The genres covered in the book range from flash fiction to more traditional short stories, life-writing, humour, poetry and autobiography. There’s something in it for everyone. And if people are inspired by what they read, they can have a go for themselves as the entire creative writing course has been reprinted in the book’s appendix.
So what’s my involvement? I didn’t send in any work myself (hopeless, I know) but responded to a request from Dotterel Press to help with proofreading. Several years ago, when Rory was little, I signed up for a proofreading course, completed it and then did precisely nothing with my new qualification, bar irritating friends and family by criticising their spelling and grammar. This opportunity from Tim was just the ticket: I could hone my skills knowing he would be keeping overall control.
Tiny Acorns was published last Friday (ISBN 978-0-9562869-1-8) and is available direct for just £8.99 from the Dotterel Press Online store. All the proceeds are going to the BBC Children in Need appeal.
I bought my copy last week and, while I was at it, bought Tim’s novel, Writing Therapy, which I’m looking forward to getting stuck into very soon (I will report back, readers)
I’ve also had an idea. Can I suggest everyone who buys a copy takes a photo of it in an innovative way or in an unusual place and pops it on their blog (or email to me if you haven’t got a blog)?
This has proved to be a very entertaining way to publicise the brilliant Cocktails at Naptime so I’m sure we can do the same for Tiny Acorns. Remember all the proceeds are going to a worthy cause so get buying and let’s see your photographs.
As a contributor to the book I'd like to thank you for your excellent marketing strategy!
Steve – oh yes, I saw your contributions. Jeez the amount of work I had to do getting them right….. ;-))) (kidding of course – was most impressed.
Hey, never mind proof-reader (but thanks – you did a super job) I should appoint you marketing manager. Thanks for posting, helping and promoting!
This sounds very interesting – as a fellow ex-proofreading course completer who then when on to not do any herself. Edit THAT sentence!!
The Dotterel – no problem – my pleasure.
Madame SG – I'll start with 'went'…..!
Is proof-reading just about grammar or how to spot mistakes the eye just runs over because it knows what should be there and ignores the mistake?
(Can you guess I'm speaking from experience?)
Sounds an excellent book. I'll put it on my Christmas list.
Sarah – There's a real mixture of work so obviously they won't all be to everyone's taste but there's some real gems in there. The e-course from Tim is very helpful too, for those of us needing guidance in creative writing.
Oooh, you got a sneak preview with the proofreading:) Great idea for the writing course and the book:)
I didn't realise I wasn't following your blog, my apologies for that, I thought I was and have done so now.
Jen
Jen – I've just realised I'm not following you either: I think we've picked up on each other's posts via twitter! Have rectified it!
Now feel guilty on two counts: one for not contributing – but it was a Summer of indecisions – and two for not volunteering to proof read when I actually do that, among other things, for a living….guess the only way to redeem myself is to buy the excellent anthology and do as you suggest!
Tattie – well, think of it this way: by you not offering to proofread you were giving me the chance to have a go, so thank you! But yes, buy the book woman and take a silly photo – redemption will be yours.
I've spent about 24 hours trying to get the connection between a row of World Books and an acorn analogy…. and got nowhere. Thick or what? Can you explain please then hopefully I'll have a "duhh" moment.
Troy – well I just thought if "mighty oaks from little acorns grow" then maybe this little book may one day be a "world" famous book? I think you were looking too hard for something more clever!
I've seen this knocking about on various blogs around blogosphere!
Hope your mum is doing well.
CJ xx
Shamed! I think you've pin-pointed the reason I never took up proof reading. If it is true that 'god is in the details' , then I am firmly aligned with the devils.
And I deliberately used a lower case ' g' for 'god', and therefore used a lower case 'd' for 'devil'. Then I decided that, if I reckon there are a fair few gods about, then there must be several devils too, so I added the 's'. However, the quote uses 'g' in the singular and so I suppose I should have kept my 'devil' in kind. Hmmmmnn…. Also, I expect the original quote probably had an upper case 'G' but I couldn't be bothered to verify this. And then I started wondering if any of this was indeed remotely important and would anybody notice anyway.
Actually, I think I have just pin-pointed the reason I never pursued the profession right there. In fact I never even satisfied myself if proof and reading were supposed to be hyphenated.
I'll get me coat.
CJ – I've popped a comment on your recent snow post – Mum has a similar amount!
Madame SG: Oh you're such a wonderfully daft bugger and completely barking!
I have decided to stick with 'proofreading' rather than 'proof-reading' as my proofreading course was titled such without a hyphen. To be fair, I think you can use either option. God knows, it's a devil of a conundrum (or is that god, or Devil??)