Latest news.
Please note that we are not
currently looking
for new fiction writers.
If you wish to make a non-fiction submission, do so via email.
Exciting happenings at Creative Authors HQ. Here are some of our recent projects. With many new titles due to be published in 2012, and more deals coming through for our authors, there is plenty going on!
Follow us on Twitter.
Creative Authors is now on Twitter. Follow us at @creativeauthors for news and the latest information. We've also put a widget below so you can see what we've been up to. If the widget doesn't work in your browser, you can find us here.
Off the Hook
Addicted to coke and booze and reliant on selling her body for cash, Katie, the heroine of Clare Gee's bestselling HOOKED, can no longer cope with the life she's created for herself. She has messed up badly and thrown everything away.
Mentally, she is an anxious wreck and physically she is in pieces. Yet she is terrified of who she will become without her vices. She has to do something, though, and her choices are get help or die. She leaves London and admits herself to a residential rehab centre for three months. In UNHOOKED: The Rehab of a London Call Girl reformed addict Clare Gee draws on her own experiences of cocaine addiction, alcoholism and prostitution in telling a moving story of a young woman battling through hell to create a sober life for herself. There are threats of expulsion from rehab and relapses, but through dedication and honesty, Katie begins the long journey to becoming clean and finding peace of mind. (Published by Mainstream 1st March 2012).
Filthy Rich!
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU WIN THE LOTTERY by Cathy Bussey. Imagine that you've just won £20 million on the Lottery what happens next? This must-buy book covers everything from protecting your position in a syndicate, to claiming your winnings and the financial realities of becoming an instant millionaire. And then there are the exciting possibilities buying a Porsche, finally having your dream holiday or just giving it all away what would you do? The perfect book for everyone who's ever bought a Lottery ticket or just thought about it. Discover exactly what you could buy for £250,000, all the way up to 50 million and make sure no one else gets a stake in your winnings, unless you want them to. Just how much will that perfect island cost you and can you afford to give up work tomorrow or even start your own business and never have to answer to anyone else? Be a winner: buy this book then a Lottery ticket to find out just What to Do When You Win the Lottery. Published by Golden Guides Press Ltd (February 2012).
Murder by Umbrella
In THE CLASSIC GUIDE TO FAMOUS ASSASSINATIONS, written by Sarah Herman, discover more about the famous assassinations in history from familial betrayal to power-lust and death by umbrella. A must-read guide to some of the most famous and, frankly, bizarre assassinations ever with a few conspiracy theories on the side. Just who did kill Marilyn Monroe? Published by Golden Guides Press Ltd (February 2012).
Spooky Knitting
Create weird and wonderful knitted dolls with a Gothic theme using the knitting patterns in Fiona McDonald's GOTHIC KNITS. There are clear instructions on making and stuffing the bodies, which are then needlesculpted to create form; colouring and embroidering the faces to give the dolls their unique and spell-binding characters; and creating the hair using fancy yarns, fake hairpieces and hair embellishments. Each doll is artfully and distinctively dressed in knitted outfits and accessories that any Goth would be proud of.
Whether you are knitting for fun, or wish to create an unusual and unforgettable gift for a friend or relative, you will be irresistibly drawn to these loathsome yet loveable creatures. Add just the right amount of scariness, and these dolls will delight and inspire adults as well as children of all ages. Published by Search Press (December 2011).
Embrace your inner Don Draper and shake up some classic drinks!
Anything you can mix and pour into a glass is now termed a “cocktail,” but those drinks usually pale in comparison with the truly classic cocktails. Vintage Cocktails by Amanda Hallay returns drinkers to an age of Manhattans, Pink Ladies, Gin Fizzes, and Whisky Sours. Included with the recipes are quirky cultural facts as well as serving suggestions, what to have stocked at your bar at all times, and how to cure the inevitable hangover. With 75 colour illustrations. Published by Skyhorse (1st November 2011).
Listen to Spotify!
Spotify is a free online streaming music platform that allows users to listen to songs on demand over the Internet - without having to buy or own the actual tracks. This fun and friendly guide walks you through how best to use this sweet-sounding service. Covering everything from using Spotify on selected mobile phones to creating and sharing your own playlists, Spotify For Dummies has it all. Experienced author Kim Gilmour details the ins and outs of this revolutionary music, from installing and setup to discovering new artists and taking your musical enjoyment to new levels.
- Explores the social networking aspects of Spotify and how to integrate with them
- Helps you navigate through the various editions of Spotify
- Shows you how to take Spotify with you on your mobile device
- Encourages you to merge your own music collection with Spotify
You too can be a genius!
At any party, there's always one person who stands out from the crowd, because he or she talks more intelligently and tells better jokes than everyone else there. And everyone else wishes they were as knowledgeable and witty as that person. Thanks to Keith Souter's THE LITTLE BOOK OF GENIUS, they can be, or at least appear to be. The first part, which is based on serious scientific foundations explained in an accessible and light-hearted manner, explains some handy techniques for winning an argument, getting your point across, telling a joke and generally making the most of yourself. The second contains the essentials of what you need to know about literature, history, art, music, science, sport and other subjects, so that people will think you are cultured, intelligent and well-read. With the help of The Little Book of Genius, you can be the envy of everyone else at the party! Published by The History Press (out in October 2011).
Run your own online business
Starting an online business is no longer a novelty. It′s a fact of life for individuals and established companies alike. The good news is that e–commerce and the practice of selling goods and services through a website is not only here to stay, but it′s thriving. More good news is that the steps required to conduct commerce online are well within the reach of ordinary people, even if you have no business experience. All you need is a good idea, a bit of start–up cash, computer equipment, and a little help from the practical, hands–on information in STARTING AND RUNNING YOUR OWN ONLINE BUSINESS FOR DUMMIES.
With strategies to help you identify your market, design your website, choose services, trade securely, boost sales, and stay ahead of the competition; this book is just what you need to succeed. Kim Gilmour shows you how to open an online business in ten easy steps, how to select the right web host and design tools, why giving your e–business site structure and style is vital, techniques on attracting and keeping customers, and much more. Published by John Wiley (7th October 2011).
Putting the Nuts into Nut Roast
In VEGAN COOKBOOK: AN ESSENTIAL GUIDE food writer and private chef, Isabel Hood, sets out to prove that the glass, far from being half empty, is full to the brim, full to overflowing with mouth watering possibilities. Whether you are a fully fledged vegan or a beginner just dipping your toes into the water, this collection of vegan recipes will introduce you to a whole new world of exciting dishes based on fruit and vegetables, pulses and grains, nuts and seeds, pungent herbs and warm aromatic spices – prepare to be DAZZLED! Published by Need2Know Books (September 2011).
The Wonderful World of Textiles
TEXTILES: A HISTORY is a fascinating and accessible history of textiles, including the key personalities and inventions which revolutionised the industry, together with the East End workshops and the creation of artificial materials such as rayon.
Textile expert, Fiona McDonald, includes tips on the care and repair of materials and advice on what’s worth collecting and the best materials to wear, as well as safe cleaning, tips on collecting. As well as a handy glossary of textile terms, there is an A-Z of different textiles, full of interesting facts – did you know that velvet was originally made from silk and its name derives from the Latin word, vellus, meaning fleece or that cabbage was the term used in the rag trade to refer to the extra outfits clever cutters created and sold off the books by careful placement of the pattern. A fascinating and often surprising subject area explored at an accessible but informative level. Published by Remember When (Pen & Sword, 30th September 2011).
Stepping into a Fairy Ring
KNITTED FAIRIES: TO CHERISH AND CHARM is out September 3 (published by Search Press). With imagination and flair, Fiona McDonald shows you how to knit ten fantastical fairies, all with their own character and style.
The fairies include a dark Gothic fairy, an enigmatic moon fairy, a cool ice fairy and even Oberon, the king of the fairies himself. Using a basic body pattern, each fairy is dressed in its own costume, complete with wings, in a range of yarns and other embellishments - ideal for using up scraps and oddments from your knitting basket! The dolls make wonderful gifts for both adults and older children, and can be easily adapted to match your friend's or relative's personality or lifestyle. This is a source of ideas and inspiration for knitters of all abilities, and a book to be treasured by young and old alike.
Outrageously Good Cocktails!
Already responsible for giving jelly a 21st-century makeover, the boys at Bompas & Parr now focus their attention on the perennially popular cocktail. But of course with an extra special twist. In this fantastic new book, Sam and Harry take us on a rollercoaster journey through the wonderful world of fizzes, smashes, juleps, shrubs and fixes. Classics, new kids on the block and crazy concoctions are all to be expected, but the boys also provide advice on the all-important presentation, the ingredients - getting the ice just right - and of course how to host a show-stopping event.
Veterans of successful alcoholic adventures such as Alcoholic Architecture (a walk in cloud of breathable G&T) and the Architectural Punchbowl (a Robert Adam building flooded with 4 tonnes of Courvoisier Punch - enough for 25,000 people!), Bompas & Parr are perfectly placed to ensure you create a cocktail night to remember. The book includes historical facts surrounding cocktails, the universal cocktail principle, bar snacks and advice on basic equipment. Sam and Harry's paramount aim is to demystify cocktails and help you make your own drinks from whatever there is to hand. COCKTAILS WITH BOMPAS AND PARR, published by Pavilion, Anova, is out on 2 September 2011.
Turn Your Kitchen Into A Laboratory
Written by Dr. Keith Souter, SCHOOLBOY SCIENCE REMEMBERED is a fantastic foray into the world of science and schoolday experiments which involve turning household goods into exciting but informative experiments.
Dr Keith Souter explains the science behind the simple but fun experiments and, by understanding how they work, it will also help to explain the world around you from the position of the Harvest Moon to the composition and osmosis of food and drink. Discover how to make your own kaleidoscope, crystals and even a steam turbine from an old cocoa tin and why you'll never want to compost a floppy potato again. Published in July by Remember When (Pen & Sword).
Talk To Anyone
Tongue-tied at parties? Shy on dates? Dreading the next 'networking' event? Dr. Keith Souter's book will help tackle your inner critic and find self-assurance with this empathetic and practical guide to overcoming your social pariah status and learning to make small talk that could seal your success at work, at home or in romantic situations. With an opening chapter on how to simply feel more confident about your ability to charm and impress, this book is packed with psychological insight and advice and, more importantly, with strategies for being charming in any social situation.
From parties to work outings, it gives opening lines and practical advice on things like body language - and will even help you cope with the difficult times, when tackling conflict or facing an argument. You will learn to love the prospect of a dinner party with even the most challenging guests, and never be lost for words again. Published by Hodder Education in July 2011.
Presentation Magic!
Rule 1 of magic is: The framework for any communication is determined by the expectations and associations you trigger. Rule 4 is: The brain filters out most of the information it receives. The greatest magicians in the world and their acts stick religiously to 20 rules which have nothing to do with how magic works, but instead why it works.
PRESENTATION MAGIC! takes the psychological principles used by the world's best magicians and applies them to business communication. The three classic stages essential to effective communication are: Construction, Preparation, and Delivery. In each case, communication expert and magician Nick Fitzherbert shows you how to apply techniques for directing attention, persuading and convincing drawn from the Rules of Magic. In doing so, you build in an extra edge in your presentation, which will ensure attention and impact. Published in July 2011 by Marshall Cavendish.
The Wonder Drug
Aspirin has been used as a common, household painkiller for over a hundred years. However, many of its greater, recently discovered health benefits remain unknown to the general public. In December 2010, a study showed that taking a small daily dose of aspirin cut overall cancer deaths by at least a fifth.
In AN ASPIRIN A DAY: THE WONDER DRUG THAT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE (published June 2011 by MOM Books) Dr Keith Souter examines the results of this and countless other studies which prove that aspirin is indeed a wonder drug which can protect against some of our worst known diseases, setting out how you too can benefit from taking even a small dose daily. Fully responsible, this book also gives advice on what to ask your doctor before adopting an aspirin regime, and outlines the possible side effects.
Comprehensive and informative, this fascinating book is essential reading for everyone, teaching how this cheap and readily available drug can protect you too.
Buy at Amazon
Inspirational New Memoir
ASHAMED: A MOTHER'S STORY
(published in June 2011 by Mainstream Publishing) is an inspirational memoir by a woman who clawed her way back from tragedy and addiction to become a successful businesswoman.
'At the lowest moment in my life, I stood at the gates of hell. I saw what it was like. I can never, ever go back there again.'
When Laura Walsh walked into her five-month-old daughter's bedroom, she was confronted with a mother's worst nightmare. Her beautiful baby was dead in her cot. This tragedy marked the beginning of Laura's journey of self-destruction. Addicted to painkillers and alcohol, her marriage failed and she lost her house and alienated both her friends and family.
Lying and stealing to acquire tablets and booze, Laura spent several desperate years in the wilderness, years in which her two remaining children had to watch their mum become a sordid shadow of the woman they loved. She was ashamed but unable to find the strength to fight back. Until one Christmas when her addictions finally threatened to kill her.
ASHAMED is the inspirational account of how Laura found the strength to step back from hell, launch a successful business and become a mother to her children once again.
Buy at Amazon
Be Brilliant at PR for your Business!
Question - What is so special about you and how can you stand out from the crowd?
A good reputation is essential for a business to survive and thrive. But what if your company is rich in ideas, but not in cash? How can you get consumers to know about you if you do not have the budget for marketing and promotions? BRILLIANT PR by Cathy Bussey, Deputy Editor of PR Week magazine, will show you how anyone can get the word out.
BRILLIANT PR (Prentice Hall, Pearson Education) covers every aspect of public relations, from identifying your compelling proposition, pitching a story and writing a press release, through to mastering social media and executing a good campaign. Packed full of insider stories, sample press releases and examples of good PR, you will find out how to make a winning impact.
Brilliant Outcomes :
- Learn how to present yourself or your business to the public
- Understand the elements of a PR campaign and how to pitch to the media
- Find out how to manage a crisis
- Discover the power of social networking and how to get noticed online
Buy at Amazon
What's Stopping You?: Why Smart People Don't Always Reach Their Potential and Why You Will
Written by Robert Kelsey (published by Capstone/Wiley) who runs his own business and with a foreword by one of the country's most successful businessmen, Luke Johnson, What's Stopping You? is well grounded in personal experience and draws on existing self-help theories that work, while dismissing those that over promise and under deliver.
You need a map to show you what works - and what doesn't, to really get you going in the right direction. WHAT'S STOPPING YOU? will help you to draw your own map, something for you to grasp as you take the next step to success.
"This personal witty and insightful book teaches us about the fears that drive failure and the self-awareness that can help us navigate it. The great point about this book is that it is both philosophical with regards the nature of fear and its impact on achievement, and practical. For those that may be paralysed by a fear of failure, it offers a way through."
Luke Johnson, serial entrepreneur, Financial Times columnist and Chairman of the RSA
"This powerful, insightful book shows you how to unlock your unconscious brakes and step on the acceleration of your true potential!"
Brian Tracy, author of Maximum Achievement
"Kelsey offers a successful and eloquent analysis of fear of failure as a mass condition in the modern world, and one we ignore at our peril."
Donald Kirkpatrick, psychoanalyst and a founder of the London Association for Counselling and Psychoanalysis
The "What's stopping you?" blog
Buy at Amazon
Feeling anxious? Help is at hand!
Written by a chartered clinical psychologist, Dr Jennifer J Ashcroft, ANXIETY - THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE (Need2Know Books) aims to help readers understand their anxiety and the steps that need to be taken in order to overcome it.
This book will help people to understand the difference between the anxiety that we all feel at times which can be a beneficial prompt to action, and anxiety that is damaging.
ANXIETY - THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE will help each individual understand their own anxiety problems. Finally it will give the reader the information necessary to change their lives by using psychological techniques to help formulate their problem and then change their thoughts, their emotions and their behaviour.
CONTENTS:
- People Get Anxious
- Anxiety Has Many Disguises
- Your Own Anxiety
- Anxiety Timeline
- Anxiety Circle
- Control Your Body
- Time For Action
- Change Your Thoughts
- Keep Healthy
- Family And Friends
Find out more
Buy at Amazon
As Seen In the Mail On Sunday...
50 THINGS YOU CAN DO TODAY TO MANAGE BACK PAIN by Dr. Keith Souter is out now, and published by
Summersdale. In this easy-to-follow book, Dr. Souter explains the various types and the many possible causes of back pain and offers practical and holistic advice. Learn how lifestyle changes, dietary manipulation and supplements, as well as DIY complementary therapies can help to deal with and reduce back pain.
- Discover natural anti-inflammatory herbs and spices
- Develop strategies to reduce pain
- Try out beneficial exercises
"expert, practical and inexpensive advice on a range of health problems... concise, easy-to-follow and accessible."
- International Therapist, January 2011
Keith's Blog
As seen in the Mail On Sunday!
Buy at Amazon
Get a Bun in the Oven
50 THINGS YOU CAN DO TODAY TO INCREASE YOUR FERTILITY by Sally Lewis, also published by Summersdale is now out. In this accessible and informative guide, Sally Lewis explains how age, sexual infections, diet, excess weight, stress and anxiety affect fertility and offers practical advice and a holistic approach to help you conceive, including simple dietary and lifestyle changes and DIY complementary therapies.- Discover the best time for conception
- Understand the link between body, mind and fertility
- Manage stress and relax to prevent anxiety
Jelly with Bompas & Parr - a wobbly read!
Wibble wobble jelly on a plate. JELLY WITH BOMPAS AND PARR is out now, published by Pavilion (Anova). It's already received some great reviews.
"Giving Heston Blumenthal a run for his money" - INDEPENDENT
"If you're going to do silly, do it in style" - THE TIMES
Bompas and Parr's website
Sex, Drugs and Bigamy
Clare Gee’s fictionalised memoir, HOOKED,
was
published by Mainstream Publishing in 2010 and was their bestselling title that year. The book is set in London
during the 90s and
early 2000s and is filled with explicit depictions of the naughty
antics that go on in so-called private members’ clubs in the Capital:
drugs, sex, prostitution and lots and lots of booze and let’s not
forget the very real aftermath of excessive indulgence.
Nothing is held back. HOOKED
is a brutal and graphic account of what it
really is like being a prostitute and the emotional collapse that can
ensue when someone chases happiness in all the wrong places.
NEWS OF THE WORLD
As seen on This Morning (ITV).
Out now (Mainstream Publishing).
Help for achy joints
Dr Keith Souter's first book for Sheldon Press is out now. SELF-HELP FOR RHEUMATISM AND ARTHRITIS is a much needed book and we are positive this will help the millions of suffers out there. Keith is a prolifically published writer both in non-fiction and fiction and we are glad to have him as part of the Creative Authors list.
More information about this book from the publisher here.
Out now (Sheldon)
Take
us to your leader...
Aliens have landed and have made contact at last! Twenty lifeforms from
distant planets have come to Earth to make new friends and learn about
humans, and this book shows you how to knit twenty of these friendly
creatures.These are close encounters of the knitted kind. Fiona McDonald's instructions make knitting twenty adorable aliens easy and fun, so blast off and have an adventure with these charming characters.
Twenty designs and twenty alternatives. A perfect gift.
You can see how one craft blogger got inspired by this book here.
The next David Bailey?
Kim Gilmour's DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY FOR THE OLDER AND WISER is out now. Readers will learn how to use and take professional snaps using digital technology. There will also be special attention given to uploading photographs onto social network sites as well. A perfect book for your parents or grandparents.
Out now (John Wiley).
That’s all from me at present. Check back soon for more news about our up-coming projects. Remember: keep it creative!
Isabel
(Isabel Atherton, Director of Creative Authors Ltd)