Happy New Year everyone!
It’s been 5 years of cHEwY creations, and as I begin 2015, I’m delighted to finally have a new book out, Stuff Happens: Ethan!
It’s been a long time coming, especially when I’m in the same boat as Jay Sean and Adam Lambert…I haven’t had anything out since 2012. I’ve often wondered how authors, music artists and other creators can go on years without releasing any new material. Delays can be devastating, and as authors know, with every new book out, it creates shelf space for the new release and your back catalogue.
So, what have I been doing? Well, I have been writing. I’ve finished many manuscripts, like 2 versions of Nothing’s Prefect and Bookish. They didn’t cut the mustard and well, I should have been cut, but in hindsight, it was the best decision that Penguin could have made. Now that there’s been a sizeable gap between cHEwY creations gen 1 and gen 2 (gaming reference there hehe), I need to make sure that this next cHEwY creation will be special.
I could have been jaded in the last 3 years, but luckily I’ve had many great things that have kept me going (and made the last 3 years fly by). I’ve been supported by my core team of editors, publishers and my agent who are still on my side. Their feedback has been valuable and they have been patient with me.
I’m fortunate to still be involved with festivals, conferences and other school events, despite not having anything new out. I’ve been to many new places. It’s been humbling to know that cHEwY gum gums still enjoy my books and they are eagerly awaiting the next book. If anything, it’s made me more hungry to get out there and work harder to deliver awesome new books. I know that this writing journey is an ultra marathon, and I’m in it for the long run.
Finally, I’ve been lucky to have Stuff Happens come along. It was a side project that grew when I added bits and pieces of Bookish into Ethan’s story. The ghost of Bookish still lives in Ethan, and bookworms are done justice here. As I said before, nothing is wasted when it comes to writing manuscripts. I’m going through the first draft of The Other Christy, and it’s shaping up to be something good. And I’m giving Nothing’s Prefect another go, because I really believe in the story. Plus, I have some more exciting news to share soon, something that will fill up some time in 2015…don’t worry, I’m still writing and working hard, gen 2 is coming! 🙂
O.W
2 Comments
Jacqueline Harvey says:
16/01/15 @ 1:53 am
Hi Oliver,
Just read your blog post and I wanted to let you know that I can really feel where you’re coming from. I had four books published in quick succession in 2003 ‘,04, and ’05 then nothing for 5 years. It was hard and at times I wondered if I’d ever have anything published again. It can be so disheartening but it sounds as if you have loads of support and your publisher is still there for you. Mine didn’t want to have anything to do with me – and rejected Alice-Miranda (their loss!). Anyway, hang in there. Kids love what you do and as you said, it’s an ultra marathon, not a sprint. I love when people say to me, ‘oh you’ve been so successful so quickly’ – they didn’t see the years of pain and frustration to get to this point (and the fact that I worked full time as a Deputy Head as well). I am sure that great things are heading your way.
Cheers,
Jacquie
Oliver says:
11/02/15 @ 8:10 pm
Thanks Jacquie, I’m chuffed to see you soar with the Alice Miranda and Clementine Rose series, because I know you worked so hard to make them succeed. Can’t wait to see you sometime soon!