The Crow Box is the first book in theh Shadow and Ink series, and is the upcoming book by the wonderful author Nikki Rae (author of the Sunshine Series and The Donor). Her new book is out 15th January 2016 and if her past work is anything to go by, it is going to be brilliant.
Synopsis
The small wooden box is dirty, the size of a human fist, and sealed with wax. When Corbin takes it upon herself to clean it and break the seal, a voice she has tried to ignore gathers strength. Shadows play on the walls at night, and with a family history of mental illness, Corbin fears the worst. But the voice tells her it is real. That its name is Six and it will prove it in time.
Drawn to this mysterious entity, Corbin isn’t sure what to believe and the line between reality and her imagination blurs more every day.
Some doors should not be opened; can this one be closed?
The National Novel Writing Month (aka NaNoWriMo or NaNo) is soon to be upon us. This is the time of year where people all over the world sit down and try and write a 50k word novel during the month of November. The official website was launched this morning and I have already spent a good hour on it looking at the forums, updating my own details, and sorting out my plans for this year’s story. The trouble I had was dragging myself back from diving into too much research and not doing the things I was supposed to be doing instead. Once you venture down the NaNoWriMo hole you easily become lost in character names, descriptions, and tiny details like shoe colours and character quirks. Or even worse perusing the forums and chatting to people before the month has even begun!
This will be my 8th NaNo, which is nothing considering how long it has actually been going for, some people have been at it at lot longer than I. But I am still looking forward to putting my ideas to paper. Of the past 7 stories I have written I could honestly say only two I would make into actual books, and one a short story. These I have sitting on my computer, in their little folders, patiently waiting for me to edit them. I am adding notes and snippets to them all the time though so I like to think that counts for something for now.
This year I am writing a fantasy, first time for NaNo and for myself in awhile. I don’t think I have written a fantasy since primary school so it will be great to get back into the world building and mystic creatures side. I am returning to an idea I first thought about in 2009, but I started planning all the way back in April and by the time November came around I was over-planned and didn’t actually know where to begin so I changed stories the day NaNo started (a risky move on my part). In the years since I have thought about it some more, added bits and pieces to my idea and hopefully come 1st November I will be rearing to go.
There is so much to enjoy with NaNo, the joy of writing (and actually writing for a reason where you can’t keep making excuses not to), talking to other people from all over the world, and I even get a thrill from the stress of falling behind of word counts and doing mass catch ups in one sitting.
One of the changes to the NaNo site is the new badges that can be earned. Some of these are for simply updating your novel details, others are for participating in discussions, and for the consistent workers out there a few are even for daily novel updates, and even one for 30 days of constant updates. I may try and aim for that one this year.
Good luck if you’re choosing to participate this year. Whether you are a first time NaNoer, a seasoned participant, or somewhere in between, I wish you immense luck on this journey because it can be tough and challenging. The forums are your friends; you can turn to them for ideas, celebrations, discussions of shared experiences, and of course distractions and great games. As always WriteOrDie is a godsend I implore its use at all times, and I wish you all the success in reaching the 50k word goal!
Garth Nix’s Old Kingdom series is a brilliant series that consists of Sabriel, Lirael, Abhorson, and now the prequel Clariel. The 11th of May marks the 20th anniversary of Sabriel being published in Australia and for the past month on Twitter (and in part on Facebook) Nix has been discussing how to celebrate.
Twenty Years After: SABRIEL was launched at the Mortuary Station in Sydney on May 11 1995. I think this May 11 should be #SabrielDay
From deciding Sabriel Day should be on 11 May he has also been going through his storage and numerous boxes uncovering amazing things about the beginnings of Sabriel and the final print. Below are some of the great discoveries Nix has made such as the original handwritten five book manuscript!
As part of this newly founded Sabriel Day and in celebration for the 20th anniversary, Garth is giving people a chance to win a range of amazing things. From bell charms to signed copies, even a signed photocopy of the original manuscript! To take part in this amazing celebration there are a range of things you can do.
“To be in it, you just need to post something to do with SABRIEL *on May 11th* in your timezone. It could be a review, some memories of reading the book, cosplay pics, your artwork inspired by the book, how you met someone reading it, any thoughts, observations, memories, creations. Post it anywhere you like: Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, your blog, a review on Amazon or an indie bookshop site, whatever you like. Include the hashtag #SabrielDay
Then make sure you comment on *this* original post with a link to whatever you posted. If you aren’t on Facebook, get someone else to do it for you. On May 12th I’ll use my old D&D dice to randomly pick some recipients.”
If you want to learn more about Garth Nix, you can check out his details in the bits and pieces below, or Epic Reads has a great video you can watch so you can get to know the amazing author that is Garth Nix. In the meantime, I am off to start thinking of something I can post on Sabriel Day!
