@athelstone
Active 17 hours, 17 minutes ago-
Athelstone posted a new activity comment 6 years, 11 months ago
Ah well, thanks all – just letting off steam. The chance to actually get read by an agent and then meet them is very different from submitting into the dark and if things go wrong it shouldn’t be just a logistical exercise to ‘fix something up’ for the unlucky delegate. I’ve seen similar things happen in previous years and the outcome is never…[Read more]
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Athelstone posted a new activity comment 6 years, 11 months ago
Thanks Libby. Yes, I suppose I’ll have to try something like that. The annoying thing is that the York 1:1 is a chance to skip the inbox and the slushpile and actually get a submission read (by the agent and not a ‘reader’) and then to actually meet the agent face to face. I’ve done a lot of preparation for this.
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Athelstone posted an update 6 years, 11 months ago
Feeling a bit hacked-off. Just heard that my number one choice of agent to meet at York is no longer going to be there. To be honest, she seemed like such a good fit for my writing that she was a large part of my decision to go this year. My number two choice is a perfectly nice and doubtless excellent agent, but seems interested in rather more…[Read more]
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Sorry to hear this, Ath. Afraid I don’t know anything about Hal Duncan. I suppose that if you submit your MS to the agent at some later date, you can tell them you’d applied to meet them at York and that would catch their attention favourably.
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Hal Duncan? Think he’s the Scottish bloke. Talks nineteen to the dozen in his sessions, but knows his stuff. Can come over a bit abrasive, and I can’t remember what he writes himself. I have a feeling it’s a bit quirky, so you might be OK with him for your non-genre stuff…?
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Yep, just had a look at his website and it is the chap I remember. His how to write a sentence session was brilliant.
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I had a session with Hal Duncan 2/3 years back. Not easy because he knew nothing about my genre. While his sessions were hi-speed and he promised notes (because taking them was impossible), they never materialised. I can’t find my feed-back sheet but though what little he did say was useful.
Bummer though, big time, for you.
My review of Vellum…[Read more]
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That is frustrating, Athers, especially as your other options are now limited and less appealing. I did a sentence structure workshop with Hal Duncan at York years ago. I’m afraid to say I got bored because he was being too methodical (my flaw probably, not his), but that’s not to say he wouldn’t be a good fit as a Book Doctor. Looking at his w…[Read more]
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Heyoop. Just seen I’ve been name-checked here. I do check the Den regularly but missed this. Sounds like you’ve sorted something out, At hers. Bummer though. Hope you’re not regretting coming to York. I’ll be looking forward to seeing you there.
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Ah well, thanks all – just letting off steam. The chance to actually get read by an agent and then meet them is very different from submitting into the dark and if things go wrong it shouldn’t be just a logistical exercise to ‘fix something up’ for the unlucky delegate. I’ve seen similar things happen in previous years and the outcome is never…[Read more]
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And the decision I made is to have a chat with a book doctor who I trust to tell me if I’m being boring, or brilliant, engaging or execrable. I’ve done a bit of research (which is a posh spin on ‘checked the internet’) about Hal Duncan. Seems to be a very fine writer and all-round star, but I’ll stick with my choice.
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Oh no, Athers, I’d seen that one or two might have been cancelled and it sucks that one was ‘the one’ of yours. I haven’t heard anything, so presume mine are okay, but that doesn’t help you. Nor does having to pick from the remaining places available so late in the day. I really hope you get something out of coming to York and as mentioned above,…[Read more]
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Look forward to that, Janette!
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The same thing happened to me, Ath. The replacement agent I’ve found I don’t know at all, but she looks quite interesting.
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I had something of a false start with my WIP. After getting 40K plus into it, I’ve restarted with a new MC (wildly different character) and a change from past to present tense. The net result is that I’m way behind where I intended to be for York. I’ve decided that if I can’t get an agent who’s a good match then I’ll try a book doctor.
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I know all about changing tense, having changed a whole novel from first person present to third person past (and still not getting it published). One possibility at york is to go for an editor. I had a brilliant session with a commissioning editor: I didn’t expect or get a deal, but she helped me pick out underlying themes in the book. One of the…[Read more]
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Athelstone posted a new activity comment 6 years, 11 months ago
It does change, Squidge. It can be a bit disorientating at first and sometimes a bit sad, but you’ll develop a new relationship with them which, even though it’s a totally different shape, completely fills the hole they leave behind. Odd that.
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I’ve been somewhat strategic in helping my daughter to develop her independence. It was I who left home for trips away, leaving her to fend for herself (once she was working, I should add!). Good practice, I thought, for when she gets a place of her own – and she agreed. She has not long returned from her big first trip, spending three months in…[Read more]
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Athelstone posted a new activity comment 6 years, 11 months ago
“they all seem to stay on the payroll for far longer than that anyway”
Tell me about it! -
Athelstone replied to the topic DIY soapbox in the forum Podium 6 years, 11 months ago
6-8 September https://jerichowriters.com/festival-of-writing/
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Athelstone replied to the topic DIY soapbox in the forum Podium 6 years, 11 months ago
Oh well, it won’t be the same at York without you 🙁
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Athelstone replied to the topic DIY soapbox in the forum Podium 6 years, 11 months ago
Will you have copies at York? I definitely want it signed!
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Athelstone posted a new activity comment 6 years, 12 months ago
We fought about 3 major battles when our kids were little. The proprietary treatments you can get in a chemist or supermarket worked then and I’m sure they will now. I seem to remember Lyclear is what we used. The lotions are a real pain to use, but I think the Lyclear shampoo was easier. Ordinary washing isn’t much use; apparently they actually…[Read more]
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Sorry, I should have said, I cannot buy anything strong IN FRANCE without a prescription. I’ll be at the chemists first thing tomorrow morning then, whispering furtively over the counter.
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Jane, I had so many battles with my kids, I was exasperated, specially as my girl had double-thickness hair. This doesn’t help to get rid (they must have moved on a time-or-three since I did battle), but I have heard that once they are gone, using a serum on the hair makes it more difficult for eggs to adhere to it. Never tried it out (no serum…[Read more]
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Athelstone posted a new activity comment 6 years, 12 months ago
Something like Full Marks from Tesco medicine shelves (or any big supermarket or Chemist) or ask in a chemist for what they recommend. Or if you want to avoid chemicals, use a lot of conditioner (really – a lot) and work it in well. Leave for at least 15 minutes and comb out with a fine-tooth nit-comb (that you can also buy at a chemist)
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Thanks Ath. What I need is chemicals! I have tried everything else. We are off to the UK to look after my dad for a week and I absolutely cannot give him head lice. They have just come back again and I cannot buy anything effective (with chemicals) unless I have a prescription.
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We fought about 3 major battles when our kids were little. The proprietary treatments you can get in a chemist or supermarket worked then and I’m sure they will now. I seem to remember Lyclear is what we used. The lotions are a real pain to use, but I think the Lyclear shampoo was easier. Ordinary washing isn’t much use; apparently they actually…[Read more]
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Sorry, I should have said, I cannot buy anything strong IN FRANCE without a prescription. I’ll be at the chemists first thing tomorrow morning then, whispering furtively over the counter.
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Jane, I had so many battles with my kids, I was exasperated, specially as my girl had double-thickness hair. This doesn’t help to get rid (they must have moved on a time-or-three since I did battle), but I have heard that once they are gone, using a serum on the hair makes it more difficult for eggs to adhere to it. Never tried it out (no serum…[Read more]
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My daughter is a hairdresser and has recommended going to a chemist for products that give best results and to diligently follow the instructions on the back of the bottle. We used a tea tree shampoo when she was a child, which was effective with one of the fine nit combs when the hair is wet (after shampoo).
All bedding and clothing that has…[Read more]
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Thanks both. They are tenacious b******s. This is the second time they have come back so your daughters recommendations are not falling on deaf ears, GippsGirl. I am on the ferry at the moment and will be first in the queue at the chemists tomorrow morning. Luckily my OH is fairly bald but I will be making him have a precautionary treatment as well.
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You’re welcome! Hope you manage to get it resolved.
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Athelstone replied to the topic Publishing deal!! in the forum Podium 7 years ago
Wow, Kaz. Brilliant news and really deserved!
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Eyup, Athers, how’s things going.
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Hiya Baz, how are you?! Edits have stalled – still waiting for them to come back from the US!
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I’m sure it’ll restart soon. At least you’re in a supply chain, it must be exciting times for you I’ll have to catch up on Scibbles, I haven’t looked in for a while. x
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*Scribbles
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Athelstone replied to the topic Monthly comp – July 2019 in the forum Monthly Competition 7 years ago
Bringing a gun into a house changes it. I move from hallway to sitting room. Little Kev is trying to hide behind a chair. Bang! I shoot him through it. This isn’t the house where Kev lives anymore. His mum stands on the stairs, screaming. Screams of shock and denial I suppose. Bang! Screamy house one minute, quiet house the next. I step over her b…[Read more]
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Athelstone posted a new activity comment 7 years ago
Now I’m trying to remember who had the catch phrace ‘I’m strangely drawn to…’ It was definitely a me-in-the-audience thing so it could have been a comedian (Julian Clary?) or maybe a lecturer from way back.
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Athelstone posted a new activity comment 7 years ago
I’m strangely drawn to E.
Me-time, or in your case, you-time, is so important. Let’s be honest, you won’t be getting much more of it. You may think that when they’re grown and off to pastures new, you’ll have loads of opportunity. Let me just say ‘HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA’.-
Now I’m trying to remember who had the catch phrace ‘I’m strangely drawn to…’ It was definitely a me-in-the-audience thing so it could have been a comedian (Julian Clary?) or maybe a lecturer from way back.
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Athelstone replied to the topic Bi-Monthly Comp – May/June 2019 in the forum Monthly Competition 7 years ago
Great idea for the competition, Raine.
Sandra – well deserved. Absolutely intriguing start. -
Athelstone replied to the topic Bath Novel Award Successes in the forum Podium 7 years ago
AAHHH I need to keep up. Well done you two!
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Athelstone replied to the topic Reading Times New Roman doc on screen in the forum The Writers' Lifeboat 7 years, 1 month ago
I wouldn’t worry about agents etc. If you send a Word document then they will understand that it should be viewed in Word; it’s usually what they ask for. I think your problem is that either your browser or Google Docs or whatever gmail uses for previews isn’t displaying Times New Roman properly.
There are things you can try to fix it, such as…[Read more]
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Athelstone replied to the topic Reading Times New Roman doc on screen in the forum The Writers' Lifeboat 7 years, 1 month ago
Are you using gmail’s webmail service?
I just had a quick try and noticed that when I clicked on a Word document, it was opened in Google Docs and not Word. My suspicion is that Word is fine but there’s something wrong with the way gmail is rendering Times New Roman. If that’s the case, then a fix depends on what browser you’re using and what…[Read more]
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Athelstone replied to the topic Reading Times New Roman doc on screen in the forum The Writers' Lifeboat 7 years, 1 month ago
I wonder too 🙂
Can I ask for a bit of clarification? If you type out some text in Word using Times New Roman, it looks fine. When you send that as an email attachment and subsequently view it, it appears blurry and hard to read.
At the risk of sounding daft, how are you viewing the attachments? Do you open them with Word, i.e. if Word isn’t…[Read more]
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And the decision I made is to have a chat with a book doctor who I trust to tell me if I’m being boring, or brilliant, engaging or execrable. I’ve done a bit of research (which is a posh spin on ‘checked the internet’) about Hal Duncan. Seems to be a very fine writer and all-round star, but I’ll stick with my choice.
Oh no, Athers, I’d seen that one or two might have been cancelled and it sucks that one was ‘the one’ of yours. I haven’t heard anything, so presume mine are okay, but that doesn’t help you. Nor does having to pick from the remaining places available so late in the day. I really hope you get something out of coming to York and as mentioned above,…[Read more]
Look forward to that, Janette!
The same thing happened to me, Ath. The replacement agent I’ve found I don’t know at all, but she looks quite interesting.
I had something of a false start with my WIP. After getting 40K plus into it, I’ve restarted with a new MC (wildly different character) and a change from past to present tense. The net result is that I’m way behind where I intended to be for York. I’ve decided that if I can’t get an agent who’s a good match then I’ll try a book doctor.
I know all about changing tense, having changed a whole novel from first person present to third person past (and still not getting it published). One possibility at york is to go for an editor. I had a brilliant session with a commissioning editor: I didn’t expect or get a deal, but she helped me pick out underlying themes in the book. One of the…[Read more]