Reboot Your Chapters + YouWriteOn member's 2 book Transworld deal

Congratulations to youwriteon member Paula Daly who has signed a two book deal with Transworld, part of the Random House group:
"I was a member of YWO for a few years and am delighted to tell you I've signed a two book deal with Transworld. The first book is a psychological thriller called 'Just What Kind of Mother Are You?' and is out in hardback 25th April 2013. Rights have been sold in eight other countries so far. I am indebted to the members of YouWriteOn for getting me started. Thanks for everything!"
Reboot Your Chapters

On YWO, you can if you wish upload a new version of your chapters via 'upload new story' on your youwriteon My Page if you wish to start afresh with new feedback and ratings. For example, if you have received feedback and want to upload an updated version. You can run an old and new version on site at the same time to compare feedback. If both should top ten at any point you would need to remove one version.

One review opinion, good, bad or indifferent is just that, don't rely on it, but a range of reviews, recommended 7 to 10 at least, will start to give you a representative opinion of what works and what may need further development in your writing.

YouWriteOn top ten member's Orion Editor feedback.
The top ten rated youwriteon opening chapters by members receive editor critiques from Random House, Orion and Bloomsbury each month. Congratulations to youwriteon member Robert Jennings who achieved a site top ten position in February this year for his chapters Trigger Finger. The Orion editor who provided a free critique as a result commented, "Very very compelling opening, with a strong voice". Click here to view the latest editor critiques. These often include editor comments which can assist all site members developing their writing.

YouWriteOn Member’s Hodder book deal plus have you received a review thank-you?

Many congratulations to youwriteon member Jon Rance who has just signed a two book deal with Hodder and Stoughton and is a Top Kindle Humour Seller

Jon writers to fellow ywo members: "I just wanted to say a huge thank you. Due to being on youwriteon and developing my work on here, I just signed a two book publishing deal with Hodder and Stoughton. They have bought the rights to my novels, This Thirtysomething Life and Happy Endings, both I had on here. I found working on here, reviewing others and getting reviewed really helped my writing. So thank you so much!"   View author's current own ebook version, currently number one in Kindle Fiction Humour for 77p if you would like a stocking filler!

Review Thank-You's - Have you received one? Click here to view.

Thank you to all youwriteon members who review other constructively. Click here to see if you have received a review thank-you. Historically, those writers who review others work constructively tend to develop their own writing best by thinking what works well and what needs development in other members writing and applying this to their own work.

Could you be next? Bloomsbury, Orion and Random House Critiques to continue on youwriteon throughout 2013 + Member's Opening Chapters receive very positive Bloomsbury Editor Review

Recent Top Ten member Pat Dobie received an excellent free Bloomsbury Editor critique for her story French Train. Click here to view last editor critiques - Editor critiques contain market considerations for various genres so please view the latest critiques to see how they may apply to your story and novel development. Editor critiques for top ten members from Bloomsbury, Random House and Orion will continue on youwriteon throughout 2013 so click here to visit youwriteon and upload your story now. You can also upload a story afresh if you have developed it further and want to get new ratings and feedback.

New board on Pinterest showing pictures of Venice.

I've just created a Pinterest board of pictures of Venice. http://pinterest.com/rgrayling/venice/

A 'thank you' email to Jurgen Ziewe, author of Multidimensional Man.

Hello Jurgen,

It’s not often I feel compelled to thank an author for their work before I’ve even finished the book but I had to drop you an email to do just that.

I’ve studied dreams for almost 20 years and, through the work of Castaneda and then LaBerge et al, have focussed my intent on achieving lucidity whilst in the dream state. Unfortunately, I’ve only been successful on a handful of occasions and the ‘shock’ has always cut the experience short. 

I’d just like to say that since starting your book a week or so ago, it’s like someone has switched my ‘dream TV’ from analogue to full HD! I believe that reading your accounts has slowly filtered into my sub-conscious and unblocked something that was holding me back from where I wanted to be. Whilst I haven’t yet become lucid, I can tell it is only a matter of time now – I just need to make sure I don’t blow it! 

In line with, and I feel because of, your accounts, I have also begun to meditate again after a break of many years. This has also led to me being more relaxed during the day and more aware of how all of the knowledge I have accrued slots together.

There’s so much I wanted to say but I know you are a very busy man so I’ll keep it short-ish.

Basically, your book is one of those rare birds that leaves the reader a different person going out of it than when they went in. I can probably think of only a handful of others that have had the power/impact to do this (The Art of Dreaming is another – I’ve read that at least 4 times now and get something different out of it each time. Even now, I can’t wait until I reread yours and I haven’t even got to the end yet!)

So, credit where it’s due, you’ve given something very special to your readers.

Heartfelt thanks

Richard

PS. Mr Ziewe, although extremely busy, took the time to reply and thank me for my email. A true gentleman - and pioneer. RG

Amazon UK link for Multidimensional Man

Dream photo board over on Pinterest

I've been playing around with Pinterest lately and created a 'board' of various images that look like they could only be from the dream world. 

Have a look and see if you agree. (There's some really fantastic photography on this site so well worth a look anyway). Dream Board.

Creating a Dream database

I have recorded my dreams - and pertinent daytime events - in dream diaries for over 15 years and recently made the decision to transfer them all to a database. The method I have chosen is Zoho Creator because it allows me the flexibility to create my own forms and fields and, more importantly, to access it anywhere in the world, on any device with a browser.

So far I've entered approximately 200 dreams and it has already provided me with some insights into patterns of dreaming and recurring characters. Once I've entered a few hundred more I will create more queries and no doubt extract some enlightening information. 

I've taken a screen dump of the form I've created to input the details of my dreams [below]. It's not pretty but then it is quick and easy - which is what I want with 15 years worth of dreams to enter! 

So, if you have a bunch of dream diaries lying around and you've always promised yourself you'll do something with them one day, I heartily recommend entering them into a database. It doesn't have to be Zoho, it doesn't have to be online, but do take the time to have a look around. 

Zoho Creator can be found here.

Finally a photograph worthy of HDR

Lovely day at the beach yesterday.

FW: Finally... Sean Orford's next book is ready! Get it before anyone else...

 

Prepare yourself for some big news... Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. Hi Richard,   Big news. The first run of my latest book 'Live in the Present' was delivered yesterday. Very exciting.   The 'official' launch isn't until August 31st (more about this below) but I wanted to let my friends, family and followers in on things before then.   As a small 'thank you' I've temporarily put the book on my new website at a reduced price (both the digital version and the soft back). This won't last long so get it while you can! The shop will be inaccessible to the general public until August 31st. Save this email so you can access it!   If you do have any friends and family that might be interested then feel free to pass this email on, just remember that we'll be ending the sale in two weeks.   To find out more about the book (myself, along with Rie and Ed are trying to build something much bigger than just a book) then visit this link here. It's not your average self-help book.   This is our first product as Live in the Present. It's the cornerstone of all of the work we've done so far, and the foundation of all that will follow.   The Launch Party   A date for your diary: August 31st 2012.   I'd love it if you could come along and support the work that I'm doing at Waterstones, Liverpool ONE at 5.45pm to see me do a short talk about my new book. I'll actually be there from 3pm signing copies as well.   For full details and to book a seat take a look at this page I've set up. If you can, bring a friend along. There's room for almost 70 people so we want to create a fantastic atmosphere.   Keep an eye on liveinthepresent.co.uk in the coming weeks. There's lots going on. More details via Facebook, of course.   I'll leave it there for now. Hoping this finds you well.   With love, Sean xxx Temporary Shop Link More about my new book Come to the Launch Party Follow on Twitter   Friend on Facebook   Forward to Friend  Copyright © 2012 Live in the Present, All rights reserved. Hi there, I'm updating my website at the moment and have switched to a new email system. You'll still receive regular (ish!) updates from me from time to time. If you no longer wish to hear from me simply hit the 'unsubscribe' button at the bottom of this message. Hope you are well. If I can help in any way then please do get in touch. Thanks Sean x Our mailing address is: Live in the Present 40 Acton Lane Saughall Massie Wirral, Eng CH46 6EA United Kingdom

FW: Summer game for free screenplay coverage!

From:  http://ScreenplayCoverage.com 

> Hello writers! I'd like to announce a summer game for free coverage reports!
>
> Every 10th order to our site through the end of August will get a coupon for a free coverage report! You will know instantly if you've won, by looking at your order ID number in your confirmation e-mail. Every order ending in the number 8 (for August!) is entitled to a free coverage report at a later date! The free report will never expire, but you must mention this e-mail to get it.
>
> Good luck! And now onto our highest scoring coverage reports in July. Maybe yours will be on this list next month :)
>
> Our top 3 scoring screenplays at http://ScreenplayCoverage.com
> each month have the option to be featured on our site and in our
> newsletter, which goes out to thousands of screenwriters and
> industry professionals, including literary agents, managers, producers,
> and production companies.
>
> Highest Scoring Coverage Reports
> July 1st - July 31st, 2012:
>
> SEASON OF MISTS
> by Kevin Stuart Brodie
> "A Kurdish escapee from an honor killing is sent to a detention center,
> from which she must find the strength to resist her captors and gain freedom--
> forcing a confrontation with the brother that still wants her dead."
>
> KILL HAOLE DAY
> by Shelly Krawchuk
> "A broken teenage love story tragically ends in murder on Kill Haole Day, a
> seemingly harmless tradition that permits Hawaiian students to bully and
> assault white children"
>
> Third highest screenplay opted to remain private
>
> e-mail info@screenplaycoverage.com
> to request writer contact info
>
> Happy writing!
> Skyler
> http://ScreenplayCoverage.com