tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219526377444819033Fri, 18 Dec 2009 20:46:42 +0000A blog on the perils and excitement of making a living from writing in the modern world. With weekly updates on the progress of writing, editing, selling and promoting his work Bruno Bouchet gives an insight into what it’s like to be a selling, but not a best selling author.http://thatwriterslife.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Bruno Bouchet)Blogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219526377444819033.post-3604075257022534694Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:00:00 +00002009-11-12T10:09:44.038+11:00Now I feel like real author again! I've been invited to participate in the Somerset Celebration of Literature Festival in March next year. It's one the leading festivals for Children's writing held at Somerset College on the Gold Coast. I was invited there 10 years ago when Beauty of Truth first came out as a 'young author'. Being under 35 was apparently the criteria for being counted as "young".http://thatwriterslife.blogspot.com/2009/11/somerset-or-bust.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bruno Bouchet)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219526377444819033.post-3922755758829259009Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:02:00 +00002009-11-04T12:19:54.011+11:00Catching up with the pastDespite the lack of blog entries, I'm not dead, simply mired in the past trying to get some material out on the next adult book based on aspects of my own childhood. I have to say it's not easy- sifting through your memories for literary relevant events. It's not that there aren't enough, but there are too many. It reminds me of my Uncle Edward who declared with http://thatwriterslife.blogspot.com/2009/11/you-can-run-but-you-cant-hide.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bruno Bouchet)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219526377444819033.post-8467990124255814878Sun, 13 Sep 2009 23:30:00 +00002009-09-14T09:41:44.782+10:00Sun HeraldDaily TelegraphThe Trouble with SauceEveryone in publishing in Australia knows how hard it is to garner any sort of review or publicity for children's fiction - especially if doesn't involve wizards or emo vampires. So you can only imagine how surprised and thrilled I was to get a phone call on Saturday morning to say there was a great review in the Daily Telegraph. It made my weekend.When the call came on Sunday from another friendhttp://thatwriterslife.blogspot.com/2009/09/weekend-in-review.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bruno Bouchet)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219526377444819033.post-9088574500411326514Wed, 09 Sep 2009 04:48:00 +00002009-09-09T15:02:57.768+10:00Trouble with SauceLab Rats in SpaceReprintABC BooksHarper CollinsAfter the great news that The Trouble with Sauce was having a full reprint, I got another email on Monday saying Lab Rats in Space is getting a digital reprint. Another of the benefits of being part of the Harper Collins stable is that they are set up for digital reprints. They're only doing 300 copies, but that's the beauty of digital, they don't need to commit to a big print run and it means ashttp://thatwriterslife.blogspot.com/2009/09/another-day-another-reprint.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bruno Bouchet)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219526377444819033.post-4763300741952254614Fri, 04 Sep 2009 01:17:00 +00002009-09-04T11:17:28.133+10:00 I was at a book launch last night (the first in long long time). It was for Don't Picture Me Naked by Michelle Bowden. Michelle is an expert in and course facilitator on public speaking and presenting and her book is great manual on those topics. The friend I was meeting there was running late to I was left to work the room on my own. It turned out that the room worked me instead. Full of http://thatwriterslife.blogspot.com/2009/09/getting-got-by-go-getters.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bruno Bouchet)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219526377444819033.post-7583914841143452706Wed, 19 Aug 2009 02:04:00 +00002009-08-19T12:10:02.396+10:00A week ago or so I was wondering if anyone had actually read The Trouble with Sauce. Obviously someone has as I've just heard from the publishers that they are doing a reprint - already. Officially it was only launched last week, although it was in the shops before that. Kids books do have much smaller print runs that adult books but this is great news and very unexpected. Good grief, this one http://thatwriterslife.blogspot.com/2009/08/somebodys-bought-trouble.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bruno Bouchet)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219526377444819033.post-5638288818128949624Mon, 17 Aug 2009 00:18:00 +00002009-08-17T10:23:10.173+10:00Better Read than DeadThe Trouble with SauceAustralian authors A friend tipped me off that The Trouble with Sauce was featured in a window display in Better Read than Dead, the excellent independent bookshop in Newtown. I trundled down on the weekend and was delighted to see the book was front and centre of a display protesting Parallel Importing, quoting the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd’s ocker line, Fair Shake of the Sauce Bottle asking him to give http://thatwriterslife.blogspot.com/2009/08/in-good-company.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bruno Bouchet)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219526377444819033.post-403872441493513794Wed, 12 Aug 2009 01:35:00 +00002009-08-12T11:37:46.642+10:00The first time you read a new work out to an audience is always nerve-wracking. Reading work out is nearest a writer gets to immediate feedback. Faces are less able to come up with something polite to express. It's even more of a worry when you are reading to children as there is no artifice and no attempts to spare your feelings - just raw reaction. So it was with some trepidation that I read http://thatwriterslife.blogspot.com/2009/08/first-reading.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bruno Bouchet)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219526377444819033.post-5551730500879354271Thu, 06 Aug 2009 03:46:00 +00002009-08-06T13:47:39.923+10:00Childrens BookHumourThe Trouble with SauceTechnically it's not officially launched until mid Aug, but The Trouble with Sauce has hit the shelves. All up it's taken a year from me pitching the idea to ABC to the book actually being on the shelves. Looking back it seems like a long, long journey, but right now it seems like nothing - from conception to being on the shelves in less time than it takes to gestate an elephant.I haven't http://thatwriterslife.blogspot.com/2009/08/run-to-shops.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bruno Bouchet)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219526377444819033.post-79101264145300983Wed, 15 Jul 2009 04:43:00 +00002009-07-15T14:44:47.181+10:00In the raging debate on parallel imports the arguments have all focused on big selling authors with overseas deals. The letters you read, the comments that are quoted are all from internationally published authors. For the lowly, such as myself with no overseas deals it’s still sad news. It means publishers have even less leeway to take a risk on lesser writers that aren’t guaranteed to hit the http://thatwriterslife.blogspot.com/2009/07/two-cents-worth-australian-not.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bruno Bouchet)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219526377444819033.post-4161371746189171840Wed, 15 Jul 2009 04:41:00 +00002009-07-15T14:42:36.812+10:00Finally, after all these years I’ve been awarded the accolade of being studied in school. In advance of my visit in September, some students at John the Baptist Primary in Bonnyrigg are doing a novel study on Ta-Da! I’m thrilled. I’ve never been studied before. It’s schools schools schools for me over the next two months as Sauce gets released. I had an excellent visit to Cromer Public last week http://thatwriterslife.blogspot.com/2009/07/im-being-studied.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bruno Bouchet)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219526377444819033.post-2320123885094531880Thu, 04 Jun 2009 00:43:00 +00002009-06-04T10:52:18.800+10:00It was the blended family’s first test run, would we be the Brady Bunch or guests on Jerry Springer? On Tuesday night I attended the drinks to celebrate the union of Harper Collins and ABC Books. Even the invitation characterised it as a marriage with a male and female hand. The event was in the Quay Grand, overlooking Sydney Harbour - immediately marking it as an important occasion worthy of http://thatwriterslife.blogspot.com/2009/06/schmooze-and-be-schmoozed.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bruno Bouchet)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219526377444819033.post-1661478252145791500Wed, 29 Apr 2009 23:01:00 +00002009-04-30T09:32:51.222+10:00Leading Edge BooksThe Trouble with SauceHarper CollinsHere it is... well almost. This is the uncorrected proof that gets used for promotional purposes. I've had them for my books before but not without a colour cover. They were made for Lab Rats but I don't think the sales reps ever saw them. It's good to see it in it a physical form for the first time. It's now a thing, an object in the real world. However that means it's also an object that has tohttp://thatwriterslife.blogspot.com/2009/04/hot-little-hands.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bruno Bouchet)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219526377444819033.post-5743344271109927368Thu, 16 Apr 2009 04:45:00 +00002009-04-16T14:50:41.728+10:00This has to be the best typo I've come across in ages and, best of all, it's not one of mine! South Sydney Leagues Club, located in my neighbourhood is under renovation and is hoping to add a supermarket. The development application, submitted to council and available for public view, says the supermarket plans to run a takeaway café with some highly paid staff:'The café will be run by a http://thatwriterslife.blogspot.com/2009/04/love-good-typo.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bruno Bouchet)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219526377444819033.post-4870077093111441112Wed, 08 Apr 2009 05:08:00 +00002009-04-08T15:24:45.704+10:00Kendal Mint Cakecomedyadult fictionIt's finally happened - I've started writing the adult novel, the one where I try to be the best writer I can and move beyond being simply entertaining. So far I like my intro page. Going into the story it gets a bit "typical Bouchet" but I can work on that. For the present day parts I'm trying present tense narrative. I always hated that as a reader but for some reason I'm giving it a go here. http://thatwriterslife.blogspot.com/2009/04/moving-swiftly-on-time-for-grown-ups.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bruno Bouchet)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219526377444819033.post-8122428230476408296Wed, 08 Apr 2009 04:57:00 +00002009-04-08T15:07:29.150+10:00In flurry of last minute activity, the cover has been finalised, the shoutline written, researched and approved, thank yous & dedications rushed through and packs for the book reps put together. Don't let anyone tell you that the book industry can't move fast when it wants to. So far so good with Harper Collins running ABC books. I get the sense that there's more people involved and active and I http://thatwriterslife.blogspot.com/2009/04/final-cover.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bruno Bouchet)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219526377444819033.post-1349741858877728441Thu, 02 Apr 2009 03:00:00 +00002009-04-02T14:26:39.763+11:00SchoolsChildrens BookThe Trouble with SauceThank you to everyone who voted on the cover, left comments and gave me opinions on facebook. It was fantastic and very useful. I also canvassed the opinions of over 400 school children at Waitara Public School along with several young friends. Their favourite was No1, with No 3 not very far behind. Number 2 was a distant 3rd. Of course this clashes with the preference on here and at the http://thatwriterslife.blogspot.com/2009/04/and-winner-is.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bruno Bouchet)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219526377444819033.post-7513060874917188569Mon, 23 Mar 2009 22:29:00 +00002009-03-24T09:38:46.752+11:00One of the most exiting moments in releasing a book has arrived - the first concepts for the cover. When asked what I wanted on the cover of The Trouble With Sauce, I said ‘a splodge of tomato sauce on a school book’ so I’m pretty impressed with how the designer has run with that. Here are the three options. You can cast your vote in the column on the right. Please also leave feedback by clickinghttp://thatwriterslife.blogspot.com/2009/03/vote-for-cover.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bruno Bouchet)13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219526377444819033.post-2334489008651870835Fri, 20 Mar 2009 08:12:00 +00002009-03-20T19:15:13.266+11:00PomposityHumourSanta SabinaIn the many entertaining bits of bad writing I come across, pomposity is all too rare. It’s sadly lacking in the modern world. I do think it’s the most refined way to be up yourself and brash arrogant idiots would do well to focus on their pomposity. Santa Sabina College in Strathfield, Sydney might be a great place to learn, if their ‘Director of Human Resources,’ is anything to go by.A friend http://thatwriterslife.blogspot.com/2009/03/lets-get-pompous.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bruno Bouchet)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219526377444819033.post-4989202338713622349Wed, 11 Mar 2009 21:11:00 +00002009-03-12T08:13:53.806+11:00The SlapCommonwealth Writers PrizeTsiolkasI have to admit I don’t often read contemporary Australian fiction. This is particularly embarrassing at writers’ festivals when I have to keep answering ‘No’ to questions starting with ‘Have you read...’ Sadly I never get asked if I’ve read obscure 18th century gothic novels like The Mysteries of Udolpho when I could answer positively. It’s especially embarrassing when it comes to award winners.http://thatwriterslife.blogspot.com/2009/03/in-meantime-slap.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bruno Bouchet)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219526377444819033.post-864020144876326620Tue, 10 Mar 2009 01:19:00 +00002009-03-10T12:20:42.688+11:00OK I have to admit after the paralysis of the feedback, I am very happy with the net result of the changes to The Trouble with Sauce: the lead have more depth and my evil headmaster is now a much more interesting character which readers might relate to in a strange way. It’s one of the magical things about writing and is that you can go in and change something early on in the book and then http://thatwriterslife.blogspot.com/2009/03/next-draft-submitted.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bruno Bouchet)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219526377444819033.post-6020840431224542754Mon, 23 Feb 2009 05:46:00 +00002009-02-23T16:47:17.458+11:00I guess it's like waking up to find out that your legs don't work. I got the feedback from the editor on The Trouble with Sauce and found out my brain/finger combination didn't work. I was right, he did HATE it. The feedback was so comprehensive in its list of faults (the plus side could have been written bus ticket) that I couldn't look at the book for over 2 weeks. I felt like sending the http://thatwriterslife.blogspot.com/2009/02/yikes-paralysis.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bruno Bouchet)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219526377444819033.post-7447603262625690962Mon, 02 Feb 2009 04:39:00 +00002009-02-02T15:42:47.036+11:00I’ve submitted the manuscript The Trouble with Sauce.  It sat ready for a few days, I’ve taken it as far as it can go without outside feedback, but something was holding me back, I’ve been really nervous about sending this one off.  There are three possible reasons for this.1) It’s just not good enoughPart of me thinks it doesn’t work, but I couldn’t actually say why. I can’t pinpoint anything http://thatwriterslife.blogspot.com/2009/02/its-been-sent-off.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bruno Bouchet)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219526377444819033.post-745611838217263309Tue, 27 Jan 2009 23:29:00 +00002009-01-28T10:33:00.591+11:00Childrens BookThe Trouble with SaucecomedyOne of the lovely things about writing books, and especially children’s books, is the enormous good will you receive from virtually everyone. I can think of few other professions where you can ask for help and it is so eagerly given. Imagine an accountant coming to you, asking for some help in putting together their figures - short shrift I would imagine. Not as a writer. For a scene in The http://thatwriterslife.blogspot.com/2009/01/its-not-brain-surgery-but-its-close.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bruno Bouchet)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3219526377444819033.post-924012888260081292Wed, 14 Jan 2009 05:39:00 +00002009-01-14T16:41:55.256+11:00The point when you first reach the end of novel you’re writing is like breakthrough on a tunnel. It may just be dirty hole that lets through light but at least now you can walk through from end to end. The start of the tunnel is in much better shape than the end. The tunnel boring machine that is my mind’s imagination has chugged along at its lumbering pace, breaking a few cutting heads on the http://thatwriterslife.blogspot.com/2009/01/final-breakthrough-achieved.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Bruno Bouchet)0