Student successes

Ooh, not one but TWO of my London School of Journalism students have been offered book deals this month, so I am delighted for them.

I'm forbidden to blog about the details until their families have been informed. But I can't resist having a little crow about it here. Anybody out there considering doing a creative writing course? The London School of Journalism courses deliver results!

See www.lsj.org for more details and lots of happy student feedback.

Bury St Edmunds author event

Last Thursday, three of my fellow novelists and I did a Girls Night In event for Waterstones in Bury St Edmunds.

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We always want these things to go well, but we're also very nervous about how everything is going to pan out. Well, I'm nervous, anyway! But I needn't have worried. The staff at Waterstones in Bury St Edmunds were lovely, made us all feel very welcome, and the readers were great, too - enthusiastic, interested and happy to ask lots of questions.

We sold some books, too!

Cyprus Well interview

Cyprus Well is a West Country resource for authors and anyone connected with literature and the arts.

I'm a member of the Cyprus Well community, and was delighted to do an interview with Alex yesterday.

You can read it on this link: http://www.cypruswellcommunity.org/community/AnInterviewwithMargaretJames.

Platinum Page - a new magazine

I spoke to editor Vivienne Hall, who says:

'Platinum Page is available in print and online. It has proved so popular that the printed copies of each edition have quickly sold out. I have also been overwhelmed by the variety and quality of the work submitted.

'I think the magazine's appeal lies in the fact that we are creating a community of readers and writers. The website is also proving very popular, a forum where everyone can join in. I have now included a story hall where people can read stories online free of charge. The feedback from people who have become involved so far has been fantastic.'

Vivienne has been a writer of fiction herself for over twenty years, and she wants to give more writers the opportunity to allow others to enjoy their work.

'I am after general fiction,' says Vivienne. 'Nothing too heavy, just happy, funny, light-hearted stories, even with a twist in the tale. I enjoy writing that has a local connection.'

Platinum Page is available online at just £2.50 and is delivered to your inbox, or £4.69 in print which includes first class postage.

Stories and poems with a maximum word count of 1,500 words can be sent to
Platinum Page, PO Box 91, Prudhoe, NE42 5AG. Alternatively visit www.platinumpage.co.uk. Work can be submitted by email.

Kate Nash - competition shortlist

The shortlist for literary agent Kate Nash's competition to find the best 500 word opening of a novel is now up on Kate's blog.

So exciting, wonder who will win? See http://slushpilemountaineering.wordpress.com/2010/10/17/great-novel-openings-the-shortlist/

Waterstones Event

I'm going to an author event in Bury St Edmunds on 21st October. Where exactly is Bury St Edmunds? I didn't know until recently! If this event goes well, there might be more, in places I have heard of...

It will be fun to visit a new place.

A lovely bunch of roses

A happy day today!



My author copies of The Silver Locket arrived this morning, looking wonderful. I am especially delighted with all the swirly bits and the image of my heroine Rose on the cover.

If anyone reading this would like a review copy, please let me know and I'll tell my publisher - email me at mail@margaretjames.com

Getting closer...

It's so exciting when a new book comes out. I've just heard from my publisher to say that the advance copies of The Silver Locket are on their way to me. They'll be on their way to reviewers, too - quake, tremble...

Getting into it....

Just done a word count and find I am 18,000 words into a new novel, hurrah - the make or break point usually comes at round about 12,000 words, so hopefully I am now on a roll and will complete a first draft.

Must keep the momentum going now...

October Book of the Month

My October Book of the Month is crime writer Peter Helton's Falling More Slowly, which is the first story in a series featuring Detective Inspector Liam McLusky. If you're looking for a fast-paced, exciting police procedural, this novel is for you!

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Peter for Writing Magazine, and you can read the interview in the November issue, which is in the shops now.