Saturday 12 January 2008

The Hunt for Alex...

I'm keeping on track with my resolutions - okay a little bit of procrastinating, but I am moving forward and that is always cool.

Had the idea for, wrote, edited, edited, edited, and have now sent off my first short story for this year. I've been very lapse in sending them out (and writing them) of late, so that's a plus for 2008. Titled 'The Shoe, the Giant, and the Wizard of...' More on that later if it's accepted, and no doubt, more on it later if it isn't.

Finally, finally, finally got around to ordering Adrienne Kress's book Alex and the Wigpowder Treasure (that's 'and the Ironic Gentleman' for my US and Canadian readers). Can't wait for it to arrive. I've tried before, about the time the book was released, to pick it up in a local bookstore but they didn't have it in stock. Figured they'd have it in stock by now, but now, nada on the Alex front in Liverpool, which is quite shocking as it is one of England's major cities. Did pick up Tom Becker's two Darkside novels though - they look wonderfully creepy and it turns out he's a local author. Oh and, signed copies at that.

8 comments:

Danette Haworth said...

Congratulations on getting out that first story of the year! Good luck!

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the submission! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. And I've heard loads of good things about Alex and the Ironic Gentleman (maybe I should blend the different titles, Alex and the Ironic Wigpowder Treasure?). Hope you enjoy it!

Cate Gardner said...

Thanks guys...

Nik Perring said...

Congrats on the submission. Alex and the Wigpowder Treasure is fantastic; I'm sure you'll enjoy it very much.

Nik.

Cate Gardner said...

Thanks for visiting, Nik... Book arrived today, can't wait to read it.

Adrienne said...

Sigh. Sorry hon for the difficulty in finding the book. We've had a hard time getting orders from bookstores for the kind of book it is (a hardback - where the cover image is printed right onto the hardcover), evidently that kind of book isn't as popular as it once was. Scholastic are going to re release it as a trade paperback in the spring with the American cover (though still UK title), so hopefully more bookstores will prefer that kind of book and it will be easier to find.

Thanks so much though for going so far out of your way to get it! I am very flattered! And of course I do hope you enjoy it!

Cate Gardner said...

Thanks for visiting my blog, Adrienne. What a ridiculous reason for not stocking your book - the fools! It's a strange, strange world and I think it has a real pick-up factor. Of course the US cover is great too (very Lemony Snicket).

I'm in the midst of reading Alex at the moment and it is as much fun as I expected. But even more important - when my cousin reads it and she tells all her schoolfriends about Alex...

Adrienne said...

You are very welcome for visiting, but I visit regularly, just don't always comment, lol!

Yes the book world is a strange one, and I am learning that more and more every day. And I too thought the shiny of the cover would give it pick up appeal. But evidently not (the book not only is hard to find, but is barely getting reviewed on your side of the pond, which is quite the opposite in the North Americas). I'm not sure if there is any rhyme or reason to it. It must be very difficult working in any publisher's marketing department. They can speculate, they can look at past successes, but in the end they have to cross their fingers and hope.

I am glad you are enjoying the book! And that your cousin is as well and spreading the good word! Thank her for me!