Writing and publishing books
Watch this postI have written, in some form, all my life...travel articles (not very well paid), poems (unsold), a long saga novel (refused by many publishers), academic essays, (completely unpaid) translations from Italian and French (paid in kind by hotels and restaurants) and FINALLY I retired and returned to live in England and began to write books that actually sell. I now give creative writing courses in Cambridge and Norwich (almost unpaid) and recently online only.
I have two bylines often attached to my pen name Kate Fitzroy
1 'escape with a book'
2 Everyone has a book to write.
I shall end with a quote from P.G. Wodehouse "I know I was writing stories when I was five. I don't know what I did before that. Just loafed, I suppose."
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I have written a bedtime story and colouring book which should be marketed to the parents and grandparents of 3 to 6 year-olds.
I have self published it as "Mary The unwary sugar-plum fairy" ISBN 9781739570002.
The story is written in rhyme with each "chapter" illustrated with a colour photograph or a line drawing for the child to colour in.
Everyone who has had the opportunity to read the book has said that they think it is excellent and their children have enjoyed the experience.
Unfortunately I am totally at a loss how to get my efforts in front of the right audience. At first I tried publishing companies but to no avail. Local book shops had a very mixed response a few were happy to take it on the run-up to Christmas. as for others their excuses for not stocking it could only be described as "Comedy Fiction" but a refusal just the same.
How does an ordinay bloke like me break through the barriers?
I would be happy to send a copy to you if you think you can help.
I've always wanted to write a book, butI can't start. Have you any advice?
Simon.
Still, I jump up every morning (mostly) to sop up the joy of composition, and the still too occasional OMG disbelief that there's yet one more nugget in the sand to discover. That and baking Bagels, which is an inspiration for a new book: Writing - the art of baking bagels. They both look so easy from afar, but remain next to impossible to perfect.
Chat on!
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Welcome and many thanks for your first comment in our Forum.
If you already know your way around, then we will leave you to it.
If you are looking for some lively discussions, head on over to the Forum homepage to see what's trending right now and feel free to join in the discussions, with all our friendly members, perhaps ask a question or even start your own post.
Welcome and many thanks for your first comment in our Forum.
If you already know your way around, then we will leave you to it.
If you are looking for some lively discussions, head on over to the Forum homepage to see what's trending right now and feel free to join in the discussions, with all our friendly members, perhaps ask a question or even start your own post.
I do have a question about following a thread. The entries are not in date order. Is there a way to fix that?