Saturday, 12 August 2023

Writing Chapter Books - September Course

After the success of the previous course, I shall be running my WRITING CHAPTER BOOKS course again starting Monday 11th September.


I'm the author of the Autumn Moonbeam series, and I'm going to be running a 6-week online Writing Chapter Books course. 



The course will be mainly Slack based to make is more accessible and flexible for people to attend when it's convenient to them. There will be weekly handouts, lots of writing exercises, inspiration and weekly discussions that you can join in or add to in your own time if you can't make it live.


Cosmic Illustrated by Heidi Cannon


A few testimonials from writers on the previous course:


Writing Chapter Books with Emma Finlayson-Palmer is brilliant. After 6 weeks, I have a clearer understanding of this niche area of children's publishing and a solid story idea to build on. The course is well structured to help participants generate compelling characters, playful plots and wonderful worlds to weave them altogether in. The exercises in the live workshops are helpful and Emma is generous with her time and knowledge, answering our many questions and providing supportive resources. I'm thankful to Emma and the other writers - it's a fantastic course and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone curious about creating chapter books.

- Tracy Bullock


I really enjoyed this accessible and informative course that Emma provided. The information was superior and I felt that I learnt everything I needed to know about chapter books.

- Angel Dike


Wonderful children’s writing course. An abundance of material and interaction. Thank you so much Emma, I’ve been plotting & writing daily.

- Sharon Hynes




If you're interested in learning how to write a Chapter Book (aimed at ages 5-8) do send me a message so I can send you more information ✍


Sunday, 11 June 2023

Writing Chapter Books

Hi everyone,

I'm the author of the Autumn Moonbeam series, and I'm going to be running a 6-week online Writing Chapter Books course. 

The course will be mainly Slack based with videos and handouts and weekly discussions that you can join in or add to in your own time if you can't make it live.

If you're interested in learning how to write a Chapter Book (aimed at ages 5-8) do send me a message so I can send you a little more information ✍







Monday, 27 March 2023

WriteMentor Summer Programme 2023

The WriteMentor free Summer mentoring programme is back this April with a few changes. 

I'll be back to mentor again this year and I'm also open to YA as well as CB and MG. More details of the sort of stories I will be on the look out for can be found below...


Emma Finlayson-Palmer lives in the West Midlands with her husband and a multitude of children, cats and chickens. A writer of children’s fiction with a special focus on CBs and YAs and short stories, represented by Veronique Baxter of the David Higham agency. Emma’s chapter book series AUTUMN MOONBEAM is out now. Emma runs #ukteenchat, a writing themed chat on Twitter, and has been a #WriteMentor mentor from its inaugural year and now edits, mentors and reads competition entries too. She’s also one half of Word Witches, as a children’s fiction editor.

“I love being part of the kidlit writing community and working with other writers. I’ve been very lucky over the years to have had support from other writers, beta reading, crit groups, writing groups and organisation and mentoring, and I really want to pass on things I have learnt along the way to other writers. I want to share my passion for stories and support other writers at an earlier stage in their journey to me. I’m very much about finding the positives in everything and want to share and support someone help learn their craft and industry information whilst having fun with writing along the way.

I never know what I’m going to love until it’s in front of me, but I especially love Thrillers and Horror, but I’m also a big fan of fantasy too. I’m also open to any age group (bar PB) this year, and I’m keen to see some YA come my way. As an autistic, bi, working class Midlands based writer, I’m not necessarily looking for a writer with the same background as me, but that’s a big part of my own writing and experience what I’ll bring to the mentoring and I’m passionate about seeing better representation for children of all background in stories.”

Genres: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Contemporary, Thriller, Mystery, Dystopian, Horror, Paranormal, Crime


Some important dates for your diary...

Mentor chats on Twitter: Mon/Tues 10/11th April 7-9pm DROP-IN (mentors will attend for an hour during this window), so simply post your questions using #WriteMentor and they’ll get to them during this period.
Mentee application window: Weds 12th-Fri 14th April.
Mentee announcements: Monday 1st May.
Mentoring period: 1st May – undefined (this is where the flexibility comes in – we suggest a period of less than 12 months in total – though you may want to make it 6 or 9, or extend it further – the only stipulation is about 6 hours of time via email/calls over the year and a reminder that mentors are volunteering, so no unrealistic demands upon them or their time).


You can check out all the details for all the mentors taking part and important dates on the website...

WriteMentor 2023 Mentoring Programme - WriteMentor - for all writers of children's fiction (write-mentor.com)

Friday, 13 January 2023

First Illustration Workshop of the Year

If you're ever looking for an online illustration workshop, or if you ever get to go to any in person, I can highly recommend any run by Salford based artist Paul Pickford.

This week Paul ran a workshop via Zoom where we created an Alice in Wonderland white rabbit pen, ink and text collage, with a bit more of a sinister vibe. You can see mine below.


You can find more details of Paul's workshops over on Twitter or Instagram.


Saturday, 31 December 2022

2022 - Reflections of my Debut Year

Reflections on my debut year…

The year got off to a great start with two YA short stories accepted for publication. One in Northern Gravy, and one in PaperBound magazine. Another YA short story made the Searchlight Short Story Award longlist.

I’ve been able to work on a YA that received Arts Council funding, and have had the chance to work with the amazing Patrice Lawrence and Emma Roberts.

I got a contract for a reading scheme book and wrote it this year.

Another huge event this year was making the shortlist for the Wells Lit Fest Children’s Novel award with a YA novel, and the WriteBlend shortlist for Autumn Moonbeam.

I’ve done BookJiveLive the online open mic event for children’s writers twice this year.

I was a tutor for my first ever workshop on writing chapter books.

Autumn Moonbean being featured in the Irish Examiner top children's books from 2022.

2022 has been a huge year for me, my debut year for my Autumn Moonbeam chapter book series. Having a book published has been something I’ve dreamt of since I was at school, so 2022 has been a dream come true.

 


If I was starting 2022 I would give myself (and other writers) this advice…


Celebrate all the wins – no matter how small. It’s a hard slog and a long journey this writing malarkey, so print out good reviews or a positive comment so you can read it on the harder days. It’s always easier to remember the bad and not the good.

Seeing my book available for pre-order, then in bookshops has been amazing. Sadly, my first book came out as Waterstones had their system change and it's meant even now there's not many branches with copies instore, but it's been amazing to see it in those that have. Big shout out to Wolverhampton Waterstones, my local branch, as they have been so lovely and supportive. 

The most exciting thing about being a debut is probably signing a book for a child for the first time. She came to me clutching a copy she’d already read; I cried happy tears afterwards, and probably will every time I'm asked to sign a book!

 


It’s okay to be scared – Nothing could really have prepared me for how scared and anxious I’d be this year. I think it’s good to realise that it’s normal to go through a mass of emotions, including the bad ones, even when it’s your dreams coming true. It’s stressful and a big change and there’s so much out of your control, so focus on the things you can do and what you enjoy doing.

Despite being absolutely terrified of standing up and talking in front of people, one of the biggest things to celebrate this year has been doing school visits. I especially loved talking to the kids during the Q and A sessions and hearing all their questions, especially the slightly unexpected ones.

 


Write – Don’t forget you wrote a book because you love writing. Sometimes when you’re caught up with the marketing and trying to promote your book you lose sight of why you are there in the first place. So find that happy place again and write something new, and write something you feel excited about.

It has been a really busy year promoting the Autumn Moonbeam books, and I sometimes forget I also wrote a first draft of a new YA, and a reading scheme book, and lots of bits of freewriting and research along the way, and those shiny new ideas that forever try to derail me from what I’m supposed to be writing!

 


Find your tribe – I’ve been so lucky to be part of some amazing writing groups, and I can’t stress how important this has been for me. Being part of the writing community and being connected via social media and in person is such a privilege. I have met so many lovely friends along the way.

If you’re a debut writer, I can guarantee there’s a debut group out there for you to join. I was part of two Debut22 groups, one with just children’s authors, and the other with a mix of authors writing for all age groups. It’s made my debut year so much better to have friends going through the same ups and downs and it’s so much nicer to be able to cheer others on and spot friend’s books in shops.

 


Mental Health – It’s a whirlwind in your debut year, sometimes it’s tumbleweeds and other times it’s hyper speed (isn’t it at every stage as a writer?!). It’s so important to remember that no matter how much you want to, you just can’t do everything, think about what you actually enjoy doing and do that. Take time for you, and rest, it’s physically and mentally exhausting at times and it’s so important to take the time to rest and recharge.

I’ve loved doing school visits, both virtual and in person, and connecting with readers by sending letters and signed postcards to schools and indie bookshops or doing workshops in my local Waterstones. It’s been wonderful and exciting, there’s nothing better than getting a great review or seeing a child reading your book but burn out is real and this year I’ve been anxiety-ridden and burnt out in equal measure. Don’t feel guilty to take time for you and rest. Just read, or do something just for you, being published isn’t going to suddenly vanish if you take some time out.

 


Most importantly – your words are out there in the world, and that might be scary at times but it’s also the most amazing feeling. You’ve achieved something many never do, you’ve finished a book and it’s out there or going out into the world, be proud, and in the words of Autumn Moonbeam… you’re spell-tastic!


Here's to a writerly 2023, and thank you to everyone who has made my 2022 so special! 

If you'd like to buy a copy of Autumn Moonbeam: Dance Magic, or Spooky Sleepover they are available to order from indie bookshops, Waterstones, Amazon, online and on the Hive bookstore website.



Sunday, 2 October 2022

Pre-Order Spooky Sleepover

You can pre-order AUTUMN MOONBEAM: SPOOKY SLEEPOVER at most bookshops now, here are a few...


My local indie bookshop, Blue Sheep Books, email: mamaewe@bluesheepbooks.com or through Bookshop.org at: Spooky Sleepover a book by Emma Finlayson-Palmer and Heidi Cannon. (bookshop.org)


The Rocketship Bookshop: Autumn Moonbeam: Spooky Sleepover - The Rocketship Bookshop

The Bookery: Spooky Sleepover - Emma Finlayson-Palmer (thebookery.org.uk)

Toppings & Company: Spooky Sleepover by Emma Finlayson-Palmer (toppingbooks.co.uk)


Supporting indie bookshops through Hive: Spooky Sleepover: Emma Finlayson-Palmer: 9781912979929: hive.co.uk