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Sales: 4 (sort of) - 3 were sales, and one was a FTL reprint, but I'm counting it (especially as so many wonderful people read it).
Publications: 3 (Necrotic Tissue, Sand & Flashes in the Dark)
Approx Word Count: (note to self - where's my calculator) 3066 words ahem! Excuse imminent
Total Word Count 2009: 122,961 words
Stories out in submission land: No comment
WIP: The Drawing of Dolls - 11,611 words (not counted in months count), The Horrifiques - 1045 words.
One flash story - Playing Card Walls - and one short story - Empty Box Motel - this month. I completed a rewrite of my first MG, 'Lucy Baxter and the Evil Emporium' and then upon finishing decided I hated it. There was no stomping on the manuscript only a hurricane enducing sigh. I then settled down (again) to work on my YA, The Horrifiques, only for Lucy Baxter to persuade me ,with a new title and an even darker, creepier slant, she would work well as a YA/novella, so I'm currently 11,611 words into that. We still don't know if we're YA, horror novella, or weird-unpublishable time waster, and Lucy insists her name is really Claudia.
In other news, check out Stuart Neville's fantastic competition to win a signed copy of his debut novel, The Twelve along with a limited edition signed copy of his short story collection, The Six. I'm in.
My second WIP Wednesday post, I guess it's lucky I finally have a WIP to write about. Or rather, why have one WIP when you can have two.
I've spent the past week (and most of the month) avoiding working on anything. Yesterday I sat down and decided to finally start work on my YA 'The Horrifiques'. I re-read the outline (impressed and left wondering why I'd delayed working on it), and then within the space of a day, I decided to pick-up my MG, 'Lucy Baxter & The Evil Emporium', again!!! I did this about a month ago - edited the manuscript, decided I hated it. I've given the manuscript a name change - The Drawing of Dolls - and I've started work on it hoping to turn it into a novella or maybe a short YA novel. Oh, and I've promised myself I will work on both (because I'm sure it's a delaying tactic to save the hard slog of writing a proper first draft).
So, here's where my WIP's stand - the estimated end figure is of course estimated:
The Horrifiques (YA) 1st Draft
1045 / 45,000 (2%)The Drawing of Dolls
878 / 30,000 (3%)
Anyone else up for the WIP Wednesday challenge?
One year ago today I decided to write my first ever children's book. It seemed like a mad idea at the time. I had spent the day writing a short story called 'The Paper Dolls' and it seemed to me (and to the people in my critique group) that it would make a good children's story. Ridiculous! I thought. Eighteen days later I had completed the first draft of 'Lucy Baxter & The Evil Emporium', and within 2 months I had finished that book and written the first draft of my second book 'The Poisoned Apple'.
What would be perfect is if exactly one year later I signed with an agent? Drums fingers on desk. Okay, I said it would be perfect, I didn't say it would happen. :)
Anyhow, in honour of my one year anniversary (and by coincidence) every story I have written in this so far productive week has a young MC.
A Strange Artificial Light - our heroine is 11
Ugly Duckling - our heroine is 17
Hand Scratched Note - our hero is 18
Uncle Eric's Leather Bound Tale - WIP - our hero is 13
As these are all horror stories/dark fantasy stories intended for adult books I could have a problem. I'm hoping the editors will be reminded of Stephen King's young MCs, of course they are nothing like Stephen King's so I could be in trouble... Oh dear!
Four days into the New Year - YAY for 2008 - and I have sent out 14 submissions so far... YAY, I have moved my butt...
Lucy Baxter & The Evil Emporium, which stumbled after one submission , and subsequent rejection, to one agent (what a wimp!) is presently riding in a little red post van or sitting in a large grey sack awaiting posting to nine different UK based agents. The synopsis has been updated - with a little fun added to the mix. What the heck the worse that can happen is they say no - not armageddon or puppies exploding on the high street (random thought - apologies)... It's not so bad really and I do, honest I do, love answering a switchboard...
My picture book should have arrived on the desks of four UK publishers this morning, and has also received its first rejection which was kinda cool as it was from a US agent with a fabulous reputation of replying within hours, if not minutes, so I played brave and emailed it off. Nice, courteous, short response in less than an hour. No messing about. Like that.
Here's the cover for my next book. I went for a bright look in these illustrations. Lots of primary colours and open spaces. I've been looking a lot at American illustration from the golden age lately, mostly Howard Pyle and N.C. Wyeth and I think they're impacting my work more. I wanted to say " Thank You! " to Paige Keiser for including me as one of the blogs she's diggin'. Thanks Paige!
This is my Lilac Crowned Amazon Parrot. His name is
Picasso, He's colorful and unpredictable! His favorite treat is a Cheeto or a french fry!
...for adventure as we sail the seven seas.
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If You Were a Parrot
If you haven't read the free .pdf of The Six you are missing out. Very good.
Quite a good month there Cate. Keep it up!
I've only just discovered, Mr. Neville. I'm always late to the party (or in this case arrived just in time to raise a glass of champagne).
You are one madly productive woman! That's very impressive. Congrats on the sales :)
Thanks, Cory. It's all smoke and mirrors.
A nice month indeed. No comment on the stories out in submission land?
*scratches head*
I've been in lazy mode and every time one has been rejected I've kind of left it my inbox. Two are winging their way out into the world tomorrow (waiting for them to reopen).
Yes, congrats on all of that. I still await my copy of NT so I can admire your name on the glossy cover.
It definitely counts : )
Sales are good. Congrats for June.
Looks awesome to me, man! You always set these posts up like they're something to be ashamed of, but you always kick ass.
Then again, if we're not hard on ourselves, who will be? Anyhow, well done you!
Alan, I gaze at it hourly. ;)
Natalie, I think so too.
Thanks, Danielle.
Katey, the problem is, I'm aware of how much I should have done with the time available.
I loved June. June was good.
Strangely, I think this is the first June I have every disliked. Rock on, July.
what? reprints count! 4 sales! the woman is a miracle! :^)
Hey, congrats on the sales.
I can't believe you keep track of your total yearly /monthly word count. I think I'd fall into a deep depression and try to overdose on tic tacs and chocolate milk if I kept track.
Amazing word counts woman - you are an inspiration, now back to my manuscript.
Samantha, it's a miracle. I agree with that. ;)
Onipar, I'm a slave to numbers.
Keep working, Kim.
Excellent month! Reprints count as sales for sure.