Ally Aldridge Books, Competition, Festival, Goals, Novel, Query, Tips, Writing

Have you finished your novel? What is next?

Writing a novel is mainly a solitary project that you work on for months. And, when you type ”The End” it is a huge achievement, but what do you do next?

For me, I sat alone at my PC.  After editing 85k words there was nobody around to celebrate with me. To be honest, that isn’t the end.

Entered Wattys

If you have been following my blog, you are probably aware that my novel is posted on Wattpad so when I finished editing, it was very easy to submit my novel into their annual competition.  

Beta Readers

While it is sitting on Wattpad being judged by the judges, I decided to send my novel to a select group of beta readers to get feedback.  07I will take their feedback into consideration and make any necessary amendments and then I will decide whether to query agents, self publish or enter other competitions.

Research

View this post on Instagram

How is your book published? For years, I’ve had my heart set on being traditionally published. I like the validation that someone else sees merit in my novel. I fear that I do not know the industry well enough and like the idea that my agent or publisher will push me in the right direction. However, the problem with the traditional method is my success relies on convincing someone else to believe in me. My novel has to stand out in a competitive slush pile. It needs to reach them when it is exactly what they are looking for. My voice needs to be fresh, original yet fit in with others on the market. Even then, it still might not be enough. Whereas self published authors are their only hurdle – only they need to believe in themselves to be published. However, all the work is on them to edit, market, sell, etc. But, if they have a ‘can do’ attitude there is no holding them back. I’m starting to wonder if I am my biggest hurdle. That I don’t need to win a literary agent or publisher over, I could self publish today. So, why don’t I? What am I afraid of? Is anyone else not published yet that feels like this? #traditionallypublished #traditionalpublishing #indieauthorsofinstagram #selfpublished #indiebooks

A post shared by Author Ally Aldridge (@redfae) on

Meanwhile, I will be researching literary agents to see who is a good fit for my novel.  I am attending an event about the publishing industry (how to get published, attract an agent, attract an editor with Phoebe Morgan) and an agent one-to-one with Florence Rees.  

I am also part of World Indie Warriors which is a collaborative group that are supporting authors in the self publishing industry or those aspiring to self publish.  Meeting them has been a very enlightening experience and as a result I feel more motivated and informed about self publishing.  It no longer feels like a scary unknown. 

I am also attending a marketing course with Pagan Malcolm on book prompting which will be beneficial whichever route I take.  

Next Project

Although I’ve taken a creative break, I have already started plotting the next novel.  I am going to rework and finish Diamond of the Sky.  This will be my project for Camp NaNo (July 2019).

Read

This summer, I will be catching up on my reading.  Reading is a great way to continue to develop my writing skills as I soak up the methods others have used.  It is also a great way to support other writers.

What do you do when you have finished writing a novel?

If you liked this post, you may also like?

How I edited my novel – 12 tips for self editing

Spotlight on Summer Literary Dates calendar

Book Review:  Rebel of the sands

Reflecting on Camp NaNoWriMo (July 2018)

  if_twitter-01-01_3066980  if_instagram-01-01_3066990  if_youtube-01-01_3066976  if_g-01-01_3066962

Ally plus text

Ally Aldridge Books, Review

Book Review: Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Author:  Victoria Aveyard

Red Queen

This is the first book in the series that I have read and I wasn’t quite sure what to expect.  The funny thing is I first heard about this book at YALC 2017 when they were promoting it with #RedQueenForADay but it had taken me almost two years to pick it up to read.

Please excuse the silly picture, I was not feeling very photogenic after the long train ride to London. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BXLBzKahLYo/

What is the book about?

The book is set in a world with two species of humans.  There are those with red blood who are treated as a low class species and those with silver blood who are treated as nobles and have super power type abilities.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BwQCzGrnQz9/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

How it starts?

The MC, Mare, is a red blood.  She lives in a family that are struggling to get by and she hasn’t got a job to be able to contribute to supporting her family.  Mare is a thief.  Eventually, when she comes of age she will be sent to war, to fight for the silvers on the front lines with a high risk of being killed.

Mare’s best friend is due to be sent away very soon and Mare decides to help them escape but first she needs to get enough money to pay for their travel.  The risks are high so those that could help them escape have set a high fee.   

Mare’s sister has a good job where she makes fine clothes for the Silvers.  Mare tags along with her to get into the city.  Whilst there a terrorist attack takes place causing bedlam.  Mare panics and tries to pick a pocket but gets caught.  Her sister takes the blame to save her and has her hands broken, resulting in losing her trade.  The girls return home with very bleak prospects.

An unexpected request comes for Mare to come and work at the palace.  This will save her from war and give her family money to survive but she will have to leave them behind.

The middle

Early on, Mare discovers she is different from other Red Servants when she accidentally manipulates lightening.  She earns the nickname Little Lightning Girl and the attention of the Queen.  

The Queen fears that news that a red could have powers will encourage the rebels so she marries Mare to her son and concocts a story about how Mare is a silver that was raised as a red.  

Mare is watched by the Queen’s guards and the cameras in the palace.  She has to keep up the ruse but despite falling for the princes (both of them), her heart is still red and wants revenge for her kinds spilt blood.  Under the watchful eyes she seeks to join the rebels and take down the silvers from the inside.

How it ends

I don’t want to spoil it for you but there is a big battle where the odds are not in Mares favour. 
 
She is placed in an arena for her execution where, for entertainment, selected silvers will use their powers to torture her before her end.  Mare will have to battle them all if she is to live.

Final thoughts…

I wish I had read Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard sooner.  If you like powers, submersible world building and a touch of romance then give this YA Fantasy is worth a read.
 
Can you guess my next read? There’s a sneak peak in the photo.
 
 

If you like this, you may enjoy:

Book Review: Who runs the world by Virginia Bergolt

Book Review: Lion’s Share

Book Review: The Gender Game

Book Review: Rebel of the sands

  if_twitter-01-01_3066980  if_instagram-01-01_3066990  if_youtube-01-01_3066976  if_g-01-01_3066962

Ally plus text