Hello everyone. Hope all is well with you. I wanted to do a quick blog with regards to our book and to let you know costs etc. I have tonight signed off the latest proof of Word Magic so the books will go to print within the next few days. I am SO excited about it, I can't even begin to tell you and I know you are all going to love it! The book looks great and has a golden-yellow cover.
I ordered 200 copies and I received the proforma invoice a couple of days ago. Total cost is £261.00, which equates to a unit price of around £1.30. I want to price the book at £3.99 and we will donate around 15% from each copy to the St Mildreds Senior Citizens Group, which I hope you all approve of. As far as contributions towards production is concerned, I am looking at around £15.00 per parent (as in mum OR dad not both) and figured that for £15.00, I could also give you two complimentary copies of the book (per child) - and if anyone wants to buy anymore that is okay. By this reckoning, we should still have around 150 copies to sell and, if we sell them all, we will raise around £80 for our chosen good cause - and I think that's pretty damn good going. And I thought that any revenue left over after sales could go towards the next book - and/or maybe some prizes for the Young Writers since I want to run a couple of competitions.What do you think?
I will put all this in a letter to be given out at next week's session - along with copies of the invoice - but in the meantime, let me know if you have any questions or queries or drop me any comments. And well done to your amazingly talented children - who are about to become published authors. Fact.
Jilly
Tuesday 29 January 2013
Sunday 20 January 2013
Session 13 Feedback
Hello again everyone - told you I would be back before too long! Big thank yous to everyone that turned up at Session 13. I am so glad we held it last week because this week might have been a problem with all this snow! It has not stopped snowing for twelve hours now and we already have drifts in our garden well over eight inches deep! And I can see through my study window that it still continues to fall relentlessly.
We had a brilliant session last week. The exercise for the session was for the Young Writers to write me a letter telling me what they like, what they don't like and what they would like to see at Addiscombe Young Writers. And I got some wonderful and candid replies, some of which utterly surprised me. Many asked for books. Lots of books. This came as the biggest surprise since they must have to work with books at school and I have said all along that I don't want them to end up feeling that the sessions are just another lesson. But at the same time it makes perfect sense because of course writers produce books - and most writers are also ferocious readers. Another couple said they would prefer it if, on Writing days, only the young writers and their parents be allowed in during the session. Amanda did actually say a few weeks back that she had been thinking of doing this so I will be talking with her soon to see if it is something we can actually do - without it having a negative affect on her business. One youngster asked if we can start doing the Young Writers shout again - which of course we actually toned down somewhat when a couple of others found it a bit too intimidating. Not sure how to tackle this one so please come back to me with your feedback. It is their group so perhaps we should put it to the vote?
There were a couple of other suggestions - one young man asked if we could go camping! I explained to him that camping might not be possible but said some relevant trips out would be possible and he nodded very enthusiastically. This I will have to get advice on as I am not sure where I would stand legally - but I am more than happy to look into it. Maybe a trip to Harry Potter world at Pinewood Studios or a chance to meet some actors back stage at a local theatre? Again I will look into all the ramifications and come back to you all.
Many of them also asked if they could read out their work and open it to discussion - and also if I would read more to them because hearing stories and poems might 'give ideas' which will help them with their own writing. Reading aloud is something I should very much like to incorporate into the group but the accoustics don't really lend themselves too well to this(as my hoarse throat will testify) - so maybe opening the sessions up to just the Young Writers and their families would actually work better? I may try at Session 14 to sit them all on the floor in the play area and read aloud because the confined space might reduce outside noise. All in all it was definitely a most worthwhile exercise and I am so pleased I asked for their feedback. Now I shall just have to see where it all takes us!
The assignment set was for a story entitled "What I Will Do When I'm A Famous Author". I set this because I want them to actually think like writers - since that is what they are - and I don't mind how imaginitive it is because part of being a writer is using one's imagination. This assignment should be completed by Session 14 which is on 6th February.
Now a quick update on a few other things. Firstly - the book. The printer received the copy I emailed to him but, such is my system, the layout appeared completely wrong. I am sending him our printed version (by recorded delivery)so that he can adjust it accordingly - or I may just go and see him on Wednesday since I am off that day (depending on the weather of course) and take it to him. Once we have ironed out the wrinkles, he has said he will produce a copy which I will go through and proof-read. Once that step is out of the way he can go ahead and print - and I will be letting you all know how much it has cost and inviting contributions - so that I can pay the invoice once I am happy with the finished product. Secondly - the exhibition. Amanda and I had a chat about this last week and we have tentatively pencilled in 11 - 15 March. We are hoping to get the Croydon Mayor (as well as the Advertiser) along and I will bust a gut if I have to and try to find at least one other relevant guest. And finally - the Advertiser column. I haven't had a date from Glenn for the first one yet but I will keep chasing him - after all, it was his idea in the first place. And as soon as I hear anything, I will let you know.
Finally I think the writers would truly benfit from a website of their own. I have zero knowledge of this and would appreciate any help anyone can offer. It would be a consistant way for them to see their work in print. I know a lot of you read this blog (my aim is to hit 1000 visitors this year) which is great because it makes my job of keeping you all informed so much easier. But very few of you seem tempted to write a comment and - if the group is to continue evolving - your comments are going to become an integeral part of things so please, don't be shy. It isn't for me - it is for your talented children - and I would so appreciate your feedback. All the best - and good writing.
We had a brilliant session last week. The exercise for the session was for the Young Writers to write me a letter telling me what they like, what they don't like and what they would like to see at Addiscombe Young Writers. And I got some wonderful and candid replies, some of which utterly surprised me. Many asked for books. Lots of books. This came as the biggest surprise since they must have to work with books at school and I have said all along that I don't want them to end up feeling that the sessions are just another lesson. But at the same time it makes perfect sense because of course writers produce books - and most writers are also ferocious readers. Another couple said they would prefer it if, on Writing days, only the young writers and their parents be allowed in during the session. Amanda did actually say a few weeks back that she had been thinking of doing this so I will be talking with her soon to see if it is something we can actually do - without it having a negative affect on her business. One youngster asked if we can start doing the Young Writers shout again - which of course we actually toned down somewhat when a couple of others found it a bit too intimidating. Not sure how to tackle this one so please come back to me with your feedback. It is their group so perhaps we should put it to the vote?
There were a couple of other suggestions - one young man asked if we could go camping! I explained to him that camping might not be possible but said some relevant trips out would be possible and he nodded very enthusiastically. This I will have to get advice on as I am not sure where I would stand legally - but I am more than happy to look into it. Maybe a trip to Harry Potter world at Pinewood Studios or a chance to meet some actors back stage at a local theatre? Again I will look into all the ramifications and come back to you all.
Many of them also asked if they could read out their work and open it to discussion - and also if I would read more to them because hearing stories and poems might 'give ideas' which will help them with their own writing. Reading aloud is something I should very much like to incorporate into the group but the accoustics don't really lend themselves too well to this(as my hoarse throat will testify) - so maybe opening the sessions up to just the Young Writers and their families would actually work better? I may try at Session 14 to sit them all on the floor in the play area and read aloud because the confined space might reduce outside noise. All in all it was definitely a most worthwhile exercise and I am so pleased I asked for their feedback. Now I shall just have to see where it all takes us!
The assignment set was for a story entitled "What I Will Do When I'm A Famous Author". I set this because I want them to actually think like writers - since that is what they are - and I don't mind how imaginitive it is because part of being a writer is using one's imagination. This assignment should be completed by Session 14 which is on 6th February.
Now a quick update on a few other things. Firstly - the book. The printer received the copy I emailed to him but, such is my system, the layout appeared completely wrong. I am sending him our printed version (by recorded delivery)so that he can adjust it accordingly - or I may just go and see him on Wednesday since I am off that day (depending on the weather of course) and take it to him. Once we have ironed out the wrinkles, he has said he will produce a copy which I will go through and proof-read. Once that step is out of the way he can go ahead and print - and I will be letting you all know how much it has cost and inviting contributions - so that I can pay the invoice once I am happy with the finished product. Secondly - the exhibition. Amanda and I had a chat about this last week and we have tentatively pencilled in 11 - 15 March. We are hoping to get the Croydon Mayor (as well as the Advertiser) along and I will bust a gut if I have to and try to find at least one other relevant guest. And finally - the Advertiser column. I haven't had a date from Glenn for the first one yet but I will keep chasing him - after all, it was his idea in the first place. And as soon as I hear anything, I will let you know.
Finally I think the writers would truly benfit from a website of their own. I have zero knowledge of this and would appreciate any help anyone can offer. It would be a consistant way for them to see their work in print. I know a lot of you read this blog (my aim is to hit 1000 visitors this year) which is great because it makes my job of keeping you all informed so much easier. But very few of you seem tempted to write a comment and - if the group is to continue evolving - your comments are going to become an integeral part of things so please, don't be shy. It isn't for me - it is for your talented children - and I would so appreciate your feedback. All the best - and good writing.
Friday 4 January 2013
Happy New Year!!!
Well - here we are in 2013. Is it just me or do the years seem to fly by ever more quickly these days? So may I wish each and every one of you all the very best for the New Year. And here's to the successful continuation of Addiscombe Young Writers.
You will no doubt be very pleased to hear that I sent the first four coulmns off to Glenn at the Advertiser the other day. He has promised the new column will begin 'in the next couple of weeks' so I am hoping that the first one will be in next week's issue (11th January) as that was the date he seemed to think it could start before, so fingers crossed. As soon as I know I will update everyone anyway.
At the moment I anticipate that the first session of this year for the Young Writers will be on Wednesday 16th January, same time, same place. I will, naturally, confirm that nearer the time, but I wanted the children to get back into their school routine before we started again and I know most go back next Monday (7th) so by the 16th, they should be ready for their new challenges,.
I am still outlining future plans for the Young Writers and - although these are far from cast in stone at this point in time - suffice it to say that I am having some new ideas (including the possibility of competitions) and promise to do a letter for you all once I have finalised a few things.
As far as the book is concerned, I am now in consultation with the printers and I will come back to you all with a more detailed update as soon as I can.
Finally I should just like to thank you all for the lovely Christmas gifts which are very much appreciated.
Keep your eyes on this blog because I'll be back to it before too long. Till then - good writing!
You will no doubt be very pleased to hear that I sent the first four coulmns off to Glenn at the Advertiser the other day. He has promised the new column will begin 'in the next couple of weeks' so I am hoping that the first one will be in next week's issue (11th January) as that was the date he seemed to think it could start before, so fingers crossed. As soon as I know I will update everyone anyway.
At the moment I anticipate that the first session of this year for the Young Writers will be on Wednesday 16th January, same time, same place. I will, naturally, confirm that nearer the time, but I wanted the children to get back into their school routine before we started again and I know most go back next Monday (7th) so by the 16th, they should be ready for their new challenges,.
I am still outlining future plans for the Young Writers and - although these are far from cast in stone at this point in time - suffice it to say that I am having some new ideas (including the possibility of competitions) and promise to do a letter for you all once I have finalised a few things.
As far as the book is concerned, I am now in consultation with the printers and I will come back to you all with a more detailed update as soon as I can.
Finally I should just like to thank you all for the lovely Christmas gifts which are very much appreciated.
Keep your eyes on this blog because I'll be back to it before too long. Till then - good writing!
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