MEET MICHELLE MONAN

Michelle lives with her husband and two sons in the small village in Surrey where she was born. For twelve years she owned and ran two nursery schools, and her favourite part of the day was always story time. She noticed that the children always enjoyed the rhyming stories the most, and so when it came to writing her first book, Can You Hear It Too?, Michelle knew that it should be in verse.

Can You Hear It Too? is based on Michelle’s childhood memories of playing in the great outdoors with her friends.

She says: ‘We were lucky enough to grow up in an area with just a few houses and fields and woodland all around us. We used to have great fun building dens in the woods. When we heard noises from outside, we would huddle in the den wondering what it might be, but it always turned out to be friends, people we were familiar with or woodland creatures.’

These days Michelle enjoys walking, cycling, going to music concerts, holidaying with her husband and children. In between all this, Michelle works as a teaching assistant. 

Top Tips for Submissions!

If you’re thinking about submitting some work to us, we’d love to hear from you, but you might like to have a look at these guides for sending your work to us. 

1. Include a cover letter – We’d like to know a little more about you and your story. You can tell us anything you think is relevant about who you are and where your inspiration for the story came from.
2. A synopsis is always helpful – You will only be sending us a small portion of your book, so it’s helpful to us if you can send us a synopsis. Just a brief account of the plot of your book is what we need. 
3. Don’t send us too much – We love reading your work and finding new authors, but we do receive a lot of submissions. Just 2-3 chapters are enough to give us an idea of what your book is like.
4. Is your book like another you’ve read? – It’s always helpful for us to know the sort of books you think yours is like. If you’ve written the first book in a series of books about a boy who discovers he’s a wizard, and also the son of a god, you might liken your book to Harry Potter and Percy Jackson.
5. Who is going to read it? – It’s also useful to us to have an idea of who your book will appeal to. Is it a general fiction novel? Is it a children’s fantasy novel? Or a Young Adult Contemporary novel? Either way, we’d like to know.  
6. Have patience – We receive a lot of submissions, and while we try hard to get through all of them as quickly as possible it does take time, so please have patience with us while waiting for a response.

So there you have it! 6 key tips for sending in your submissions to us. For more information on where to send them, visit our website!

SCHOOL KIDS PERFORM CANDY JAR TITLE AT NATIONAL COMPETITION

BookSlam 2014 saw hundreds of primary school pupils from all over Wales congregate in Brecon for a children’s literary bonanza. Over two rounds, dozens of schools competed to wow the judges with their enthusiasm for their favourite books. The children of Broadhaven School ran out the eventual winners, having impressed with their discussion of Nina Bawden’s Carrie’s War and a dramatic presentation of Silent Mountain, an adventure story with an ecological twist by Candy Jar’s own Michelle Briscombe.

Broadhaven’s headteacher, Mr A Williams, was delighted with his students’ success: ‘Our pupils got in touch with Michelle Briscombe… to say they would be presenting her work in the BookSlam competition. She wished them the best of luck, and her words obviously had the desired effect!’

BookSlam is an annual event ran by the Welsh Books Council. Medi Jones-Jackson, Children’s Books and Reading Promotion Officer for the council, was delighted to see the children ‘brimming with enthusiasm’ for the chance to analyse and perform their favourite books. Candy Jar is very proud to have played a part in inspiring the pupils of Broadhaven, and would like to congratulate them on their success (and impeccable taste)!

To find out what they’re so enthusiastic about, click here.

WONDERING WHAT'S MISSING FROM YOUR BOOKSHELF?

Well, it’s been a crazy couple of weeks here in the Candy Jar office as we cry ‘Havoc!’ and let slip the Dogs of More; more books that is.

 

Candy Jar Books

LATEST TITLE COMING SOON FROM CANDY JAR BOOKS!

Candy Jar Books is pleased to announce its latest book, 'Beware of the Mirror Man', published in collaboration with Screaming Dreams.

Due for release in the new year, 'Beware of the Mirror Man' is the debut novel from Benjamin Burford-Jones and tells the story of two children who befriend the mysterious 'mimics':

"Gathering dust in Sophie’s deserted attic is an ancient black and white television set. Beyond the cobwebs and the old bits of furniture, it serves as a refuge, a home, and a studio for the strange little creatures, known as mimics, who perform live from inside the TV. Sophie quickly finds new friends among these peaceable creatures, but very soon she begins to receive mysterious notes of warning...‘Beware the Mirror Man’."

This is a fantastical and heartwarming tale of curses and mirrors, ancient foes and the fluffy little creatures living in your attic.

You can pre-order your copy of Beware of the Mirror Man, available in hardback, for the price of just £9.99 (RRP £12.99), by going here.

Candy Jar Books is a fresh, new publishing company based in South Wales. To find out more, please visit out website: www.candy-jar.co.uk

Screaming Dreams is an independent horror and fantasy publisher. Discover more by visiting www.screamingdreams.com

NEW CANDY JAR SHOWREEL - WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER?

CANDY JAR LOOKING FOR NEW AUTHORS

Are you a writer? Do you have an idea you'd like to see in print? Candy Jar can help!

We have just launched our new self-publishing programme for new authors.

As an up and coming publisher, Candy Jar is keen to develop new titles across a range of genres. Whether your idea is fiction, non-fiction, crime, thriller, science fiction, children's (or anything in between!) we'd love to hear from you.

We give professional support to all titles accepted on the programme, from initial guidance on the first draft through to publicity and marketing of the final book. Our scheme is very competitive and we always work closely with our authors, respecting the time and effort that has been put into their idea.

Visit our website for more information.