Contract for book number 15!

Today I signed a contract to publish my 15th novel, Whispers of Hope. This novel is a family saga set in Edwardian England. It is Charlotte and Harry's story.
I don't have a release date yet, that will come later, but I'm very happy to have Whispers in the publishing pipeline.

Now, I've to finish writing novel 16!

So Frustrating!

I don't often use this blog to air my grievances, or as I like to say, having a bloody good whinge, but I am today.
I received an email this morning from a lovely reader wanting to know how to obtain a copy of one of my books, which is no longer in print and I've asked for the rights to be returned to me. If I'd had a spare copy I would have sent her one, but I don't.

The sad thing is, I'm not sure whether this particular book will be in print again, or indeed, any other of my books I have sitting in the computer waiting for some wonderful editor to buy, because getting said books in front of an editor is harder than winning the lottery - it can be done, but it's rare and costs a lot of money and time beforehand. Those who gain the attention of an editor first time they try are very lucky, just as those people are lucky who win the lottery with the first ticket they buy.
I'm happy for those writers, really I am, but it is very frustrating for us who are left.
We, being the ones who put in hours, day, weeks, months and years of time - researching, writing, editing, querying, then printing and posting. I know agents and editors are extremely busy people and I admire and respect all their hard work which I'm sure, at times, goes unrewarded, but please, for the love of my sanity, and many others', please stop publishing the good deal of tripe that's out there, and yes I mean B grade celebrities biographies and crap and the badly written fiction that are complete wall-bangers - or any other book that the person doesn't either; 1. even care to write the damn thing in the first place, or 2. need the money. Why are millionaires given more money with six and seven figures advances? Wouldn't it be better to give some of that money to fostering new talent? Especially as that new talent would bend over backwards to help promote their books.
I know many, many writers who would, without any hesitation, grab any opportunity the publishers provided to promote their books. I can assure all publishing marketing departments that if you give a new author the chance, the means and the support to promote theirs books, they won't let you down, because to be honest they'd be just so damn grateful to have their work noticed they'd sell their first born for the honour - or is that just me? (No, I don't think it is. Come on, be honest.)

As an author, devoted reader and lover of books, my heart says that all books have a place on a shelf somewhere and are loved. However, I beg, and I don't beg often just ask my husband, I beg that agents, editors and publishers start looking for new talent to foster and look a little deeper to those writers out there who pour blood, sweat and tears into their books. We Will Work Hard For You!

My agent died in 2008. Since then, finding a new agent has been more difficult than wearing a bikini at a beach party in Siberia. The global financial meltdown hurt publishing and of course had a knock on effect down the line to authors, I understand that, but I have readers wanting more books of mine to read and I have books here waiting to be published. Surely, somehow, without going down the whole self-publishing route, there must be hope for the two to meet?

How long can I keep going, waiting for a contract? Will I end up an old lady with a drawer full of unread manuscripts? I certainly hope not.

Second hand book sales?

I try always to buy new for fiction and most non-fiction, I like to help authors get their royalties. LOL
With some old reference books, they are impossible to get new, so I don't mind buying them second hand or from the library.
With new authors I try to borrow their book from the library and if I like them, then I will buy all their books new.
This rule worked well for me last week when I borrowed a book from an author new to me (one I nearly bought new). I started reading the book, but it was in present tense and I couldn't read it. I'm so glad I burrowed the book from the library and didn't buy it new. However, the author didn't lose out because I borrowed the book from the library and if her books are borrowed a lot it means the library will buy her next books, etc, etc.

So please people, buy new or borrow from libraries and stay away from second hand sellers if you possibly can. Help keep the book industry alive.

here's another good post about this issue at How Publishing Really Works blog.
http://howpublishingreallyworks.blogspot.com/2009/05/guest-post-implications-of-second-hand.html

Happy reading!

A Writers' Lunch

Today I hosted a writers' lunch at my house.

We had lovely food and great conversation, which included all topics of writing, publishing, life and everything in between!

Between the five of us we sorted out the publishing world, discussed books, romance, sex, ate, drank, talked about travel and living overseas, the start of the credit crunch mess, being a parent, ate, drank... you get the picture.

I thoroughly enjoyed meeting these lovely, intelligent women and hope to do it again soon!

From left to right; Maggi, Rachel, me, Monique and Wendy.

Merry Christmas, ladies and thank you for a great day!

Amazon uk

I just found my Australia historical, A Noble Place has been placed on Amazon uk even though it's not out until September and the cover isn't ready. LOL

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Noble-Place-Anne-Whitfield/dp/0709083653/ref=sr_1_1/203-6752266-4502337?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1173055297&sr=1-1

That's a nice surprise.

I've become a member of staff for a new Canadian publisher, Enspiren Press. Look out for some new talent being published and some great stories coming your way soon.

Currently reading, The Flowers Of The Field by Sarah Harrison. Enjoying it.