The Writer of Never Letting Go

My children grew up with this duck!

We are over the moon to be celebrating with megastar SCBWI volunteer Kathy Evans today!

You may have seen the news about her wonderful book deal with Usborne on Facebook - but do you know just how long Kathy had to wait for it? Over to Kathy...



I’d been writing for years  when I was  taken on by my agent, Sophie Hicks. I remember thinking, 'This is it, I’ve made it.’

   Wrong!

It took five more years for me to produce a book that sold. Sophie always had faith in my writing. Even when I was floundering,  her support, and that of my SCBWI friends, kept me writing, learning, growing and it's paid off.  I'm completely thrilled that my YA novel, More Of Me, will be published by Usborne in early 2016.

I’d imagined there would be a slow trickle of information leading to a deal but that isn’t what happened at all. An email arrived from Sophie headed ‘Offer!' - now, I usually get a flutter of nerves when something arrives from my agent so this gave me a tidal wave of butterflies - I could barely open the email my hands were shaking so much.  I actually screamed, then cried…I don’t think I stopped smiling for about a week. Actually, that’s a lie, I’m still smiling now.

Meeting the team at Usborne for the first time was brilliant. Sitting in a room surrounded by books you love, knowing they’ve come out of that place, out of those people you’re sat with, and soon your book will be among them -  it’s amazing.  Just talking about book covers and future events had me giggling like a giddy school girl, but the best bit, the bit I’ve waited for all my life, was talking through my book with my editor. Mine.

Even the coffee gave an Usborne welcome

Receiving the heap of paper,  my manuscript covered in Sarah’s editorial notes, was the best Christmas present I’ve ever had. I’m sure there will be stressful times ahead, I know there is a lot of work still to do but right now that work is a joy. I really am living the dream. 

Keep at it, don't give up, you'll get there.

More of Me by Kathryn Evans will be published by Usborne early in 2016.


Many Congratulations Kathy!
We are so proud of you!

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Hope after UV and Facebook ferrets... two SCBWI debut authors scoop deals

This week, we're very excited to be celebrating two SCBWI debut authors. Please join me with a massive Hip Hip Hooray! for UV 2012 Honorary Mention Lara Williamson and YA author Jackie Buckle for their publishing deals.

@LaraWilliamson

First, let's raise our glasses as Lara Williamson celebrates a contract with Usborne. Her middle grade novel, A Boy Called Hope  tells the story of a boy on a quest to make his dad love him again. 

A Boy Called Hope: Dan Hope isn't your average eleven-year-old. After his dad ran off with the lady from the chip shop life turned upside down. Now things are even stranger since his dad has just appeared on the local TV station. Seeing him again makes Dan realise he wants his dad back. When Dan's plan to make his dad proud goes horribly wrong his mother's new boyfriend steps in and it isn't long before Dan discovers that real fathers can come in many different shapes and sizes.

Lara was born and studied in Northern Ireland. After graduating with a degree in Fashion Design she moved to London. After work experience at Marie Claire and freelancing for various magazines including ELLE and New Woman, Lara eventually settled at J17 where, as Beauty Editor, she wrote and styled shoots. Lara won The Jasmine Awards for Best Article in a Youth Title and more recently received an Honorary Mention in Undiscovered Voices 2012. She currently lives in London with her family.

Lara says: “Almost two years ago I entered Undiscovered Voices 2012 and I was delighted to receive an Honorary Mention. At the time it created a little bit of a buzz around my work and I was thrilled to be able to build on that. While I was waiting to hear back about my UV submission I wrote another slightly younger book called A Boy Called Hope. Having two books was better than one, I thought. In fact, it was my second book that caught the eye of an agent who then helped me prepare it for submission. Soon after it was submitted I had interest and after meeting a few publishers I found the perfect home with Usborne and I couldn't be happier. I imagine my character Dan Hope would be thrilled with the outcome too. Like him, I soon discovered that dreams can come true if you keep hope alive.”

 What a wonderful UV story to encourage everyone entering this year, and huge congratulations to Lara!

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The diary of a wannabe metal-head

And now let's drink a toast to… Jackie Buckle, who recently signed a contract with Curious Fox (a new imprint of Capstone) to publish her young adult book, Half My Facebook Friends Are Ferrets, the diary of a wannabe metal-head. The book is due out next March.

Her main character, teenage metal head Josh Walker says “The lyrics of metal music are extremely important. The fact that no-one can hear them is irrelevant. No one can see the oxygen in air but without it we'd be dead, right?”

Jackie is married with two teenage daughters and a very hairy Finnish Lapphund (dog). She’s a website manager and editor for a national drug dependency charity and drug news alert service. The book’s inspiration comes from her eldest daughter, Sophie, who is a total metal-head. Jackie secretly likes listening to some metal herself – don’t tell her daughter - and enjoys playing the acoustic guitar, helping animal charities and watching YouTube videos of cats.

Have a giggle this weekend and check out her website www.facebook-ferrets.com where Josh’s chat-up advice had me in stitches, while my kids were rolling around to the dancing ferret. And join in with a big Hurrah! to Jackie  – we can’t wait until next March to read the rest of Josh’s diary.

I’ll be back next week with wine and cakes...

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Tania Tay is an ex-advertising copywriter and has been published in Sable LitMag. She is writing MG and YA fiction, and is on the editorial team at Words & Pictures.