You are very lucky that I’m am a master of procrastination when supposed to be keying in edits – which I don’t find all that thrilling to be honest. I’m at the final tweaking stage – typos and minor changes – and by this stage I know the book almost off by heart. Still, I am making myself laugh even now – so the book can’t be all that bad. In fact there are a couple of pretty good scenes – coming from me that’s saying a lot! It’s Amy 3 – Bridesmaid Blitz and it really, really is almost finished.

So – Irish Pen New Kids on the Block night – more detailed notes. I will basically transcribe all my notes from the night in case it’s useful to those writing for kiddi winks.

First off was Paddy O’Doherty.

Paddy is an experienced editor and has worked with Children’s Books Ireland for many years. She has recently become the Children’s Editor at Puffin Ireland.

Here is what she had to say (paraphrased) and very interesting it is too:
Penguin Ireland has published for 8 years now. Puffin Ireland is linked to Puffin Uk so the big advantage is that authors will have immediate access to sales in the UK and maybe all the English speaking countries. But this does restrict the books we can take on. They will have to have international appeal.
We will accept unsolicited manuscripts (not from an agent) but there will be little chance at the moment to publish books for the under 7s and picture books. In the future I would dearly love to publish picture books. Paddy explained that the economics of picture books just don’t add up.
This is what she wants:
Age 7 to 9 fiction
Age 8 to 12 fiction
We need books that fill the gaps in the market and gaps in PUffin books
eg Fantasy
Books that will appeal to both boys and girls
animal and child stories like those of MIchael Morpurgo and Dick King Smith
Humour for girls
Louise Rennison type books
She also mentioned Cathy Cassidy and my own Amy Green books (very kindly)

Paddy again: There is no difference between literary and commercial books to me – if they are good that’s all that matters.
We have 80 submissions at the moment – and some have potential.
We want well written, original books with an original voice, a sense of control, a sense that the author knows what they are doing, a sense of authority.

Puffin Ireland’s first book will be by Laura Cassidy – to be published in 2010 or 2011 – and it’s a teen book for girls with an unusual premise.

Puffin Ireland want a cover letter, 3 chapters and a synopsis

It will take 2 to 3 months for them to get back to you and at present they do not acknowledge receipt of manuscripts although this may change.

They give priority to work sent in by agents.

Submission details are on www.penguin.ie

More on Little Island as soon as I get a chance.

YOurs in writing,
SarahX