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!

THE CANDY JAR BOOK FESTIVAL... COMING SOON!

We are very excited to announce that this August we will be launching The Candy Jar Book Festival!

Featuring our top authors, the festival will be based in Cardiff’s city centre from Saturday 9th-16th August, with events taking place at nearby locations including Cardiff Central Library, WHSmith, Cardiff Story Museum and The Plan. Throughout the week there will be appearances from:

• Eileen Younghusband (One Woman’s War and Men I Have Known)
• Mark Brake (Space, Time, Machine, Monster)
• Anthony Ormond (Tommy Parker: Destiny Will Find You!)
• Colin Edwards (A Personal Portrait of the Royal Family)
• Michelle Briscombe (Silent Mountain)

And many more...

There will be plenty of opportunities to meet and chat to authors as they host creative writing discussions, workshops, subject talks, and readings. Keep an eye on our website and this blog for more details.

Avid readers and aspiring writers of all ages; we welcome you to come down and say hi. We look forward to seeing you!

SOUTH WALES SHORT STORY COMPETITION RETURNS!

After the success of the South Wales Short Story Competition in 2012, Candy Jar Books is once again offering aspiring writers the chance to have their work published for the very first time. This year the publisher has teamed up with Cardiff Libraries to make the event even bigger and better!

In 2012 the winning entry was awarded to Laura Foakes for her story The Countess and the Mole Man. Since then Laura has been working closely with Candy Jar and in July Laura's debut novel for children The Liars' and Fibbers' Academy will be released.

Laura said: "I entered the South Wales Short Story Competition at the last minute (with an old story) never thinking I would win. When I was asked for further passages of my book I swear I floated home and the train had nothing to do with it. I write every day and also attend two local writing groups for inspiration, motivation and fun. I'm passionate about getting children to read for sheer enjoyment, and still pinch myself most mornings that Candy Jar has given me the opportunity to be published."

Laura Foakes with the 2012 winning entry, The Countess and the Mole Man

Shaun Russell, head of publishing at the Cardiff-based publishing company, said: "Since 2012 we've had a number of success stories at Candy Jar, with one of our books even winning the People's Book Prize. We are extremely committed to encouraging new talent and hope the public will take the time to participate."

The South Wales Short Story Competition is currently accepting submissions. Entrants are permitted to submit up to two short stories and these can be a maximum of three thousand words. The competition is open to all unpublished writers.

Hayley Cox, senior publishing coordinator at Candy Jar, believes that short stories are an excellent way for writers to perfect their craft. She said: "The discipline and imagination required for creating and structuring a good short story is excellent practice for an aspiring writer. The experience winning writers will gain will be invaluable in preparing them for future publication."

All submissions must be received by 5pm on Saturday 16th August 2014. The competition is £2 to enter. The winner will get a Kindle Fire, and all shortlisted entries will be published in an anthology.

Entries can be sent via the website: Candy Jar Short Story Competition

Alternatively, they can also be posted to: Candy Jar Books, 113-115 Bute Street, Cardiff, CF10 5EQ.

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CANDY JAR BOOKS - READ ABOUT OUR CURRENT TITLES!

Summer is drawing to a close, and now is the perfect time to get your autumn reading list ready for the cooler days and longer nights. Candy Jar Books have a wide and diverse range to keep all ages entertained and enthralled as the seasons change, whether you fancy fact or fiction, short stories or novels. Check out our selection of available titles, and be sure to keep your eyes peeled for our eagerly anticipated upcoming releases over the coming months.

Click any of the book covers to find out more.

Beware of the Mirror Man - Benjamin Burford-Jones

When 12 year old Sophie befriends the strange ‘mimics’ living in a TV set, she is horrified to discover a dark power lurking at the edge of the mirrors, threatening to destroy them. She embarks on the trail of an evil curse, but things takes an even darker turn when she discovers a note left for her… BEWARE THE MIRROR MAN!

The first book from Benjamin Burford-Jones, Beware of the Mirror Man is a captivating tale of curses, friends and formidable forces for children aged 9-12.

Silent Mountain - Michelle Briscombe

Jack Jupiter has an unremarkable life – except for his Gran. Following her prophecy of ‘the freeze’, Jack finds more than he could ever have imagined at the frozen lake. Jack needs all his courage and strength to face fantastical creatures and enemies, in order to reveal the secrets of Silent Mountain and discover the truth about his father.

Silent Mountain is the first novel in the series of Jack Jupiter books, written by first time novelist Michelle Briscombe, for children aged 9-12.

Men I Have Known - Eileen Younghusband

Eileen Younghusband’s latest book is an autobiographical account of the friendships and rapport with men, both famous and unknown, that she has cultivated in her life, and the impact they have had on her. Including detailed and personal accounts of meeting men such as Rex Harrison, Dylan Thomas and John Barrowman, Men I Have Known recounts an enthralling 92 years of intrigue, adventure and tragedy.

Companions: Fifty Years of Doctor Who Assistants - Andy Frankham-Allen

Doctor Who has captivated fans with eleven incarnations of the iconic Doctor – but what about the people who helped shape him? Companions provides in-depth accounts of 50 years of assistants, documenting the trials and triumphs, and delving into the men and women who changed the Doctor throughout his adventures.

New Stars for Old - Marc Read

From Aristotle to Newton, Marc Read charts the development of ideas about our solar system by blending together the historical fact of astronomy and its discoveries, with the charming fictional account of those involved. New Stars for Old gives a unique and informative perspective on some of the key ideas that have helped shape our world.

See you in September - Joanne Teague (Sept, 2013)

When Joanne Teague was diagnosed with Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, she took the decision to make the absolute best of her time left with her family, and embarked on a six month adventure around Europe. See you in September tells the uplifting, hilarious and moving story of the Teague family’s journey, as they negotiate Europe and each other.

Megan Williams

THE BIG KANGAZANG! INTERVIEW PART ONE: TANIA VINCENT

This Week:

Meet TANIA VINCENT, and find out how she came up with the title ‘Marshmallow Penguin’ that ended up as the name of the eponymous spacecraft in the Kangazang books…

Tania Vincent is ‘a self confessed geek’ and computer animator from Wales, currently living in London. She is also a writer for Skwigly online animation magazine and describes herself as ‘slightly addicted to the cinema’.  

What’s your connection to Terry?

I met Terry while studying for my animation degree in Wales. Terry was famous on our course for his fantastic impressions so I introduced myself (mainly to get a photo taken with him as I’m sure he is going to be famous one day) and the rest is history.

How did you first find out about Kangazang?

I’m lucky enough to have been given a preview of Kangazang while Terry was writing the book. I have the honour of getting a mention in the book. I am the original ‘Marshmallow Penguin’. Although I am not a space ship made of hair, I penned the name ‘marshmallow penguin’ when I was younger - I was a big fan of ‘Button Moon’ (ITV preschool children’s programme 1980-1988) when I was little. One of my favourite episodes was when the postman delivered a family of penguins made of marshmallow. It became a pet name as a child and it just stuck. Unfortunately the VHS tape I had with this episode on it has been watched so many times it no longer works. Terry saw me use the name one day on my animations and asked if he could use it in his books. I was more than happy to help.

If you’d like to witness the genius of ‘Button Moon’ for yourself…

Button Moon: ‘A Hole In Blanket Sky’ Series 5,episode 1 (7^th January 1986) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnbrXEcBZKQ

What kinds of books/TV/movies do you usually go for?

I am a bit of a movie/TV buff. Anything by ‘HBO’ normally grabs my attention. Homeland has recently taken over my evenings but ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’, ‘Community’ and ‘30 Rock’ are probably the things I recommend the most to my friends and family. As genres go I am a huge Sci-Fi fan so Kangazang is right up my street. I love anything Douglas Adams, Isaac Asimov or Phillip K. Dick. Their short stories get your imagination working far beyond the story itself.

What are your thoughts about the Kangazang! books?

The books are fantastic. Terry has created a world that is charming and humorous. The characters are recognisable and you warm to them instantly. I am a huge fan of humourous Sci-Fi and this is easily up there with the best of them. I can’t wait for the third instalment.

If Kangazang was being made into a television show or movie, who would you like to see in the cast?

The way Terry has written the characters instantly makes them seem familiar. I would love to see Bill Bailey as Ray. Only Bill could portray such a brilliantly scatty man. I have to admit I can quite easily imagine this as a TV show so I have loads of people I’d love to see star in it. Richard Ayoade (from I.T crowd) would be great as Overlord Kelvin. If you could squeeze Alan Rickman in there somewhere too, I’d be happy.

As it’s a proposed trilogy, what kind of ending would you like to see — happy, sad, open or a final end?

I’d definitely like to see a happy but open ending. The galaxy is large after all.

Have you heard the Audio book version of Kangazang?

Colin Baker’s reading of Kangazang makes for fantastic listening when driving on long trips. It has kept my cousin, who is a huge Dr Who fan, enthralled for hours. We may have listened to it a few too many times.

Have you ever written a book or story? If you could, what would you write about?

I love to write. I write mainly as a hobby, so I carry a notebook around and jot down any idea that comes to me. I would love to write children’s books one day as well as comedy scripts. I have lots of ideas, but I just need to organise them all and get them out into the world. 

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.