Chicken House Children's Fictions Competition

This looks like an interesting competition, but first a little about Chicken House from their website.

'Chicken House Publishing Ltd was founded in 2000 by Barry Cunningham, Publisher and Managing Director, with Deputy Managing Director, Rachel Hickman.

Over the last decade, Chicken House has demonstrated that a small, creative publishing team based in Somerset can make an impact on an international scale. Chicken House has sold more than six million copies of Cornelia Funke’s books, including five New York Times children’s bestsellers.

The TUNNELS series by Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams has been an international hit in over 40 countries, while other writers who have achieved worldwide acclaim include Kevin Brooks, Lucy Christopher and Rachel Ward.
I
n 2007, in association with The Times newspaper, the company proudly launched The Times/Chicken House Children’s Fiction Competition for undiscovered talent. This has since grown into a well-established annual event, recognised for having produced a clutch of successful new authors.'

Times/Chicken House Children’s Fiction Competition

FOR THE CHANCE TO SEE YOUR CHILDREN’S NOVEL PUBLISHED, ENTER THE TIMES/CHICKEN HOUSE CHILDREN’S FICTION COMPETITION.

All entries will be read and the shortlist will be judged by a panel of leading industry experts. The competition is open to all unpublished, unagented writers and one lucky winner will see their manuscript published by Chicken House with the backing of a leading literary agent.

We are looking for original ideas, a fresh voice and a story that children will love. If you have written a novel for children aged 7–18, have a read of the full terms and conditions to see if you are eligible for entry and for details on how to submit your manuscript.
Closing date for entries is last mail delivery Oct 26, 2012.

 

Deadline Approaching for the Irish Writers' Centre Novel Fair

The Irish Writers' Centre has begun counting down the days to the deadline of its esteemed Novel Fair. The deadline for the competition this year is on October 17th and the Novel Fair itself will take place on February 16th, 2013. With just a few weeks left to enter, the terrific news of book acquisitions from last year's winners is flooding in. Finalists from 2011, Niamh Boyce, Janet Cameron and Kevin Curran are three of our success stories. Earlier in the year, Niamh Boyce sold her novel The Herbalist to Penguin Ireland and more recently Janet Cameron's book, Cinnamon Toast and the End of the World, was snatched up by Hachette. As well as this, Liberties Press have laid claim to Kevin Curran's novel, Beatsploitation. With nine of the authors signed up with literary agents and many in talks with publishers, we eagerly anticipate more book deals before the end of the year. The Novel Fair was introduced last year with the aim of introducing, in person, up-and-coming writers to top publishers and literary agents who, in turn, have the chance to liaise with an eclectic bunch of talented, new authors. It gives promising, first-time novelists the opportunity to bypass the slush pile, pitch their ideas, bring characters to life and place their synopsis directly into the hands of the people they want to see it most. Some changes have been made to last year's set up, which include reducing the number of finalists to ten so that the novelists will benefit from more quality time with the publishers. To fully prepare them for the day the finalists also win a place on the seminar 'How To Pitch Your Novel.' This year, a brand new judging panel will be asked to select a shortlist of ten successful entries, presented to them anonymously. There is no limitation on style, genre, or target market and with a new set of eyes umpiring, writers who've submitted before shouldn't hesitate in submitting again. The only requirement is that the authors mustn't have published a novel before. Publishers who have already confirmed attendance at this year's Fair include Liberties Press, Penguin Ireland, Picador, New Island, Transworld Ireland, The Feldstein Agency, The Book Bureau, Marianne Gunn O'Connor Literary Agency, Jonathan Williams Literary Agency, The Lisa Richards Agency, and Lilliput Press. Each writer in attendance will have a stand at the Fair with copies of the synopsis, the finished novel itself and biographical material. To enter send two copies of the opening chapters of your novel (max 10,000 words) along with three copies of a synopsis and a completed entry form, which can be downloaded from the IWC's website or collected from the Centre. The Novel Fair Competition costs €40 to enter (€35 for members of the Irish Writers' Centre). To find out more about the Novel Fair Competition, check out www.writerscentre.ie/novelfair, or email novelfair@writerscentre.ie. If you already know everything you need to know and would like to enter, click here.

RED RIBBONS PICTURE COMPETITION - THE RESULTS!!!!

Well it was always going to be a darn hard decision to make , and the independent, carefully selected panel of judges that I dragged in to help me, found it pretty difficult :-)

How can you choose a winner, when everyone who took part in the RED RIBBONS picture competition was indeed a winner, entering into the fun element of it all, giving me, and I hope a lot of other people, including some four-legged creatures, great enjoyment with their very special RED RIBBONS photos!

So, before I announce the winner, and by way of saying THANK YOU to you all, I've done a small video of these very special photos which I hope you will enjoy, and please, please feel free to share your Beautiful Pictures!!! 




 

But as the moment is now here, I'm delighted to announce that the winner in the Adult Category of the RED RIBBONS Picture Competition, who will receive a signed copy of 'Red Ribbons', 2 Tickets for The Loose End Theatre, for Three Voices/Three Forms for Wednesday 14th November, and a signed copy of 'The Doll's House' when it's released in 2013, is Abby Wynne for this, you must agree, Out Of This World picture!!

 

 

Winning Picture - created by Abby Wynne

 

But, because I've been blown away by the wonderful images, I'm also pleased to announce that the winner in the Teenage Category of the RED RIBBONS Picture Competition, is Darragh Kempson, a budding author, who will receive pocket notes books to help him with his writing craft.

 

And, because all children are winners, the following two prizes will go to the wonderful and crafty A'isha, aged 8, and the powerful, Riley, aged 4, who both sent in mega pics!

 

 

 

Questions about the editorial process & so much more!!!

Well the RED RIBBONS blogtour bus may be stopping very soon, but with only 2 wheels left on this particular bus, we're still going strong as we visit a really great writer, and a wonderful friend, Irish writer, Brian Kirk. 

You can read a little about Brian below, but check out his blog when you visit HERE for his ever so interesting questions on the editorial process and a lot more besides!!!



I know there is more than one bus, but it has Red Ribbons!!!

BRIAN KIRK, is a poet and prose writer from Clondalkin, Dublin. He has been shortlisted for various awards in recent years including Hennessy Awards in 2008 and 2011. He was twice shortlisted for RTE’s PJ O’Connor Award for radio drama. His stories and poems have appeared in the Sunday Tribune, Southword, Abridged, The Stony Thursday Book, Crannog, Revival, Boyne Berries, Wordlegs, Cancan, Bare Hands Poetry, The First Cut and various anthologies. You can visit Brian athttp://briankirkwriter.com/

Brian Kirk

'The Judas Kiss' by David Butler

First things first - what a great title for a novel - 3 little words and I'm already hooked!

Secondly, this novel comes with a health warning from the opening page- "... be warned, this is no pretty story. It leads to murder. And I don't mean the Rev Green in the study with the lead piping. No. This murder is messy - a stone inside a stocking sticky with blood."  The intrigue continues!!

And thirdly, this darkly humorous tale of murder and redemption is told by David Butler, a writer I met at the IWC in the summer of 2011, who has worked as an Education Officer at the James Joyce Centre, as well as lecturing in Spanish Literature at TCD, Essex University, Carlow College and UCD, and about another million things!!!

'The Judas Kiss' published by New Island, is David's second novel, and I'm delighted to be launching it in Hodges Figgis next Tuesday, October 2nd at 6.30.

You can find out more about The Judas Kiss and read David's piece on the link between Crime and Desire over at www.writing.ie  HERE

50 Shades of Graig!!!!

Well, I had an amazing time at the Town of Books Festival in Graiguenamanagh this weekend. A beautiful place, lovely people, and what a smashing idea for a festival, to turn a whole town into a town of books for this very special weekend.

Graighuenamanagh

I did a reading from RED RIBBONS at the library on Friday evening, which included members of the local book club. They were a great bunch, and honestly I would have stayed there all night chatting about Red Ribbons and its cast of characters. Last year, our president, Michael D Higgins did a reading there, so some mighty footsteps to follow!!



Susan & Alicia

It was also the first time I'd done a reading where I used excerpts from all three main narrative voices on the same occasion - the killer, the criminal psychologist, Kate Pearson, and the accused woman, Ellie Brady.

But it worked really well, and sure the feast afterwards was pretty great too. And an extra special thanks to Susan Fitzgerald, and Alicia Dunphy, who facilitated this wonderful evening.


One of the many hidden gems of books!

We stayed at the Waterside Guesthouse, run by Brian & Bridget Roberts, and I couldn't recommend it more. This beautiful building overlooking the waterside, had the most wonderful accommodation, fabulous food, and a friendliness that was indicative of the complete sense of welcome, Graiguenamanagh offers.

Waterside Guesthouse

 

Signed copies of RED RIBBONS are available in the Storehouse Bookshop in Kilkenny.

Kilkenny

And finally, a pic of my new cuddly friend from the Cushendale Woolen Mills, and the fab cupcakes which formed part of our library feast!!!

 

If you are interested in ordering a copy of RED RIBBONS online, you can do so HERE

It's a Dog's Life!

Why are Dogs so fond of RED RIBBONS????? You gotta admit they do look good!!

 

Last Day for your RED RIBBONS Pictures via Twitter @LouiseMPhillips, or email phillips.louisem0@gmail.com or over at facebook link in the side panel!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Converted to RED RIBBONS Crime!!!

Growing up in Belfast during the 1970's at the height of the Troubles, the bad men were everywhere for writer, Caren Kennedy, who is driving the RED RIBBONS blogtour bus today. Her next door neighbour, a Diplock Court Judge, was a so called 'legitimate target' for the bad men. He died taking three bullets in the head, two in the stomach.
So with bad people everywhere, and with enough of them in the real world, why would she want to enter a world, or a place without shadows where evil resides?

Well find out exactly why HERE but first a little about Caren below

CAREN KENNEDY, is the creator of a television series currently in development with Warner Bros TV, co-author of Fake Alibis (BenBella Books, 2009), careers columnist with Life Times, guest blogger with www.writing.ie, and a screenwriting consultant with The Inkwell Group. Her articles and essays have appeared in local, national and international publications and beyond. She is currently represented in the US by Vamnation Entertainment and Triada US Literary Agency.

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/CarenKennedy
Blogs: http://carenkennedywrites.blogspot.ie 
http://writing.ie/guest-blogs/word-play.html

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RED RIBBONS - Listening to the Radio and A cracker of a Novel!!

 

RED RIBBONS, was reviewed on the RTE Radio 1 Arts programme Arena, a couple of nights ago. And just in case any of you are wondering why I didn't tell you about it at the time, or give you fair warning, it was because I didn't know about it myself until less than an hour beforehand. (But it was still sufficient time for me to bite the nails down as far as they would go!!)

For company, listening to the radio, I had my hubby, daughter and granddaughter. My granddaughter being only 4 months wasn't particularly interested in the programme, so she fell fast asleep before Sean Rocks, presenter of Arena, commenced his interview with crime writer, Arlene Hunt.

I will attach the interview below, which I hope some of you will enjoy, but suffice to say, I was a nervous wreck. I knew not to look at hubby, because his face usually gives very little away. Therefore, all the time I was listening, I watched my daughter's face. Her face was going to be the most informative. So it was with great relief that I saw her smile, nod her head, look over at me in the way parents should look at their children, and not the other way around. You know that, it's going to be okay, you're doing well, this is all good, kind of thing.

Anyhow, RED RIBBONS got a great review - to capture some of the snippets here, Arleen Hunt said, it was - 'A cracker of a novel - highly recommended - a phenomenal debut.' Any one of those nuggets would have made my night, with my fingernails half gone, my granddaughter fast asleep, a kiss from hubby, a smile from my daughter, and the phone ringing in the background, knowing already it was daughter number 2 phoning to say well done. Sort of pretty amazing, don't you think?

So here's the Podcast for you!!

 

 LISTEN HERE

 

 

If you fancy reading RED RIBBONS -

 

You can order via Amazon HERE

or

for online Irish orders, you can order it  HERE

PANK Literary Magazine - RED RIBBONS BLOG TOUR

After a brief interlude, the RED RIBBONS blog tour travels to San Francisco for an interview with Award winning Irish writer Ethel Rohan for PANK Literary Magazine blog.

 

 

You can read more about Ethel below, but for now, let's go over to San Francisco - sounds good doesn't it! So simply click HERE

 

 

 

ETHEL ROHAN, is the author of Hard to Say and Cut Through the Bone, the latter longlisted for The Story Prize. Her work has or will appear in World Literature Today, Tin House Online, The Irish Times, The Rumpus, Post Road Magazine, and The Los Angeles Review, among many others.

She earned her MFA in fiction from Mills College, California. Raised in Ireland, Ethel Rohan now lives in San Francisco where she is a member of the Writers Grotto.

Visit Ethel at www.ethelrohan.com  http://ethelrohan.tumblr.com
And on Twitter @ethelrohan