Candice Lemon-Scott

Book Links – ‘Romancing the Stars’

Candice Lemon-Scott — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 13:32:24 +0000

This year I’m ditching my husband to celebrate Valentine’s Day with Book Links Inc (Qld), the Centre for Children’s Literature. In what’s shaping up to be a fun night of music, book launches and scrumptious food, I’m very excited to be taking part in this special night. What better day to celebrate the love and passion for books and writing. Aptly titled, ‘Romancing the Stars,’ over the course of the evening, guests have the opportunity to ‘speed date’ an author. I for one can’t think of a more enjoyable way to talk about books and the writing process. If you’re thinking of coming along, it’s a great chance to chat with authors you know well and perhaps find out a little more about some you don’t know so much about. So, if you’d like to come along to this exciting event, please click on the link and get your form in before it sells out.

Romancing the Stars

Look forward to seeing you on the 14th Feb .

The Next Big Thing

Candice Lemon-Scott — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 23:35:34 +0000

I’ve been lucky enough to be invited to take part in ‘The Next Big Thing’ – a blog chain which gives authors and artists the chance to provide a sneak peek of their work-in-progress. It’s pretty appropriately named – don’t we all hope our work will indeed become ‘the next big thing’? But also it’s a lovely opportunity to reflect on and share a little of our latest projects – for me, this is perhaps the first stage of letting go of my baby as it takes those tentative first steps into the world. Big thanks to my fellow author at Odyssey Books, Rebecca Bloomer, for including me in the blog chain. Here’s a bit about my upcoming novel:

1) What is the working title of your next book?
Clearwing.

2) Where did the idea come from for the book?
A friend of mine sent me a photograph of the Clearwing butterfly a few years ago. It was beautiful but what appealed to me most was the description of how things look and how colours are enhanced looking through the Clearwing’s translucent wings. I always had this image in mind, but when my main character, Jett, came along I knew it represented him and the life journey he goes on – finding beauty amid ugly life circumstances.

3) What genre does your book fall under?
My current novel, Unloched, is a contemporary fiction novel for adults. Clearwing will be geared more towards a young adult (YA) audience.

4) What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?
Jett would be played by someone like Sean Keenan, who starred as Gary Hennessy in Puberty Blues. The girl Linda, who Jett meets and falls in love with, appears at first as an angel. So she’d have to have an angelic quality to her – someone like Rachel Hurd-Wood who featured in Tomorrow: When the War Began would be perfect.

Sean Keenan

5) What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Clearwing is the story of small town Aussie teen, Jett, who battles between following the path of his alcoholic father and choosing his own direction, as his life spirals out of control.

6) Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
Neither, it will be traditionally published.

7) How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?
My second daughter was just a baby when I wrote this book so I had one session every week to write. It took me about a year to complete.

8) What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
Not too sure, as there’s not a lot out of ‘real life’ stories out there for the YA audience right now with the focus on fantasy novels. In some ways, I think Clearwing could be compared to the Tomorrow series by John Marsden because in both the characters show the strength and resilience of teenagers and how it’s that time of deciding who you want to be as a person despite everything life can throw at you.

9) Who or what inspired you to write this book?
There were three things that inspired me to write this book. The first was the Clearwing photograph I mentioned. The second was Jett, who began as a teenager telling his point of view from the stance of being a bully (That first ‘fight’ scene made me wonder what kind of background that kid had and the kind of life choices he might have to face). Lastly, the setting was inspired by a small, country town where I used to take dance classes as a teenager. As I delved into the history of the town, my character Jett emerged more fully.

10) What else about the book might pique the reader’s interest?
I hope that young adults will be interested in the journey of the characters and the questions it raises about the people who come into our lives and how they can help shape who we become.

Thanks for reading!

Follow the Blog Chain here:

Terri-ann Varga: Writer, Artist & Photographer

Vacen Taylor: Author

Michelle Worthington: Author

Alison Stegert: Writer

Rebecca Burns: Writer

Book Giveaway

Candice Lemon-Scott — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 11:09:06 +0000

For the month of December, you can win a FREE copy of my novel ‘Unloched’ through Goodreads. Enter via the link for your chance to win. Good luck!

http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/38563-unloched

‘Hubert and the Magic Glasses’ – A title in the ABA Kids’ Reading Guide

Candice Lemon-Scott — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 05:07:04 +0000

I’m really rapt that my latest book for kids, ‘Hubert and the Magic Glasses’ has been selected as a title in the Australian Bookseller Association (ABA) Kids’ Reading Guide 2012-2013. Yippee! Here’s the link so you can check out some of the books featured when choosing books to read in the new year.

Kids’ Reading Guide 2012-2013

The Stringybark Young Adult Fiction Award 2013

Candice Lemon-Scott — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 04:45:12 +0000

Do you have what it takes to write a story that will engage a member of the iPad generation? Can you get a young adult to switch off their iPad (well at least stop playing games) and instead focus on your writing? If so, why not enter the Stringybark Young Adult Fiction Award 2013. Aimed at the YA market (ages 12-18) we would love to hear from you. As long as it is in 1500 words or fewer. The story must have a link (no matter how tenuous) to Australia. The competition is open to anyone over the age of 16 and living on planet earth.

There is a total of $770 worth of prizes in cash and books available — plus publication for place-getters and highly commended authors. There is an entry fee of $9.95 (discounts for multiple entries). Closing date 13 January 2013. Details: Stringybark Young Adult Fiction Award 2013.

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Results of the Stringybark Flash and Microfiction Awards 2012

On 11 November 2012, the judges announced the winning stories in the Stringybark Flash and Microfiction Awards. John Poole (NSW) won the flash fiction competition with his wickedly clever story, Behind the Wattles. Queenslander, Kerry Whalen won the microfiction competition with her introspective tale, The Question. Other place getters were Jacqui Halpin (Queensland), Graham D’Elboux (NSW), Otto Fischer (NSW) and Martin Lindsay (WA) The winning and highly commended entries are now available in a new anthology Behind the Wattles.

A full list of the place-winner and highly commended authors can be found on the website: Stringybark Flash and Microfiction Awards.

Gold Coast Bulletin ‘School ferrets inspiration for literary laugh’

Candice Lemon-Scott — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 04:10:19 +0000

Women’s Wit and Wisdom Fundraising Event

Candice Lemon-Scott — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 11:39:33 +0000

I’m very honoured to have been asked to speak at Queensland Independent College’s Women’s night to raise funds for this wonderful school. All are welcome to attend this Friday evening and for just $25 enjoy fine food, wine and networking. All details can be found in the flyer and please contact myself or Kate if you’d like to attend.

Women’s Wisdom

3 SPEAKERS

Gold Coast Writers’ Festival

Candice Lemon-Scott — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 11:24:39 +0000

The Gold Coast Writers’ Festival is just over a week away. I’m looking forward to visiting some keen young writers to run a workshop and panel discussion at Surfers Paradise State School (SPSS) on Friday 26th. On Saturday 27th I’m very excited to announce I’ll have available for purchase my debut adult novel Unloched on its official release date. To top it all off, I can’t wait to be a guest at the Literary Luncheon on the Sunday. Wow, what an awesome literary long weekend it’s going to be. If you’re on the Coast and love books make sure you book in fast and check out some of the many sessions, panel discussions, workshops and talks running through Friday and Saturday – most of which are FREE. If that doesn’t take your fancy, or if you’re craving even more, book yourself a seat at the literary luncheon. Whatever you do, you can be sure it’ll be a literary feast. See Flyer Gold Coast Writers Festival 2012 and FLYER – GCWF for further details and booking info.

33% Discount when you pre-order ‘Unloched’

Candice Lemon-Scott — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 00:41:05 +0000

The countdown is on to the release of Unloched.

If you pre-order your copy through Barnes & Noble before October 27, 2012, you can get it for a massive 33% off the usual price and pay just $14.81.

Order your copy here.

Speakers’ Ink

Candice Lemon-Scott — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 02:55:22 +0000

I’m very excited to announce I have signed up with Speakers’ Ink for booking speaking engagements at schools, festivals etc, and many thanks to the lovely and knowledgeable Helen Bain for having me on board.

You can read more about my author talks and workshops via my page on the site.