A proud mum has published a fun bedtime story her late daughter crafted — almost a year after she died of Covid.
Norma Cooper, aged 83, has worked hard in recent months to see a story her late daughter wrote is turned into a book. Her daughter, Dawn Downes, of Atherstone, Warwickshire, died aged 60 in February this year.
Annie The Ant
Norma said that Dawn had always made-up bedtime stories for Maddie, her granddaughter, now 11, including one about Annie the Ant. The story features guest appearances from both Dawn and Maddie.
Norma said: “Maddie used to love the Annie the Ant story so much. We wanted a way to honour Dawn and help others at the same time as this was always her aim.
“Lovingly creating this book now as we mourn our devastating loss seemed the right thing, bringing the light of hope into our family’s darkness.”
Proceeds Going To The Epilepsy Society
All proceeds from the book will go to charities that Dawn worked hard to support, including the Epilepsy Society as she lost her nephew Andrew to epilepsy in 2019, when he was just 26.
The short story, aimed at children aged four to nine, has been brought to life with the help of author and book mentor Mandy Ward, along with her business partner, publishing consultant, David Hambling, with illustrations from local artist Ade Skermer.
In Memory Of Dawn
Dawn worked at George Eliot Hospital in Nuneaton and was also a Labour councillor in North Warwickshire. As a UNISON member, Dawn worked hard to get a better working environment for her colleagues and was also a regular fundraiser for the hospital’s own charity.
When she died, the flag on the North Warwickshire Borough Council building was flown at half-mast and tributes poured in. Some colleagues wore Mickey Mouse ears as Dawn’s funeral cortège made its way past George Eliot Hospital, as she was a huge Disney fan.
Available To Buy
Mandy, who started a company in lockdown called WriteMyBook.co.uk, to help people write and self-publish their own book, said: “Norma is such a lovely lady who has made a very special book happen. Age is no barrier to getting a book published and paying tribute to a precious daughter in this way is hugely touching.”
“We are delighted to support this first-time author and it’s wonderful that Norma has spent her time, effort, money and love on the book to now give back all profits to charity. We’re wishing Norma all the luck in the world in raising a great amount.”
Anyone who would like to buy a copy of Annie the Ant, can buy a paper copy on Amazon for £9.99 and via Amazon Kindle for just £4.99. It will also be available to buy on Mandy’s website. (WriteMyBook.co.uk)
Donate to support The Table Read We strive to keep The Table Read free for both our readers and our contributors. If you have enjoyed our work, please consider donating to help keep The Table Read going!
Processing…
Success! You're on the list.
Whoops! There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. Please reload the page and try again.
On The Table Read, “the best book magazine in the UK“, children’s author Gillian Young talks about her pet bereavement book, Tammy And Willow, and what inspired her to write it.
I interviewed children’s book author Gillian Young about her life, what motivates her, and what inspired her to write her new book, Tammy And Willow.
Gillian Young, author of Tammy And Willow
Tell me a bit about who you are.
I am a full-time author of children’s middle-grade fiction. Prior to this, I worked in administration and before that, I was a Graphic Artist. I’m mother to two wonderful children – well, they’re not really children anymore. One’s 20 and the other is 17 years old. I also own two beautiful golden retrievers who inspire my writing every day with their hilarious antics.
When did you first WANT to write a book?
I was twelve years old. Back then, in 1982, I was a HUGE Duranie. I loved that band so much that I wanted to write a story about them. The first one was called, Duran Duran in Rio. I then went on to write many more. These stories not only starred the five band members but also my friends – and myself! Most of my teens was spent writing.
When did you take a step to start writing?
In 2006 I took the first step in submitting work to publishers and agents. Those stories were short, Beatrix Potter style tales which I’d read to my children. I bought the Writer’s and Artist’s Yearbook and basically worked my way through it.
How long did it take you to complete your first book from the first idea to release?
My debut book was first written in 2006. It was a very rough first draft that was inspired during one of our many family days out to the local Safari Park. It was written initially for my children who stared in the story along with our dog Willow. In 2016 I dug out the old manuscript and rewrote it with our retriever, Poppy as the star. Poppy on Safari was released by Matador Books in 2019.
How long did it take you to complete your latest book from the first idea to release?
My latest book, Tammy and Willow was first written back in 2006. Then, it was called, Even Dogs have Angels. From 2006 the story stayed with me. I love this story, it’s very dear to my heart and I refused to give up on it. I worked alongside an agent and an editor (whom I still work with), and the original story underwent a complete rewrite and many many drafts. Finally, it was ready to release to the world in 2020.
Focusing on your latest release. What made you want to write Tammy And Willow?
Tammy. She was the soul inspiration for this book. Tammy was my first dog. I’d waited sixteen years to have a dog so when I was finally allowed to own one, I loved her more than anything. She was my confidante, my best friend and the one who could guarantee to put a smile on my face during those stressful GCE and CSE exams at high school – and other teenage dramas. When she died, I was inconsolable. I never thought it was possible to love a dog so much.
I couldn’t help thinking where she was. How she was. Was she all right? I had completely no control after twelve years of taking care of her, it was very hard to let go. During this time, I had the idea of a story – what if Tammy hadn’t gone at all? What if she was grieving just as much? That is when I put pen to paper and the story has stayed with me ever since.
What were your biggest challenges with writing Tammy And Willow?
Sub plots. There was so much I wanted to tell that the manuscript just became convoluted. A great story doesn’t have to be complicated. A good story needs to be well written, with good characters and a story which leaves the reader wanting to turn to the next page. Back then, I thought that I needed to keep the reader interested by writing so many red herrings and sub plots. The result was that no one knew what was going on!
Who or what inspired you when creating your Protagonist?
Tammy was my inspiration. I was also inspired by what I experienced when she died. Those emotions were so powerful that I just had to write them down.
Who or what inspired you when creating your Antagonist?
Friendships played a big part in my childhood. Learning to compromise and to accept others. Jealously was always rearing its ugly head and I became very possessive over my best friends. I guess this was because I was an only child and I saw my best friend as a sister figure. Needless to say, I struggled learning to accept others into our circle. I realise now that ‘more is merrier’, but it took me most of my school years to realise this. These experiences are what inspired the antagonist(s) in Hannah’s life.
What is the inciting incident of Tammy And Willow?
When Tammy dies. Both Tammy and Hannah are forced to accept a change neither of them wanted or expected. Both are grieving. Both are adjusting. Both are frightened. Tammy and Willow tells the story from both points of view.
What is the main conflict of Tammy And Willow?
Since her death, Tammy finds it hard to understand why she can no longer be seen or heard. She watches Hannah struggling without her yet there’s nothing she can do about it. There’s nothing she wants more than to be able to make Hannah see her again and to be able to help her. Being unable to do this makes her angry, frustrated and sad. Yet, as the story unfolds, she finally finds that there is a chance.
Did you plot Tammy And Willow in advance, or fly by the seat of your pants and write freely?
I definitely plotted the book – all of my books. I write character fact files, timelines, plot lines. I love doing this. Creating worlds. Lives. Dramas. I love creating the problem then unpicking it and trying to find the character’s journey through to the other side. I need to refer to chapter outlines so as not to wander off on a tangent!
Did you get support with editing, and how much editing did Tammy And Willow need?
I worked alongside a fantastic editor. Editing is very important and something not to cut corners on. My manuscripts go through at least four edits between me and my editor and also a very good friend of mine who is also a proofreader.
What is the first piece of writing advice you would give to anyone inspired to write a story?
Jot down the beginning, middle and end. There’s your basic framework. From there, I’d say just write. Don’t worry about the editing process until afterwards. It’s like peeling the wrapping from a Christmas Present. Work your way through until you’re eventually left with the prize – your wonderful story.
Can you give me a hint about any further books you’re planning to write?
My next book is with my editor at the moment. Following that will come the proofread and the publisher is ready and waiting. This is the second in a series entitled: The Crazy Cream Adventures. The book is about, Poppy – who is my crazy cream golden retriever. I had wonderful feedback for Poppy on Safari from the UK and overseas. Poppy and I were invited to schools and bookshops. One of my Instagram friends is a teacher from California. Her students loved the book so much she bought them a copy each. The children sent me letters telling me about their favourite characters and what their favourite moments were in the story. Some of the children even drew pictures. It was wonderful. After such a lovely response, it felt right to continue with Poppy’s adventures. I have so, so many Poppy stories to tell.
And, finally, are your proud of your accomplishment? Was it worth the effort?
Immensely. Writing is a passion of mine and has been since I was nine years old when I wrote my own newspaper from sheets of packaging paper. It’s been hard work but this is something I love. I could happily sit at my laptop typing up my next book for hours on end. I’m now represented by a fantastic publicity agency who have helped so much to get my work noticed in the big wide world.
Pop all your book, website and social media links here so the readers can find you:
Donate to support The Table Read We strive to keep The Table Read free for both our readers and our contributors. If you have enjoyed our work, please consider donating to help keep The Table Read going!
Processing…
Success! You're on the list.
Whoops! There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. Please reload the page and try again.
I interviewed children’s book author Marcangelo Benevenga about his children’s book, Is That A Wolf Or A Dog?, what inspired him to write it, and the creative process he went through.
When did you first WANT to write a book?
I was always creative growing up as I first got hooked on R.L Stine’s Goosebumps books series. Comic books and newspaper strips also had a large influence on me. Bill Watterson’s Calvin and Hobbes made a lasting impression on me. I find my relationship with Arya to be similar that of Calvin and his tiger Hobbes, complete with being pounced on. I am also a fan of the comic artists Todd McFarlane, Sam Keith, and Jim Lee.
Marcangelo Benevenga and Arya, Is That A Wolf Or A Dog?
When did you take a step to start writing?
I was constantly getting barraged with questions about Arya at the dog park. I took this as an opportunity to both tell her story and educate people about her unique dog breed.
How long did it take you to complete your first book from the first idea to release?
It took me 6 months.
What made you want to write Is That A Wolf Or A Dog?
I wanted to write this book to share my childhood dream of acquiring a dog I thought would only have existed in books.
What were your biggest challenges with writing Is That A Wolf Or A Dog?
My biggest challenge was trying to pick the right story to tell. There is only so much you can fit in one book! Since it is a children’s book, I had to go back and envision myself back at that age.
Who or what inspired you when creating your Protagonist?
The protagonist is based on my real-life experiences with Arya, but told through the lens of a younger version of myself.
Who or what inspired you when creating your Antagonist?
The antagonist was inspired by my own challenge in raising and training Arya.
What is the inciting incident of Is That A Wolf Or A Dog?
The inciting incident is when I took a trip to Venice and encountered Arya’s dog breed for the first time!
What is the main conflict of Is That A Wolf Or A Dog??
The main conflict is the challenges and journey I go through in acquiring and developing a bond with Arya.
Did you plot Is That A Wolf Or A Dog? in advance, or fly by the seat of your pants and write freely?
Since the book is based on my real life experiences, the book wrote itself.
Did you get support with editing, and how much editing did Is That A Wolf Or A Dog? need?
I had a great editor who helped me hash out the story more and encouraged me to incorporate more of my family into the story.
What is the first piece of writing advice you would give to anyone inspired to write a story?
Just go ahead and write! Even if you have an idea, write it down. If you never think your story will be good enough, you will never write it.
Can you give me a hint about any further books you’re planning to write?
I plan to continue the adventures of Arya and I!
And, finally, are your proud of your accomplishment? Was it worth the effort?
Yes of course! I have always wanted to write a children’s book and I am happy that I got to share Arya’s story.
Pop all your book, website and social media links here so the readers can find you:
Donate to support The Table Read We strive to keep The Table Read free for both our readers and our contributors. If you have enjoyed our work, please consider donating to help keep The Table Read going!
Processing…
Success! You're on the list.
Whoops! There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. Please reload the page and try again.
Debut novel titled “Amaka in New York” written by 10-year-old author, Olachi Okoroafor, is published by Accomplish Press. The story is a compelling tale of a young girl’s struggle to adapt to a new life in New York City
Accomplish Press is pleased to announce the official publication of Amaka in New York, a debut novel by 10-year-old author, Olachi Okoroafor.
The Story Of Amaka In New York
Amaka In New York by Olachi Okoroafor
The story is a compelling tale of a young girl’s struggle to adapt to a new life in New York City, after her mother had to relocate to the United States. The book is set predominantly in New York City, and it features a cast of interesting characters – Amaka, the main character, her mum, her grandmother, and a whole lot of new faces in a new place.
It also includes beautiful illustrations of the characters, the scenery, and recognisable landmarks of the city. The book is aimed at young readers aged between seven to 12 years old, and it also has excellent reading and discussion points for parents and guardians.
About Olachi Okoroafor
Nigerian US-based author, Olachi Okoroafor, taps into her experience of living in the United States as a young, black girl, to write a book about themes that are relevant to children of her age – such as bullying, standing out for being “different”, being teased for her skin color, her hair and her foreign accent. The story also shows how young people can be caught up in experiences but cannot always get the attention of their parents and other adults.
“I’ve always loved reading, and I enjoy writing,” the author said. “I read a lot of books by authors such as Enid Blyton.” Regarding her own personal experiences, she said: “I haven’t been bullied, but I have siblings who have been bullied due to their skin color, so part of my writing is my empathy for how they felt. There were also times I have felt like no one was listening to me, so I wanted to use the story to share how children feel when it seems they are not listened to.”
The story captures the ups and downs in the life of a Nigerian girl, adjusting to her new environment after moving from Lagos, Nigeria, to New York City. The themes highlighted are issues such as migration, new experiences, bullying, friendship, standing up for yourself, fitting in, self-esteem, family, and confidence. Each theme is dealt with in a sensitive yet interesting way that all readers will be able to relate to.
Where To Find Amaka In New York
For an enticing preview of Amaka in New York, visit the Accomplish Press website to download sample chapters at https://www.accomplishpress.com.
Amaka in New York is available as an ebook from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, Apple, Kobo, Okadabooks, and other online retailers. The book was officially released on 27 October 2021.
Donate to support The Table Read We strive to keep The Table Read free for both our readers and our contributors. If you have enjoyed our work, please consider donating to help keep The Table Read going!
Processing…
Success! You're on the list.
Whoops! There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. Please reload the page and try again.
I interviewed children’s book author Alice Chambers about her writing career, what inspires her, and the creative process behind her new book, Bob The Bear’s Adventures.
Tell me a bit about who you are
My name is Alice Chambers, my maiden name was Alice Dubens. My father was a film producer. I have 3 younger brothers. I am 67. Very sadly my mum died of cancer when I was 17 just before my A levels. As you can imagine I didn’t do brilliantly. I was bullied as I was growing up being short and overweight! I was at an all-girls school from the age of 5 and although I have brothers, I was terrified of talking to the opposite sex! I remember that when my mum died, people I knew would cross the road to avoid talking to me! I am the first to comfort someone I know when something happens, as I have been there.
I wanted to bring up my 2 youngest brothers aged 5 and 7 when Mum died but Dad wouldn’t let me and I went to Teacher’s Training College and studied drama. After a term I realised I could talk to everyone and my confidence improved a little. When I left college my first job was being the only teacher at a private kindergarten for 3 1/2 years mornings only, then I travelled an hour each way to a state primary school in the afternoons to fully qualify as a teacher, as private education didn’t count. After that I had a class of 6-year-olds at a private primary school. At the same time, I had joined an amateur dramatic society performing musicals, pantomime and old-time music hall. I met my husband Bob on stage!
Alice Chambers
With Bob’s job we lived abroad for 6 years and then returned to the UK moving down from London to Sussex. Tragically my husband suddenly died 2 1/2 years ago. We were just trying to come to terms with what had happened when Covid hit and I couldn’t see the family. I have ME and Fibromyalgia and they were so worried about me catching it. I have 2 grandchildren and they call me Nonna! I then started writing every day to keep me busy and help with my grief.
I have always loved little ones. I started writing stories over 43 years ago whilst I was teaching. They were about a magic meadow full of animals. Each animal had a job and a song with drama and movement ideas.
My class loved them and their drawings were all over the walls and they enjoyed singing the songs. I then got married and brought up my daughter and son. I only started writing again about 3 years ago inspired by a local author friend. Writing was always in the back of my mind but I was busy doing other things. That has all changed now and I love writing. Being on my own now writing keeps me company.
When did you first want to write a book?
I think I have always enjoyed writing. When I wrote My Meadow Friends 43 years ago, I think I would have loved them to be a book or a series. However, life took over! My stories have always remained at the back of my mind as something I would carry on with one day when I had time.
When did you take a step to start writing?
When my grandson was born 6 years ago, I started knitting again. I think he was a couple of years old when I knitted a huge bear. The pattern was for Robert the Bear and he had a waistcoat and glasses. My husband was Bob and he wore glasses and loved his waistcoats, green being his favourite colour! I took Bob the Bear round the garden for fun, photographing him hiding in the bushes and sitting in the sun etc.
The story takes the form of a conversation between the reader and Bob the Bear. Elliot loved the bear and loved looking at the pictures. I made a Photobox album with the photos and story and it was just here for my grandson and granddaughter to enjoy.
How long did it take you to complete your first book from the first idea to release?
I knitted Bob the Bear and wrote the story about 3 years ago and made a Photobox album with it. I then left it and started writing other stories. A few months ago, my 6 year old grandson Elliot came round, saw the book on the table and asked me if he could read it. He read it fluently giggling on every page. Through a local author friend, I had been to The Author School in London run by Helen Lewis and Abiola Bello and a few months ago they created The Author School on Zoom.
After Elliot had read my book, I mentioned it to them and they asked to see it and loved it. Although I have funded it, they have done an amazing job of getting it print ready for Amazon and it came out 3 weeks ago. It has taken about 3 months from mentioning it to print, which is so exciting.
What made you want to write Bob The Bear’s Adventures?
I love seeing children laughing and enjoying books. It gives me such pleasure. Hearing my grandson giggling as he was reading the story was everything! Reading is everything, pure escapism. Your mind can dream, create, be anywhere you want it to be. It’s magic!
What were your biggest challenges with writing Bob The Bear’s Adventures?
Confidence and self-belief.
What is the main conflict of Bob The Bear’s Adventures?
Whether Bob the Bear prefers climbing or hiding!
Did you plot Bob The Bear’s Adventures in advance, or fly by the seat of your pants and write freely?
I knitted Bob the Bear and then just photographed him round my garden. It sounds strange but the story wrote itself. I find that when I write, a story is just there in my head and I have to write it straight away before I forget. I think that if I struggled to write I wouldn’t do it. I guess I just write freely, inspired by nature, things happening around me and my imagination.
Did you get support with editing, and how much editing did Bob The Bear’s Adventures need?
No, I didn’t get any help on this one it was just there.
What is the first piece of writing advice you would give to anyone inspired to write a story?
Just write! If you have an idea and you enjoy writing just do it. I’ve waisted so much time in my life worrying about what other people think, whether my ideas were silly or too simple and these thoughts just hold you back and stop you doing what you want to do. If you’re inspired by an idea just do it and don’t worry about what other people think, or that niggle in your head that tells you that you can’t do it, you’re no good and other people are better than you! You CAN do it. Writing is foremost just for you. If you then decide to show someone else what you’ve written that’s the next step. But the first step is for your own enjoyment.
Can you give me a hint about any further books you’re planning to write?
I have actually written quite a few including the next Bob the Bear Adventure although no-one has seen it yet. When my husband died 2 1/2 years ago, I made some memory bears from his shirts. I have written a rhyming story about 8 of them having an adventure in my garden. These are also photographic. I really enjoy writing stories about the bears I have made as I can photograph them and the whole book is my creation. I have another character which has ended up being in a series of 5 rhyming stories so far. They need an illustrator as I can’t draw the characters. A whole different project. No hints on that yet as I am looking for an agent and publisher to help me.
I also write poetry. When the ideas pop into my head I have to write them down and then see what happens with them afterwards. Since my husband died I have been writing poetry, musings and feelings about what happened and how I’m coping. I am contemplating whether these would help others suffering from grief or whether they are too personal?
And finally, are you proud of your accomplishment? Was it worth the effort?
It was always a dream to have a published book. I didn’t know it would take over 43 years! I am really proud as I never thought I would actually have a book in my hand, not only from a bear that I had knitted but the fact that I just photographed it and wrote a little story for my grandchildren and now people are really enjoying it. My next-door neighbour who is in her 90’s was thrilled she could read it without her glasses and giggled all the way through. I was delighted. I feel emotional on 2 levels, that people are enjoying the story, giggling and chatting as they read it, together with huge sadness that my husband isn’t here to enjoy it with me.
Pop all your book, website and social media links here so the readers can find you.
Donate to support The Table Read We strive to keep The Table Read free for both our readers and our contributors. If you have enjoyed our work, please consider donating to help keep The Table Read going!
Processing…
Success! You're on the list.
Whoops! There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. Please reload the page and try again.
As I child I thought one day I would tame dragons, ride unicorns, swim with mermaids and dance on rainbows. Unfortunately, I had to grow up and realized that those things are not possible. Fortunately, I can write about them. So, instead of being a dragon rider, I became a writer. And that is why I have written this article.
Inspired By My Grandmother
I Don’t Belong Here by Tayla Jean Grossberg
I have written a young adult paranormal novel, titled: I DON’T BELONG HERE, which is the perfect, spooky read for Halloween. I was inspired to write this novel by the ghost stories that my grandmother, Edith May Grossberg, used to tell me when I was little. I grew up loving her tales so much, that I got inspiration from her for one of the main characters in the book: Grandma May.
The fun times with my grandmother do not begin and end with ghost stories – oh no! – we also have a tea reading session once a week, during which she reads my tea leaves and tells me what will happen in my life. I’ve used these fun times and personal experiences and turned them into a work of fiction.
Inspired By My Sister
Another person who greatly inspired me, to write the main character, was my sister, Shani Charlotte Grossberg. The protagonist in my book, Charlotte, looks like my sister – with her long blond hair, blue eyes and petite figure. But there is a catch: she can see ghosts! I used my imagination to create her love interest, Dimitri. I thought to myself: what is Shani’s taste in men? And then I created a tall, mysterious boy with sharp cheekbones and mop-like hair. And, I certainly can’t leave out, my sister’s dog, Litsie Amore, who inspired Amore in my novel.
Although Amore doesn’t play a major role, she is always there to keep my main character company, like Litsie is there for Shani. Charlotte is lonely and lives in Columbus, where I lived for a year, and struggles to figure out what to do with her life.
Themes In I Don’t Belong Here
In this book I covered a wide range of topics including; loneliness, depression, anxiety and secrets. It might sound rough, but I’ve written it in such a way that readers of all ages can enjoy it. I wanted young adults to really connect with Charlotte and root for her throughout the book, especially as things get worse and worse for her.
Tayla Jean Grossberg
I wanted to write a ghost story, which wouldn’t simply just scare people, but awaken emotions deep within their hearts. Did I succeed? You’ll have to read the book and let me know!
My Writing Process
My writing process is a simple one: I get up before the sun, make myself a cup of coffee and open a blank page in Microsoft Word. And then I begin. I never plan ahead very far and let the words, the story, flow naturally. The further I write, the more I think of the ending. I think about my story before I go sleep at night, and wake up with many great ideas. I certainly lack patience and try to put all of it on paper as soon as possible.
Once I am done with my first draft, I let it sit for a few weeks and try not to think about it. And when I finally do read it again, I give the skeleton of a manuscript a body. I fill in details, improve descriptions and try to bring the characters to life. Ok, now I’ve got a book, but the journey is far from over!
The next step is to hire an editor and a cover designer and try to be as patient as possible as they do their work. Of course, once they are done I needed a proof reader, and who was better to ask than Grandma Edith? The last step of publishing was the easiest – it took me five minutes to upload everything onto amazon KDP.
More From Tayla Jean Grossberg:
I DON’T BELONG HERE is my first self-published novel, and one of my greatest achievements so far. But it’s not my only published novel…
Donate to support The Table Read We strive to keep The Table Read free for both our readers and our contributors. If you have enjoyed our work, please consider donating to help keep The Table Read going!
Processing…
Success! You're on the list.
Whoops! There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. Please reload the page and try again.
“My inspiration to write The Witching Hour was ‘The BFG’ by Roald Dahl. The first chapter is called ‘The Witching Hour’ and it’s about the time when Sophie is wide awake in the middle of the night and feeling very scared, as she knows that it is the witching hour. I read this chapter (and watched the movie as well, which gave me some extra inspiration) and realised that by writing a book about the witching hour in a more positive way, I would be able to change young readers’ minds and their perception about it. It would also help their fears be defeated and for them to realise that there really is nothing to be afraid of.”
Riku Fryderyk
A Passion For Writing
Riku’s journey from idea to book was a long and twisted adventure with many surprises, joy and happiness. Here, the young author retells his amazing story of the publication of his book.
“I wrote The Witching Hour when I was eight years old, I always loved writing stories but this time it was different. This time, my mum decided that this was THE ONE. The one that we had both been waiting for many years to be typed out on my keyboard. She said that this was a perfect story to be published and that it was fantastic. We scoured the internet to find a publisher, but not just a publisher, my mum had decided it would be a traditional publisher, the challenge was we needed one that published books regardless of age. And this is how we bumped onto Pegasus Publishers.
We submitted my ready manuscript, and waited and waited and waited… If you didn’t know before, Pegasus only chooses 10% out of hundreds of manuscripts sent to them each month, so when after a couple of months they wrote to me to offer a book deal I was over the moon. I was in that 10 percent they choose. It was a dream come true. I remember that day my mum came to pick me up from school, she was hopping like a kangaroo towards me at the end of the school day to tell me the good news. My teacher was overjoyed when she heard and wished me all the best as me and my mum made our way home. I signed the contract with Pegasus that day. My first official signature. It was perfect. And then, it all began.”
Signing A Contract With Pegasus
Riku Fryderyk
1.5 years ago, Riku was offered a contract by Pegasus Elliot MackenziePublishers, which was a big event in his life considering he was only nine years old when signed it. The book was eventually published on 30th Sept this year.
“We started the publication by discussing a format and a layout of the book. It wasn’t easy, as my ideas happened to be completely different to what the publisher was prepared to offer. Me and mum jotted our ideas down into the thousands of emails that we sent to Kevin, our publication manager. He was very patient with us and diplomatically explained why some of our ideas were rather unrealistic.
After long negotiations and considerate amount of frustration we eventually agreed to disagree and we put our trust in what my publisher suggested. Then we went onto thinking of and planning illustrations. One by one, the pictures came to life, bursting with colour as we worked countless hours with our wonderful and very talented illustrator to transform all of the words I had written into pictures. It took a long time, but now, looking at it, I think to myself ‘It was all worth it’.
The editorial part was a fairly straightforward process, however as we started seeing the illustrations coming out, I changed some parts of it. We dragged the text through the misty skies into beautiful, white, fluffy clouds, with the colour of the illustration splashing like paint onto the page. We made every page with text have its own character instead of the same plain white pages that we started with. I loved the result, put a stamp of my approval on it, and then the publication part began… but that’s a story for another article to write”
The Witching Hour
In The Witching Hour Riku wants to help children who are afraid of the dark, however the book might be serving a much greater purpose in helping parents opening important discussions with their children. We tend to assume because children are little therefore they do not understand what’s going on around them.
What we forget, is that children absorb it all, they may not talk about it, they just observe what happens in the adults’ world around them and make their own interpretations of it and give their own meanings to it. Children need so much more these days to be able to see the light in the darkness. And Riku’s book is offering to them just that.
A Proud Mum
Riku’s Mum says “What’s very special about Riku’s book is that it beautifully, in a simple way addresses a problem that many parents are troubled by, how to manage children’s fears of the dark. What makes it different from all the books previously written that addressed the subject, is that The Witching Hour was written for children, by a child who has himself overcome such fears. I believe that such a young author can inspire not only children, but also motivate parents to nature children’s reading and writing skills. I believe the book can attract young readers’ attention and I trust that the more it’s heard of, the more it will be welcome by local communities, bookshops and libraries.
We are very grateful for the opportunity Pegasus Publisher created for Riku. So are we to all the mainstream and independent bookshops that have already agreed to display The Witching Hour on their shelves.”
The book is available for purchase online directly from the publisher as well as from Waterstones, Foyles, WHS and some of the stores in London.
Donate to support The Table Read We strive to keep The Table Read free for both our readers and our contributors. If you have enjoyed our work, please consider donating to help keep The Table Read going!
Processing…
Success! You're on the list.
Whoops! There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. Please reload the page and try again.
This year-round tale will be the perfect kids stocking filler
Santa’s Secret Agents by Chris Wheeler and Steve Gunning
Bristol, UK, 6th October 2021 – Two Bristol-born authors, Steve Gunning and Chris Wheeler are today celebrating the publication of their new Children’s picture book, ‘Santa’s Secret Agents’ aimed at kids aged 5 to 10. According to its publisher Carraway, the charming wit, delightful verse and captivating illustrations will be popular with children and parents who are excited to explore the hidden and magical world of Santa Claus (a.k.a Double Ho 7) and his all-seeing elves.
The Creators Of Santa’s Secret Agents
What if “Santa can see through the sunroof” was the initial idea that started Chris Wheeler and his friend Steve Gunning on a journey to co-write their debut festive Children’s tale. The book that makes an ideal Christmas gift invites children and grown-ups alike to go on the (sleigh) ride of their lives as they follow Santa’s highly trained crack(er) team of elves and discover all of their gadgets and gizmos.
Steve Gunning, joint writer and also illustrator of the book, commented, “We really wanted the story’s rhymes and pictures to be something children (and adults) would want to come back to over and over again, first because you would find something new and then because you just liked them. We hope the book will inspire kids’ imaginations and become something that they can share with future generations. We are really proud that it will be on sale in bookshops, it’s still a bit difficult to believe!”
A long car journey and two bored, misbehaving children caused an exasperated father to warn that Father Christmas would know that they were being naughty because, “Santa can see through the sunroof.” Co-author Chris Wheeler explains, “I spent most of the rest of that fateful car journey ignoring the children entirely as my head began to fill with ideas and rhymes and puns.
When I first brought the concept to Steve it was just a simple idea and a few verses. Together, with the support of our patient and loving families, through the twists and turns of life, at least one narrative reboot and a global pandemic we were able to turn it into a fleshed-out story and then, with Steve’s wonderful illustrations, a complete book. The finished product has far-exceeded our expectations and we are indebted to Carraway in helping us to share it with the book-buying public.”
Year-round appeal with a comical spy theme
Jane Shergold, Founder at Carraway Publishing said, “The early feedback from children, parents and booksellers has been really positive. They adore the humorous tongue-in-cheek verse and of course the in-jokes for all Bond fans, young and old, that are vividly brought to life through the detailed and inventive illustrations.
Although it can be a tough challenge for new authors to break through and join the canon of established Christmas favourites such as The Snowman or The Jolly Christmas Postman, thanks to the power of today’s word-of-mouth marketing available through social media, new writers have the opportunity to reach out and quickly grow a large following. What also sets Santa’s Secret Agents apart is that it is not just for Christmas, the story features scenes from every season from Springtime in the garden to Halloween on the high street, so can be enjoyed all year round.”
Where To Find Santa’s Secret Agents
Priced at £9.99 the hardback version of Santa’s Secret Agents (ISBN: 9781916095021) is published by Carraway Publishing and is available from 6th October on-line from Waterstones as well as in-store at all good bookshops. The authors will be doing book-signings and readings at many bookshops and schools in the run up to Christmas. For more information on events, a preview of sample pages as well as downloadable colouring sheets, games and other reading resources for both younger and older children visit www.santassecretagents.co.uk
Donate to support The Table Read We strive to keep The Table Read free for both our readers and our contributors. If you have enjoyed our work, please consider donating to help keep The Table Read going!
Processing…
Success! You're on the list.
Whoops! There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. Please reload the page and try again.
I interviewed author and environmental campaigner Esme Finch about her career, what inspired her to write her book, Through The Eyes Of A Tree, and the advice she has for others.
Tell me a bit about who you are.
Esme Finch, author of Through The Eyes Of A Tree
A graduate in Events Management from Arts University Bournemouth, an earth guardian and conservationist, a forest leader in training, a poet and now a CliFi author!
A great hug is essential, dancing is part of my soul, a slice of spongey lemon drizzle cake (emphasis on the DRIZZLE), doggy kisses, wet moss rocks and spreading the love, is a little bit about me.
When did you first WANT to write a book?
I never thought I would become a writer because at school I wasn’t the best at English but I always had an imagination to view the world a little more observantly. I began writing poetry only a few years ago and I got hooked. I was filling so many notebooks, scribbling down on old bits of paper in the middle of the night.
I performed at a few open mic nights before entering into the biggest writing competition I had ever submitted, for Eastside Trust charity, for the I know I wish I will poetry marathon. To my disbelief, my poem Irregular Patterns got chosen! Unfortunately due to the pandemic the poem was performed digitally. This is when I gained more confidence in my writing and due to everyone being in isolation, I had the time to write, and this is where the story of Through the Eyes of a Tree came to life.
Last year, I would cycle to my grandma’s house, everyday I would go past the same gigantic willow tree that stood in a cove of grass, surrounded by cottages. As days went on I felt more and more connected to this tree that appeared to almost have changing faces within the bark. I noticed an old man shuffling along, staring at the magnificence, on other days I noticed children playing or birds chirping from the dangling branches. I thought gosh you really have stood the test of time but I do worry about the future for the willow tree, with our ever changing weathers and deforestation. I wanted to write a book to view a tree as if a person, because we seem to forget that they are living species! To have more respect for these wonderful plants.
When did you take a step to start writing?
At the time when I took the step into writing, I was volunteering in an environmental education centre in Bali, Indonesia. I saw these two amphibians, a frog and a lizard, trapped in a swamp-like water container. I thought perhaps they might quite like the water but surrounding this water container was the most beautiful pond bursting in luscious greens and filled with lily pads and life. This water was just getting more and more stagnant and I noticed the lizard was floating on a piece of polystyrene, that looked like an iceberg, that must have blown in.
I got a bucket and sieved them out, plopping them into their new homes, it was the equivalent of travel lodge vs The Savoy hotel. I began writing all about this occurrence, with a metaphor of that skanky water becoming our home if we’re not careful. This is still in notebook form but it’s cool to think I have another book in the pipeline.
How long did it take you to complete your first book from the first idea to release?
Wrote Through the Eyes of a Tree in March 2020, pretty much wrote the book in 2 days but got my first copy printed in September 29th August 2021.
What made you want to write Through The Eyes Of A Tree?
A love for Trees and anything green! Environmental education is so important to younger years, so I definitely wanted to encourage young environmental activism in this book.
What were your biggest challenges with writing Through The Eyes Of A Tree?
I had no challenges actually writing it because it flowed so easily. However I found I started to have imposter syndrome afterwards thinking that I wasn’t a good writer and does it even make sense etc but then my mum told me that “it gets to a point in creativity where it isn’t about you anymore, it’s about sharing it with the world and letting the people reading feel the impact, because they’ll be at least someone who gets it”. I thought yeah she’s right, it’s not about me, it’s message is about saving our beautiful trees.
I have also found the marketing side a little tricky because I never know what to write but I’m receiving such great advice and help from Softwood Self Publishers who have a marketing guru, Nathan who helps with the twitter and Insta side of things.
Who or what inspired you when creating your Protagonist?
A willow tree on the way to my grandmas house near Shalford in Surrey
Who or what inspired you when creating your Antagonist?
Through The Eyes Of A Tree by Esme Finch
All the people who don’t care about our planets health
What is the inciting incident of Through The Eyes Of A Tree?
Well because it’s a series of short stories there’s more than one incident but I would say when willow tree and friends nearly get chopped down but a young girl, along with other activists come to protect their fellow tree friends
What is the main conflict of Through The Eyes Of A Tree?
Metaphor for our climate crisis
Did you plot Through The Eyes Of A Tree in advance, or fly by the seat of your pants and write freely?
Fly by the seat of my pants and wrote freely
Did you get support with editing, and how much editing did Through The Eyes Of A Tree need?
Yes softwood self publishers helped with the editing, I believe we did 3 rounds of edits
What is the first piece of writing advice you would give to anyone inspired to write a story?
Just keep writing even if it doesn’t make sense because that’s what editing is for. Also during the day or at night we can think of the most random ideas, which often get ignored but these are the ones to tune into and come back to, to potentially writing a story
Can you give me a hint about any further books you’re planning to write?
Yes Lizard and the toad!
And, finally, are your proud of your accomplishment? Was it worth the effort?
I can’t believe it really. I am so proud. I haven’t got it in the shops yet but I do see it on the shelves I’ll get tingles, I just want to start sharing it with the world now
Pop all your book, website and social media links here so the readers can find you:
Donate to support The Table Read We strive to keep The Table Read free for both our readers and our contributors. If you have enjoyed our work, please consider donating to help keep The Table Read going!
Processing…
Success! You're on the list.
Whoops! There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. Please reload the page and try again.
Sooty’s Big Adventure is the story of a dog who found himself homeless at the age of 14. When I offered to give him a home I had no idea how difficult his journey from Romania to the UK would actually be.
Sooty’s Journey Home
Sooty, start of Sooty’s Big Adventure
When he was impounded in Germany mid journey because his documents had been lost, it looked like I was never going to meet him. What was worse was that he was only in this predicament because I had adopted him. I had a thoroughly miserable three weeks (he says he didn’t have a lot of fun either), as I tried everything I could think of to get him released but to no avail.
I wondered how he was. He was old, almost blind and he must have been completely bewildered. I wondered what he would tell people if he could talk………and that was the beginning of the book.
Telling Sooty’s Story
I started to write the story from his point of view. It seemed to me that his point of view was getting scant attention. It seems that my point of view wasn’t getting much more attention.
As soon as I started to write, the words just fell onto the page. I didn’t have to think, I just had to go back and edit what had arrived. I started to doodle drawings to go with the words. These drawings contained both emotion and narrative. I could feel a child part of me….the one who simply wants to shout about how unfair things are…..pick up the pencil and draw dogs in red old fashioned buses. I let her draw.
I found I wanted to colour in the sketches with crayons and not be concerned about going over the lines. It was an outlet for my frustration at getting nowhere with having him released. While a more grown up part of me battled with the problem of how to get him out of the pound in a rational fashion, this part of me was recording the emotions underneath.
Sooty’s Big Adventure by Fiona Knox
Developing Sooty’s Story
Gradually, as the situation with Sooty started to resolve, the drawings became more considered and calm. I had a pile of potential illustrations but they were not especially coherent as a series. I tried redrawing the initial scribbly sketches in the hope that I could pull them together stylistically. The results were tidy but they had lost their emotional impact and the connection to what had driven me to draw in the first place.
I took a step back. I realised that I was trying to tidy up my inner child’s distress and make her presentable. I considered whether I was brave enough to stand behind the naive untidy drawings or not. I realised I really had no alternative if I was going to love this little book. If I didn’t love it then why should anyone else?
I wrote the story pretty much as it unfolded. I had no idea if it was going to have a happy ending or not. In fact, kind, generous people I had never met stepped forward to help me and eventually he was indeed released. He is snoring beside me on the sofa as I type this article. He is 16 now and as far as I can tell, he is pretty happy with his life.
Publishing Sooty’s Story
Sooty’s Big Adventure by Fiona Knox
I had, meanwhile promised myself that I would get his story published. Covid arrived in all our lives around that time and since I am no spring chicken I wanted it out there in the world before Covid got to me. I decided that I couldn’t embark on trying to find a publisher.
All that I read on the subject suggested that that would not be an easy thing to do.. It was my first book, I had no idea if anyone apart from me would like it. I didn’t have an agent. I decided that the fastest course was to self publish through Amazon. It was a learning curve but I have to say KDP on Amazon is certainly manageable for a beginner.
I promoted it shamelessly to my Facebook friends. I was astonished to see that I sold several hundred copies and I had some really nice reviews and feedback. That was very encouraging. I began to think about getting it into bookshops. My first attempt at that was to try to submit the PDF to Ingram Spark self publishing. I expected that it would be as easy as KDP had been but it turned out to be much more tricky. I gave up for a while. Then I discovered that there are people who offer the formatting as a service. I tried that. I chose badly at the first attempt; another learning curve. I chose well with the second attempt.
Struggling With Social Media
Sooty’s Big Adventure by Fiona Knox
Nathan at Softwood Self Publishing is currently leading me by the hand as I learn how to use social media effectively. I’m terrified of Twitter. I associate it with presidential tweets, hate campaigns and death threats. He’s showing me how to use Twitter….I have a handle for heaven’s sake, who knew I needed one? He’s helping me to use Instagram better.
I can manage Facebook as I hang out there a lot with artist friends all over the world. I also sell my art to raise funds for animal rescue on Facebook. But Facebook, sadly, is not enough. Meanwhile the book is being completely reformatted with better resolution images ready for a print run.
Sooty’s Big Adventure
I have always loved storytelling. I have always loved animals. I discovered later in life that I enjoy drawing. Happily the three seem to have come together in Sooty’s Big Adventure. It turns out to be Fiona’s Big Adventure too.
I’m intending to get back to my art studio (kitchen table) very soon and allow myself the luxury of just making art for a while. But I have more ideas for stories.
Writing for children feels unexpectedly natural. I find I can write from my heart in a very simple way. I have fun making scribbly drawings that are very naive. Combining the two is a more satisfying way of creating than I could ever have imagined.
Donate to support The Table Read We strive to keep The Table Read free for both our readers and our contributors. If you have enjoyed our work, please consider donating to help keep The Table Read going!
Processing…
Success! You're on the list.
Whoops! There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. Please reload the page and try again.
I interviewed author Tayla Jean Grossberg about her writing career, what inspires her, and the creative writing process behind her latest book, Bittersweet.
Tell me a bit about who you are.
I am a woman who has a huge passion for stories and being creative. I believe in living life to the fullest, seeing and experiencing as much as I can.
Tayla Jean Grossberg, author of Bittersweet
When did you first WANT to write a book?
I wanted to write my first book when I was in kindergarten, after reading a children’s book that I really liked.
When did you take a step to start writing?
In kindergarten. I decided that I wanted to write my own book, so I stapled a stack of papers together, drew pictures on them and wrote a few words. This flimsy stack of papers was my first novel and the beginning of so much more. I think it was about horses.
How long did it take you to complete your first book from the first idea to release?
My first real book, not just papers stapled together written in a child’s handwriting, took me about three years. I wrote it in three months and then it took two years before sending it to publishers and finally getting published.
How long did it take you to complete your latest book from the first idea to release?
+- six months.
Focusing on your latest release. What made you want to write Bittersweet?
My latest release, Bittersweet (something like a Nicholas Sparks love story) was inspired by my first love, events that happened in my life and my crazy imagination. I decided to write this story, because it was so close to my heart, but turn it into a work of fiction instead of a true story. The book is filled with metaphors for things that really happened and which I experienced. I was also very inspired by Nicholas Sparks, one of my all-time-favorite authors, books.
What were your biggest challenges with writing Bittersweet?
Writing this book came easy and naturally – as most of my stories do. My biggest challenge was saving enough money to hire a professional editor who could review the completed manuscript.
Who or what inspired you when creating your Protagonist?
Bittersweet by Tayla Jean Grossberg
My protagonist (Chelsea) was inspired by myself. She looks like me – blue eyes, brown hair, round face and short. We share similar characteristics like having a great sense of humor, being an empath and being witty. She loves reading, especially Nicholas Sparks books, like me, and strives to fall in love like his characters do.
Who or what inspired you when creating your Antagonist?
The antagonists in my novel are mainly Jasper and Spencer. They were inspired by my first love’s internal demons. I look those bad emotions/things that got him down and turned them into characters. In other words; they represent things like self-doubt, anxiety and depression.
What is the inciting incident of Bittersweet?
Chelsea’s parents die in a car accident, which leaves her behind and alone. That’s when she and Peter connect and become friends.
What is the main conflict of Bittersweet?
Peter has an incredibly big secret that he has never told anyone. This secret has changed Chelsea’s life forever and he fears that if he tells her, she will hate him. Throughout the books he tries to build up the courage to be honest with her, but he fears the consequences with all his heart.
Did you plot Bittersweet in advance, or fly by the seat of your pants and write freely?
I never plot a book in advance, because if I know what will happen, I will get bored when writing. And I figure that if I am bored when writing, the reader will be bored when reading. So, I make up my plots as I go along…
Bittersweet by Tayla Jean Grossberg
Did you get support with editing, and how much editing did Bittersweet need?
I got support with line and copy editing. The story didn’t need any changing but sentence structure or the way I’d say and describe things did.
What is the first piece of writing advice you would give to anyone inspired to write a story?
If you believe that you can do it, do it!
Can you give me a hint about any further books you’re planning to write?
Oh yes! My next novel is currently being edited. It will be a part of my Silver Kingdom series. This book is called The Lone Wolf.
And, finally, are your proud of your accomplishment? Was it worth the effort?
Yes and yes! Writing is my passion and I plan on creating stories the rest of my life.
Pop all your book, website and social media links here so the readers can find you:
Donate to support The Table Read We strive to keep The Table Read free for both our readers and our contributors. If you have enjoyed our work, please consider donating to help keep The Table Read going!
Processing…
Success! You're on the list.
Whoops! There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. Please reload the page and try again.
I interviewed children’s book author Wendy Wakelin about her Victoria’s Torton Tales Picture Storybook Series for children, what inspired her, and the advice she has for others who want to write stories.
Tell me a bit about who you are.
Hi, I’m Wendy Wakelin, married to Lloyd and Mum to two grown up boys (21 & 24) and love writing my children’s storybooks. My hobbies are animals and old vintage vehicles, from steam engines, tractors, cars, stationary engines, motorbikes, to any other old machinery.
I’ve been around old machinery since I was born and went to my first steam rally show when I was six weeks old. My parents would exhibit stationary engines and vintage motorbikes at these shows.
Growing up I loved spending time with my dad in his garage tinkering with engines and anything mechanical. When I wasn’t doing that, I’d be riding and looking after horses.
Wendy Wakelin, author of the Victoria’s Torton Tales Series
Lloyd’s family had owned and worked steam traction engines from the late 1800’s until around 1970. In 2002 we bought his Great, Great Grandfather’s original traction engine from 1886. We now spend our weekends during the summer months exhibiting our traction engine, called Victoria, at steam rallies and shows in Southern England.
When did you first WANT to write a book?
It just, sort of happened. I’ve always loved writing stories from an early age. After we bought our steam traction engine, Victoria, I wrote a couple of stories about her for my children when they were little. At the time I didn’t know it, but that was the planting of the seed for my “Victoria’s Torton Tales” journey.
When did you take a step to start writing?
After a friend read the stories I had written for my children and said I should publish them. That was about 2015 and it took a while to pluck up the courage, but I haven’t looked back really. It’s been an adventure of its own!
How long did it take you to complete your first book from the first idea to release?
Victoria’s Busy Day by Wendy Wakelin
My first two books came from the stories I wrote for my children. They were written in a matter of a couple of afternoons as at the time I had no plans or ideas about publishing them.
My more recent books tend to take me a while from starting to think of the story to getting it down on paper or typed on the computer. Once I have the initial draft, I usually leave it for a few days before going back to read it through and embellish. Some of the stories don’t go any further than that and are put to one side for a later date. When I’m happy with a story I then pass it to Lloyd to read and edit. Usually after the first edit my children read it through too.
After editing we go through the story together and when we’re happy that the words are done, and the story has been broken down into spreads we contact our illustrator. He reads through the story and comes back to us with ideas for each picture to go with the spreads. When the ideas are agreed the illustrator produces pencil sketches which allows us to review, request adjustments and finalise the content before for each picture is coloured and finished.
The whole process to write the story and produce the pictures takes a good few months.
How long did it take you to complete your latest book from the first idea to release?
My latest book “Victoria Meets Finnigan” had been in my head for a while, probably a year or so. I always have a head full of stories and tales! From writing the first draft to producing the pictures and publishing was about 3 months.
Focusing on your latest release. What made you want to write Victoria Meets Finnigan?
Victoria Meets Finnigan
My latest book, “Victoria Meets Finnigan”, seemed like a great addition to the Victoria’s Torton Tales series. We have the real Victoria the traction engine, and our eldest son owns a vintage tractor he calls Finnigan. I thought bringing a tractor into the world of Victoria’s Torton Tales would help bring more children into the world of steam as I’m always trying to encourage children to take an interest in the outside world and the history and heritage around us. For me it’s the right thing to do. We now attend events with both Victoria and Finnigan and children love meeting both characters.
What were your biggest challenges with writing the Victoria’s Torton Tales?
When I was at school, I always felt that my reading and writing skills were below par and struggled to read in front of the class and spell. For me, when I write, the greatest challenge is facing having to ask people to help me with spelling and getting the confidence to believe in myself that I can do it. I loved writing stories when I was young but only at home in my bedroom so no one else could read them. I want all children to know they can do things if they believe in themselves, and it really doesn’t matter what others think.
Who or what inspired you when creating your Protagonist?
Victoria is the main character in most of my books, hence the name “Victoria’s Torton Tales”. The reason for her being the main character was because we owned the real Victoria the traction engine and when my children were very young, they wanted stories about her and steam engines that go on the road and work in the farms. That’s how this wonderful journey started.
Who or what inspired you when creating your Antagonist?
Victoria And The Teddy Bear by Wendy Wakelin
In my books the main antagonists are not necessarily the characters themselves, but situations that occur. One that comes to mind is in “Roser and Tanner Steam Roller Friends” where Roser is the engine who always uses his scarifier to break up the road surface to make it ready for repairs. Tanner feels she should be able to do the job too and it’s very rewarding to see her succeed. I try my best to write positive, friendly children’s stories about trying to do your best and helping one another.
What is the inciting incident of the Victoria’s Torton Tales?
In my first book “Victoria’s Busy Day”, Victoria discovers a little traction engine at the back of a barn looking very sorry for himself and she tries to help him. And of course, in “Roser and Tanner Steam Roller Friends” Tanner discovers she can use her scarifier and do the job Roser normally does.
What is the main conflict of your the Victoria’s Torton Tales?
In my fifth and latest book “Victoria Meets Finnigan” at first Victoria finds Finnigan annoying with his “noisy” engine, and then she feels even more put out when he starts doing work she thinks she could have done. Gradually she sees that Finnigan is actually very helpful little tractor, especially when he helps her.
Did you plot the Victoria’s Torton Tales in advance, or fly by the seat of your pants and write freely?
The first two stories were just as I wrote them for my children and were written off the cuff. The other stories are a little more planned. I try to think of the plot, then the characters, then I just write, write, write, and let my head take me on the journey in the story.
Did you get support with editing, and how much editing did the Victoria’s Torton Tales need?
Yes, my husband, Lloyd, is my editor. As I have said before I feel I am a little dyslexic, Lloyd spends a good while checking and going through it with me before we are happy. I guess the editing takes a few days to complete.
What is the first piece of writing advice you would give to anyone inspired to write a story?
Just do it, I struggled with reading and writing at school, and although I did pass my English CSE many years ago, I still struggle to this day. Don’t let anyone say you can’t, just try it. Sometimes you just need to take a leap of faith. If there’s a story in your head, start writing down.
Roser And Tanner Steam Roller Friends by Wendy Wakelin
Can you give me a hint about any further books you’re planning to write?
Yes, I have many stories to tell in my head. I think the next one will be a bumper issue about an event at which all the characters will attend and each of my 9 characters will have their own chapter about their time at the event. I can’t wait to start putting it down on paper, my head is full of ideas already!
And, finally, are your proud of your accomplishment? Was it worth the effort?
I am very proud of what I have achieved, although I’m not well known (yet!) I enjoy what I do, albeit very, very, hard work trying to promote my books, I won’t give up. It’s so rewarding when you have fans come back for new books and say lovely things like “They are such charming stories”, “My children love them”, “When’s the next one coming out?”, the list goes on.
Is it worth the effort? Yes, I think so, although I have yet to make a living from it, but you never know.
Pop all your book, website and social media links here so the readers can find you:
Donate to support The Table Read We strive to keep The Table Read free for both our readers and our contributors. If you have enjoyed our work, please consider donating to help keep The Table Read going!
Processing…
Success! You're on the list.
Whoops! There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. Please reload the page and try again.
I interviewed author Melanie Notaras about her children’s game and story book, The Art Show That Came To Life, what inspired her, and the creative process that she went though.
Tell me a bit about who you are.
Melanie Notaras, author of The Art Show That Came To Life
Hello! I’m Melanie Notaras. I live in Australia with my three kids, and one of my best moments was winning first prize in a public storytelling competition at the Sydney Writers’ Festival in 2001. When my kids were young, I used to do a lot of volunteering for their primary school, both in the classroom and in fundraising, which is where the idea for my book The Art Show That Came To Life At [Your School Name Here] was born.
When did you first WANT to write a book?
Writing a book has been a long-time dream! I really felt the urge though when I had the idea for a story and structure that hadn’t existed before. I thought this type of book would really excite my kids – and other kids too.
When did you take a step to start writing?
My talent lies more naturally with poetry and rhyme – it’s concise, structured, and I love the beat of words. Prose always felt less natural, and really long, so my first step towards writing a book was breaking it down into scenes that I could complete in a short space, so I wouldn’t have to sustain an idea over a whole chapter or novel.
How long did it take you to complete your first book from the first idea to release?
Five years! That included writing, drawing, editing, publishing and setting up the website. I repeated several of those steps multiple times! However, with that all settled, now I can create, publish and deliver custom editions of The Art Show That Came To Life At [Your School Name Here] for primary schools in three weeks or less.
What made you want to write The Art Show That Came To Life?
One evening, I went to see my kids’ school art show, which was also a fundraising event that we’d organised. One part of my brain started to have a little fun imagining all the pieces moving around or snapping at people; and another part of my brain was thinking about how we were next going to raise money for the school after this event, maybe cookbooks, except they were hard…. and the two thought processes collided into one idea – a book, about an art show coming to life! Set in real schools, customised for each school with their teachers as characters! This quickly merged with other ideas of making it educational, easy to run, environmentally sustainable, and healthy. One of my kids had severe food allergy and missed out on a lot of exciting food-based school events – my book could be a school event that included kids like him, safely and with fun!
What were your biggest challenges with writing The Art Show That Came To Life?
It’s a gamebook, and most pages are a self-standing scene with a choice offered to the reader at the end of the page, so the main challenge was keeping the writing tight and mostly to one page. The other challenge sometimes was trying to figure out a good ‘ending’ (there are 22) or how to tie the story back to another plot so it didn’t end.
The Art Show That Came To Life by Melanie Notaras
Who or what inspired you when creating your Protagonist?
Gamebooks are typically written in second person, so the protagonist is – you, the reader! My story doesn’t create or shape the protagonist but thrusts them into impossible situations that they must try and survive! I was inspired to make the situation as exciting as possible for the protagonist/reader by all the fun I had reading “Choose Your Own Adventure” books when I was a kid.
Who or what inspired you when creating your Antagonist?
There are many antagonists, and they’re all based on reality – they’re objects like cameras or chairs, or historically important characters from the art world such as the Mona Lisa, Vincent Van Gogh or the Terracotta Warriors – but wildly animated! I wanted to merge the everyday world of kids, with the extraordinary richness of art – with a mix of crazy adventure thrown in!
What is the inciting incident of your book?
As soon as you step into the art show, things go awry.
What is the main conflict of your book?
The art characters want to draw you into their world – with nefarious intent. You want to stay alive – or escape!
Did you plot your book in advance, or fly by the seat of your pants and write freely?
Seat of my pants, and I didn’t even write in page order! I’d ask my kids to nominate a number and I’d start writing on that page, then I’d branch off to a new page or return to a previous plotline. I handwrote the first draft in an exercise book to keep the words physically fixed to that page and kept mental track of the multiple plots. Gradually I filled the empty pages and twisted the loose plotlines together into one synchronised story.
The Art Show That Came To Life by Melanie Notaras
Did you get support with editing, and how much editing did The Art Show That Came To Life need?
I edited it myself – easily a hundred times. I wanted to craft the best story possible, so I tweaked it – a lot! I also road-tested the book on a few kids before publishing. Reading the story aloud (or setting your computer to ‘read aloud’) is very helpful – if the words are hard to get out of your mouth, or take too much breath, your writing probably needs to change.
What is the first piece of writing advice you would give to anyone inspired to write a story?
Have kids. Then write stories for them. I’d write two pages about twice a week – my kids would hang onto every word, even if the words were obviously wrong, because they heard the intention of the story and didn’t worry about mistakes. So I didn’t worry either! It was a really positive feedback loop as my little audience loved it and kept demanding more – that’s how I finished the first draft, which is the biggest hurdle.
Can you give me a hint about any further books you’re planning to write?
I have a series of about 6 books planned for my publishing business My School Adventure, and have started on “The Science Fair That Went Berserk At [Your School Name Here]” featuring lab rats, exploding volcanoes, time travel and all the other mayhem that might happen at your school’s exciting science fair.
And, finally, are your proud of your accomplishment? Was it worth the effort?
Yes and yes! I’m really proud of my book and what it can offer schools. I invented a type of story that no one else in the world writes and a book that, because of its structure and content – an adventure so uniquely based around a child’s school – will encourage kids to read, help foster a fun connection with their school, and can help schools fundraise in a healthy, educational and inclusive way. It was definitely worth the effort! 😊
Pop all your book, website and social media links here so the readers can find you:
I interviwewed Shelley-Ann Healey about her work, her motivation, and the creative process behind her new children’s book, The Rainbow Experience.
Tell me a bit about who you are.
Shelley-Ann Healey, author of The Rainbow Experience
Shelley-Ann Healey, I am 44 years old and live with my partner and 3 children in a small village outside Avebury, Wiltshire. UK. I trained as an Angelic Reiki Master in 2010 at the Academy of Angelic Healing in Harrow, North London. I wrote and published The Rainbow Experience based around my experiences with my son who at the time was non-verbal and undergoing assessments for Autism. I decided to observe life through the eyes of the child and through intuition and connecting with him spiritually, I began to learn a different way of learning and teaching. He was saying more in other ways even though he was unable to talk at that time.
When did you first WANT to write a book?
In 2016, after losing our family home and going through financial difficulty I needed to put my focus into something, which initially, the idea was to start a blog for parents. I changed my mind as it felt like there was more to it than just blog posts and each chapter was formed.
When did you take a step to start writing?
Not long after deciding the book had to be created in some way, I gathered information about how to create the book with little to no financial backing and it just flowed from there, I felt it was too important to share regardless of not having the finances to assist professionally. I did it anyway.
How long did it take you to complete your first book from the first idea to release?
2 years in total. The book was first published via Amazon in May 2018.
The Rainbow Experience, by Shelley-Ann Healey
What made you want to write The Rainbow Experience?
I felt a need to explore other perceptions; understanding them, and healing from experiences I’ve had, potentially inspiring and empowering others who have also walked similar pathways. I also thought about the possibility many other parents who were navigating life with an autistic child may need insight into other ways of getting to know their child beyond what they see on the surface.
What were your biggest challenges with writing The Rainbow Experience?
Not having the funds to get help in the final stages of publishing
What was your research process for The Rainbow Experience?
I was inspired by others who had done the same as I became aware of how easy it was to self-publish. I asked lots of questions to already published Authors before committing to the process of publishing.
How did you plan the structure of The Rainbow Experience?
I used Kindle based reading material of how to use create space to layout the pages, for instance, which was the best font to use and sizing of words. I asked an artist friend to get involved with the illustration of the front cover, which are my son’s actual wellington boots he wore when he was 3 and had another friend help with formatting this to fit the size of my book.
Did you get support with editing, and how much editing did The Rainbow Experience need?
I had no support with editing, I proof-read the book myself on 3 separate occasions, and edited it as I read until I was satisfied it could be published.
The Rainbow Experience by Shelley-Ann Healey
What is the first piece of writing advice you would give to anyone inspired to write a book?
Just take each step, one at a time. Don’t look too far ahead to the end result otherwise it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the process. Ask questions from anyone else you know who has done it and get some tips from them.
Can you give me a hint about any further books you’re planning to write?
Yes, it is named Reflections based on my journey with healing through ancestral trauma and how those cycles can show up in our lives energetically and how we can clear them spiritually to help the mental, emotional and physical body in a positive way. This also helps in breaking that cycle for the generations to come.
And, finally, are your proud of your accomplishment? Was it worth the effort?
Absolutely! I see this as a massive achievement and worth every hour of the work I put into it. When reading back some of the chapters, I read it now and it feels like it was not me writing it, even though I remember the subject matter it was based on, I have forgotten most of the content and even find it useful to look back at pages from time to time. It is still helpful to me 3 years later. It is one thing to help other people and have an impact, but how often do we apply our intuitive knowledge and wisdom to our own lives?
Pop all your book, website and social media links here so the readers can find you:
I interviewed author Segilola Salami about her career, her writing experiences, and her latest book, Yetunde.
Yetunde by Segilola Salami
Tell me a bit about who you are.
I’m mama to a beautiful little girl and we live in London. I wear lots of other hats – author, blogger, content writer, online marketer and podcaster. My first children’s book was published in 2015 when I was on maternity leave.
When did you first WANT to write a book?
I never intentionally set out to become an author. In fact, before my daughter was born, if you told me that I would become an author, I would have called you a liar. The year before my daughter was born, my mother passed away. During childbirth, I have a few complications, so coupled with the loss of my mother, I was not in a very good place at that time in my life. I found writing down the bedtime stories my mother used to tell me as a child helped me cope a little bit. One thing led to another then boom Yetunde: The Life and Times of a Yoruba Girl in London (book 1) was born.
When did you take a step to start writing?
Yetunde: The Life and Times of a Yoruba Girl in London (book 1) is my first children’s book. One day, after writing down some more bedtime stories by my mother, I had what I thought was a brilliant idea – to turn those stories into animation with my daughter as the main character. However, I couldn’t afford to pay for the animation. Whilst talking through my dilemma with a friend, it was suggested that I turned the script for the animation into a book. So, that was when I started working on the book.
How long did it take you to complete your first book from the first idea to release?
As I had already written Yetunde: The Life and Times of a Yoruba Girl in London (book 1) as a script for an animation series, it took me only a couple of days to convert it into the manuscript for a children’s book. Once I had the first draft, I got some beta readers to check through the book, then I got an illustrator and book editors. I didn’t keep track of the time but I don’t think it took more one 3 months before the book was published.
How long did it take you to complete your latest book from the first idea to release?
Yetunde: An Ode to My Mother was meant to be book 1.5 of the series. At the time, it felt like my emotions were getting out of control and I needed to birth everything I was feeling, everything I was thinking. I was hurting because my mother always wanted to be a grandmother but never got to meet my daughter. I was hurting because I chased after my career and barely saw my mother since I was 17. I realised that speaking with her everyday over the phone was just not enough. The realisation came when it was too late. So I wrote! It’s been a few years now, so I don’t have the exact timelines. However, I know that Yetunde: The Life and Times of a Yoruba Girl in London (book 1) was published in August 2015 and Yetunde: An Ode to My Mother was made available as a pre-order in December 2015 and published in March 2016.
Focusing on your latest release. What made you want to write this book?
The working title for the latest book I am working on is “A CLARION CALL FOR AFRICANS: THINGS WE CAN LEARN FROM OTHERS TO GROW OUR COMMUNITIES.”
As an author, I find that the characters in each book I want to write tell me what to write. Whilst this book is non-fiction, I find that the words in the book have been playing around in my head for a long time. As a Nigerian, I feel that there are so many things Africans can and should be doing to improve our societies. I hope to inspire the reader (even if the person is not African) to be more supportive of their environment and communities. I hope that we can learn from history, I hope that we can learn from our neighbours.
Yetunde by Segilola Salami
What were your biggest challenges with writing Yetunde?
Right now, I would say that my biggest challenge has been finding the time to sit down and write without interruption. It’s the school holidays and I have to entertain my daughter as well as work from home.
I think this has been a major limiting factor in writing the rest of the Yetunde series.
I wrote a paranormal romance Abiku: A Battle Of Gods under the name Elizabeth Salawu. It is book 1 in the Abiku series and just like the Yetunde series, I have not had the time to finish writing the next book.
I do hope that once school is back in session, I can work on finishing at least one book before the end of November. The school closures due to the pandemic has not made the situation better”
Who or what inspired you when creating your Protagonist?
For the Yetunde books, it was definitely my mother and my daughter. I think of the books as the relationship my mother would have had with my daughter if she were still alive
For the Abiku books, again inspired by my daughter. I wrote it as a message to her should I not be alive when she becomes a young woman. I hoped to tell her that it is perfectly OK to embrace her sexuality and there is no shame whatsoever when it comes to her choices.
As a woman, I have found that it is ok for men to have multiple intimate partners but it’s almost taboo for a woman to have a healthy sexual appetite and she gets called names. I hope that in future sl*t-shaming ends.
Funny enough, my protagonist got a lot of hate (in some of the reviews that I read) because of this.
Did you know that I am a freelance content writer (amongst my numerous hats)? Please let me know if you have any writing needs that you want to outsource and I would be glad to get onboard with you. Just reply to this email or BOOK ONE OF MY CONTENT WRITING AND ONLINE MARKETING SERVICES
