The Crafty Writer » Announcements http://www.thecraftywriter.com the business and craft of writing Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:32:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 en hourly 1 David and the Kingmaker rules http://www.thecraftywriter.com/2011/11/23/david-and-the-kingmaker-rules/ http://www.thecraftywriter.com/2011/11/23/david-and-the-kingmaker-rules/#comments Wed, 23 Nov 2011 09:12:13 +0000 Fiona Veitch Smith http://www.thecraftywriter.com/?p=1489 Related posts:
  1. Crafty Publishing
  2. The David Project
  3. Getting your book to market
]]> It’s here! David and the Kingmaker, the latest book from your charming Crafty host, Fiona Veitch Smith, has arrived from the printers and is ready to ship to bookshops. It looks absolutely gorgeous. As usual, my illustrator Amy Barnes has done an incredible job. I did a reading of the book on Sunday to a lively group of under 7s and their parents. They loved the antics of the sheep and were wide-eyed when Young David was chosen to be king.

I know everyone says it, but this book and its prequel, David and the Hairy Beast, will make great Christmas presents. You can place an order through any bookshop in the world (that’s right, anywhere on planet earth) or, if you want it quicker, you can order directly from the Crafty Publishing website.

If you are in the Newcastle upon Tyne area on Saturday 26 November, Amy and I will be giving a talk about our creative process and how picture books are written and illustrated. Click here for directions and details.

Related posts:

  1. Crafty Publishing
  2. The David Project
  3. Getting your book to market

]]> http://www.thecraftywriter.com/2011/11/23/david-and-the-kingmaker-rules/feed/ 0 New author website for Fiona http://www.thecraftywriter.com/2011/10/14/new-author-website-for-fiona/ http://www.thecraftywriter.com/2011/10/14/new-author-website-for-fiona/#comments Fri, 14 Oct 2011 10:40:53 +0000 Fiona Veitch Smith http://www.thecraftywriter.com/?p=1445 Related posts:
  1. David and the Kingmaker rules
  2. New website for Gypsy Royals
  3. Children’s Literature and the Quest for the Divine
]]> I’ve just started a new author website to focus on me and my career. How vain does that sound? Oh well, what must be, must be. The Crafty Writer will continue as it is as a writing advice site and blog – along with its associated free writing courses and editorial services. But all the self-promoting bumf about me, your dear host, will now appear on fiona.veitchsmith.com Do drop by from time to time or I will feel completely abandoned!

Related posts:

  1. David and the Kingmaker rules
  2. New website for Gypsy Royals
  3. Children’s Literature and the Quest for the Divine

]]> http://www.thecraftywriter.com/2011/10/14/new-author-website-for-fiona/feed/ 0 New novel on Kindle: The Peace Garden http://www.thecraftywriter.com/2011/10/04/new-novel-on-kindle-the-peace-garden/ http://www.thecraftywriter.com/2011/10/04/new-novel-on-kindle-the-peace-garden/#comments Tue, 04 Oct 2011 08:28:44 +0000 Fiona Veitch Smith http://www.thecraftywriter.com/?p=1438 Related posts:
  1. Kindle – an author’s story
  2. Child of War
  3. Writing historical fiction – reviews and links
]]> fiona-veitch-smith-the-peace-gardenWell I’ve finally bitten the bullet and released a novel on Kindle. The actual process of getting it up on the site was relatively simple, but it took a few goes as I needed to ensure that the source Word doc was as visually close to publishing as it could be with all of the correct style ‘tags’ in place. Yes the Kindle software formats your document into e-book form but it takes its cues from your original document and it is only when you review the Kindle version and see odd lines in odd places that you realise something has gone wrong in the source document. So if you’re going to follow my footsteps and get your book onto Kindle, take the time to get it right. And if you’re looking for a new book this autumn, why not download The Peace Garden now?

“When Natalie Porter starts investigating plant theft in a suburban cul-de-sac, she never dreams it will lead her on a terrifying journey from the gardens of England to the townships of Apartheid South Africa; and a far darker secret than the whereabouts of a missing azalea. A romantic thriller doused in political intrigue, racial tension, international terrorism and … gardening. If you like your romances gentle and your thrillers intelligent, then you won’t be able to put down The Peace Garden until the last breathtaking page.”

Related posts:

  1. Kindle – an author’s story
  2. Child of War
  3. Writing historical fiction – reviews and links

]]> http://www.thecraftywriter.com/2011/10/04/new-novel-on-kindle-the-peace-garden/feed/ 0 Crafty Publishing http://www.thecraftywriter.com/2011/07/27/crafty-publishing/ http://www.thecraftywriter.com/2011/07/27/crafty-publishing/#comments Wed, 27 Jul 2011 09:58:06 +0000 Fiona Veitch Smith http://www.thecraftywriter.com/?p=1408 Related posts:
  1. The David Project
  2. David and the Kingmaker rules
  3. Getting your book to market
]]> Crafty PublishingThe Crafty Writer is proud to announce the launch of its new publishing wing, Crafty Publishing. Some ‘how to’ books based on the popular Crafty Courses are in the pipeline but for now we’re launching with a stunning children’s picture book called David and the Hairy Beast, the first in a series of six.

David and the Hairy Beast

David and the Hairy BeastDavid’s dad gives him a very important job to do. But can the shepherd boy overcome his fear of the Hairy Beast to save the flock?

Written by Fiona Veitch Smith.
Illustrations by Amy Barnes.

Drop by Crafty Publishing now to order your copy.

Related posts:

  1. The David Project
  2. David and the Kingmaker rules
  3. Getting your book to market

]]> http://www.thecraftywriter.com/2011/07/27/crafty-publishing/feed/ 5 Myro the Musical http://www.thecraftywriter.com/2011/05/26/myro-the-musical/ http://www.thecraftywriter.com/2011/05/26/myro-the-musical/#comments Thu, 26 May 2011 11:23:19 +0000 Fiona Veitch Smith http://www.thecraftywriter.com/?p=1348 Related posts:
  1. Myro the Microlight takes off
  2. True animal stories contest
]]> I’m very pleased to be working with publisher Nick Rose and composer Mike Roberts on the musical version of Myro the Microlight. Mike is currently working on a cantata (a performance ‘package’ for school choirs)and I am helping write the narration. There is already a lively CD to accompany the Myro books so children can sing along to their favourite stories. For more on the Myro series visit www.myro.com.

Related posts:

  1. Myro the Microlight takes off
  2. True animal stories contest

]]> http://www.thecraftywriter.com/2011/05/26/myro-the-musical/feed/ 0 Child of War http://www.thecraftywriter.com/2011/05/12/child-of-war/ http://www.thecraftywriter.com/2011/05/12/child-of-war/#comments Thu, 12 May 2011 09:10:46 +0000 Fiona Veitch Smith http://www.thecraftywriter.com/?p=1344 Related posts:
  1. Short Story Film Festival: ‘Enemy Lines’ in New York
]]> Well the contract is finally in place so I can formally announce that I’ve been commissioned by Lion Hudson (Monarch imprint) to co-write the autobiography of Yookie Budia, a former child soldier from the Congo.  The book will be called Child of War. Yookie’s story is an incredible but harrowing tale of a journey from war to personal peace.  As a young boy, Yookie was forced to participate in a series of atrocities and witnessed the murder of his own family. He managed to escape and after a treacherous journey through sub-Saharan Africa made his way to Durban, South Africa, where more dangers faced him as a child on the streets. If you want to know what happened to Yookie after that and how he met his wife Sarah and how they now run a charity called Hope2thehopeless then you’ll have to read the book! Yookie and I are working on it over the summer and it will come out early next year.

Simultaneously, Craig Gailbraith from Drawbridge Productions in Cape Town, is making a film about Yookie’s incredible journey. I’m sure it will be a box office hit!

If you would like to develop your own skills in writing life stories as well as other non-fiction writing, why not work through the Crafty Writer’s free non-fiction course

Related posts:

  1. Short Story Film Festival: ‘Enemy Lines’ in New York

]]> http://www.thecraftywriter.com/2011/05/12/child-of-war/feed/ 4 Opening Night for Pig Stew http://www.thecraftywriter.com/2010/11/16/opening-night-for-pig-stew/ http://www.thecraftywriter.com/2010/11/16/opening-night-for-pig-stew/#comments Tue, 16 Nov 2010 14:12:45 +0000 Fiona Veitch Smith http://www.thecraftywriter.com/?p=1166 Related posts:
  1. Booking open for Pig Stew
  2. Pig Stew – the reviews!
  3. People’s Play Award
]]> Pig Stew opens tonight at the People’s Theatre in Newcastle. The cast includes:

Amy Nicol as Juliet
Jo Kelly as Louise
Mel Dagg as Denise
Stuart Laidler as Matthew

Director: Sarah McLane

Here’s a clip from Pig Stew and an interview with me and Jo Kelly on KYEO TV
http://www.kyeo.tv/2010/11/16/pig/

If you haven’t booked yet there are still tickets available. Follow the link on the KYEO TV page.

Break a trotter everyone!

Related posts:

  1. Booking open for Pig Stew
  2. Pig Stew – the reviews!
  3. People’s Play Award

]]> http://www.thecraftywriter.com/2010/11/16/opening-night-for-pig-stew/feed/ 0 Booking open for Pig Stew http://www.thecraftywriter.com/2010/10/25/booking-open-for-pig-stew/ http://www.thecraftywriter.com/2010/10/25/booking-open-for-pig-stew/#comments Mon, 25 Oct 2010 10:33:47 +0000 Fiona Veitch Smith http://www.thecraftywriter.com/?p=1163 Related posts:
  1. Pig Stew – the reviews!
  2. Opening Night for Pig Stew
  3. People’s Play Award
]]> The box office is now open for Pig Stew at the People’s Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne. http://ptag.org.uk/the-peoples-play-2010-pig-stew.html Tickets are only £10 for adults (it’s not suitable for children) with concession tickets priced at £8. The show runs from Tuesday 16 November to Saturday 20th. There will be a matinee on the Saturday. I would love to see as many of you there as possible and really appreciate your support. And if that’s not a good enough reason to come, consider this: it’s a great show! Directed by Sarah McClane. Written by Fiona Veitch Smith.

Related posts:

  1. Pig Stew – the reviews!
  2. Opening Night for Pig Stew
  3. People’s Play Award

]]> http://www.thecraftywriter.com/2010/10/25/booking-open-for-pig-stew/feed/ 2 People’s Play Award http://www.thecraftywriter.com/2010/06/30/peoples-play-award-2/ http://www.thecraftywriter.com/2010/06/30/peoples-play-award-2/#comments Wed, 30 Jun 2010 13:13:45 +0000 Fiona Veitch Smith http://www.thecraftywriter.com/?p=1132 Related posts:
  1. Booking open for Pig Stew
  2. Pig Stew – the reviews!
  3. People’s Play Award + scriptwriting resources
]]> Pig stew stage playMy play, Pig Stew, has just won The People’s Play Award. Three sisters inherit a pig farm in Northumberland and are targeted by a conman. Take one dash of greed, a good dose of unforgiveness and a hint of cannibalism and you have a great recipe for drama. The bi-annual award is sponsored by New Writing North and the People’s Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne. As well as a nice cheque, the prize includes a full production of Pig Stew in November 2010. It will be directed by Sarah McClane of the People’s Theatre.  Previous winners of the award include Peter Straughan who most recently penned the screenplay for Men Who Stare at Goats (starring George Clooney), playwright Carina Rodney (Pub Quiz) and of course my co-director and producer of The Last of the Gypsy Royals Tony Glover.

Related posts:

  1. Booking open for Pig Stew
  2. Pig Stew – the reviews!
  3. People’s Play Award + scriptwriting resources

]]> http://www.thecraftywriter.com/2010/06/30/peoples-play-award-2/feed/ 12 New website for Gypsy Royals http://www.thecraftywriter.com/2010/06/24/new-website-for-gypsy-royals/ http://www.thecraftywriter.com/2010/06/24/new-website-for-gypsy-royals/#comments Thu, 24 Jun 2010 10:40:44 +0000 Fiona Veitch Smith http://www.thecraftywriter.com/?p=1125 Related posts:
  1. The Last of the Gypsy Royals Documentary
  2. People’s Play Award
  3. New author website for Fiona
]]> I’ve just launched a new website for my documentary, ‘The Last of the Gypsy Royals’. You can follow the making of the documentary from page to screen on www.gypsyroyals.com as well as just getting to know the descendents of this most unusual royal family who frequently drop in to visit. See you there!

Related posts:

  1. The Last of the Gypsy Royals Documentary
  2. People’s Play Award
  3. New author website for Fiona

]]> http://www.thecraftywriter.com/2010/06/24/new-website-for-gypsy-royals/feed/ 0