Saturday 28 February 2015

Nayu's News #176, Schedules, branding, & fun!

I'm relaxing!
After a week of being ill a lot, it feels good to make it to the weekend feeling normal (my kind of normal is still with pain & fatigue, but it's easier to cope with when I'm not under attack from germ gremlins). I got most of my blogging done before I met with a friend for mid-morning coffee (not that we ever have coffee...), and finishing off now I'm back before I'm done for the day. 

I so really need to print myself a copy of this cute planner!
I adore schedules and feel lost without one, which is why I have one each day, often not written down just a mental one. Recently to help me promote rest & avoid blog overwork (all too easy to do with my crochet shop) I've made a new scheduled where I'm allowed 2 hours of blogging on a non-work day, plus the extra 30-60mins emails & social media stuff. Ideally it is a max of 40mins, which is my limit in the week on a work day, but at weekends it can extend a little without too much impact on me. I find that because I leave emails & social media for a specific section, I'm able to focus just on sorting blog posts. Although in reality I now do less work on my blog, because I have set times for specific tasks I'm getting a lot more day. Long live the schedules! 

Book logging system tweaking
Remember my new review book logging in system? Well it's still working, only it's not as good as helping me keep track of date order as everything is logged in when I receive it. Unlike a computer a notebook can't be re-ordered at the click of a button. So, since I have some index card and an index card holder I'm going to keep track of dates that way, labelling the dividers with months of the year, and continue using my log book for finer details. I've yet to decorate my index card box with either stickers or wrapping paper, but it currently looks something like this.

Mine will be way more exciting than plain black. There's nothing wrong with plain colours, I just like bright & cheery items.
 Once I've read a book I'll simple turn the relevant index card upside down, and on the reverse will write the title so I know it's been read. It's handy for jotting down my thoughts as I read the book too. 

This fan art of Sumire from Aikatsu is cute! She & her friends do so much work that their fans don't see, just like bloggers & newbie craft shop owners like me do.
Other news...lots of behind the scenes 'stuff' is going on for Nayu's Crochet Dreams this weekend, including sorting return address labels (for me & my shop), labels with my name on for each item; this will be Nayu's Crochet Dreams in rainbow letters; and vaguely temporary business cards. Why vaguely temporary? I hear you ask. It's vaguely temporary because while I would love to have everything bespoke with my unique logo here...
...price wise it's not a practical option yet. I'm waiting until my shop a) is open & b) starts selling items before I'll start making sure my brand is the same for everything I use. Until then I'll use 'vaguely temporary' designs - these are designs offered by the company. I happen to be using Vistaprint UK, I'm not receiving anything by mentioning them, I simply like the look of them, they seem cheaper than the popular Moo business card, and currently have 25% off everything (I think) which is a very good deal for me right now! I am getting the item labels elsewhere, but they are still a bargain price.

For the rest of the day I'll be watching anime, reading, and of course working on my beloved crochet projects! I hope you have a nice weekend whatever you end up doing ^o^ 
Ooops, forgot to mention my dear Muse who yes will be playing with me today & tomorrow, after I've had a rest and fed her with inspiration!

Give Us A Smile Cinderella by Steve Smallman and Marcin Piwowarski (Children's, Picture book, 10E/10E, short 'n' sweet review)

 April 2015, QED, 24 pages, Paperback, Review copy

Content: lots of humour

Summary from QED
Every day Cinderella brushes her teeth twice whilst her two sisters eat cakes and sweets all day. Can her sparkling smile take her from rags to riches?

Follow Cinderella in this hilarious twist of the classic fairytale and discover why it's important to brush your teeth.

Nayu's thoughts
I adore the story of Cinderella, a classic fairytale, and this version is a brilliant take on it to get readers to take care of their teeth. I can safely say I've never read a version like this, and thoroughly enjoyed the different plot slant. The illustrations are a sweet style which made me smile on every page. Readers will understand why her step-sisters are so evil, and will be encouraged to follow Cinderella's steps, be they in one shoe or two, and brush daily so they don't frighten anyone else with the state of their teeth.

Suggested read
There are more books in this fun series such as Keep Running, Gingerbread Man! by Steve Smallman and Neil Price (Children's, Picture book, 10E/10E)

Friday 27 February 2015

London Book Fair 2015 news!




Today's post is courtesy of the Midas PR publicity team for London Book Fair 2015! 

Go Midas!
There's an amazing new opportunity at the 3 day event for not yet published authors (as well as published ones) - here's all the info which you need to know about! I'm not going this year as it's too close to a hospital appointment - I think you can tell which I'd prefer to go to! If you are free it's a brilliant couple of days out (or even if you can only go one day) full of all things bookish! 
A book event? Great!!



 
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ASPIRING WRITERS AT
THE LONDON BOOK FAIR
 
Agent one-to-one sessions and The Write Stuff competition -
Call for Entries!
 
News for release, Wednesday 25 February 2015:   The London Book Fair (LBF), the UK’s biggest gathering of international publishers and agents, has announced a Call for Entries for its Agent One-to-One programme and The Write Stuff competition, which are part of a whole range of initiatives on offer in Author HQ - LBF’s home for writers and aspiring writers, sponsored by Kindle Direct Publishing. 
 
Agent One-to-One meetings will give authors an invaluable opportunity to talk directly to an agent from a leading literary agency about their books, seek advice about any stage of the writing process and receive direct feedback on pitches and ideas.   Back for another year, The Write Stuff, a Dragon’s Den-style panel event, will see ten authors pitch their books to a panel of literary agents in front of an audience in Author HQ, for the chance to win a follow up meeting with an agent.  Each pitch will be a maximum of 2 minutes long, with agents providing on-the-spot feedback.  

Author HQ, launched as a response to increasing interest from the self-publishing community, is now one of the most popular features at the Fair.  There will be plenty on offer there for both established and aspiring authors, including a three day programme of seminars, curated by Midas Public Relations.  Now in its fourth year, the Author HQ programme has been designed to provide the knowledge, tools and insight writers need to make informed decisions about getting their work published in a world where conventional and self-publishing opportunities offer an ever expanding number of routes to market.    A stellar line-up of industry experts including publishers, writers and agents will be taking the stage to share their secrets of how to get published successfully, and a number of authors will also be on seminar panels to share their personal experiences. 

Further details on the Author HQ seminar programme line up for 2015 will be announced at the end of February.
 
*LBF HAS A NEW HOME FOR 2015*
 
The London Book Fair has moved to its new venue for 2015 - Olympia, West London, which means a new home for Author HQ too, which will be located on Level 1, Olympia Central.  Visitors for Author HQ should access the Fair via the Olympia National Entrance.
 
All Author HQ @ LBF events are free-to-attend with the purchase of a three-day LBF pass which costs £35 (if booked in advance).  Seminars are on a first come, first served, basis. Authors are advised to arrive early to avoid disappointment.   For further details on how to enter for a place on either the Author One-to-One programme or The Write Stuff, please visit www.londonbookfair.co.uk/authorhq.

 
Notes to editors:
 
Agent One-to-Ones
·         Writers who would like to apply for an Agent One-to-One are invited to submit their application by emailing lbfauthorhq@midaspr.co.uk with a covering note and a synopsis of no more than 250 words about their book with the genre from the list below in their email subject header from the following list: Crime/Thriller; Women’s Fiction; Commercial Fiction; Literary Fiction; Children’s/YA; Non-fiction; SF/Fantasy; Other
·         Spaces are limited, and an application does not guarantee an appointment with an agent
·         Agents may request sample chapter/s of an author’s manuscript in advance of a meeting at LBF and appointments are being confirmed on the understanding that authors have complete manuscripts of their work available
·         Deadline to enter is Wednesday 18 March 2015, 17:00 and successful applicants will be notified by Monday 23 March 2015, 17:00
·         Decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered in to
The Write Stuff
·         Authors wishing to enter The Write Stuff competition should email lbfauthorhq@midaspr.co.uk putting The Write Stuff in the subject heading of their email and send a 250 word synopsis about the book they would like to pitch to the Agent Panel and why they should be chosen
·         Deadline to enter is Monday 16 March, 17:00.  Shortlisted applicants will be informed via email by Wednesday 18 March, 17:00 and invited to send in three sample chapters of their book, which will be required by Friday 20 March, 17:00
·         The ten finalists will be notified on Friday 27 March, 17:00
·         The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered in to
·         Applicants must have sample chapters of their work available to be considered for entry
                         
 
THE LONDON BOOK FAIR (LBF)
The London Book Fair (LBF) is the global marketplace for rights negotiation and the sale and distribution of content across print, audio, TV, film and digital channels. Taking place every Spring in the world’s premier publishing and cultural capital, it is a unique opportunity to explore, understand and capitalise on the innovations shaping the publishing world of the future. LBF brings you direct access to customers, content and emerging markets. LBF 2015, the 44th Fair, will take place from Tuesday 14-Thursday 16 April 2015, Olympia London. LBF’s London Book and Screen Week will run for the second year, with the book fair as the pivotal three day event within a five day programme. London Book and Screen Week will open with LBF’s Publishing for Digital Minds Conference on Monday 13 April, the day before LBF opens.  Mexico is Market Focus country in 2015, following Korea in 2014. In 2014 LBF’s charity of the year was Book Aid International.
For further information, please visit: www.londonbookfair.co.uk.
 
 
 

Thursday 26 February 2015

Blog tour: Oksa Pollock The Heart of Two Worlds by Anne Plichota and Cendrine Wolf (Children's, 11 years +, 10E/10E)


This is an extremely special tour for me. Firstly, it's about Oksa, who I casually said was Harry Potter and I'm now officially known for quoting that (fangirl squee!). Secondly, I have been given the privilege to be the blog which hosts both the first and last post of the tour! This has never, ever happened before, and I'm touched that I was asked to do this. I hope that through the course of the tour you will want to get to love Oksa as much as I do. She is a legend, lovely and imperfect, loses her temper, acts irrationally, follows her heart, and is all in all a wonderful heroine. 

Today's opening post includes a repost of my review of the hardback waaaay back in October and an awesome question and answer session with Anne and Cendrine! This Oksa fangirl is doing a lot of squeeing ^o^ To finish the tour on March 7th I'll have a question and answer session with a French fan who is fortunate enough to have read all the series, since the original French version has been out much longer than the English translation. Not that I'm jealous or anything. I can understand French so I may yet succumb to reading them ahead of the translation's release. For now I'm waiting semi-patiently!

My review
Just in case you forgot what the paperback cover looks like, here it is again!
9th October 2014, Pushkin Press, 400 pages, Hardback, Review copy
Content: some fighting, some humour, tragedy, tissues definitely needed
Summary from Pushkin Press
Oksa's heart-stopping adventures continue, as she journeys to her enchanted homeland.

Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, torrential rain... The Earth is in turmoil. Fleeing a flooded London, Oksa and the rest of the Pollock family set off in search of the Entrance Portal of Edefia, their magical home. It is their only chance of restoring the Earth's balance. To get there, Oksa is forced to ally herself with the terrible Felons, mortal enemies who could betray her at any moment. Luckily she also has some real friends at her side: Pavel, her shapeshifting father; Gus and Tugdual, the two rivals for her heart; and, of course, her formidable grandmother Dragomira, along with her menagerie of Edefian creatures. But little does Oksa know, not only will she have to brave countless dangers to reach the portal, she must also pay a terrible price to enter the hidden world... And what will await her on the other side?

Nayu's thoughts
Oksa is my Harry Potter. She has some highly cool powers, but she needs them to save the world – no, save two worlds. She finally gets to go to Edefia in this 3rd book in the series, but how she gets there, and what happens when she gets there is horrifying. So much so that although I love the stories, and I'm desperate to read it, and I can read French so in theory can read the rest of the series (which are all out in France), I'm not going to. I can wait for the English translation to be published. It is a heavy emotional read for me. There are heart wrenching scenes which you'll need tissues for. I needed super cute and fluffy anime to counteract the harsh reality of Oksa's world. 
Most of it is hard going, but the Edefia creatures provide great entertainment in exaggerating events, stating the obvious that no one wants to say. Oksa struggles with her relationship with pretty much very teen, especially moody Gus. I don't blame her as they were pretty close in book 1, but now they seem so distant and unable to speak what they truly feel. Oksa also struggles with how everyone - including their enemies - treat her. She just wants to be normal, which is something she'll never be. 
Find out more on the dedicated website.

Suggested read
Naturally read the first two books Oksa Pollock: The Last Hope & The Forest of Souls (Children's, 11 years +, 10E/10E)

Question and Answer with Anne Plichota and Cendrine Wolf
Anna & Cendrine!
  1. What made you choose Oksa, a girl, to be the main protagonist, rather than using a boy?
Some people think that we wanted our story to be different to other fantasy series, where the heroes are usually boys. But to tell you the truth, we didn’t really think about it. We are women, who have been girls, so it was logical and natural for us to choose a girl to be the heroine of our books. Maybe it was easier for us to choose a female lead!

  1. Oksa undeniably goes through immense heartache, but the odd little creatures provide humour at the darkest of times - was this something you planned or did it just happen naturally?
First of all, we wanted some original creatures in our books because you can’t imagine a fantastic story without odd creatures. But I think they quickly took on a bigger role than we had planned. They are so charming, so touching and so funny that we couldn’t leave them out or give them a smaller part in the books. We agree with you. It’s essential to find a kind of lightness when the world is going mad or dark. It’s like a respite.

  1. I can’t remember the name of it but my favourite creation was the living being which could cocoon Oksa when she was at her lowest, making her feel safe an slowly encouraging her to want to live. What gave you the idea for this? I want one!
Yes, the wonderful placenta of Lunatrixes... The idea came very simply after we saw some pictures of babies inside the placenta, before the birth, and they all seemed so happy, so comfortable in their ‘bag of wellness’. These babies looked like they were smiling, with their half-shut eyes and happy faces. We thought it would be fantastic to return to this and find again this incredible feeling of floating and being protected.

  1. Which is your favourite magical creature? Are there any creatures which you thought up but didn’t make it into the book?
Anne : I really love all the creatures for different reasons. Their tenderness, their madness or their sense of humour, but my two favourites are the Lunatrix and the Goranov plant because they are both my alter ego! Like the Lunatrix, I enjoy using words and playing with them, and taking care of the stewardship. And like the Goranov plant, I get stressed about nearly everything. When I was younger, I used to collapse every time I was feeling too nervous. I am much stronger now!

Cendrine : My favourite is the Incompetent. Like him, my brain doesn’t work like everyone elses. It’s always shifting... There are many creatures in the Oksa Pollock series, but we imagined even more, which unfortunately we couldn’t include. But we keep them in a secret part of our memory, maybe you will discover them one day...

  1. Is there much difference between the names in the English translation and the original French version?
As we don’t speak fluent English, we can’t comment on the subtlety of the translations. We can just imagine how difficult it must be for translators, like Sue Rose, to translate invented words! You can take a look at day five of the blog tour where an Oksa Pollock translation resource pack will feature, giving an insight into the translation process, working with made up words.

  1. Where are your favourite places to write?
Anne : At home! I have a place for the morning’s writing - on a sofa with a lot of pillows, a teapot and some coffee near to me (and very often some chocolate or sweets, I’m very gourmand!). In the afternoon, I like to sit on a chair or an armchair, near the window, so that I can see outside (no, I don’t spy on my neighbours. I just enjoy looking at the trees and the sky while i’m working).

As soon as the weather is sweet or hot, I write on my balcony (it’s really my favourite place!). And whether I’m outside or indoors, I always listen to music while writing.

Cendrine: I like writing at my desk, near a window where I can see my garden. I don’t sit on my armchair in a very common way - my feet don‘t touch the floor, my legs are folded against me, my body is curled up. Nice and comfy!

Anne: She’s so strange...

Thank you very much, Nayu, it was a pleasure for us to answer your lovely questions!

You're most welcome Anne and Cendrine! Thank you for this Q and A. It has been such a pleasure to have my questions answered, and to kick of Oksa's tour. Be sure to check out the next stop on the tour tomorrow over at Read It Daddy!

Wednesday 25 February 2015

Nayu's News #175 All quiet here

I've sort of been busy....
A short and sweet post from me today. I've been off work sick this week, managed half a day Monday and felt truly dreadful yesterday so spent the day in bed. I read a lot, and watched light and easy shows including my current favourite anime Aikatsu. 

Me & my cat are BFFs!
Today I'm pottering around, sorting a few bits such as new books to log in my book log book (try saying that fast!) & blog work as I hope to make it back to work tomorrow. I'll be doing crochet later on today too. My cat did spend some of her time with me on my bed, but right now she's snoozing in the spare room which is her favourite space when she's not with me. 

Hope you are all staying as well as you can. If you get sick, I strongly recommend resting up and not pushing yourself to work if you can avoid it because it hinders rather than helps recovery time. Trust me on that! 
Always put yourself first!

Tuesday 24 February 2015

Storytime Magazine Issue 1 by Luma Works (Children's, Non-Fiction, 3 years +, 5 years +, 7 years +, 9 years +, 9/10E, semi short 'n' sweet review)

 1st issue August 2014, Luma Works, Magazine, Review copy

Blurb from Storytime Magazine website
Storytime is a monthly magazine for parents and children filled with classic tales to read, love, share and treasure.

Every issue is packed with beautifully illustrated stories, including fairy tales, myths and legends, folk tales, fables, poems and rhymes, stories from around the world and an extract from a classic children’s book. Plus, in every magazine, there are story-inspired puzzles and activities, and top tips from our reading expert.
  • Wonderful stories to collect every month
  • Story-inspired puzzles, activities and games
  • Beautiful full-colour illustrations
  • Storytelling tips from our reading expert
  • Get a sneak preview of this month’s exciting issue

Nayu's thoughts
This is an incredible new-ish magazine (as of last year because I managed to bury it in my review list. Thankfully I have a better method of keeping up to date!) which is perfect for children because there are absolutely no ads! Zilch! None! I think ad free is the way to go because it removes the temptation for readers to want things which their families may not be able to afford. It's more like having a compendium of stories than a magazine.

With colour pictures, aside from the occasionally odd illustration which looks as though the creatures are deformed in the eye department (something my family noticed and commented on in issue 1), there are different styles of art and narrative to suit readers of every taste. There are short stories, some which will be continued, some which are familiar and some which are totally new. The range is impressive, and they are certainly ones readers will happily go back to, maybe for a re-read before the next issue comes out, or simply because the stories are of a high quality. I most definitely recommend this for readers of all ages!

Keep Running, Gingerbread Man! by Steve Smallman and Neil Price (Children's, Picture book, 10E/10E, short 'n' sweet review)

 October 2014, QED, 24 pages, Hardback, Review copy

Summary from QED 
The Gingerbread Man has to run as fast as he can - or he'll be eaten!

Follow the Gingerbread Man as he runs away from the little old woman, the little old man, the cow, the horse and the fox!

Nayu's thoughts
Whenever I heard the tale of the gingerbread man when I was little I always felt sorry for him. He deserved to live in peace without being chased after. I mean, who wants to eat a talking biscuit? Ew! Well, the same traditional tale is told here, with heaps more humour and a clever plot twist. 

In an age where emphasis is placed on moving about and keeping active, I think it's good to include hints for running around outside – at least the reader won't have people chasing them who want to eat them! 

The story is an easy style to read, one which some readers will no doubt learn off by heart and savour every word. The bright and cheerful illustrations added an extra element of humour (and very mild peril) to the gingerbread man's plight too. I'd love to have a book like this for Little Bo Peep's tale!

Monday 23 February 2015

What are YOU reading? #257





What are you reading on Monday? is a weekly meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journeys where you post books completed last week and plans for upcoming books. Jump over to her blog and see who else is participating.




Read


Perry Angel's Suitcase by Glenda Millard and Stephen Michael King
Children's, 9 years +
10E/10E
(A new member of the Silk family arrives, only he thinks he won't be wanted...)





All The Colours of Paradise by Glenda Millard and Stephen Michael King
Children's, 9 years +
10E/10E
(Time to learn more about Perry, why he has 2 days of homeschool each week and why his mother is a secret.)





Glee Club by Jo Cotteril
Children's, 11 years +, Dyslexia friendly
9/10E
(Misunderstandings are central to this drama group story...)





Plum Pudding and Paper Moons by Glenda Millard
Children's, 9 years +
10E/10E
(Scarlett's wishes were so like my own at her age!)





The Tender Moments of Saffron Silk by Glenda Millard and Stephen Michael King
Children's, 9 years +
10E/10E
(Technically a reread as I read this first and the other 5 books after, but reread and understood it all better. It's as heartwarming as the rest!)





Murder Most Unladylike by Robin Stevens
Children's, 9 years +
10/10E
(Awesome new boarding school murder mystery, hilarious and gripping!)





Arsenic For Tea by Robin Stevens
Children's, 9 years +
10E/10E
(Book 2 is just as intense as Murder Most Unladylike, loved even more because I already knew and loved the main characters!)









STILL READING


The Dream Snatcher by Abi Elphinstone
Children's, 9 years +
(This is taking an age to read because it is petrifying! Can only read in small doses...)









LISTENED


Falling To Pieces by Vanetta Chapman
Cozy
10E/10E
(I'm wondering who the killer is and when the Amish Elders may allow the selling of quilts online...)









WATCHED


Negima
School and Magic anime, Japanese version
10/10E
(Been ages since I watched this show! Minus a few mature parts, its awesome!)





Outnumbered
Family drama, English version
9/10E
(All about being truthful...)





My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic:  Season 4
Anime, English version
10E/10E
(Fluttershy becomes a vampire bat! At least now I know why they are in the game...)





Shugo Chara
Magical girl anime, Japanese version
9/10E
(Seeing the 1st of a 2 part episode is frustrating when you can't watch them 1 after the other!)





Pretty Rhythm Aurora Dream
REWATCH! - Music idol anime, Japanese version
10E/10E
(I love the Budokan episode because the girls really connect with the audience during the power cut.)





AKB0048
REWATCH! - Music idol anime, Japanese version
10E/10E
(It's funny how long it takes the students to realise variety shows are another way of reaching out to fans who live where entertainment is restricted...)





Casualty
Medical drama, English version
8/10E
(Connie was on the warpath, and Dylan made a return!)





Call the Midwife
Drama, English version
9/10E
(It's great to have Cynthia back, although now that she is a trainee nun, her name is Mary-Cynthia.)





Aikatsu:  Season 1
REWATCH! - Music idol anime, Japanese version
10E/10E
(It's funny seeing Ran not yet friends with Ichigo and Aoi before episode 5...)





Strawberry Shortcake:  Season 3
REWATCH! - Anime, English version
9/10E
(I think it might take several more rewatching the entire season before I get used to having a boy, Huckleberry feature in what was an all girl anime [minus the berrykins and other animal characters].)










CRAFT, GAMES & MORE
I've been having fun experimenting for a new line coming soon to Nayu's Crochet Dreams...pet blankets! Stay tuned to check out a cute paw print I've managed to incorporate into the design ^o^

I've also finished this Desert Dewdrop Dream, which will be added soon to the Nayu's Crochet Dream Shop...



I haven't done any cross stitch which I can show you, sorry!, but i have been playing hard on my usual 3 Gameloft games 10E/10E favourites.  In My Little Pony I'm saving up for a new shop – maybe the restaurant....


In Ice Age Village I seriously need to reorganise it as stuff is everywhere, especially my latest purchase of lotus flowers...



And finally in Littlest Pet Shop I've maxed out my canary collection!