Author News: Self-published Author Gets Book Deal

With utmost elation, I'd love to announce that Ruth Mancini, author of chick-lit Swimming Upstream has been offered a book deal.

Ruth's book became a bestseller in April and was picked up by Booktrope this month. Her publisher will be releasing a new version later this year.

Blurb: “I once read that the end of a relationship is like being involved in a road traffic accident. Which is quite fitting really, given what happened.”

Lizzie has begun to achieve all the things she thought she had ever wanted, but realises instead that she is far from happy. Then she steps out into the path of an oncoming car, and her life begins to unravel, setting off a life-changing chain of events.

Lizzie leaves her boyfriend and her home and moves to London to pursue her career. There, she attempts to overcome the legacy of her past and find out how to be happy alone. In doing so, she reconnects with two old friends, Zara and Catherine. Each friend, however, harbours a secret that is slowly revealed to Lizzie until Lizzie’s life takes another shocking twist and the friendship of all three women is threatened.

Swimming Upstream is a thoughtful but often humorous book about life and surviving its knocks. Set in the early 1990s in Cambridge and London, it is also a story of friendship, love and divided loyalties – and the moral choices that Lizzie ultimately faces, when the chips are down.

Described as “Eat, Pray, Love” meets “The Last Weekend”, Swimming Upstream is similar in style to books by Jojo Moyes ("Me Before You"), Elizabeth Gilbert ("Eat, Pray, Love"), Nick Hornby ("How to be Good") and Blake Morrison ("The Last Weekend").

What reviewers are saying: "I really enjoyed Swimming Upstream. There is a nice rhythm and pace...credible dialogue, compelling protagonist, recognisable settings and good supporting cast." - Eloise Millar, journalist and award-winning novelist

"Within just a few pages I was heavily invested in the lead character, Lizzie, and couldn't wait to find out what would happen to her...My page turns were getting faster and faster as I neared the end of the book! All in all, a great read which I will be recommending to friends and family." - Ribs Susiaho, writer and editor

"Gripping, pacey...I truly enjoyed Swimming Upstream. This is thinking women's chick lit!" -Catherine Amey, author.

"SWIMMING UPSTREAM by Ruth Mancini isa poignant story about one woman's journey to finding out what she really needs in life. The novel is well-written and descriptive, instantly pulling you in and making you care about each of the characters." - Caroline Fardig, bestselling author.

"A brilliant "chic lit" novel that is gripping and hard to put down. I found myself totally absorbed in the story and feeling Lizzie's dilemmas... A book about life choices, coming to terms and moving on." -Karen Marquick, blogger and reviewer.

How It All Went Down...

I heard back in April this year from a fellow author that Booktrope was open to submissions and so I approached them and in May I sent them my manuscript. I heard nothing for several months. In the meantime I'd self published my book on Amazon.and realised I needed professional help with publicising it. I hired Sarka Jonae miller of SJ Publicity who coincidentally had contacts at Booktrope. She made a strong pitch on my behalf and the next thing I knew I had been offered a deal. I signed the contract this weekend.

I am delighted to have been offered a deal with Booktrope. The world of book publishing is changing rapidly with the advent of the internet and online social media and publishers are having to move with the times. Booktrope has an innovative style of publishing that takes into account these changes and I am excited about being part of that.

A little about Booktrope...

Our goal is to change the way books are created.

Booktrope has signed on writers like Sarka-Jonae Miller, Meredith Schorr and now Ruth Mancini.

Well, Swimming Upstream's success has only just began from it's start in April, want to be part of it?

It's Available on Amazon.

Congrats Ruth, Great job Sarka Jonae Miller.

Expect my review of Swimming Upstream later on the blog.

Signing off,

Kobby .

Book News: Blogger Girl By Meredith Schorr.

It's finally in. Meredith Schorr's finest, Blogger Girl. Available on Amazon.

Blurb:What happens when your high school nemesis becomes the shining star in a universe you pretty much saved?

Book blogger Kimberly Long is about to find out. A chick lit enthusiast since the first time she read “Bridget Jones’s Diary,” Kim, with her blog, “Pastel is the New Black,” has worked tirelessly by night to keep the genre alive, and help squash the claim that “chick lit is dead” once and for all.

Not bad for a woman who by day ekes out a meager living as a pretty, and pretty-much-nameless, legal secretary in a Manhattan law firm. While Kim’s day job holds no passion for her, the handsome (and shaving challenged) associate down the hall is another story.

Yet another story is that Hannah Marshak, one of her most hated high school classmates, has now popped onto the chick lit scene with a hot new book that’s turning heads—and pages—across the land. It’s also popped into Kim’s inbox—for review. With their ten-year high school reunion drawing near, Kim’s coming close to combustion over the hype about Hannah’s book. And as everyone around her seems to be moving on and up, she begins to question whether being a “blogger girl” makes the grade in her off-line life.

Five reasons why you wouldn't want to miss it.

#1 It's Chick-lit (and by that, I mean very hilarious.)

#2 You will adore Kimberly Long if you love...

AND

#3 Inside and actual scoop on the life of a renowned Blogger (just in case you are enamored by their lives or you want to set up a blog of your own.)

#4 If you are good in reading between the lines you will learn how to get bloggers reply to your emails (for once).

#5 You wouldn't want to feel left out WHEN it hits the Big Screen

If all the above isn't cheapskate for purchasing it in kindle format, what is? Or, you could just get the paperback if you are not the kindle kind.

Click here to see my review on Blogger Girl if you are not convinced by my shallow list up there.

Have fun reading and drop reviews on Goodreads.

Signing off,

Kobby.

Book News & Giveaway: How I Exiled My Inner Bitch By Miv Evans

Miv Evan's How I Exiled My Inner Bitch is finally out in paperback! It's been long awaited so if you haven't gotten yourself a copy, do now. It's available on Amazon and Miv is proud to be hosting a giveaway commencing on Aug 31st-Oct 1st. Check out the site above for more details.

Besides the constant humor in this title, there's so much more to keep you Ohemgee-ing for the most part of it. One chick-lit you wouldn't want to miss.

Blurb: Dionne is 36, and still hooked on the imaginary twin she invented to get her through her desolate childhood. With such an odd companion, long-term relationships are impossible and she is doomed to live her life as a serial monogamist, until the Go Along Guy shows up. Greg has denial on intravenous, so Dionne’s quirks simply pass him by and, pretty soon, shallow love blossoms. Unfortunately, however, what are also blossoming are Greg’s teenage daughters. They don’t like Dionne and their hormones are raging.

Message from Miv Evans. Hi everyone on Chicklit Pad. My book How I Exiled My Inner Bitch is out. Kobby did write a great review for it two months ago. It's female-centric, multi-genre chick lit and funny. If you aren't the kind who'd rather have a kindle in hand, you should get the paperback. It will be so worth your time. Thank you.

Click here for my review on How I Exiled My Inner Bitch.

Signing off.

Kobby.