So, we’re still pretty much locked own here in Greater Manchester. The weather is gloriously cold today, just like it should be on the 1 December. I’m speeding along with my reading and writing so it’s not all bad, though I am missing trips to coffee shops and days in the sun.
News about my writing and other creative projects
I’m still carrying on much as before: The Round Robin, the fifth book in the Schellberg Cycle, Not Just Fluffy Bunnies, and I’m still working on The Business of Writing. And of course I’m interspersing this with short stories and flash fiction.
I’ve had a couple more articles accepted in Talking About my Generation:
https://talkingaboutmygeneration.co.uk/book-review-anne-of-green-gables/ and https://talkingaboutmygeneration.co.uk/st-barbaras-twigs-christmas-decorations-from-the-greenery-in-our-gardens/
I’ve also had a short story accepted with Page & Spine: https://www.pagespineficshowcase.com/gill-james.html
Arnie’s List appears on CafeLit :
https://www.cafelitmagazine.uk/2020/11/arnies-list.html
The Young Person’s Library
This month I’ve added:
Gracie Fairshaw and the Mysterious Guest a real good read for newly fluent readers. Such a treat. And I know the author personally.
The Lost Spells by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris is a really beautiful book – in fact I’m making it my recommended read.
The Age Between – Personal Reflections on Youth Fiction an engaging critical text by a writer I admire. I’m pleased to read that we mainly agree on the nature of the young adult text.
Current reading recommendation
The Lost Spells by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris
Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris introduce us to some strong images of nature. As we turn the pages we can hear the wind swirling in the trees, we can feel the cold softness of the snow and we can hear the cry of the birds.
The verses make an extraordinary use of language.
The book is very tactile and is one anyone would be proud to have on their bookshelf.
It is longer than standard picture book though is divided into “chapters” with a few pages being dedicated to a particular animal or plant.
The illustrations are superb and would provide a good talking point.
Absolutely gorgeous.
Giveaway
Note: these are usually mobi-files to be downloaded to a Kindle. Occasionally there are PDFs. I’m afraid it’s a PDF this time.
The month I’m giving away my YA fantasy Veiled Dreams. I wrote this when I was recovering from finishing my PhD novel and thesis. It helped to pass the time between handing in my work and waiting for the viva. Every time I look at that I remember warm sunny days in North Wales. Oh yes, that happened sometimes and we’re talking between February and May even here.
I hope you enjoy it.
Please, please, please review it if you read it.
You can download lots of other free materials here.
Note, that normally my books and the books supplied by the imprints I manage sell for anything from £0.99 to £10.99, with most on Kindle being about £2.99 and the average price for paperback being £7.00. Writers have to make a living. But I’m offering these free samples so that you can try before you buy.
The Schellberg Project
The posts may be helpful for teachers who are familiar with the Schellberg stories or who are teaching about the Holocaust and also for other writers of historical fiction.
Sometimes I also write about what might be of interest to other writers.
I have just one post this month. I talk about the hardships that the young German women experienced during the 1940s. Read the post here.
School visits
I’ve suspended these until further notice. I’m now starting work on a series of on-line materials.
Some notes about my newsletters and blogs
They do overlap a little but here is a summary of what they all do.
Bridge House Authors For all those published by Bridge House, CaféLit, Chapeltown or The Red Telephone or interested in being published by us. General news about the imprints. News for writers. Links to book performance. Sign up here.
Chapeltown Books News about our books. Sign up here.
The Creative Café Project News about the project and CaféLit – for the consumer rather than for the producer. Sign up here.
Gill’s News: News about my writing, The Schellberg Project, School Visits and Events. Book recommendations and giveaways. Find it here.
Pushing Boundaries, Flying Higher News about conferences and workshops to do with the young adult novel. (infrequent postings) Sign up here.
Red Telephone Books News about our books and our authors. Sign up here.
A Publisher’s Perspective Here I blog as a publisher. Access this here.
The Creative Café Project Listings and reviews of creative cafés. See them here.
CaféLit Stories Find these here
Gill James Writer All about writing and about my books. View this here.
Gill’s Recommended Reads Find information here about books that have taken me out of my editor’s head and a reminder of the ones I’ve highlighted in this newsletter.
Gill’s Sample Fiction Read some of my fiction here.
The House on Schellberg Street All about my Schellberg project. Read it here.
Writing Teacher All about teaching creative writing. Some creative writing exercises. Access this here.
Books Books Books Weekly offers on our books and news of new books. Find them here.
The Young Person’s Library I am gradually moving the children’s book catalogue over to this site. Access it here.
Fair Submissions Find it here.
Happy reading and writing.
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