Spring brought a celebratory lunch with the lovely people at Golden Egg who selected me for the Golden Egg Award last year, which meant I won one of their children’s writing courses. I learnt so much, some of which will be incorporated into my MG edits. Submissions have been slow, but I understand the MG market is currently tough. Some speedy rejections, but some were lovely, in particular one praising my writing. Ramadan is a time for reflection when the poet in me is the most active. Four new poems are not bad! I’m working on an adult story at the moment. It’s been a slow writing month, but I hope to pick up the pace this week. Reading has also been slower than I would like. One book I was excited about was a middle-grade book by the lovely Dev Kothari. Bringing Back Kay-Kay is her debut set in India. The heroine is extremely likeable in this well-written mystery. You will also feel the need to find Parle-G biscuits in the supermarket (an Asian supermarket will have them)! I highly recommend it if you have kids of that age or even adult readers that appreciate a well-written, lyrical MG.
My February to May reads are as follows:
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier (I’ve read this before but felt the need to read it again!)
The Fury by Alex Michaelides
We Were Liars E Lockhart
Tyger S.F. Said
Leila and The Blue Fox Kiran Millwood Hargrave
Murder Most Unladylike Robin Stevens
Bringing Back Kay-Kay by Dev Kothari
I’ve also been reading poetry and essays around literature.
Has your spring been productive?