Small Blue Readings

Hi chaps,

Well, I've my two reading spots of my book 'Small Blue' now.One in a shop, as in my previous post, and one in a library.
The way I decided to play the events was to do the readings first, and then draw sketches of characters from it, (usually pirates or witches).
It was fun and went down well.
Kids do seem to be fascinated by seeing a drawing actually appear out of nothing in front of them.

The shop reading was more freeform, with people drifting in and out, which had its own charm.
I ended up doing lots of individual readings to families there, while at the library there was more of a formal start and finish, and the reading had to be more of a performance.

I've been asked back by the library for another spot closer to Christmas, so I'll see if I can do even better with my patter for that. Any suggestions from anyone for tips and tricks would be much appreciated :)

I'll maybe try and employ my badges a bit more, and incidentally, more on those later.

All my equipment is set up for readings now though -
A3 sketchpad - check
Sharpies - check
Badges to give away - check

All ready for the next reading :)

Author Event at Waterstones Carlisle

Hi Chaps,

Well, I had a great time at Waterstones in Carlisle last Saturday doing my author event for 'Small Blue and the Deep Dark Night'.
Lots of reading it to kids (and their parents) and doing drawings for them (the kids), usually of pirates. It fit in nicely on Halloween as it's sort of about scary things, and I ended up being there for about an hour and a half all in all.

It was excellently set up by the shop, especially thanks to Wendy in the children's department, with a window display, excellent chalkboard sign, and a lovely 'reading chair' and table.

I can recommend the children's section, if you want the good stuff, they've got it there :)

I'm looking forward to doing more readings, my next is at Twickenham Library at 3.45 on 10th November, in one of their regular story time slots.
There shall be reading, sketching, colouring sheets and copies of the book to sign and sell there too :)

Small Blue Readings

Dates for your Diary here Chaps :)
I have some readings of 'Small Blue and the Deep Dark Night' organised.
The first is in Carlisle Waterstones on 31st October.
And after that at Twickenham Library on 10th November at 3.45pm in one of their regular story time slots.
So do come along if you're about :)
If you already have a copy of 'Small Blue', bring it along and I will be happy to sign it for you, otherwise I'll have a few copies to sell and sign.
I'll also have some Small Blue and Big Brown colouring/drawing sheets to hand out.

Shall I Make My Story Rhyme?

Hiya chaps,

Here's a sketch for a book I'm working on.

This one ended up not being used, it's all sort of moved on a bit, but I do have an affection for it.

So I thought I'd pop it up here.

BUT, In between doing this, I'm working on a story as well.

I've just got the start and the end, and I know what's going to happen, so it's 'just' a matter of filling it all in.

But what I was wondering was if anyone had any thoughts or experience with rhyming stories.

This one is at the very early stages of becoming formed but it's threatening to be rhyming.

They sort of keep popping out, and seem to fit the feel of it.

But I have heard that publishers prefer straight prose, cos it's easier to translate with co-editions, so I was wondering if I should wrestle it into straight prose instead, or just go with it.

Will it have a better chance of being picked up if it doesn't rhyme?

There are of course rhyming books that get published and do well, Julia Donaldson's stuff being an example, although maybe she is an exception, because she's very very very very good at it :)

Has anyone else out there done a rhyming story, or would you advise against it while there is still time to change?