Today we hear from our author in residence, Jessica Warman…

Tell us a little about yourself: 

I’m 30 years old.  I’ve been married for 10 years, and we have two daughters, ages 4 and 6.  I am a terrible homemaker; I can’t cook at all, I’m lousy at doing laundry (imagine a lot of bleeding colors and shrinking), and I don’t even attempt to do any ironing.  I love ice cream; I eat it every single day, always with sprinkles on top, and I don’t feel a bit guilty.  (Life is short!  If I want ice cream, I’m going to eat ice cream!)  I’m an odd kind of introvert: I really enjoy social situations, but they leave me emotionally exhausted, and it often takes me a day or two to fully recover.  Outside of part-time work in college, I’ve never had a job aside from writing.  I would love to own an enormous, slobbery dog (preferably a Saint Bernard, which I would name Marcellus), but my husband won’t stand for it.  I don’t think skinny jeans look good on anyone.

Who were your favourite authors when you were younger?

As a kid, I was absolutely OBSESSED with Ann M. Martin’s Baby-Sitter’s Club series.  I belonged to the fan club and everything; I think I still have my BSC sleeping bag and matching pillowcase stashed away somewhere.  I also LOVED Roald Dahl – I used to read “Matilda” over and over again.  When I got a bit older, I read pretty much everything I could get my hands on.  YA literature wasn’t nearly as big when I was a teen as it is now, so there were way fewer choices – I mostly read the classics.  JD Salinger was my favorite writer for years; I think I’ve read “Catcher in the Rye” at least 20 times.  I fell in love with F. Scott Fitzgerald in high school when I read “The Great Gatsby,” which remains my all-time favorite love story.  Hemingway was (and still is) a favorite of mine, especially his short stories (specifically “Hills Like White Elephants” and “Indian Camp”).  And I think every teen should read “Cat’s Cradle” by Kurt Vonnegut.  It’s magical.

Tell us about Between

BETWEEN tells the story of Liz Valchar, a spoiled, pretty, popular girl who somehow ends up dead on her 18th birthday.  She is joined in the afterlife by Alex Berg, another boy from her high school who was killed a year earlier, and whose death remains a mystery.  Though they weren’t friends in life, the two of them form a strong bond as they are forced to work together to uncover the circumstances that led to their deaths.

What are you working on now?

I’m in the process of revising my fourth novel, which doesn’t have a title yet.  It’s a thriller about identical twin sisters with a unique bond.  When one of them disappears, it is up to her remaining twin to figure out what happened.  The book will be out next year, and I’m REALLY excited about it –  I’ve had such a blast writing it, and I can’t wait to see how readers respond!

What do you enjoy most about writing?

Everything!  I absolutely love my job.  I feel so lucky that I get to do what I love for a living.  I think the best part of the writing process is when I become so totally engrossed in a project that I can’t think about anything else.  I love getting up in the morning and starting to write, only to realize later that four or five hours have passed in a blink.  I love getting to know my characters inside and out, learning all the details of their lives and histories, even if those facts don’t end up making it into the book.  I really enjoy all the other aspects of my job, too – going to conferences and interacting with other writers and readers, responding to emails I receive from fans – it’s all wonderful.  I never wanted to be anything besides a writer, and the fact that I’m actually able to do it is a dream come true.

What do you get up to when you’re not writing?

I read a LOT.  It’s definitely my main form of entertainment – we don’t even have cable television in our house.  My life is really pretty busy with writing, promotion, and taking care of my kids, but I always make time to go running.  I’m a distance runner, and it is an absolute passion of mine.  Running is like meditation; it calms your mind and dissolves stress like nothing else that I know of.  Aside from those things…  well, I can tell you that I’m a beer lover.  But not in an excessive way – I love good, strong craft beers with complex flavor, the kind of beers that you drink slowly in order to savor every last sip.  To me, the alcohol content is quite secondary; I drink beer because it’s delicious, not because I want to get drunk.  Aside from all that, I don’t do much else – I don’t really have time!

Thank you for the opportunity to do this interview!  It was fun!

Jessica’s book, Between, is out this month, and here for you to buy now…

Today we’re taking part in the Angel Fire blog tour….

Behind the Scenes: A note from the editors of Angel Fire

Rebecca Hill and Stephanie King, the two editors who worked with L. A. Weatherly on Angel Fire, sequel to the 2010 smash hit Angel, reveal an exclusive behind-the-scenes peek at the editing of Angel Fire.

Rebecca Hill, Fiction Director at Usborne Publishing:

Authors say that delivering a book to their editor is a nerve-wracking experience, but what about us editors? What happens when we open an email and read the words: “Here’s my finished manuscript”?

Well, my first reaction is excitement; especially when the manuscript is a long-awaited book that forms part of a bestselling trilogy, like Angel Fire. But along with the desire to stop what you’re doing, grab the manuscript and do the thing you enjoy most – READ – there’s also a small flicker of nerves. Will I love this book as much as I hoped? How has the author developed the story? Is the protagonist still engaging? And, will it deliver an ending that leaves me begging for more?

So the first part of an editor’s job is to read. (Now you know why we all love our jobs so much!) For those of you who already have Angel Fire, you’ll know it is 712 pages long. It took three solid days, equipped with lots of pencils, Post-its and paper, but I couldn’t put it down and had to remember to make notes – it’s so easy to get swept up in the moment.

At Usborne Publishing, two editors read every manuscript, so the next stage was to sit down and talk about the book. (Can this possibly be called work, I hear you ask?) Stephanie and I went through all our notes, looking at the manuscript as a whole and asking each other the big questions: Is the plot working? Do the characters feel real? Are there times where the pace dips, or where we’d like more explanation?  And then…we read the manuscript again. We always try and read every first draft twice, as once you know the plot, a second read can reveal things you missed first time around. Then with all of our thoughts consolidated and jotted down, Lee came into the office to talk through everything.

Stephanie King, Fiction Editor at Usborne Publishing:

Once Lee had our editorial notes we waited with baited breath to see what changes she would make to Angel Fire. Occasionally Lee rang to chat through a query, as once she began revising, new questions and ideas cropped up. The second draft arrived a few weeks later, and Rebecca and I prepared for another blissful three days reading. Lee’s first draft was stunning, but it was fantastic to see how she developed it, turning an excellent book into something exceptional.

With the major editorial points concerning plot, pace and characterization addressed, it was now time for Usborne’s Sarah Stewart to copy-edit it. This involves looking carefully at each word and every line, buffing and polishing the manuscript to ensure it is clear and consistent. For Angel Fire we also checked all the Spanish, and, following her whirlwind trip to Mexico City, Lee tweaked some sections to make every last detail authentic.

Lee then approved the copy-edit, resulting in an incredibly fun to-and-fro as Lee agreed, adjusted or politely declined the suggested amendments. With Angel Fire the most fascinating changes were subtle tweaks Lee made to some of the book’s key scenes, where conversations between Willow, Alex and Seb were gradually honed until they were absolutely pitch-perfect.

Once a manuscript has been copy-edited, it is then laid out by a designer as a “proper” book. Rebecca and I always knew that Angel Fire was going to be BIG, but actually holding the layouts for the first time was a total buzz! The manuscript was then proofread by two different readers, who picked up those last silly spellies, rogue apostrophes, repetitions and terrible typos! Corrections were sent to Lee one last time, she put the finishing touches to a few scenes, and…PRINT!

I don’t think I’ll ever get over the heart-pounding moment when a book is sent to the printers, fingers crossed that it’s perfect and mistake-free. I also really missed Willow and my daily chats with Lee. But above all, it was just SO exciting to know that soon, Angel Fire, would be out there for readers to enjoy. We hope all you Angel fans will love it as much as we do!

Thanks! You can follow the tour to it’s next stop on Thursday 20th – ‘L.A. Weatherly’s Rules for Writing’ over at www.cherrymischievous.com. Angel Fire’s here for you to buy now…

It’s October, and we have a new author in residence with us – welcome to Jessica Warman! We’ll soon be bringing you our Q&A with Jessica, a guest post and review of her new book, Between, and a giveaway! Watch this space…

In the meantime, Jessica shares with us her 5  favourite reads…

5. Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut

This is probably my favorite Vonnegut novel – which is saying a lot, because they’re all incredible.  The writing style is unique and incredible; it’s casual and hilarious and profound all at once.  The book is an easy read on the surface, but there’s so much more going on: insights about everything from religion and spirituality, to human nature, to the question of whether or not evil actually exists… I could go on and on.  I loved every last word.

4. Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger

I’ve read this book probably two dozen times at least.  For years it was my all-time favorite.  While its place on my list has slipped a bit, I still think it’s a great example of masterful characterization and voice.  Holden Caulfield will always have a special place in my heart.

3. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

This is a magical, heartbreaking book that everyone should read at least once in their lives. If you don’t know what it’s about, I won’t ruin it for you, but I will say that it’s the kind of book that has the power to change the way a person looks at the world.

2. FRACTURE by Megan Miranda

I just read this a few weeks ago, thanks to an advance copy from my publisher; the book doesn’t come out until January 2012.  This is Megan Miranda’s first novel, and it is a gorgeous book.  The story is fascinating, the writing is beautiful, and the characters are incredibly well-drawn.  There were so many instances while reading this when I could easily picture the scenes unfolding in my mind.  Maybe my favorite YA of all time.

1. Everything that has ever been written by David Foster Wallace (His books include A Supposedly Fun Thing I’ll Never Do Again, Consider the Lobster, Broom of the System, Girl with Curious Hair, Brief Interviews with Hideous Men, and Infinite Jest.)

David Foster Wallace’s books are thick and difficult and definitely intended for adults, but regardless of your age, it’s a name I think you should be familiar with.  Wallace, who died a few years ago, was the most gifted writer of the past hundred years.  I realize that’s only my opinion, but it’s also the opinion of plenty of other people who have  fallen (hopelessly, deeply) in love with the way he was able to arrange words into sentences into books in a way that I honestly didn’t think was possible prior to reading his work.  It’s simply magical.  Wallace had the ability to see into every part of the core of human nature and deconstruct it, making sense of humanity’s idiosyncrasies with such ease that his observations somehow seem like they should be obvious.  They’re not; I say this because no other writer (who I know of) exists who is able to interpret the essence of reality with the same agility.  His books are not easy reading by any means, but they’re worth every ounce of effort.

There’s just no possible way for me to choose only one of his books for the top position on this list.  Truth be told, if I were being completely honest, the entire list would have been comprised of Wallace books.  They are unflinchingly honest, tragic and hilarious all at once, and by far the most cerebrally engaging writing that I’ve ever read in my life.  He gave this world an incredible gift, and the idea that he’s no longer here to share his thoughts with the world makes me feel incredibly sad – not only for him, and for myself, but for all of humanity for the rest of time.  When I think of the phrase “literary genius,” his is the first and only name that comes to mind.  His work makes everything else that has ever been published seem like it was written by a group of monkeys in a room full of typewriters.  And the monkeys are wearing blindfolds, and they’ve been drinking margaritas all day long, and they’re typing using only their toes.

Read his books. They will enrich your life in more ways than you ever thought possible.

Thanks, Jessica! You can find out more about Jessica at her website here.

Today we are taking part in the Jack Christie Adventures blog tour, and have an extract from the latest book, Day of Vengeance, followed by our review of it, and a giveaway!

Jack found it unnerving that he knew what was about to happen. The app had showed it all. In a few minutes, a number of large, open-top, six-wheeled vehicles would drive up the Champs-Elysées towards him. In the front seat of the first car would sit Adolf Hitler – leader of the Third Reich. He would be absorbed by the grandeur of Paris and satiated by the blood of conquest. The entourage would almost completely circumnavigate the Arc de Triomphe and would then proceed directly down Avenue Victor Hugo before arriving at the Palais de Chaillot for the Führer’s first view of the Eiffel Tower. Hitler would be inspired by his visit to Paris and, as a result, would instruct his favourite architect, Albert Speer, who was accompanying him, to resume building work in Berlin.

Except now Jack knew that, if Jean-Yves, Marianne, Ours and Patrice carried out their plan, Hitler would never see the Eiffel Tower and would not leave Paris alive.

Jack could just see Angus further down the Champs-Elysées. Angus had his head turned away from Jack and in turn was looking even further down the avenue to where Sophie would be. The three of them were spread out along the avenue, Jack at the Arc de Triomphe, Sophie about halfway down and Angus in between. As soon as Hitler’s motorcade passed Sophie, she would signal to Angus, who would signal back up to Jack. Jack would then signal to Ours and Patrice, who were waiting opposite in Avenue de Friedland to make their move. Jean-Yves and Marianne waited on Avenue Foch as backup. The circular plan of grand avenues arranged around the mighty Arc de Triomphe made for a natural arena to target the motorcade and would allow an easy escape.

Although Jack could not see it, far away down the Champs-Elysées, Sophie had already spotted the Führer’s motorcade rumbling towards her. She immediately took a red scarf and wrapped it around her neck. Angus saw the signal. He took a white cap from inside his jacket and put it on. The motorcade drove towards him. Although he was far away, Jack could clearly see the white hat on Angus’s head. He waited for a few seconds, then, sure enough, he spotted the motorcade rumbling into view. Jack took a large blue handkerchief from his pocket and put it to his nose. Red, white and blue. There was no turning back now. Across the street, where Avenue de Friedland joined the Place de l’Étoile, Ours mounted his 100cc Peugeot motor scooter and revved the engine. Patrice got up behind him, riding pillion. He reached inside his leather jacket with one hand to check his revolver. In ten seconds the leading car would be moving into the Place de l’Étoile and around the Arc de Triomphe. Ours would drive his scooter right up to the side of the leading car and Patrice would fire at point-blank range at the Führer in the passenger seat.

Jack knew that he should do what he had been told and, having given the signal, disappear quickly to make his way back to the rendezvous. But the scene before him had a curious, hypnotic momentum. It was too much for him just to walk away. The Mercedes sedan was a great lump of a car – more like a military vehicle, and, as it moved near, Jack found himself staring, dumbfounded. It was then, finally, sitting up high in the passenger’s seat that Jack saw him. The Führer. Adolf Hitler. He wore a dark, leather overcoat and a high, peaked army cap – like the one Gottschalk had worn at Bonaparte’s. He was staring up at the great bulwark of the Arc de Triomphe, and then, for no explicable reason he lowered his gaze and looked towards Jack, standing by the road a few metres ahead. For a split second, their eyes met. Hitler’s eyes were unblinking. Jack tried to understand what they communicated. He remembered what he knew about the Führer. He had survived the First World War and had hacked his way through the confusion of post-war Germany to grasp control of the most powerful country in the world. Through a pernicious blend of nationalism, racism and risk taking he had harnessed an undercurrent of bitterness amongst many Germans. His bullying demands had, for many years, appeared reasonable and had been rewarded by good people inside and outside of Germany. They had the power to resist him but they were too scared to act in case they unwittingly unleashed a second war – that might be even worse than the First World War. It was only now, with nearly the whole of Europe under Nazi control, that these good people had started to understand the true horror that had been unleashed. Here was the man responsible for millions of deaths. And that was exactly what those eyes communicated – death.

Aah, we want to read on..! If it’s tempted you, too, the links to get your copy are at the bottom of this post, so don’t worry! And here Bookbabbler Jonathan reviews it for us…

Day of Vengeance by Johnny O’Brien

Schoolboy time-traveller Jack Christie is thrown back to 1940s Nazi-occupied France. With the Battle of Britain and the German Vengeance programme underway, the Second World War is at a crucial point. Jack and his best friend Angus take a more senior role in VIGIL’s attempts to prevent intervention in history, attempting to stop the Revisionists from their highly volatile nuclear plan to stop the war. With spitfire dogfights, jeep races and thrilling chases, the boys have their most hair-raising adventure yet, including involvement in an assassination attempt on Hitler himself. Just as all seems lost, Jack’s father returns and a nuclear disaster is averted in the nick of time.

Jack Christie and his friend Angus work for VIGIL who own of one of the only two time travelling machines in the world. They have already been on two time travelling adventures for VIGIL. Their enemies, the Revisionists, try to change time for what they call good, but VIGIL know this could have unforeseen effects and change the present. Jack’s dad used to work for the Revisionists but has stopped now. No-one knows whose side he’s on.

After the Revisionists launch an attack on VIGIL Jack and Angus have to make their way to their school which is the VIGIL headquarters. But the Revisionists succeed in taking over VIGIL, and Jack and Angus only narrowly escape by travelling back into the past to the beginning of the Second World War. They meet their old enemy Dr.Pendelshape who is the head of the Revisionists and is planning on using advanced technology (for 1940) to end WWII early. Should they help or stop him or will it all go terribly wrong?

This book is good because it has a lot of historical information at the back of the book and also some within the book though most of the characters are fictional. I enjoyed the book but I but I wish it was longer (it has only has about 200 pages), but I guess other people might like short books. Also it was good because there was lots of action and I especially liked the amazing stunts Angus did. I would rate this book 9/10.

Thanks, Jonathan, and thanks to Templar Publishing for sending us a copy to review and sharing the fab extract with us! You can follow the tour over at Bookster Reviews tomorrow, and can visit the Jack Christie Adventures Facebook page now. Thanks to the team at Templar Publishing, we have a set of the Jack Christie Adventures books to giveaway to one lucky Bookbabbler now. To enter into the competition, comment on this post or retweet it (UK only), and we’ll pick a winner at 7pm on Monday – good luck all! You can buy all three of the books here now…

It’s already September! That means we say goodbye to Stephanie Burgis and hello to Mary Hooper - welcome Mary!! We’ll soon be bringing you our Q&A with Mary, an extract and review of her new book, Velvet, and a giveaway! Watch this space…

In the meantime, Mary shares with us her favourite children’s books…

BECKY BANANAS – THIS IS YOUR LIFE By Jean Ure 

The second title in Jean Ure’s acclaimed series of humorous, delightful and poignant stories written in the form of diaries and letters which make them immediately accessible to children. Becky Bananas is eleven years, nine months, three days and fourteen hours old and her great ambitions are: /To visit the world-famous Wonderland theme park /To star on the TV programme This Is Your Life /To become a famous dancer /And to be twelve A poignant and heartwarming story of Becky Bananas, who has leukaemia.

About an eleven year old girl who has leukaemia. Not in the least bit schmaltzy or sentimental, and not depressing either, but life-affirming, funny, poignant and real.

A NEST OF VIPERS By Catherine Johnson

Cato Hopkins is the youngest member of Mother Hopkins’s ‘family’ – a group of skilled fraudsters and pickpockets. There’s Addy, who can become a very convincing boy when she needs to; the beautiful Bella, who can charm any rich young man out of his fortune; Sam, an escaped slave and Cato himself, a young boy, who Mother Hopkins has taught everything she knows. But old age is slowing Mother Hopkins down, and she wants to carry out one last con, a con to outdo all the cons that have gone before. And so the gang set about bringing ruin upon Captain Walker, a proud and cruel slave captain, who deserves to be taught a lesson or two . . .

A thrilling story about Cato, boy criminal, the youngest member of an 18th Century street gang in London, who together set about bringing about the downfall of a cruel and arrogant slave captain.

VOYAGE By Adele Geras

A group of young Russian Jews emigrate to America in 1904.

The beautifully written story of a group of young Russian Jews who emigrated to the US in 1904. The characters beguile and the unusual subject fascinates from the very first page.

CATCALL By Linda Newbury

It’s a time of change for Josh. He has a relatively new stepdad and a brand new baby sister. But for Josh’s younger brother, Jamie, the family upheaval has deeply disturbing consequences: he refuses to speak, and after a vivid, frightening dream develops an obsession with wild cats. With his parents so preoccupied, it’s up to Josh – who’s always been the quiet one – to keep the family together and find a cure for his brother’s strange behaviour. And in helping Jamie to recover his voice, Josh discovers an unexpectedly resonant one of his own.

Take two young boys, a broken family, plus stepfather and new baby sister. And then add a very unusual occurrence and watch the tension build. A story told with insight and humour.

JUST WILLIAM by Richmal Crompton

There is only one Just William. The loveable imp has been harassing his unfortunate family and delighting hundreds of thousands of readers for years.

An old-fashioned setting (1930/40s), but that’s part of the enjoyment. My top tip for lifting the spirits at any age. If you enjoy a giggle, then you’ll love the William books.

Thanks, Mary! You can check out Mary’s website here and find out more…

Today our author in residence shares her favourite books with us….

5 Favourite Reads by Stephanie Burgis

I devour books like chocolate, so it’s dangerous to ask me to start talking about them…I could go on forever! I’ve even got a page on my website completely devoted to my top favourite Kat-related books you can check out here. But when Bookbabblers invited me to write a guest post here about five favourite reads, I decided it was the perfect opportunity to talk about some of the books I’ve loved most recently:

1. The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place, Book One: The Mysterious Howling, by Maryrose Wood

I’m afraid this one is only published in America, but it is available through amazon.co.uk, and it is SO worth it. I haven’t laughed so much over a book – and I mean uncontrollable giggling out loud! – for a long, long time. When Miss Penelope Lumley leaves the Swanburne School to become a governess, she is astonished to discover that her new charges aren’t just wild, they were actually raised by wolves…and the results are hilarious and adorable. I loved, loved, loved this book, and I can’t wait to read the second book in the series!

2. The Penderwicks, by Jeanne Birdsall

Oh, this book was so much fun! Four sisters and their absent-minded father spend their summer in a self-catering cottage on a secluded estate in America, meet and rescue a lonely boy, and create an enormous amount of (very funny) trouble. It reads like an inspired combination of Little Women and Swallows and Amazons, with the feeling of really classic literature. I loved the characters so much, especially the relationships among the sisters.

3. I also adore the third book in the Penderwick series, The Penderwicks at Point Mouette, which is due to come out in the UK in February 2012.

The Penderwick girls are split apart for the first time ever, and the younger Penderwicks end up unleashed without their protective big sister to deal with disastrous (and hilarious) first love, musical genius, and melodrama. This book stands alone beautifully, so you don’t have to read either of the earlier Penderwick books before you enjoy it…but why wouldn’t you want to? (I didn’t love Book 2 as much as the other two books, but I wouldn’t have missed Book 1 for the world!)

4. Catherine, Called Birdy, by Karen Cushman

This one is out of print, frustratingly, but there are lots of cheap, used copies available, and it’s so worth hunting it down. Set in the Middle Ages, this is the diary of stubborn, grumpy, rebellious and completely lovable teenager Catherine. Her voice is so strong and engaging, and I utterly adored being swept into her medieval world, complete with captive bears that must be saved, shaggy-bearded suitors that must be somehow disposed of, and older brothers that must be taught their proper place.

5. Vanished, by Sheela Chari

Another book that’s only published in the US, I’m afraid, but oh, it is wonderful! Eleven-year-old Neela lives in Boston and dreams of becoming a professional musician if she can ever overcome her shyness. When her instrument, a traditional Indian veena, is stolen, Neela is swept into an international mystery and ends up researching curses, traveling to India, and making new friends along the way. I love the way this book meshes exciting adventure and mystery with absolutely beautiful writing.

And now I’m off to the library to discover more books – my very favourite kind of treasure hunting!

Thanks, Steph – fab choices! We’ll be hearing more from Steph throughout the month, but in the meantime, you can find out more about her here and get her books here…

Today we hear from author Paula Rawsthorne, followed by our review of her YA debut novel, released this week…

The Harshest Critics by Paula Rawsthorne

I had been writing short stories for adults but when I started thinking about writing my first novel, I knew that I wanted it to be for Young Adults.  Every now and then you’ll hear some, ignorant, person proclaim that writing for children is the easy option; that kids will read any old rubbish that can be fired off by an author in their lunch break.  I wanted to write a novel for Young Adults because I knew that the opposite was true.  There are no harsher critics than teenagers.  They don’t suffer fools gladly and certainly don’t feel the obligation, like many adults, to keep reading a book that isn’t engaging them.  Sometimes I think adults do this out of reverence to a particular author or maybe because a book has been festooned with literary awards and so they feel that they should be engrossed in it.

I also chose to write a novel for Young Adults because I reckoned that what most children and teenagers want out of a book is the same as me: ‘a great story, well told’.  That was something for me to aspire to.

I wanted to create a story that would keep me hooked and enthused through all the long months of writing and redrafting.  I wanted my story to be entertaining, gripping and even thought-provoking.  A story that would, hopefully, make some of these harshest of critics choose to pick it up and keep turning the pages until the very end.

My gut instinct told me not to start researching `the market’; not to be bothered about trends and what’s `in’ and what might be `in’ next. I know it’s a very tempting thing for YA writers to do, as many publishers seem hung up on trends and cashing in on them (which is understandable as they are running a business, after all).  This focus on trends inevitably filters down to literary agents and to us writers out there who want our books to be published and read.  But I realised that the only way for me to get through the mammoth task of writing a novel was to write a story I was passionate about (regardless of trends).

I found that story in my thriller, The Truth about Celia Frost.  The first thing that came to me was a vivid image of Celia and Janice Frost. I could see how they looked, their mannerisms and personalities and I knew that there was something about Celia that her mother was not telling her.  As many writers find, it is from the germ of an idea that the story ferments in your head and evolves as you write, regardless of your initial plotting.

You realise that your characters have come alive when you start becoming emotional on their behalf, when you’re tapping away at your keyboard, cheering them on, telling them off and feeling devastated for them.  You know that you’ve become completely absorbed in your story when you wake up in the middle of the night shouting, “I know what Celia should do!” and scribbling your thoughts down on a shopping receipt next to your bed.  You know that you’re writing something you’re passionate about when you’re still up at 2 a.m. tussling with a paragraph.  This is how I felt when writing The Truth about Celia Frost.

I submitted the opening chapters to the Undiscovered Voices 2010 competition run by SCWBI.  A few months later I got a telephone call: to my amazement I had been selected as one of the winners.  An agent on the judging panel said she loved my book and wanted to represent me.  On August 1st, Usborne will be publishing Celia Frost – I’m still having to pinch myself.  Now, however, is the most nail-biting time of all, when I’ll get what I wished for: my book will be out there for the harshest critics to judge.  I certainly hope that they enjoy it!

Thanks, Celia! Over to Luke, and our review…

The Truth About Celia Frost by Paula Rawsthorne

Celia Frost’s life is ruled by fear – fear of a rare disorder that means she could bleed to death from the slightest cut. But when a knife attack on Celia has unexpected consequences, her mum reacts strangely. Suddenly they’re on the run, and Celia has not idea why. All she wants is the truth….. but the truth is more horrifying than she could ever imagine, and it’s closing in fast.

Intriguing and exciting are the first thoughts that came into my head upon reading the first few chapters of this book. In it we follow Celia Frost. Celia’s a tall gangly girl who finds it difficult to fit in at any of the schools she has attended, and she has attended many in her fourteen years. She suffers from a rare disorder which means if she gets cut then she could bleed to death. This has led her to be ostracised from her fellow classmates, and her only friend and companion is her mother Janice. As the story uncovers we find that the ideas Celia’s mum has instilled into her daughter are not true and Celia begins to doubt everything her controlling mother tells her. After Celia is stabbed at her current school they flee again. They move up to  Bluebell Towers where Celia befriends a young boy called Sol. Together they search for the truth which involves scientists, private detectives and a gang of hoodlums who terrorise the housing estate.

I really had no idea where the story was going and it kept me guessing throughout. An excellent book which I felt appeared a little rushed near the end. The story unfolded rapidly towards the end of the book, and I felt ended a little abruptly. Overall a great book with a great build up. Certainly one you won’t be able to put down once you start reading.

Thanks, Luke, and thanks to Usborne Children’s Books for sending us a copy. It’s out for you to buy now..

It’s a new month, so we have a new ‘author in residence’ with us – a warm welcome to Stephanie Burgis! Stephanie has a new book, A Tangle of Magicks, out this month, and we’ll be bringing you our review of it (along with a chance for you to win it!) later this month, along with hearing more from Steph. In the meantime, get to know her a little better…

Give us a little intro to yourself

I’m a dual UK/US citizen, and I live in Wales with my husband, web designer (and writer!) Patrick Samphire, our toddler son (known on my blog as “Mr Darcy”), and our sweet border collie mix, Maya. My trilogy of Regency-era fantasy novels for kids, The Unladylike Adventures of Kat Stephenson, started with A MOST IMPROPER MAGICK, and Book 2, A TANGLE OF MAGICKS is out now. You can read the first three chapters of both novels on my website (www.stephanieburgis.com) .

What made you start to write?

I’ve been obsessed with books ever since my parents first started to read them to me. It wasn’t until I was seven years old, though, that I finally realized there was something even more fun than reading: writing! I was determined from that moment to be a professional writer when I grew up. I feel incredibly lucky that I am actually living that dream now.

Tell us about A Tangle of Magicks

A Tangle of Magicks is Book 2 in The Unladylike Adventures of Kat Stephenson, but it can also stand on its own for readers who haven’t had the chance to read A Most Improper Magick yet. Here’s what my publisher says about it:
Kat’s stepmother drags their family to the fashionable city of Bath to remove Kat’s sister Angeline from a most improper suitor. But unbeknownst to Stepmama, Regency-era Bath is full of notorious rakes, Napoleonic spies, and dangerous wild magic!
When Kat uncovers a plot to harness the wild magic in the Roman Baths, she finds her brother Charles is unwittingly involved. Now Kat must risk her own newfound magical powers as she defies the powerful Order of the Guardians to foil the plot and clear her brother’s name.

Where did the inspiration come from for your heroine, Kat Stephenson?

I always adored the novels of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer, and several of them include younger sisters who only pop up in the book for long enough to say something snarky and disrespectful to their older sisters (the romantic heroines). I thought it would be really fun to make my heroine the *youngest* sister, busy carrying out her own fabulous magical adventures even while her older sisters are distracted by mere romance.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I love playing with my toddler son, reading books (both to him and to myself), visiting gorgeous natural places like woods and lakes, and visiting castles. (I *love* castles – one of my favourite things about the town I live in now is that there are two different castles within a 20-minute drive from my house!)

Hard question – if you could only read 3 more books again (giving you 3 choices, as 1 must be impossible!), what would they be?

1. The Collected Works of Jane Austen (I know, this is cheating, but still…!)

2. The Lord of the Rings (in a collected 1-volume edition, of course!

3. The Talisman Ring, by Georgette Heyer. Sooo delicious and funny!

Thanks, Steph! Look out for more from Steph with us this month, visit her website here, and follow her on Twitter here.

Keris Stainton’s new book, Jessie Hearts NYC, is out to buy this month, so she’s sharing with us her favourite NYC books…

Top 5 Children’s Books set in New York

Eloise by Kay Thompson

Eloise lives with her nanny at The Plaza Hotel in New York. The daughter of rich parents, she is left daily to her own devices. She knows everything about The Plaza and everyone in it. Henry James would want to study her, and Queen Victoria would recognise her as an equal.

I thought I’d start with a classic. Eloise lives in The Plaza Hotel. She spends a lot of time running around the hotel, causing trouble. She has a pug named Weenie and a turtle named Skipperdee. She is awesome, obviously.

Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems

This funny story tells how Trixie and Knuffel Bunny’s trip to the laundromat with Dad goes terribly wrong when Trixie realizes some bunny’s been left behind…! Her attempts to alert Dad all the way home are unsuccessful, until Mum points out that Knuffel Bunny is missing and the family hotfoot it back to the laundromat. Fortunately, KB is safe, if a little wet…

I adore Mo Willems books and fortunately so do my children. Knuffle Bunny – about a toddler who leave her favourite toy at the laundrette – was the first we ever read and I must admit I was attracted to it by its gorgeous illustrations. The illustrations are on photographs of Park Slope, Brooklyn (where Willems lives) and Trixie, the toddler, is based on Willems’ own daughter.

From the Mixed up Files of Mrs Basil E Frankweiler by E L Konigsburg

Claudia and Jamie run away from home and wind up living at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. There they are privy to the introduction of a new statue and immediately are suspicious of its authenticity. 1968 Newbery Medal; Library of Congress Children’s Book of the Year; ALA Notable Children’s Book.

11-year-old Claudia and her younger brother Jamie run away to New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. Eloise made me want to live in a hotel and this book made me want to live in a museum.

A Walk in New York by Salvatore Rubbino

A boy, his father and their dog wander in midtown Manhattan, taking in some of New York’s most famous landmarks and well-known streets, meeting New Yorkers and discovering how the iconic city looks, sounds, smells, tastes and feels…

A friend bought this for me for my 40th birthday and it probably is more suitable for me than for either of my young sons. There’s no story as such, it’s just a boy and his dad exploring New York with accompanying facts and figures (like ‘More hot dogs are eaten in New York than anywhere else in the USA’) and gorgeous retro illustrations.

The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden

After Chester, a cricket, arrives in the Times Square subway station, he takes up residence in a newsstand. Between escapades in New York City, Chester and four new friends manage to bring success to the almost bankrupt newsstand.

Another classic that I was obsessed with as a child. It made me yearn to go to New York… and live in an abandoned drain pipe in the Times Square subway station. I was a weird kid.

Thanks, Keris. To find out more about Keris, check out her website here, and you can buy these reads, along with Keris’ new book, Jessie Hearts NYC, here..

Today marks the end of the month, ending SC Ransom’s residency with us, so she shares with us a final post…

‘Wear good shoes and show no fear…..’

I’ve just started doing school visits; going to secondary schools and talking about my books and the process of writing. I’ve never done anything like this before, so was somewhat apprehensive. I’ve done hundreds of business presentations, so I wasn’t worried about getting up and talking to loads of people, but the audiences I normally address are unlikely to heckle. I knew that I needed help so I turned to the writing community of Twitter, asking their advice. I got loads of really useful responses, but the one which really stood out was:

‘Wear good shoes and show no fear’

I can’t remember now who provided this particular gem (maybe Cat Clarke, author of Entangled?), but the advice seemed to resonate. I went shopping.

My first visit was to my old school, and a sea of familiar uniforms faced me as I stood there in my LK Bennett spiked heels. The girls there were lovely, and listened intently as I talked about how I had written the book, and how I had managed to get published. I had also recently been to see the first book being printed, and was still stunned by the whole printing process, so I talked about that too. Thinking back, they did glaze over a little at that point, but they asked loads of really good questions and I signed dozens of books.

I then set off on a mini tour, warming to my subject, and it wasn’t until I asked for feedback from one of the organisers of a particular event that I realised what I was doing – I was giving a business presentation about the practicalities of publishing. I wasn’t talking about what was in my book, but rather about how the book came to be there. As a result I don’t think that I was inspiring the kids to pick up books and read, which is what I had been hoping to do. So I ditched the presentation and started again.

Now when I speak to kids I still show slides, because I think that it makes a useful focus for their attention, but I talk a lot more about the characters, how I decided what they were going to be like and the locations I chose. I ask the kids who they would choose to play the characters in a movie (they all seem of have an opinion on that), what they think about the covers and where they would set a book. I’ve also been reading more from the books, as I’ve been assured by several of the librarians that the kids really like being read to. They’ve started asking lots more questions too.

I was really nervous before a recent talk: it was to a mixed group (my books are primarily aimed at girls), there were about 80 of them, and the audience included the ‘literacy disadvantaged’ set at the rear of the room. I was warned that they might get a little boisterous and be shepherded out mid-talk, and not to worry if that happened. I kept thinking back to the ‘show no fear’ advice and tried hard to make sure I looked relaxed. But I needn’t have been concerned. They were all fantastic, and the kids at the back asked some brilliant questions.

During my talks I’ve also been hugely impressed by the dedication of all the school librarians. They all seem so knowledgeable and so enthusiastic about getting the kids to read, whatever it is they enjoy, and it seems madness that so many of them are now fighting for their jobs. In my opinion reading is the very best preparation for being a writer, and a good librarian can introduce kids to a vast array of work in a structured and understandable way.

I see school visits as one of the best parts about my new part-time writing career, and I’m looking forward to doing many more. Getting feedback from the intended audience for the books is invaluable, and helping to inspire reluctant readers is unbelievingly satisfying. During my last visit a girl shyly asked me if I would review the novel she had been writing, and another school is running a competition to write a first chapter of a book called Small Blue Thing. I can’t wait to see what they come up with!

Thanks, Sue! It’s been great having you here at Bookbabblers – you’re very welcome back any time! You can buy Sue’s first two books here now..