Festival in a Day

What do fairies, Vikings, a Rocket Dog and Ursula Le Guin have in common?

No, this isn't Only Connect so you won't lose points when I give you more clues:
The Federation of Masked Booksellers; Dahlia Press; Demon Crew - DMU Creative Writing Students.

Yes, I knew that would do it - you're right! It's the 9th Annual States of Independence Day at Leicester's De Montfort University and those are just some of the organisations providing stalls and panels.

This incredible FREE event on Saturday 10th March 2018, organised and sponsored by Five Leaves Bookshop, Nottingham  and the Creative Writing Team at the University, is not to be missed. 

With something for everyone, this Book Festival in a Day is a wonderful opportunity to meet and listen to established authors and new talent, to take part in workshops and seminars as well as show your support for 'independent thinking, independent writing and independent presses'. 

There will be ample opportunity to purchase new and pre-loved books and - if you're lucky - you may even have the opportunity to share some 'Big Birthday' cake with Dr Simon Perril as he launches In the Final Year of My Forties on the day. 

The event runs from 10.30am - 4.30pm at Clephan Building, De Montfort University, Leicester. For directions please click here  

Helen Abbot

Launching the Custodian

Rod Duncan's book launch was one of the most interesting, unique (and only) launches I have ever attended. Welcomed into the room by Nicola Monaghan (Niki Valentine) and the author himself, I found myself seated behind someone all in black, painting their nails the same colour and sporting intricate metal ear cuffs. The audience surrounding me were just as quirky, with some dressed in top hats and waistcoats, and one even wore what looked like a white lab coat. One lady entered in a top coat and a grey Victorian dress that stuck out at the back. These costumes reassured me me that I was indeed in the right place. 

I was lucky enough to not only be in the presence of the author, but the publisher and editor as well, and the event was also webcast live across the globe. Marc Gascoigne, Publisher & MD described the book as "the end of the beginning." Meanwhile the author himself talked about the way the book enabled him, not only to connect with the alternative world he has created but also with the people here in front of him and others who contacted him ln-line. For him, that what makes this "magic of writing" even more special. 

The Q&A section of the launch saw to questions about a fourth instalment of the Fall of the Gaslit Empire series, to which Rod replied that he was "working on it," with a smile. Other questions from the audience, but also sent through Twitter, confronted the challenges Rod had faced in writing the series and The Custodian of Marvels in particular. One member asked about the possibility of the series being turned into film. Rod's response was to laugh - and to encourage anyone watching or listening to contact him about the film rights.

Many of those present who hadn't bought the book purchased copies on the spot - and some bought earlier books in the series, taking advantage of the opportunity to get their copies signed.  

There's also a further event to look forward to. On 19th of March at 2pm starting at The Silver Arcade, Leicester, Rod Duncan is leading a short guided walk around the city, highlighting some of the places in which his books are set. This is a free event so, if you're interested, you can just turn up and tag along. For more information about the event and about Rod Duncan's books, keep an eye on the Angry Robot's website.

  Meanwhile Rod Duncan's fans are already looking forward to the launch for the next book in the series.

Rod Duncan

Sarah Anne

Fire escapes and a haunted honeymoon

So, I went to Niki and Rod’s two-hour session on Tuesday because of the title, "So you want to write a novel." Yes, I want to write a novel and so, I imagine, did everyone else in the room.

 Simon Perril introduced the session and he had to point out the fire exits; one was out of a window and onto a walkway so Simon added, helpfully, “obviously not out of the other windows, otherwise you’d fall,” much to the amusement of the audience.

Niki Valentine and Rod Duncan were talking about their experiences as writers and how they came to be published. Rod talked about his new book, The Custodian of Marvels, published by Nottingham-based Angry Robot. The sesion gave me a good insight into traditional publishing as well as the inspirations for their books. I couldn’t believe that the inspiration for Niki’s book, The Haunted, was her honeymoon!

There were a lot of good questions asked by us, the audience and it was a genuinely insightful event, so if you do want to write a novel, and you didn’t show up, you missed a great event. I shall now attempt to write a novel, and see if I can…

Lauren Raybould

"I lost my laptop ... and 30,000 words"

The sun was shining and I had a good feeling about the event for aspiring novelists. I wanted to know how authors went through the process of publication and Niki Valentine (who is also Nicola Monaghan) and Rod Duncan were there to share their experience with us.

 Each had a different way into publication. Nicola had the opportunity to submit her dissertation to her tutor's agent (although she did lie about her word count!), which meant that she was already represented by a literary agent as she finished her M.A. Rod on the other hand, wrote five novels without being published. It's a scary number but he said it wasn't a waste of time - and it certainly worked out in the end.

When Nicola was 40000 words into her second novel, she left her laptop in a taxi. She had backed up her manuscript once, but had written 30,000 words since then. 75% of her work was gone and she wasn't worried. For her it meant she could rewrite, learning from the work she had already done and aiming to improve. The thought of 30000 words just gone is horrifying for the author of this post.

 Most of the questions from the audience revolved around how to write and how to edit. Nicola and Rod talked about their methods, which were very different, Nicola had a fixed ending whilst Rod started with the skeleton of the story and fleshed it out. The one thing they did agree on though is that each writer has their own way of writing.

In my opinion, the most important thing that was said was to just keep writing, keep developing and to remember that even a rejection helps you learn what you need to improve. It was definitely a brilliant talk by two (or three) amazing authors.

The Custodian of Marvels
by Rod Duncan

The Killing Jar
by Nicola Monaghan

Andre Cowen

Steampunk bash

 In less than a week, DMU's very own lecturer Rod Duncan returns to debut his latest, third steampunk novel, The Custodian of Marvels. The dyslexic Welsh-born author's first novel in this series was nominated for the Philip K. Dick Award for 2014. And now, in less than a week (on Tuesday, in fact), he is set to give a lecture during the Cultural Exchanges Festival here on campus, right here in Leicester where the Elizabeth Barnabus series begins. I booked my seat early, as it's expected to be a full house.

The rapidly growing steampunk genre has taken many people in its grasp. I'm curious to see why there's all this excitement about old-fashioned machinery, Victorian costumes, and why there's an obsession with round welding goggles. What better opportunity than when it arrives on my front door step? I will be able to discover the inspirations and challenges involved in the creation of such a novel, and to celebrate its release. Of all the many happenings and activities taking place this week, Rod Duncan's book launch is one I'm determined not to miss.

'The Custodian of Marvels'
http://angryrobotbooks.com/wp-content/uploads/TheCustodianOfMarvels-144dpi.jpg



Sarah Anne

It's back ... but have YOU booked?

That's right, here at DMU we are holding the Cultural Exchanges Festival! Featuring famous guest speakers and unmissable events- quite literally since we get reminded in every lecture.

There will be a Fine Art Auction for you artsy types, a concrete poetry workshop, 'So You Want to Write A Novel' (did anyone else sing that?) led by DMU lecturers (and novelists) Rod Duncan and Niki Valentine, Educating Yorkshire star Musharaf Asghar with Mr Burton, and talents including Willy Russell, Paris Lees and many, many more. This is only a small snippet of what's to come, so get your butts to booking before it's too late!

If you haven't booked, then prepare for the Hunger Games between the public and students as more and more tickets vanish into thin air. This popular event is going to be one crazy week for those not going home- I mean studying in their accommodations like the hard-working students they are.

Music Festivals? Pfftt, nah. This is where YOU need to be!

Copyright image by Express Mail, article published by Ben Jefferson

 

 

Kayla Dutton