark comic novel for the 8-12 age group, while I'm feeling uninspired by my real current project, which is an 8+ girls' series adventure/animal fiction.
- If you had to recommend just one children's book you've read in the last year, what would it be?
- Framed or Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce. Sorry, can't choose between them.
- What is the most important thing you learned about writing or illustrating this year?
- If you write every day you WILL get better.
Alexandra Page's Blog
Scared of Middles
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… Continue
Posted on November 20, 2009 at 9:42 — 4 Comments
Michael Morpurgo's Private Peaceful Performance
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… Continue
Posted on November 12, 2009 at 9:39 — 2 Comments
Authonomy - Harper Collins' online network for unpublished writers, readers, editors, agents...
It may that I'm stating the bleeding obvious, this has been around for months and like somebody saying 'have you heard of Facebook?' I'm well behind the times, but I really have only just come across Harper Collins' new online network, Authonomy. I saw a reference to it on the York Writer's Weekend website and thought I'd take a look, and well, if like me you've never seen it, I'd recommend a visit:… Continue
Posted on November 8, 2009 at 9:12 — 2 Comments
Happenings
-
Cambridge Get-Together
May 28, 2013 from 7:30pm to 11pm – CB2 Cafe
We are having a Cambridge social gathering at CB2 Cafe, Norfolk St, Cambridge, on Tuesday 28th May at 7.30. All writers and illustrators very welcome.
Organized by Helen Moss | Type: social
-
Aptness of Apps?
June 4, 2013 from 6:45pm to 9pm – St. James Piccadilly Conference Room
Aptness of Apps? · 4th June 2013 Nick Cross - Digital Product Manager, OUP Other Speakers - TBC Book Apps for ipads and tablets are popular with parents and children, but what does this mean for writ…
Organized by David Richardson & Sally Poyton : profseries@britishscbwi.org | Type: professional, series
-
Producing Outstanding Art Samples for Submission
June 29, 2013 from 1pm to 5pm – St George's, Bloomsbury
with Sarah Malley, art director, and a designer (tbc) from Egmont Children’s Books In this masterclass we will be working with Sarah Malley and a designer from Hodders Children’s Books. Pre-workshop…
Organized by Anne-Marie Perks | Type: illustrator, masterclass, series
-
Picturing Words and Writing Pictures
July 5, 2013 at 4pm to July 8, 2013 at 10am – Holland House
Helen Stephens, author illustrator, Gerry Turley, author illustrator, Natascha Biebow, Blue Elephant Storyshaping (an editing, coaching, and mentoring service) tbc, and Sarah Frost, commissioning edi…
Organized by Anne-Marie Perks scbwiillustration@gmail.com 01494 775416. | Type: picture, book, retreat, for, illustrators, and, writers
-
Speed Dating For Writers
July 13, 2013 from 12pm to 4pm – North West Region - Manchester
A panel of special guests: Zoe King/Elizabeth Bonsor - The Blair Partnership Catherine Pellegrino - Agent Philippa Donovan _ SmartQuill Editorial will deliver throughout the afternoon giving insigh…
Organized by Stephanie Williams - lilyboo147@googlemail.com | Type: workshop, one-to-one, sessions
-
Illustrators Print Showcase in Norwich
July 26, 2013 to August 9, 2013 – Norwich Millennium Library
The Illustrators Print Showcase exhibition is coming to Norwich for the first time and will be on display in the Millennium Library 26th July – 9th August 2013 We're planning to run events and promot…
Organized by John Shelley | Type: exhibition
-
By Popular Demand
August 24, 2013 from 1pm to 5pm – North West Region - Manchester
Children's Author Steve Hartley's workshop 'Keeping up Appearances' is both entertaining and interactive, giving you a simple behaviour model that will aid you in giving distinctive and consistent ch…
Organized by Stephanie Williams - lilyboo147@googlemail.com | Type: workshop
-
Young at Heart: Writing Fiction that Young Readers Will Love with Ruth Bennett (Stripes)
September 7, 2013 from 12pm to 4pm – London
This class will focus on how to connect with readers in the 5-8 age group. We will cover story ideas, writing styles and trends in young fiction, as well as the tricky business of how to submit your…
Organized by K M Lockwood (Philippa Francis) | Type: masterclass
-
The dummy makeover
September 14, 2013 from 1pm to 5pm – St George's, Bloomsbury
With author illustrators Bridget Strevens-Marzo and Sue Porter. Have you wondered what wasn’t working in your book dummy, or how to get the right narrative flow between words and image? This…
Organized by Bridget Strevens-Marzo | Type: illustrator, masterclass, series
-
Slush Pile Turn-Offs
September 17, 2013 from 6:45pm to 9pm – St. James Piccadilly Conference Room
Industry Professionals Speakers TBC What are the Slush Pile Turn-Offs ? - How can we make our writing or illustrations stand-out from the rest? What makes an agent, editor or publisher reach for t…
Organized by David Richardson & Sally Poyton : profseries@britishscbwi.org | Type: professional, series
Support the Campaign for the Book
Visit SCBWI British Isles' homepage at www.britishscbwi.orgSmall Print
© 2013 Created by candygourlay.
Powered by
Comment Wall (13 comments)
You need to be a member of British SCBWI to add comments!
Join British SCBWI
I'd like to join your 8+ group. Are there any spaces left?
Hi Alex, are there any spaces on the 8+ group? I really need some critiquing!
Hi Alex,
I'd like to join your group if possible. Do you have any spaces?
I'm intersted in joining your 8+ critique group. Do you have any spaces left? BTW I love your Novel-in-Progress O meter. Genius! Cheers
Val
Hi Alex,
I'll try to get on there and look at it later today.
Paula
Hi, I'm interested in the 8+ ecrit group :)
Hi Alexandra
I need to contact you about your ecritique group - can you please contact me via the ning.
Thanks - Nicky
Don't forget to rejoin the London Group now it has been relaunched. Hope to see you there. :)
Hope to hear from you soon :)
F
View All Comments