Tuesday 21 August 2012

The Lovely Ali Bacon talks about her Debut Novel & her Publishing Contract


I am delighted to have the lovely Ali Bacon sitting round my pool sipping bubbly whilst talking about her new novel, A Kettle of Fish and her new publishing contract with Thornberry Publishing. Cheers Ali, the stage is all yours….!



First of all a big thanks Pauline for inviting me to your blog. Like so many others I’ve been enjoying your sun-filled Tweets and I whizzed through Satchfield Hall on a flight to Dubai. A great read. But however much I envy you your climate, I still have a lot of affection for my home town in Fife - grey skies and sea mists make sunny days all the more special, and childhood holidays spent on the coast were a big inspiration for A Kettle of Fish (my second novel – the first is getting very comfy in its drawer!) due to be published in October.


The book has been a while in the writing, first of all I had to decide exactly where the story – and my heroine - were heading (yes, I’m of the ‘pantser’ fraternity!) Then there were the redrafts and changes to satisfy my wonderfully perceptive writing group, but eventually – maybe a year ago? I was pleased enough with it to send it out to agents and publisher. With agents I wasn’t optimistic, because I sensed the omens for a new writer of mainstream fiction were not good! However I did have lots of encouragement, particularly from small publishers who liked it a lot but couldn’t fit it into their current lists.

By this time I had learned a lot about self-publishing and armed with a new Kindle was becoming a devotee of e-books. While I dithered over the decision of whether to go it alone, I gave my MS to a writer friend for proof-reading. She liked it a lot and suggested I submit to Thornberry (her own e-publisher) which I did, and they liked it too - so much that they didn’t ask for any changes! – a great bonus and boost to my confidence. I briefly considered still going it alone, but not for long!

I was already impressed by the Thornberry ethos and the other writers on their books and when we got down to business in a face to face meeting (another bonus) they were very open to discussion. The contract is even quite comprehensible! From now on all I have to do is provide the final MS. They will format it and let me see ‘page proofs’ then deal with everything else, including cover design – and royalties of course. In fact they will also accept cover art from the author if it’s up to standard, so I’m currently having some fun looking at designs with my daughter who is a graphic artist. This is more work (or self-indulgence?!) for me, but it’s nice to feel a hands-on, safe in the knowledge that if it doesn’t work out, Thornberry will do the job. (And Ellie and I will still be friends!)

They are also very supportive of my issuing the book in print (the contract is e-book only) and will provide me with necessary files. However much I love my Kindle I know there are lots of people out there who prefer a ‘tree-book’ and then there’s the whole vanity thing of seeing my book ‘in the flesh’.

Publication is due for October, which seemed a long time ahead but is now whizzing towards me very fast and I’m trying to give some thought to my online launch. Earlier this summer I was recruited into the Love A Happy End team who have already been fantastically supportive. Otherwise expect to see me Tweeting and blogging like mad from now until Christmas!




Ali’s website: http://alibacon.com

An excerpt from A Kettle of Fish at http://loveahappyending.com/ali-bacon/

Thornberry Publishing: http://www.thornberrypublishing.com/


21 comments:

Rosalind Adam said...

Hi Pauline, hi Ali *grins* this is like popping round to friends for a cup of tea.

I'm so excited that A Kettke of Fish is being published. I've been reading about it on your blog for a while now, Ali! I also found the info about ThornBerry publishers interesting and have already popped along there for a look. Good luck with your 'tree book' too Ali.

I look forward to being able to download it onto my Kindle. Yes, Pauline, i know i said I'd given up on that but I've now resurrected it and am giving it a second try.

Carol Hedges said...

Lovely blog!!! And what a super story! Good luck with this, Ali. Your first published book is a bit like your first child: miraculous, amazing, and you can't quite believe it's yours!!!

Pauline Barclay said...

Hellos Ros, thanks for popping round, we thought you might :) And glad to hear you are giving your Kindle a second chance!

Hi Carol, it's so exciting for Ali not only her first book but to be snapped up with a publishing contract too. Thanks for stopping by.

AliB said...

Hi ladies and thanks for coming. I'm abit worried I about living up to that 'lovely' on a Tuesday morning, so maybe these virtual chats are for the best(or maybe beauty lies within!)
Ros - good to see you - we seem to have been missing eachother on Twitter lately.
I certainly hope you all enjoy 'Kettle' when it appears. It's quite scary to think it will be 'out there' - in a good way, of course!
Ali B

bristolcitychick said...

Ali and Pauline, what a great blog. I am looking forward to my personally signed copy of Kettle when it comes to the boil! May have to content myself with the e version first, but what the heck, makes the 'tree version' more precious when it arrives!

Carol

AliB said...

Hi BCC - always good to meet a local girl, although I am a bit out of the city these days in sunny South Gloucs (did I mean sunny? just a turn of phrase!)
Hope you enjoy Kettle too!
Ali B

Pauline Barclay said...

Hello BCC, great to see you here and now that is exciting a signed copy if Kettle. I'm certainly looking forward to reading it on my Kindle :)

Jan Brigden said...

Hi Ali/Pauline. Great post! I absolutely love hearing about the stories behind the novels, so to speak, and will be cheering you on all the way. Best of luck with A Kettle of Fish :) x

AliB said...

thanks Jan - great to catch up with so many people here today.
Hope all's well in the land of romance!
AliB

Writer Pat Newcombe said...

Hello to you both! Thye book sounds really intriguing, Ali. The very best of luck with it. And what a great title!!!

Janice said...

I love to read about how writers get their work out there - and your story is a fabulous one, Ali. I love books set in Scotland (well, I would, wouldn't I?!) and can't wait to read Kettle of Fish on my lovely Kindle.

Janice xx

Anonymous said...

Best of luck to you, Ali! Exciting things are happening!

Pauline Barclay said...

Hello Jan, thank you for stopping by and I'm with you will all the cheering for Ali.

Pauline Barclay said...

Hi Pat, It is a great title isn't ? Thanks for popping over.

Pauline Barclay said...

Hello Janice, I know you love books set in Scotland, I've read your two and there are great. I'm also looking forward to reading Ali's debut novel in my lovely Kindle too!

Pauline Barclay said...

Hi Stephanie, hope all is great with you and thanks for stopping by.

LindyLouMac said...

I am seriously going to have to stop reading blogs they are bad for me as my wishlist grows so much every time I read one and here we go again. Kettle of Fish has to go on the wishlist!

Nicky Wells said...

What a lovely poolside lounge! Thanks for visiting here today, Ali, and congrats on A Kettle of Fish (great title, btw). Hope all goes well and keep us posted. Big thank you also to the lovely sunny Pauline for hosting you, loveya both!

Pauline Barclay said...

Hello LLM you just keep on visiting blogs! And a big thanks for visiitng us today x

Pauline Barclay said...

Hi Nicky, as always thanks for sharing our fun. x

AliB said...

Hi Janice, Steph Nicky and LindyLou - thanks for dropping by adn sorry I nearly missed you. So glad you all like the title as I thuoght it might seem bit odd. Can't wait to see what DD comes up with for the cover and hoping Kettle will make it to Italy as well as all parts of Scotland!
AliB