NEWSLETTER 2

 

NEWSLETTER 27.7.2023

OSCAR THE OWL BOOK for 3-7 year olds.

Progress has been hotting up this week. Here’s an update:

·        All artwork completed and in the publisher’s hands, along with all the words for the pages.

·        Contact with the publisher has been a daily occurrence as we agree page colour, the font and size to use, whether to be centred on the page or at the left margin.

·        Amazon pricing for printed versions has risen by £1 I’m informed. However, I bought a child a comic this week and it was £7.99, albeit had plastic toys attached. So a book of that price, in comparison, is what is to be expected.

 

The above is the practical part of becoming a published author but the joys come in many other ways. We don’t know what our little ones will grow up to be when they complete their learning at school/college/university but many show great potential in these early years.

During the initial stages of my process to publication I enlisted the help of young people in collage studying art and also with children in the age range the book is intended for. Most interested were twins Amelie and Finnlay who live in Scotland. We have only met a few times but through their Great Aunt and Mums they heard the words of my book and saw early pictures from college students and digital artist Rosa Brown. They gave me feedback for the latter via a video call.

Finnlay drew this picture from Rosa’s fantastic art creations. He then spent time colouring it in. The pictures moved Rosa and I to teary eyes. That such a young person can be inspired to draw and want to know more about how a book is made, is of great joy. Thanks to Christine Haig in Worcester for sharing this with us, GAC as she is known to the twins.

 

STOP PRESS: Oscar the Owl will be available to pre-order next week, details to follow.

 

Book Review

 

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The Collaborator’s Daughter

by Eva Glyn

Published by One More Chapter

ISBN 978-0-00-855327

What an evocative start to this book – a man holding a new born daughter and cherishing the moment. It’s 1944 and war is ravishing his country. But soon the reader is in 2009 at a father’s funeral with family members at loggerheads and a truth is revealed.

This is Fran’s story – if you enjoy Long Lost Family on tv you will enjoy the journey she takes. Through grief she makes enquiries regarding her heritage. The antagonist is a sister with a lifelong grudge and causes Fran much angst. Her brother though is much more understanding and supportive of her need to know more about her roots, as is her son.

I have not yet visited Croatia but it was easy to imagine the streets, the buildings, shops, cafes and homes that engulf Fran on her visit there. Eva Glyn’s description of places and people draw you into the mysteries that Fran is trying to unravel on her brave and adventurous trip to the country of her birth. With a name, a place and a necklace as the basis for her retirement project, we step into another world as the pages and time slip chapters grip the reader’s interest.

Fran is a caring person, a worrier and often thinks the worst of any situation, doubts herself and her decisions. She keeps in touch with her friend Parisa back home in the Uk and makes a new friend in Croatia, Jadran, who helps keep her on track with the reason for being there.

She finds she is attracted to Jadran but constantly talks herself out of getting too involved. However, given time, there is a deep romance, one which is sweet and caring for two retirees even though scars and judgements pepper their relationship. Opening wounds, searching secrets and visiting places that hold memories and answers, test them both. Watch out for a tear-jerking end as many of the conundrums are solved.

NEWSLETTER

 

WELCOME to my newsletter. Although I have been blogging for many years, had various magazine articles printed and self-published a children’s religious book 33 years ago, I have more recently written a women’s contemporary fiction novel, some children’s books and short stories. As many debut authors will agree, getting an agent or mainstream publisher is very hard and very time consuming. Retirement is a wake-up call - I’m not getting any younger!

Therefore, I have opted for Oscar the Owl to be published via an independent publisher and the book is now on its way to being available. It is hard to contain m my excitement. I am like a child in a sweet shop.

I have been working together with local artist Rosa Brown to bring Oscar to life. Her colourful interpretation of my work has moved me to tears of delight as each picture portrays just what I believe will enhance the words and bring about further discussion with children as the book is being read.

 

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Do you like the cover?

Friendly Oscar has wise words to impart to children aged 3-7 years of age. Teachers, childminders, parents, grandparents, librarians etc will find life skills explained and useful tips for every day occasions for our growing young ones. Early learners will love the vibrancy and clarity of the pictures and simple wording.

Hopefully, next month I will be able to let you know how it can be purchased.