Novelicious.com | The Women's Fiction Blog for Readers and Writers

My Book Deal Moment by Matt Cain

I love to write fun, frothy fiction women might enjoy reading on a beach holiday; my first novel, Shot Through the Heart, is a romantic comedy about a Hollywood actress who falls in love with a paparazzi photographer. But when I first heard it was going to be published I was in another world entirely...

At the time I was working as the arts correspondent on Channel 4 News, a job I loved as I got to interview everyone from Tracey Emin, Michael Douglas and the Spice Girls to each year’s winner of the Women’s Prize for Fiction. But when my agent called to tell me I’d been offered a two-book deal by Pan Macmillan, I was filming a report behind the scenes at the Royal Ballet.

I remember sneaking out of the rehearsal studio to take the call and whooping for joy when I heard the news. Like all aspiring writers, I’d had to write in my spare time for years before landing my first deal – and had experienced my fair share of rejection along the way. So standing in the corridors of the Royal Ballet I could hardly contain my excitement.

The problem was that I was working on a news story that was due to air in that evening’s programme. So I had to pull myself together and go back and finish the shoot, forcing myself to concentrate as I interviewed dancers and filmed them rehearsing for their latest ballet. I seem to remember having to record about 15 takes of my piece-to-camera before I finally got it right! But I explained what had happened to my producer and cameraman and thankfully they made a special effort so it wouldn’t impact on the shoot.

Exclusive! Novelicious Chats To...Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction Shortlisted Jhumpa Lahiri

 Shortlisted for both the Man Booker and the Baileys Women’s Prize for Fiction, Jhumpa Lahiri's second novel, The Lowland, is about two brothers in a post-Independence India Calcutta neighbourhood, who are inseparable as children but whose lives take markedly different paths as they reach their twenties. Here, Jhumpa talks to us about her real-life and literary inspirations.

What inspired you to write your novel?

The Lowland was inspired by an execution that took place in Calcutta in the early 1970’s, in the neighborhood where my father was raised. Some students who lived there had been involved in the Naxalite movement – a failed attempt at Maoist revolution in India, which brought about a period of violent turmoil for the city. One evening during the repression of this movement, two brothers were shot dead by the police in front of their parents and some other family members. I’d heard about the incident when I was a teenager, during one of my visits to Calcutta. I was upset by it, and ever since then I was curious about the Naxalite period, wanting to learn more. I knew very little about it, having been raised outside of India. But given that I’d spent a great deal of time in that neighborhood, and that it happened to be my family’s neighborhood, I felt connected to the event.

Friday Book Giveaway! One Night in Italy by Lucy Diamond

No spring weekend is complete without a good book, especially if the book in question has a dash of romance and the promise of some much-needed sunny escapism. Lucy Diamond’s One Night in Italy is just the thing, we reckon. Read on to find out how you can win one of five copies!

Is Italian really the language of love? A new class of students hopes to find out.

Anna's recently been told the father she's never met is Italian. Now she's baking focaccia, whipping up tiramisu and swotting up on her vocabulary, determined to make it to Italy so she can find him in person.

Catherine's husband has walked out on her, and she's trying to pick up the pieces of her life. But she'll need courage as well as friends when she discovers his deception runs even deeper than infidelity.

Review – Who is Tom Ditto? by Danny Wallace

Reviewed by Kirsty Nicole Pole

Tom,

I have not left you but I am gone.

Please carry on as normal.

Love always, Hayley.

This is the note that Tom Ditto comes home to from his girlfriend Hayley. Immediately panicked, he begins calling all of their close friends who know nothing of Hayley’s whereabouts. As he continues his investigation, he visits Hayley’s workplace, clothing shop Zara, where her boss informs him that Hayley has given in her notice to go travelling for a month. He is puzzled – Hayley had never mentioned wanting to travel before. So Tom is left to figure out what exactly has happened to his girlfriend, and what has caused her to run away so suddenly, except … is it sudden? Is she coming back? Has she left him for good? And how can he just carry on as normal?

These are all questions that Tom goes on a quest to find answers to. In the process, he stumbles across a group of people that he never thought he’d be spending time with and a whole new world of opportunities are opened up to him, but will Hayley return at the end of it all?

Sadie Jones's Top Five Writing Tips

1. First of all, I'd have to say what helps me might not help someone else, so I suppose the first tip would be to remember there is no 'right' way to do it. Give yourself permission to be unique.

2. Take time not writing – but not doing anything else at all. Imagine as completely as you can. The words on the page should describe a world you already know to be true.

3. Work regularly. The brain is like a muscle, it's always very hard to get back in after a break, but easier and easier once you're in the habit of it.

4. You might not have the luxury of a great deal of time, but that can be to your advantage. Knowing you have exactly an hour to write before you must stop is often more useful than knowing you have six hours stretching ahead.

5. If you find that you are inhibited and self-critical try writing with your eyes closed, it can shut off the inner critic, and stop you over-editing as you go. (Helps if you can touch type!)

Sadie Jones's new novel, Fallout, is out now.

Review – Still Waters by Katie Flynn

Reviewed by Emma Kingston

Still Waters is a story about two people living on opposite side of the world, whose tumultuous upbringings eventually brings them together. Both hark from tragic backgrounds, defined by the loss of someone close to them. Mal Chandler, a young Australian who has yet to find his place in life, travels to England to do his bit for the war effort, leaving behind a shaded childhood overshadowed by an abusive father whom he loved despite his faults and a tragic accident that left him guilt ridden. In contrast, Tessa had a happy childhood with a loving and protective father, but as she gets older, she seeks to uncover the mystery surrounding her mother’s untimely death and a dream that haunts her.

When the war begins all of the characters are forced to learn quickly about sacrifice, suffering, camaraderie, friendship, and the many different guises in which love presents itself.

I found Still Waters quite difficult to get into to begin with; whilst I quickly warmed to Tess’s story, it took me longer to become enthralled by Mal’s journey. A few more chapters in though, I couldn’t wait to find out how their stories would merge together.

Novelicious Chats To...Gillian Binchy

Gillian Binchy's debut novel, Ruby’s Tuesday, was recently published in Ireland by Poolbeg Press – A Ward River Imprint. Today, Gillian has popped over to answer a few questions about the heartbreaking inspiration behind her book, her famous relative and much more.

Can you tell us a little about your average writing day?

I wrote Ruby’s Tuesday in less than three months. I put pen to paper during the summer of 2013. The novel was motivated and inspired by the loss of our daughter Zeldine. I began it in late May and finished the second draft the day before I returned to work in mid-September. I wrote from early morning until late at night. I was obsessed with my daily word count, 3,000 words a day was my target. I wrote like a possessed woman! Every day with the allocation of words complete, I would then edit the content that I had written the day before. Never deleting content I had written. In the early stages of a novel you are not sure what will and won’t work so I found it best to shy away from the delete button until the first draft was fully complete.

Review – Unravelling Oliver by Liz Nugent

Reviewed by Jennifer Joyce

Oliver has never been a violent man. Until the evening he attacks his wife and leaves her in a coma. Through Oliver, those around him and his wife Alice, we learn about Oliver’s past and what could drive him to the savage attack.

I’ve never read a book with as many narrators as there are in Unravelling Oliver and I wasn’t sure how switching between so many points of view would work, but it worked very well for me. Each person tells an anecdote from their past, usually involving either Oliver or Alice, until a picture begins to emerge of Oliver and the night he attacks his wife. Oliver is a very odd character. He’s cold, calculating and devious and is so detached he seems devoid of feelings for others, chillingly so at times. We learn about his childhood and how that shaped him into the man he has become and I have to admit I felt a bit sorry for him at times, which I didn’t think I would at the beginning. But he soon acted in such a manner that I hated him again!

I found Unravelling Oliver to be quite a unique read. I wasn’t always sure where the anecdotes were leading and how they were relevant to the attack, but piece by piece the full story started to emerge until everything slotted together. I found it to be a fascinating and hugely enjoyable read and I particularly warmed to Barney, who I liked more and more as the story progressed.

Feasting on Romantic Comedy – Lime Drizzle Cake from Language of Spells by Sarah Painter

When Gwen inherits her great aunt's house she reluctantly has to return to Pendleford – a place she hasn't been back to in 13 years. She doesn't have to stay there, she reassures herself. Just sort out the house and move on. Again. Where would she go this time though? Maybe she should stay. But is it possible to make a place for herself in the town which branded her a witch all those years ago?

A return to Pendleford also means moving closer to her sister, Ruby, who wants absolutely nothing to do with the magic. Ruby has a daughter, Katie, who comes to her Aunt Gwen's house looking for something her mum doesn't give her; family history, the magic, no stress, plus, the best thing (in my opinion), cake. When Katie walks into Gwen's house announcing that she is starving, Gwen offers her lemon drizzle or lime and pecan. Katie takes the latter and finishes it off in a few short bites.

Novelicious Goes To...A Not So Elementary Evening Celebrating Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s 155th Birthday with Park Plaza Sherlock Holmes

by Kate Appleton

I arrived at the Park Plaza Sherlock Holmes in London at 5.30pm for the exclusive Sherlock Holmes-themed afternoon tea, where I was duly escorted to my comfy leather chair and enjoyed first class care and attention. The dining room was shared only by a pair of well-to-do ladies, one of whom was sporting a magnificent hat (I later learned she was the wife of one of the Sherlockian authors present that evening, no wonder their conversational topics spanned from the Romanov dynasty to Einstein – yes I was eavesdropping).

During my afternoon of sandwich nibbling and gin swigging, Maria, the PR Executive of Europe, Middle East & Africa for Park Plaza Hotels came over and introduced herself before talking me through my sandwiches. The afternoon tea had been designed by the Park Plaza kitchen team, who were keen to bring alive the spirit of the Victorian period. Tier one included cheddar and pickle, roast beef and horseradish, smoked salmon and lemon cream and cucumber and dill sandwiches while tier two consisted of plain and fruit scones (oh glorious scones!) with clotted cream. I saved tier three for last, which boasted Pimms and strawberry cheesecake, lemon and poppy seed sponge, treacle tart and a Victoria sponge. A highly recommended afternoon treat, if you ask me. While I munched, Maria also introduced me to Steve Emecz, the lead man at MX Publishing, who was responsible for much of the evening’s talent.

Novelicious Chats To...Josephine Moon

Josephine Moon’s debut novel The Tea Chest, which we reviewed this morning, was published yesterday. Here, she chats about how aroma sniffing and shaking tins in a tea shop inspired the story, why writing characters is a little like herding cats and what’s next for her as an author.

Where do you find inspiration for your books?

Before The Tea Chest, I had written nine other manuscripts (that have not made it to publication) and they are all very eclectic in subject matter. If I think about it, each one reflects whatever subject matter I was passionate about at the time.

At a scene level (because a whole book is made up of hundreds of scenes), it’s much more interesting. Sometimes I’ll go to an arty café or a bookshop with the intention of writing a scene, with only the vaguest idea of what that scene is about. But then an object will catch my attention, or I’ll see a photo in a book, and it will spark the direction of the scene I’m there to write.

As far as The Tea Chest goes, that literally began with me wandering through a tea shop, inhaling aromas and shaking tins of tea, and I thought, “What an awesome job! Who gets to design all these teas?” And with that, the character of Kate Fullerton arrived.

Can you tell us a little about your average writing day?

I have a young toddler, we’re renovating a house, my husband also works for himself, and we have twelve animals in our care, so I really struggle to find an average day! The way I used to write before I had my son was very different to how I have to write now and I’m still trying to work it out as he really dictates what I can and can’t do, and that changes all the time depending on his age and stage of development.

Review – The Tea Chest by Josephine Moon

Reviewed by Susan Lobban

The last thing Kate Fullerton expected when she joined The Tea Chest as a creative would be to one day become owner. Overnight, Kate goes from spending her days creating tea to having to make major business decisions. Now she must decide whether she should forge ahead with plans to open a branch in London, possibly at the expense of her young family. Leila Morton, meanwhile, has jumped from her job before she was pushed, and Elizabeth Clancy is tempted to jump off a city bridge when her marriage crumbles. Both need a new start.

These three Brisbane women’s lives intertwine as they embark on life across an ocean at the other side of the world. London is full of opportunity and enables Kate, Leila and Elizabeth to be who they want. In order for the new branch of The Tea Chest to be a success, however, each woman must call upon skills they didn’t even know they had.

This book was very easy to get into. As I have mentioned before, I love books that see women from different walks of life coming together unexpectedly. I was particularly drawn to Kate, who struggled with achieving the perfect work/life balance. Becoming the owner of The Tea Chest is miles away from designing tea flavours. Luckily, she has a wonderful husband whose motto encourages following your passion rather than money. I enjoyed reading the lovely texts Kate received from her family while she was ensconced in London. I am not a tea drinker, but every time Kate created a new flavour, I could literally smell the fragrances described. I was fascinated by the process of mixing new blends and did not realize there were so many different combinations.

News – Desmond Elliott Prize Shortlist Announced

The annual Desmond Elliott Prize, which has been dubbed the “most prestigious award for first-time novelists” by the Telegraph, announced its shortlist yesterday.

The three nominated novels are The Letter Bearer by Robert Allison (Granta), Ballistics by D.W. Wilson (Bloomsbury) and Eimear McBride’s A Girl Is a Half-formed Thing (Galley Beggar Press).

McBride’s debut has already won the 2013 Goldsmiths prize and has made the shortlist for the 2014 Folio Prize and the 2014 Baileys Prize. Her appearance on yet another respected literary radar might see more than a few publishers cursing themselves for allowing her debut to slip through the net. The Irish novelist’s book was repeatedly rejected by major publishers and, despite being written in just six months, took nine years to finally become published.

My Bedside Table by Rea of Rea Book Review

While Orpington-based Rea loves her job as a beauty therapist, she loves reading books even more. Three years ago, she started her own book blog, Rea Book Review, to keep up with the numerous novels she’d devoured (often three a week!). Today, Rea has invited us to take a peek at her TBR pile.

The only thing missing from my bedside table is my cup of tea and a bar of chocolate! As you can see, like most bookworms’ bedside tables, I have a selection of books.

I always have my current read, which at the moment is OMG Baby! by Emma Garcia. You’ll also see Love Under Different Skies by Nick Spalding, which is the book I just finished reading and need to review. I have to leave them on my little table otherwise – at the pace I read – I end up forgetting to review (smack my wrist). This book is a very funny so if you haven’t read it, be sure to add it to your pile!