A couple of bits of good news for those of the writerly persuasion.

Libraries are reporting a rise in demand for ‘chick lit’ as ‘readers try to escape the gloom’. And a highly respected literary editor also told me yesterday that ‘feel-good’ books are all the rage at the moment.

And people, let me tell you, that is good news for us ‘chick litters’, and popular fiction writers in general. Our star shineth brightly.

Second piece of news comes c/o The Bookseller.

‘Hodder snaps up novels 3 and 4 by Geraghty’

Hodder has acquired world rights to 2 novels by new Irish chick-lit writer Ciara Geraghty for ‘a significant six-figure sum.’ This deal is for Ciara’s 3rd and 4th books. So huge congrats to Ciara – her first book, Saving Grace, is certainly worth reading – very funny, with a great, warm, independent main character. Something a bit different. If you like Marian Keyes or Clare Dowling, you’ll enjoy it too.

Some good news for Thursday. To go along with the sun!

SarahX

Remember the Noah’s Ark play I was telling you about – the one I wrote for my daughter’s school? Anyway it was on this week and I went with Amy to see it.

The young actors were fab and it was so weird to see them saying the words I’d written. What I was most proud of was this – I gave each of Noah’s sons and daughters a very different character – for example Ada-Darling was a cheerleader type, interested in her nails and her hair and married to the sporty brother. This worked really well – as each of the actors really used this to bring their part alive.

In fact it made me realise how important strong, larger than life characters are, both on stage and on the page. Characters make a story.

So if you are writing fiction, make sure your characters jump off the page.

SarahX

Thanks to Nonie for the kind comments on my Amy Green book, and to Leah for the mention on her book website. Apologies, girls, my reply button is not working for some weird computer reason.
Just as well my lovely boyfriend bought me a new pink Sony laptop for Christmas – if only I had the time (or the knowledge, let’s be honest!) to transfer the files. So I’m still on the kids’ laptop in the kitchen, and my old Dell thing in the study. You know how it is.

I was in London yesterday meeting my new agent who is a fab woman called Philippa. I’m in awe of her superior knowlege and general aura of calm. I’m very lucky that she and her colleagues in LAW decided to take me on, thanks folks! Promise I’ll work really, really hard.

Also met the delightful film people who have bought the rights to Amy Green. Even if Amy Green never makes it to the big or small screen, I have already enjoyed the experience. And the script writer is a doll. Used to do a fishing telly show and his name is Fisher – no kidding!

I had another lovely London trip a few weeks ago to see my two publishers – Pan Macmillan and Walker – I do like London. Great city. Managed to sniggle into Patrick Ness’s launch that trip – did I write about that? You know, I honestly can’t remember.

Anyway, back to writing and to Patrick. He also spoke at a children’s book conference in Dublin on Saturday (Children’s Books Ireland – google them, they are fabber than fab). And he said this ‘Write with joy. Every day. Write – with – joy.’ Hear, hear! It’s so important. You must sit down at your desk/at the kitchen table/in the library and pour your heart onto the page – but your whitest, purest heart. Your joyful heart. You must leave all your earthly worries behind you and just enjoy the writing. Then hopefully you’ll pass on some of this joy to your readers.

Some of Patrick’s scenes are pretty dark. He doesn’t write violence or cruelty lightly. He imagines someone he loves, someone vulnerable being hurt and writes from that dark and upsetting place. It’s excellent advice.

He’s currently the on-line writer in residence for Book Trust in the UK. Inspired choice.

I’ll leave you with that thought – and Patrick’s advice – write with joy.

Best,
Sarah X

After several weeks of hard slog I’m delighted to report that The Loving Kind, novel number nine, is finally finished. First draft anyway! I’m sure there will be plenty of changes to be made once I get my notes back from my editor.
It’s 94,347 words long, 352 pages – but who’s counting!

Here is a very exclusive sneak peak: Do let me know what you think!

A very relieved Sarah X

Romance writer, Libby Small has just been dumped by her agent, her publisher and now her husband. She’s finally had enough!

When she’s offered the chance to ghost write a novel for ex Miss Ireland, Lulabelle Ryan – travelling from five star hotel to five star hotel as part of the model’s entourage – she decides what the hell? And even better, her best friend, spiky-mouthed magazine columnist, Celeste Barnacle, is coming along for the ride.

Two months to write a raunchy bonk buster set in the glitzy modelling world – should be easy – right?

Wrong!

Lulabelle is filming ‘Plastic Fantastic’, a reality show about plastic surgery – and as she goes under the knife in San Francisco, Paris and finally Antigua, Libby and Celeste have to follow her – in and out of the operating rooms.

There are some benefits – Celeste quite fancies getting up close and personal with Leo, Lulabelle’s handsome and enigmatic manager. If she could only forget about her other male addiction . . . .

Patrick Ness dinner in One Pico, Dublin

When: Thursday 14th May
Who was there? Everyone, darling! Robert Dunbar, Tom and Mags from Children’s Books Ireland, Niall McMonagle, David O’Callaghan from Eason, Bob from Hughes and Hughes, Edwina from Eason, Conor, JO and Denise from Walker, uber teacher, Liz Morris, and lots of other lovely kiddi lit lads and lassies.
Food: I was a wee bit late as I had an Irish Pen meeting, so I missed the starters – and went straight to cod on a bed of mash, with creamy sauce. Delicious! Ice cream to follow.
Goss on the night: We chatted about the upcoming CBI summer school – Patrick is one of the speakers. Can’t wait to hear him.
Also about how excited we all are about Shaun Tan’s arrival in Dublin from Oz. Tom had just collected him from the airport and deposited him in his hotel to sleep off the jet lag. I can’t contain myself. Roll on Saturday!
Patrick’s editor, Denise gave a lovely speech and so did Patrick – thanking everyone for all their support.
It was a truly wonderful evening.

Next week – dinner with the Fonz – it’s true! I’ll tell you all about it, don’t worry. I’ll even bring my camera, promise!

SarahX

Loved this teen book – ideal for any Twilight fans out there – don’t miss it!

Book of the Month Review (Irish Independent)

If I Stay by Gayle Foreman
Doubleday £12.99
Review by Sarah Webb

Now and then you find a book that keeps you up all night. If I Stay by Gayle Forman is such a book. Set to become one of the biggest teen novels of the year, film rights have already been sold to Summit Entertainment who recently produced Twilight.

Seventeen year old Mia lies in a coma twenty four hours after a horrific car accident. She can hear what’s going on around her in the hospital, but she’d can’t open her eyes or move. She knows her parents have been killed; she knows her little brother is barely alive in another hospital.

As she hovers between life and death, Mia must make the ultimate decision – will she stay or will she allow herself drift away. Life or death – it’s a simple as that. As she lies there, she thinks back over her life and what she has to lose: her devoted rock musician boyfriend, Adam, her beloved cello playing, her best friend, Kim. And the reader is invited to experience these things through Mia’s memory, a clever and original plot device.

Mia’s eccentric family is beautifully portrayal as a flawed yet supportive and close-knit unit. The teenager often pulls against her parents’ wishes but ultimately realises how strong and forgiving their unconditional love can be.

What makes this book exceptional is Mia’s authentic and often fragile voice. The novel deals with deep, universal emotions and unpicks the truth about moving on after unspeakable loss. The writing is perfectly pitched, scenes are described economically yet lyrically, and there are plenty of current references (indie music, emos) to keep teen readers interested.

Sometimes painful, other times funny but always touching, If I Stay is a remarkably fresh and compelling piece of work. It’s a book with real heart, a book that makes you feel truly grateful to be alive. One of my favourite books of the year so far.
***** 5 stars!

OK, here’s the thing, it’s 10.55 and I have loads of reading to do and I’m wrecked – didn’t get in till 2 last night. But if I don’t tell you about the awards right now, I never will. And that would be a terrible shame as it was a lovely evening altogether.

All started with a drinks reception at 7 and then dinner. Lots of glam and fab people there: my lovely writer friend, Judi Curtin (nominated for the children’s award), Celine Kiernan (also nominated – twice in fact), the super lovely Derek Landy (who won the children’s award for age 9+), Mr Children’s books at Eason, David O’Callaghan, P J Lynch and the lovely Mrs Barbara . . . I could go on. And I will . . .

Chatted to Marian Keyes in the loo – she looked amazing in a midnight blue dress. Cathy Kelly was wearing red – lovely colour on her. Alex Barclay had a tres chic black one shoulder dress – very nice.

Paul Howard and his lovely fiancee were in flying form, as were all the Eason gang.

I was sitting at the book awards table with the fab Miriam O’Callaghan who is a great woman – funny, clever and honest. Loved her! Her daughter is a honey too – and a great fan of books.

Aideen Brady won best shoes of the night award – pink satin LK Bennetts – and lovely they were too – matching handbag and all. Darling little bag with a chain strap.

Seamus Heaney is cool; Edna O’Brien looks amazing for any age – what a stylish lady; book trade boys look great in black tie; champagne is great, hiccup!

Best speech of the night – Derek Landy’s. Funny, funny, funny. He’s a pet and he always makes me laugh. And his Skulduggery books diamond rock.

Enough . . .

Sarah XXX

Piece from yesterday’s Evening Herald:

Meet the Real Heroes of Chick-Lit (the Evening Herald’s title, not mine!)

Yes, folks, it’s true. Last week, after a bit of a famine on the launch front, I was at not one but two launches – and both rather super they were too.

Patrick Ness in London – I was chief ligger as I kind of invited myself – I know, I know – but I’m a huge fan and I just couldn’t help myself.

Launch no 2 – Tues – Liz Lyons in Dubray Books, Grafton St, Dublin – lovely girl, lovely book.

More news later!

But, my friends, it’s launch city again – boy, how I’ve missed a good launch.

SarahX