Today’s the day to share anything that you’re pleased with this week. Here’s mine:
Having had my debut children’s book, The Clocker, published this year, I have been beavering away on a second children’s book. It’s a follow on, with a focus on a different character than the first book.
I’m delighted to have now written over 30,000 words. Although it’s very much a first draft, that feels quite an achievement.
This week, I’m going to hand over to Nev, the main character from my children’s book, The Clocker. Nev likes to make up his own words and he’s going to share one of them.
I love making up words. Sometimes there isn’t one that exists that says what you want. I started making up words when I was little. It made people laugh so I made up more. The first made up word in The Clocker is ‘slumpfolded’. It means you’re slumped and folded over all at once. It described how my dad looked when my mum had left us. Apparently, that word also means something to do with a geographical feature but I think my meaning is better.
Have you ever made up a word, either by adding two words together or creating your own word? I’d love to hear them (and so would Nev).
It’s Friday again and time to reflect on achievements, or things I’m pleased about this week. I’d love to hear your Flaunt it Friday too.
I’ll admit it, I’m not someone who finds it easy to ask something of others; offering comes much easier. This makes the task of promoting my children’s book, The Clocker, a challenge. It’s not something you do just once either; it’s an ongoing process. I find it easy to decide it’s not worth asking when, the reality is, I don’t find asking comes naturally. As the saying goes, if you don’t ask ….
With this in mind, I’m pleased that I’ve reached out to several people this week, asking them to review my book. Even if I’m trudging along, I’m putting one foot in front of the other and I keep going.
I’ve been doing more reaching out to libraries this week. I have dates in my diary for Nottingham libraries and thought I’d see if any in Nottinghamshire would be interested. Libraries are great places where I can read from my children’s book, The Clocker, as well as getting children to do some of their own writing.
I’m feeling positive and looking forward to meeting some of my target audience.
Here is the link to my book at Troubador Publishing bookstore.
https://troubador.co.uk/bookshop/middle-grade/the-clocker
My word this Wednesday is blurb. I’ve always thought it seemed a very informal word to describe the short description that appears on the back of a book, or to describe a film.
An early 20th century word, it was coined by Gelett Burgess, an American humorist. He is said to have invented the word for the promotional cover of his own book.
It is, of course, a term now widely used and recognised by publishers and authors. That small word, though, holds great importance. The blurb on the back of a book is, for many of us, the difference between buying or not buying. I wonder if that’s true for you?
To buy, or not to buy …
Here’s my Sunday sum up. Can you sum up your week in 25 words or less?
Bank Holiday volunteering
Meeting friends
New book underway
Characters light up
The page
We are all familiar with the use of a ‘smith’ meaning a craftsperson, for example a blacksmith or silversmith. My word for today is wordsmith, simply meaning ‘a skilled user of words’ (New Oxford English Dictionary of English).
It is a very timely word, my debut children’s book, The Clocker, having been published yesterday. I like the idea of being a wordsmith. It is a craft shared by many around the world, in different languages, styles and genres. Where would we be without wordsmiths?
A special shoutout to all my fellow bloggers and to the Let’s Write group at The Writers Bureau.
https://www.writersbureaucourse.com/courses/let-us-write
The day has arrived. Today, 28th April 2026 my children’s book, The Clocker, is officially published. There were times when I nearly gave up, days when I didn’t believe it would ever happen, struggles and challenges along the way but I couldn’t be happier that I’ve made it. I am a published children’s author.
I have already had some very positive reviews and it’s an amazing feeling to read that others enjoy what you’ve written. Although writing a book involves a lot of time being shut away, tapping the keys on your PC, the help of others can often go unnoticed. I’ve found Troubador Publishing to be an incredibly supportive, knowledgeable and helpful team. My partner, my daughter, wider family, friends, and writing group, Let’s Write, have all played a part. Without turning this into an Oscar speech (!) thank you to everyone.
As well as now having a box of my own copies of the book, Troubador distribute to bookshops around the UK. The Clocker is on Amazon in paperback and kindle formats, and on Apple Books for those with Apple devices. If you do purchase and read the book, please do write a review.
I am available around The Midlands for author events and to visit schools to read extracts and talk about my book. Please contact me via my Contact page Contact me
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