Stella Tarakson

Meet my main character blog tour

Stella

10/06/2014

Gotta love fellow writers! Author and blogger, Evelyne Holingue, has tagged me on the ‘Meet My Main Character Blog Tour’. Thanks, Eveylne, I’m honoured to take part. Evelyne is a Frenchwoman now living in the United States. She writes in both languages and is a very talented lady. She’s the author of Trapped in Paris, a thrilling young adult novel set on a background of loss. You can find out more about Evelyne and her work here.

This blog tour helps us learn more about each writer’s book, and in particular that all-important main character. Seven questions have been set. Evelyne has expertly tackled them on her blog, and now it’s my turn!

Mike the Spike

1 What is the name of your main character? Is he fictional or a historic person?

Mike is fictional, but typical of many 9-year-old boys. He likes to think of himself as ‘Mike the Spike’, as he has tall spikey hair that he’s terribly proud of. Mike’s quite small but believes his spikes make him look tall and very grown up.

2. When and where is the story set?

It’s set in the modern day. Most of the action revolves around school and the average suburban home.

3. What should we know about him?

Mike needs the approval and admiration of his peers. He’s a fiercely independent boy who likes to solve problems by himself, without adult help. This tends to get him deeper and deeper into trouble, with amusing consequences.

4. What is the main conflict? What messes up his life?

Mike’s greatest source of pride – his hair – comes under threat. To his horror, he discovers he has nits. Mike is convinced his head will be shaved. How will he cope with the shame? He decides to get rid of them quickly, all by himself, before anyone finds out. But as anyone who’s ever had nits knows … it isn’t easy.

5. What is his personal goal?

Mike has two goals. The first, of course, is to get rid of his nits. His other goal is to make a great non-spike-squashing hat for the upcoming hat parade. He’s never won a prize before and longs to win something, just this once. But how can he, when he can’t stop scratching?

6. Is there a working title for this novel, and can we read more about it?

The junior novel is called Mike the Spike and it suits readers aged 7 +. Although it’s ostensibly about nits, it’s also about trust, self-reliance, and where you can turn when you need help.

New Frontier Publishing
Little Rockets Series

7. When can we expect the book to be published?

It’s being released in August! My publisher is New Frontier, and the book is being published as part of their Little Rockets series. This is a fast-paced series full of memorable characters, and I’m thrilled that Mike the Spike is going to join them.

And now it’s my turn to pass on the favour!

I’d like to invite Marcia Meara of the excellent Bookin’ It blog to take part in this blog tour. Marcia’s written a couple of books that I’d love to know more about.

I’ve previously interviewed Pamela Cook, a rural fiction writer. She’s already had two novels published, is well into her third, and writes the inspirational Flying Pony blog.

Dimity Powell is a fellow kids’ book author. Check out her blog Dimswritestuff.

Karren Tyrell is a mental health advocate. She writes books that help children deal with bullying. She’ll be joining me on the CYA Conference success panel next month, which I’ll blog about soon 🙂

Over to you, ladies …

A sneak peek at some gorgeous illustrations

Stella

17 comments

03/06/2014

It’s been a long time coming, but the release of my first junior novel is finally drawing near. Mike the Spike is being launched in August 🙂

There have been several highlights of the journey already. The first – and most crucial – was signing the contract with New Frontier Publishing. Promises of publication are all terribly exciting, but as a lawyer I know only too well that nothing’s definite until the contract’s done and dusted. Actually … not even then … but that’ll be the subject of another blog post!

Getting to see the manuscript laid out in book pages was the next marvellous milestone. For the first time, I saw my story as an actual product. It suddenly became something that other people will buy and sell, not just something that’s been living inside my head. It felt odd, like I was reading someone else’s book.

Large blank squares appeared throughout – spaces where the pictures would go. There were no pictures yet, just a few brief sentences to guide the illustrator. I couldn’t wait to see the drawings.

My editor passed on some preliminary sketches to keep me happy. I guess they’re used to impatient authors!

All the pictures will be in full colour. My illustrator is the talented Ben Johnston, who is also an architect. It’s so amazing to see my characters brought to life visually. It’s something I could never do myself. I’ve dabbled with drawing … and playing guitar … all I can say is, thank God I can write!

Self-publishing picture books: Toula Papadam’s step-by-step guide

Stella

2 comments

27/05/2014

You come across all sorts of interesting things at school fetes: food, handicrafts, books, even writers! Toula Papadam used the opportunity to promote her picture book … and I used the opportunity to hustle an interview. I’m grateful to her for agreeing to share the highs and lows of her self-publishing journey.

Toula Papadam

1. Can you tell us a bit about your picture book ‘Oh My’ Said the Fly!
The story is about a bee who just wants to do his work among the flowers, but keeps being disturbed by predators, which the fly (and others) warn him about.

2. How long were you trying to find a publisher?
Many years. I’ve written many picture book texts, all of which were rejected by several publishers. I become disheartened and gave up. A good friend of mine, teacher librarian Jenny Harpley, convinced me to persevere. She loves my writing and convinced me these stories should not be wasted. Finally, I decided if no one wanted my work, I would publish my stories myself! The whole process from conception to publication of my book took 15 years.

3. How did you go about self-publishing your book?
First I had to find an illustrator. I was horrified to discover that professional illustrators charge between $10 000 and $20 000 plus royalties! I approached an artistic colleague of mine, Merran O’Neill, and asked if she would be interested. She jumped at the idea.

The next step was to find a book designer to put the book together and prepare it for the printers. Very expensive! So I approached my son, Arthur Papadam, who dabbles in graphic design. Luckily, he was up for the challenge! We took the artwork to be professionally scanned, then Arthur got to work and put the text to the illustrations, designing every page as well as the front and back covers.

I went to a local printer, who were very helpful in guiding me through what had to be done before printing commenced. I had to get an ISBN plus a barcode. Then I had to look up oh my said the fly The National Library of Australia to obtain a CIP (Cataloguing in Publication). The book’s existence is now acknowledged. At this site, I also obtained the copyright for the story and the illustrations. All this information had to be included on the page containing the publishing information. (NB: A professional book designer can do all this for you and prepare your book ready to submit to the printer, if you are willing to pay for this service.)

The next step was to register my own publishing business. I had to choose a name for my publishing company, then look up the Dept of Fair Trading to check it wasn’t taken. Once the registration was done, I had to apply for an ABN. Then I had to apply for lending rights (ELR: Educational Lending Rights and PLR: Public Lending Rights).

After this complicated and costly process, the book was ready for the printer! We chose to have the book fully produced and printed in Australia, even though most authors send it overseas where it can be done more cheaply. Ligare Book Printers in Riverwood were very professional, we were very pleased with the final product.

But there’s still more! We had to consider the ‘Legal Deposit System’, which required us to send a copy of the book to each of two libraries: The National Library of Australia and our State Library. The complicated process of self-publishing my book was finally complete.

4. What advice would you give to someone who’s considering self-publishing?
I would say to consider this very carefully, it is not an easy thing to do. It’s very time consuming and costly. You need to consider how you plan to sell your book. I was horrified to learn that large book stores are not interested in putting self-published books on their shelves and public libraries don’t support self-published authors either, not even your own local library! Be prepared to take time off work to sell the book yourself, you will have to work hard for every copy you sell. If all you want is to get your book out there, then okay. But if you want to do this for profit, then I would advise not to do it at all.

5. Where can people buy a copy of your book?
You can contact me by email: toulapapadam@hotmail.com

6. Is there anything else you’d like readers to know about you?
Yes! I am a casual school teacher who takes time out from teaching to promote the book. I am available for guest appearances and signings at schools, bookshops, charity functions and special events. You can find out more about me at: https://www.facebook.com/ToulaPapadam

My favourite Mothers’ Day present

Stella

6 comments

13/05/2014

Mothers’ Day was a beautiful autumn day in Sydney, filled with smiling children, sunshine and chocolate. Who could ask for more?

Well, presents are nice too. Especially the ones made by our children (although shop bought stuff is good too!) When my daughter Connie was little, she used to make me dozens of presents. Cards, collages, strings of beads, craft figures. She would solemnly hand them over one by one. It would take at least half an hour. In the meantime, my son would be eating my chocolates. He shows his love in a different way!

As my daughter grew older, the quantity diminished, but the quality skyrocketed. Her drawings grew more sophisticated. She started to write stories. Her abilities amazed me. Here’s a page out of one of her little hand-written illustrated novels.

Now she’s a teenager (and a very nice one!) she’s given me the best gift I’ve ever had. Better than anything I could have imagined or expected. I’m currently writing a series of children’s books based around Greek mythology. To celebrate, Connie drew a picture of the 12 Olympian gods. If I ever feel the sting of self-doubt when I write, I just need to look at this and feel revitalised 🙂

For all you Mums out there – hope you had a great day. What’s the nicest thing you’ve ever received?

Book review: Annabelle and the Missing Turtles by Rose Inserra

Stella

2 comments

06/05/2014

What do you get if you mix a time slip adventure with five environmentally aware young girls? The Australian Girl series, published by Wombat Books. The series was inspired by a range of beautiful dolls created by Helen Schofield. Each doll has a distinct personality and background, perfect for make-believe and storytelling: http://www.australiangirldoll.com.au/

Annabelle and the Missing Turtles, released November 2013, is the latest in the series. Baby sea turtles are disappearing from their habitat on the Queensland coast. No one knows where they went, or why they didn’t follow their instincts and run to the sea. Five young friends vow to solve the mystery and help the environment. They use their rainbow necklace to jump back in time, where they receive some important information from an Aboriginal girl and a famous female explorer.

Aimed at 8 to 10 year olds, the story is about bravery, teamwork, and friendship. It celebrates the spirit of adventure of Australian girls and portrays strong adult female role models.

Rose Inserra, author

So far, each book in the series has been written by a different person. The author of this book is Rose Inserra, who’s had over sixty children’s books published. Rose’s passion for wildlife is evident in her writing. She stresses she was keen to raise children’s awareness of habitat loss and endangered species. Although the book has an underlying educational agenda, it reads like an adventure story. Girls will love it!

You can read more about the book at http://www.wombatbooks.com.au/annabelle-and-the-missing-turtles or visit Rose at her website at http://roseinserra.com/.

3 Ways to avoid writer’s burnout

Stella

6 comments

29/04/2014

Do you feel exhausted after working on your book day after day? Do you feel that nothing you write is good enough? Are you starting to resent writing and wish you were doing something else? It could be that you are verging on writer’s burnout.

Burnout isn’t the same as writer’s block, which tends to be short-lived. Burnout lingers. It’s caused by prolonged stress, and leads to mental and physical fatigue. Unchecked, it can cause stress-related illnesses, irritability and poor performance. All too often it ends with the writer giving up completely. Think of all those wonderful books that haven’t been written due to burnt out writers! Following these steps will help you avoid that awful situation.

1. Don’t set unreasonable goals and deadlines

That’s just setting yourself up for failure. Be realistic about what you can achieve and when. Consider all your commitments, your capabilities, and be kind to yourself. Often, however, deadlines are set for us. If you know you’ll struggle to meet a publisher’s proposed deadline, say so before you sign the contract. Try to negotiate a more realistic date. They won’t appreciate you making promises you can’t keep! Although they build a certain degree of flexibility into their schedules, if you miss the deadline you risk looking unreliable and unprofessional. If you’ve already committed yourself, however, notify your publisher as soon as possible so they have a chance to reschedule.

2. Look after yourself

Don’t get so overwhelmed by your work that you forget to look after yourself. Make sure you eat properly – no junk food at your desk. Nothing chases away the writing muse like the smell of greasy fat.
Take the time to exercise but be sure to pick something you enjoy. The idea isn’t to put more pressure on yourself, but to relieve it. Vigorous exercise helps you let off steam, while gentler exercise like yoga helps you relax. Pick your activity and factor it into your daily routine. Even simple walking does wonders, especially if you manage to switch your mind off and enjoy the view.
And don’t forget sleep! Many writers cut down on sleep when a deadline looms. Although it’s okay to do this occasionally, try not to burn the midnight oil regularly. Nobody can function when they are chronically sleep deprived. Your words will be as lacklustre as your mood.

3. Stay connected socially

Don’t isolate yourself. Stay connected with family and friends, both in person and via social media. Remember what matters most in life and keep a sense of perspective. If you need to justify that café outing, feel free to call it research! A word of warning, though. If you’re swamped by work and desperate to escape, you may want to tactfully warn your friends to not ask how the book’s going …

Photo credit: Drew Coffman / Foter / Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

Feedback for your fiction: finding the right readers

Stella

17 comments

15/04/2014

Sending your manuscript out for review is a bit like sending your child to school for the first time. This beautiful but fragile thing, once a part of you, is going out into the cold cruel world. In both cases, you need to wait until the time is right. Your first draft is where you figure out who your characters are and what your story’s about. It’s also the time when you shouldn’t let anyone else see it! Get to know your story better before you start asking for other people’s opinions. In other words, write the second draft before you seek feedback.

This is hard for writers. We tend to be an insecure lot, and crave reassuring feedback. But if you know the manuscript has issues (and it will), then you’re wasting everyone’s time. Once you’ve got it to the stage where you think you know what you’re doing, it’s time to look for readers.

Alpha readers and beta readers

Alpha readers are the very first people to look at your manuscript. You trust them with your unpolished gem. They might read it several times as you struggle through the rewriting process. They are patient and giving. Often they are writers too, and you can hopefully return the favour. Alpha readers deserve all your gratitude … thanks Crafty Theatre, you’re brilliant and I appreciate your help!

Beta readers come in later. That is, once you’ve got your manuscript to a stage where you think it’s ready to submit. You need a fresh pair of eyes, from someone who hasn’t witnessed the plethora of drafts that led to this version. Unlike alpha readers, beta readers are likely to only read your manuscript once. If they have a manuscript too, you’ll probably be expected to read theirs.

Finding readers

Alpha readers are usually people you know, especially if you’re a beginner. Family members and close friends tend to be the ones we turn to first. That’s okay, but keep in mind the feedback you get might not be completely honest. They might be reluctant to offend. Especially partners who fear sleeping on the couch.

The ideal is to know people that are avid readers or writers themselves. Joining a writing group or attending workshops can help you meet such people. If you’re writing for young children and know a friendly teacher, ask them to read it to their class to gauge the kids’ reactions.

Beta readers may also be people that you know, but it’s common to use strangers. This has advantages. They won’t worry as much about hurting your feelings, and they are more likely to be honest. Again, you can meet them in writing groups and workshops. You can also find them online. Goodreads, for example, has a beta reading group that anyone can join: http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/50920-beta-reader-group

What makes a good reader?

First, you want honesty. All right, you might not want it … but you need it. Second, look for someone who reads a lot. They don’t have to be writers, but they need to be keen readers. Unless, of course, you’re writing for kids that are reluctant readers. In which case, find someone that hates reading!

Most of all, a good reader is constructive. Someone who points out the story’s flaws in a productive and helpful way. Not all readers are like that, however. Some can be destructive and bitter. Avoid them at all costs.

So how do you know whether a reader is right for you? There’s nothing wrong with testing them out. Ask them to read a sample that you know needs work. If they think it’s all wonderful (or all dreadful), you might need to hunt around some more.

What can you expect of readers?

Readers are just that – readers. They are not editors or proof readers. You can’t expect them to fix your grammar and spelling mistakes, or provide you with a professional structural report. What you basically want is someone to say whether your story works or not.

It helps if you can give them some guidance – instructions as to what it actually is you are asking them to do. That’ll be the subject of a future post, where I’ll also look at what you should do with the feedback.

In the meantime …

Have you ever asked anyone to look at your manuscript? How did you pick your reader? Let me know in the comments box 🙂

Photo credit: Stijlfoto / Foter / Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0) eldeeem / Foter / Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Book review: A Fortunate Life by A.B. Facey

Stella

4 comments

08/04/2014

Remember the feel of old cloth-bound hardcover books? In this age of Kindles and e-books, Penguin has released a series that allows children to experience the same sensory delight of reading as their grandparents. Suited to middle grade and YA readers, the Penguin Australian Children’s Classic Series brings classic Australian stories back to life. With vintage-look covers, they’re a satisfying blast from the past.

The back cover explains the series’ philosophy:
‘Every so often there comes a story so brilliant and lively and moving that it cannot be left in the past. Rediscover the magic of our country’s most memorable children’s books in this collection of stories too precious to leave behind.’

A Fortunate Life

The series includes A Fortunate Life by A.B. Facey. It was published in 1981, when the author was 87 years old. According to his grandson, Albert Facey sent the manuscript to the Fremantle Arts Centre Press in Western Australia, asking them to print a few copies for family use. The publishers, recognising it’s potential, released the book into the retail market.

An autobiography, the book is written in a charming period style. There is a beautiful sense of stillness when he describes his childhood in the bush. We learn about his experiences as a soldier in Gallipoli during World War I, the loss of his farm during the Great Depression, and the loss of his son who fought in World War II. And yet, despite his hardships, he titled his book after what he believed he had: a fortunate life.

The book has since been turned into plays and a television series. This classic story will be enjoyed by children, their parents and grandparents alike! More information can be found at the publisher’s website by clicking here.

I wrote this book review for Creative Kids Tales and they kindly allowed me to reproduce it on my blog.

Best Australian blogs competition

Stella

13 comments

01/04/2014

Australians may be geographically isolated, but thanks to the internet we no longer feel it. Through my blog, I’ve connected with amazing people from all around the world. And to celebrate our home-grown blogosphere, the Australian Writers’ Centre has created the Best Australian Blogs Competition. It’s our chance to show our country – and the world! – what we can do.
A close friend and fellow blogger urged me to enter. Thanks Stella (yes, that’s her name too!) the writer of the sparkling new Crafty Theatre blog.

After reading so many great Aussie blogs, I realised I didn’t have much chance – but that’s never stopped me before. And when I looked at the prizes … well, I couldn’t resist having a go. The competition is sponsored by Trafalgar Tours and Random House Books. I think you can see where this is going …

Prizes to die for
The winner receives a 7-day tour of Turkey! I’ve always wanted to go. My parents are Greek, but their families originate from Asia Minor – present day Turkey. (Tarakson used to be Taraktzoglou, until Dad migrated and Anglicised it.) If by some chance I win, Stella, you’re coming with me 🙂 Her family originates from there too.
Other amazing prizes include writing courses with the Australian Writers’ Centre, or cash, books, and a mentoring session with Random House Australia. Some bloggers might even end up signing a book deal with this thriving publishing house. This is a wonderful opportunity for local bloggers and not to be missed.

Categories you can enter
There’s a comprehensive range of categories to enter:
• food
• commentary
• lifestyle / hobby
• personal and parenting
• business
• words and writing.
I entered the latter. Entering is quick and easy. It’s worth a try. Visit the writers’ centre website for details: http://www.writerscentre.com.au/community/best-australian-blogs-comp/ You have to hurry, though. Entries close this Thursday, April 3. You can follow the competition on Twitter #bestblogs14.

Good luck to us all!

Self-publishing tips from the author of Kangaroos and Chaos

Stella

8 comments

25/03/2014

I love it when my former writing workshop students keep in touch – and I especially love news of publishing success! Julia Brooke recently self-published a book that is already selling very well. She has generously agreed to pass on some of the lessons she learned along the way.

1. What type of book have you written, and what format is it published in?

My book is called Kangaroos and Chaos. It’s the true story of a backpacker’s insane adventure around Australia. It’s a humorous travel narrative available on Kindle or as a paperback.

2. What made you decide to self-publish?

I submitted to numerous publishers and received a couple of positive responses, but eventually all my submissions were rejected. It can take up to three months for a publisher to respond, so I used this time to perfect my manuscript. I spent two years writing the book and with self-publishing now a huge industry, there was no need to let my hard work or my story go to waste.

3. How did you go about it?

I researched various self-publishing companies. Eventually I decided to go with Amazon’s Createspace who provide print-on-demand paperbacks as well as Kindle eBooks. I couldn’t afford a professional editor, but advertised for volunteers to offer feedback. The response was overwhelming and saved me a fortune.
Regardless of content, a cover is what showcases a book and so I was happy to hire a professional to help me with the design. Again I spent time researching designers and chose a small company whose style reflected the tone of my book. I also used them to design the interior. Professional touches make a huge difference to a book’s success. A self-published book doesn’t have to look homemade, but I’ve seen plenty that do.

Julia Brooke

4. Can you describe some of the hidden pitfalls you encountered?

I originally used my own pictures of Uluru and the Opera House on my back cover. Thankfully someone noticed pre-launch and warned me that I needed a license to use these images for commercial use. As Amazon is print-on-demand, you can change the cover design at any time, but the downside to self-publishing is that there’s no one to oversee the legal side of things.
I love the interior of Kangaroos and Chaos. However, once completed the designer sent me the files as PDFs, which means I can’t edit them. Every time I want an internal change I have to request it. So far there haven’t been any extra charges, but there are lots of little things I would like to change and wish I could do them myself. If you are planning to use an internal designer, I suggest you negotiate this before commencing work.

5. Do you have any tips for others who may be thinking of self-publishing?

Don’t feel you have to use the large self-publishing companies for your every need. They are great for publishing your books, but there are plenty of other designers and editors out there. Amazon’s Createspace prints and distributes my book and there was a fair bit of pressure for me to use them for my every need. Take your time and research before publishing. You most likely gave this book years of your life, so don’t let your standards drop or rush through the options, just because you are dying to see it in print.

6. Are you happy with the response to your book so far?

I’ve been overwhelmed. I had a marketing plan and it paid off. At the beginning of the book I invite readers to look me up on social media to see pictures from the trip. As a result, I’ve had amazing feedback from all over the world. It’s an incredible feeling to have strangers contact me to compliment me on my work and seek advice for their own Aussie adventures. The Amazon reviews have also helped boost sales.

7. Can you tell us a bit about the book?

It’s the true story of the year I spent backpacking and working on farms around Australia. I wanted to write a book which was humorous, entertaining, educational and inspirational. It’s an honest account of my trip, which was filled with incredible experiences and breathtaking landscapes and a fair amount of debauchery. My father gave a copy to my grandmother for Christmas, I was horrified; there are some things grandparents just don’t need to know!

8. Where can people buy a copy?

Amazon.com for paperbacks and Kindle, or if you would like a copy direct from the author (the cheapest option) contact me by email kangaroosandchaos@hotmail.com. The Amazon link is here.

9. And finally … as my former student … what do you think of my writing workshops? 🙂

Writing a can be a very isolated experience, so classes such as yours were important. Your support helped me stay focused at a time when self-doubt could have taken over. As a budding writer I had put published authors up on pedestals and although I have still huge respect for anyone who can make a career from this passion, it was reassuring to meet you. Not only are you a successful author and inspirational tutor, but you’re just as human as the rest of us. The classes taught me that with the right knowledge, skills and determination, anyone can make their dreams come true.

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