Spring is finally here. I got to leave the house today to finally watch Captain Marvel (how cute was that Stan Lee tribute?) and I didn't have a scarf or my fur on!
It's been a very full on month. I finished my forth book!! AHHHHH!! When I typed the last sentence on my third Emily Knight book, I burst out crying and then I started dancing. Writing a book is so damn long. This has taken me over a year and sure right now it's un-printable but in a few months, it's going to be ready. I truly hate the editing process and the re-writes so pray for me. In a few weeks I'm going to start on my fifth novel. Can you believe that? Fifth! It's a book I started a few years ago but I don't know whether to make it YA or Middle-Grade. With the submissions of Beats, all these editors are like where's Abi's MG novels? I just can't with publishing. You write MG then they want YA as there isn't enough but now there's too much. Over it. I do so much better in life when I just do my own thing.
Emily Knight I am was made as the March recommended book by Nikki Young. Full interview here
My book tour is over and can you believe my books were in over 50 blog stops and over 4,000 people entered the giveaway! Congratulations to Amber Niebaum, Jeanna Massman, Michelle Li and Sherry Strode for winning.
Have you voted for me to win London's Big Read. Please take a second to vote for your girl! http://www.londonsbigread.com/vote2019/
https://www.inspiredselection.com/blog/do-i-need-shout-getting-your-voice-heard-publishing-industry
https://girlswhokickbutt.wordpress.com/2019/03/21/the-journey-begins/
My next Girls Can Do Anything is April 10th and it's Throw Away The Rule Book. The Diversity talk. I have 7 black women in publishing coming to speak, so you know it's going to be a conversation. •sips tea•
Throw away the rule book – female voices from the sidelines: BAME publishers and authors making a difference with guest speakers author Tola Okogwu (author of Daddy Do My Hair), Alison Coward (author of Effective Workshops), Alexandra Sheppard (author of Oh My Gods), Patrice Lawrence (author of Indigo Donut), Jazzmine Breary (Publicity and Sales Manager at Jacaranda) and Naomi Shakespeare (Together Kid's Literary Festival - the UK's first BAME Children's Literary Festival)
Discussion and panel talk. How do we make books more diverse? You're heard that a thousand times over, right? Well, we're going to highlight the BAME publishers and authors who have got their seat at the table and are making some serious changes. We'll discuss what they're doing, what you can do, and how far this industry has to to before there's more action, less talk.
It's all sold out but there is a reserve list so book on for free BOOK HERE!
Hashtag Press turns 2 in April! My baby is two years old. We survived the 1 year business curse. Helen and I want to basically throw a party every day lol. Keep an eye on our social media to get involved in the festivities.
I think my dance teaching days are over. My last contract has come to an end and I can get more but I'm starting to feel like do I want to? I tried to do more paid teaching this year and it just didn't work out, so maybe it's time for me to just be a publishing girl? I told the kids on Friday that it was my last class and they cried! One of them who is the daughter of the deputy head kept asking me if it was her dad's decision and I said, “I'm not sure.” She then said. “I hate him.” LOL so dramatic.
I made pancakes today for breakfast and they came out so shit. I am so confused. I made the best batch multiple times on Pancake Day and I have no idea what I did wrong today. I didn't even know how to fix the stupid batter so after I had burned the pan and the damn pancake I just threw it out. I'm 30 years old. I really should know how to make a basic pancake.
Feeling a bit out of sorts for the past few days. I feel like I have had very dramatic emotions these past few weeks and it's just starting to catch up with me. I took 2 days just to chill by myself including taking myself to the cinema where I was infront of a kid who would literally point out the obvious. Eg; Nick Fury looks out a picture of Carol that says Avengers so he types in Avengers and then the kids says loudly, 'That's Avengers.' Think of that energy for the ENTIRE MOVIE. But I actually feel better and it just reminds me that it's okay to have me time every now and then.
US. OMG. If I could write how Jordan Peele thinks I would be a happy lady. It's such an intelligent movie. Really want to watch it again. It's not as straight forward as Get Out and if you're not that much of a deep thinker, it can really be confusing and go over your head so my advice is listen very carefully!
Do you know what really gets me about this whole Jordan, Khloe saga is Tristan seems to be living his best life. This girl came on Instagram with screenshots that he was trying to send her a message. She looks exactly like Jordan. This boy has a type and it's not Khloe. Very strange that in the trailer for the new season it has footage of what happened when I thought they wrapped up the season months ago...you know what they say about how hard Kris Jenner works!
The Author School is on April 5th. We have a few tickets left so come along and invest in your book dreams once and for all! http://www.theauthorschool.com/classes
The London Book Fair this year was amazing but so tiring. Three days is just too much for me but we did get some overseas distribution and foreign rights agents. Not gonna lie, last year was epic with my face plastered everywhere ;) Helen had some good meetings with publishers for Beats so fingers crossed. If I get a good deal then Beats can hopefully come out end of 2020 as I am looking to get Emily 3 out by early 2020.
I went to the Black Women Rising gallery event in Peckham. Leanne created it for Black Women suffering from cancer and it's all types of cancer - lung, breast etc. It was amazing. One of the most inspiring things I have been too. The ladies were beautiful, brave, warriors who shared their stories and at times they made me laugh yet I was holding back my tears. At one point I wanted to get some air because my heart just hurt so badly for them. One girl was 17 when she got cancer. Another lady prayed over her cancer and it went twice. I just have so much respect and admiration for Leanne. She is just one of those people that makes lemonade out of any lemon that comes to her. One thing I struggle with is being inspired by people around me. I always want to level up so I'm always looking at those who are doing incredible things and Leanne is one of those incredible people. Please do support them @blackwomenrisinguk and let's start sharing our struggles more in the community.
As always don't forget to follow me on Twitter @EmilyKnightiam
Instagram @abiolabello
www.a-bello.com
Buy my books :)
Comments
Post a Comment