Caroline Lawrence, talking to Jon Appleton, who recently began editing for Orion Children's Books (as part of his freelance portfolio), at the publisher's annual summer party last night...
Jo Williamson, Orion Publicity Officer, with Lauren St John, whose first novel in a 5-figure 3-book deal, The White Giraffe, will be published in the Autumn. It is the story of a 9-year-old orphan who is sent from England to live with her grandmother on a game reserve in South Africa. With few friends and feeling an outsider, her adventures begin as she gradually learns the secrets of the reserve, including the story of the fabled white giraffe who is rumoured to live there.
It will be the first children's book by St John, up till now a writer of biographies of musicians and golfers.
Fiona Kennedy bought the books from Catherine Clarke at the Felicity Bryan Agency. The author told ACHUKA that the book came to be written out of a consciousness of how privileged she was to have grown up in Zimbabwe amongst the animals of Africa. In addition to the children's books set in her childhood home, she is also writing a memoir.
Last year I wrote "Orion has established a reputation for providing Real Food at its parties and last night's Summer Party, held at Westminster Abbey Hall, was no exception..." Photo galleries from previous Orion parties have always included a few pictures of the glorious spread of bread, cheese, fruits and dips. It is with mock-heavy-heart that I report the absence of food pictures in this year's gallery would appear to suggest the demise of Orion's commitment to Real Food.
The food may vave been better last year, but the venue was not, and a return to the Oktober Gallery (which Orion have used before), with its outside courtyard and seating, was welcome. Judith Elliot, retired, but still involved with Orion, was absent from the party this year, and Kevin Crossley-Holland, whom I always enjoy meeting, was another notable absentee. Marcus Sedgwick and Sally Gardner, whose new novels - The Foreshadowing and I, Coriander - are the highpoints of Orion's summer programme,
were both there and can be seen in the Gallery, as can be Michelle Paver, whose follow-up to Wolf Brother is published in September:
Caroline Lawrence was telling Jon Appleton (see above) that she is much more likely to apply the technicques of screenplay writing to her Roman Mysteries, than she is any theories of regular narrative structure.
One of ACHUKA's most interesting chats was with Tony West from the Lion & Unicorn Bookshop in Richmond.
Sorry about this shot ;-)
Here's the link to the Picture Gallery...
