Bookmarks, a bookshelf, and a book festival

    For readers:  

   Bookmarks is Random House's new "consumer insight panel". It's been set up for an initial nine month pilot period to gather opinion from readers via polls, surveys and discussions on subjects such as covers, genres, digital reading and so on. If you're interested in joining - and members will get previews of forthcoming titles, among other things, follow the link above.

   

     For writers:

    Dancing Beastie, who is always worth reading, has a most interesting post today, Creating a mental bookshelf: an exercise for the aspiring writer.

    Incidentally, I've read three of the five books DB lists there (Fiennes, Swift, and Macfarlane) and would endorse her recommendation wholeheartedly.

    Having written your book, you move on to 'sending it out', and as making a good first impression is all-important, advice on doing just that should be welcome. If you're within reach of Felixstowe, you can attend editorial consultant Cressida Dowling's talk and workshop on submitting your manuscript at the Felixstowe Book Festival on 15th. June.

   

     For festival-goers:

    Lots of Cornflower friends and favourites will be taking part in that festival including Elaine, Simon, Adèle, Linda, Rosy, and Sara - I wish I were nearer and could go and see them all.

Comments

[Adele Geras]

Alas, I have had to pull out of the festival for family health reasons and I'm very disappointed not to be there this year. The estimable Barbara Erskine is taking my place for the event with Geraldine Evans.

[Cornflower]

I'm sorry to hear that, Adele. Sending our very good wishes.

[LizF]

Very useful post when you are trying to avoid doing something difficult!
I have signed up to Bookmark, read Dancing Beastie's post(and think that she might be on to something about the blank notebook obsession/desire to write) and then went on to read her post about her dog which meant that I answered the door to the postman with tears pouring down my face!
Turns out that I have all the books she mentions but have as yet only part read The Snow Geese and The Morville Hours which is also a read-in-progress!

[Cornflower]

I read about DB's poor dog at the time and I cried too - so sad.
Despite having something of a bird phobia, I loved The Snow Geese, and The Morville Hours is full of riches.

[Miriana]

I tried to sign up to Bookmark bur unfortunately for me, it's open to UK residents only.