Today's the day - My Book is Published!

Me holding a copy of my book!

I really must blog more as I have so much to write about.  It has been over 2 weeks since my last post, gosh, where has that time gone?  I have been so involved with my book arriving, painting, creative, getting my workshop organised for May 8th, booking a workshop in Portugal with Flora Bowley, organising my wedding in September (oh I don't think I mentioned that!) and working on some personal creative projects around the house. (plus more painting in the garden).

Need to take a breath.  Let's tackle one thing at a time.  

Firstly, I received about 200 postcards from the publisher for me to send out, which are just delightful.  When I saw them I felt a flitter (or this flutter) of anticipation and just thought... oooooooooooo wooooooooooooooow.

and.. breathe Julia ..

Then at the weekend, a package arrives on the mat.  Could it be?  Yes it was.  My book!!!!

Gosh, the feeling of opening the envelope and holding it.

A day later I received some more complimentary copies of my book.  Such a wonderful feeling.

For those who may be reading this, wondering what it's about: well it's a coaching book that helps those applying to UK universities to creatively start the blooming process for writing their personal statement. Selling themselves on paper, in a nutshell.  In alot of the work I do and have done, I work with individuals who face a blank page and just don't know where to begin.  

So whilst in France last year, I sat down and thought about all the times I have helped, supported, creatively coached people and decided I would start to dabble with the concepts.  What evolved was a seven step process.  

• Collect it
• Expand it
• Prove it
• Draft it
• Build it
• Review it
• Submit it

Hey Presto.  I submitted it to a publisher I had found in my Writers Year book, How to Books Ltd in Oxford.  Their spec seemed to fit the bill.  I sent off my proposal just as I left France to return home to Liverpool having spent 5 months there.  (writing for 3).  I received an instant thank you from the publisher, Nikki, and then about 4 weeks later, I received an email saying they would like to publish it.  

Here I am, not even 1 year later since I returned and I hold the copy in my hands.  In September 2010, I submitted the full manuscript and 7 months later, it's published.

It just shows me and proves to me what I can achieve.  I have wanted to write this for such a long time.  I really hope that it helps those people who perhaps do not get the support they need from their schools/colleges and more so, for those who apply as individuals and are doing it all pretty much on their tod.  

Now nearly being published and realising that everyone has the opportunity to read it and to critique my 7 steps, I feel the nerves of  vulnerability - people assessing what I've written thinking that it's either a load of Tosh, or Fandabidozi.

Well, let's hope mine is the latter.

Right, I'm off to watch the Royal Wedding - Today is a day for champagne all round, a toast to William and Kate plus my book.

Love, Love, Love
Jules xXx

Miss Lucy always gets in the photos!

Art Retreats and Amazon

I'm an Amazon fan. Now, I know that it's really taking away emphasis from book stores and I do worry about that, (especially when Borders closed) but I still love the fact that I can search for books and one thing will link me to another.  I also love the fact that amazon will remember what I have been looking at and then send me an email to tell me of books that are similar to what I have been viewing.  That's great really and opens up not only a new selection, but introduces me to new authors.  I'm finding the more I embrace my art self the more I look, read and sketch and plan.  

Today I got a whole new selection of books through from them and found myself being captivated.  Such an amazing amount of effort in these books.   I have highlighted three of them here at the bottom of this post.  What is also so lovely is William has won £50 worth of WH Smith vouchers which he has said I can use.  How fab is that.  I'm not going to use them all, (he deserves them too) but I may just treat myself to one of these books.  There's another one that I love the look of but it isn't published here in the UK yet and it is by Pam Carriker and called Art at the Speed of Life.    

Whilst walking today with Lucy, I was also contemplating my teaching again and wondered about putting on a day workshop called 'Introduction to Art Journaling' or Make your own Mixed Media Canvas'.  I would love to go on a creative art mixed media retreat, there's not that many around in the UK - tonnes - of course, in the States.  However, there is one in Yorkshire in May called 'Do what you Love for Life Retreat' - it's quite steep-price wise.  But I'd love to go.   

Then there's Brave Girls Camp which takes place in Idaho USA, but it's booked out all year, so they're offering Soul Restoration An Online 6 week Course for $99.  There's just so much out there.  What I know for sure, is that the UK is just 15 years behind the states in so many ways.  Not such a bad thing because it gives us something to aim for when we're talking 'retreats'. 

Wouldn't it be lovely to organise a creative arts retreat - meditation, yoga, a beautiful venue, gorgeous vegetarian food and classes taught by individuals who are experts in their field.  Something to ponder I feel.  

Anyway just for any of you who may be interested, here's 3 of the books that caught my eye.

Lots of love for mid week Wednesday 

Jules xxx

1,000 Artist Journal Pages: Personal Pages and Inspirations  by Dawn DeVries Sokol Average customer review: Art Journals and Creative Healing: Restoring the Spirit Through Self-Expression  by Sharon Soneff Average customer review: Journal Bliss  by Viollette Average customer review: