Here it is, the paperback version of INFINITE SKY. What do you think? I would love to hear from you.
Do you like it more or less than the original hardback cover?
Friday, May 3, 2013
Monday, March 25, 2013
Wonder by R. J. Palacio and Infinite Sky Giveaway!
 |
| Probably self-explanatory |
In the spirit of sharing my love of good books, I've decided to give one of my favourite new books away - WONDER by R. J. Palacio - along with a copy of INFINITE SKY.
The books look vaguely similar, and I think they could probably be quite good friends, if they would only make the effort.
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| R. J. Palacio's WONDER |
Both have themes of prejudice and judgement and loyalty, and both are written by authors with the middle initial 'J'.
Coincidence? Yes.
To enter the competition, and be in with a chance of winning one of these lovely blue books, answer this following question in the comments box below, and leave a way for me to get hold of you. The contest will run for a month.
Which shade of blue do you prefer?
a. The blue of WONDER by R. J. Palacio
b. The blue of INFINITE SKY by C. J. Flood
N.B. There's no wrong answer.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Infinite Sky is out in the world...
Apologies if you already know this, because it's all I've talked about for forever, but, yep, my first book is out, and available in all good book shops and all good online places too.
The day it launched, I was bed-ridden with a chest (and lung!) infection, but I had the loveliest time. My publisher and agent sent me enormous bunches of flowers, which I was too ill and short of vases to display properly.
My friends bought me champagne, which they passed through the door to me as though I had bubonic plague, and my best friend risked it all by coming round to make me the most nutritious dinner of my life. Later, we launched a heart-shaped paper lantern covered in our dearest wishes into the sky.
Since then, I have been lucky enough to get reviews in all The Big Guys (Telegraph, Guardian, Times), and to cut a long story short, they basically said the book is pretty s w e e t.
I also did a signing at Derby Waterstones, where we sold out of books in the first hour, and I wore really high shoes, and tried not to walk like a heron.
So, thanks so much to all of you who have bought my book, and sent nice messages saying that you enjoyed it, I never ever get tired of receiving them. Please don't forget to recommend it to others too, if you liked it, (and even if you didn't.)
The day it launched, I was bed-ridden with a chest (and lung!) infection, but I had the loveliest time. My publisher and agent sent me enormous bunches of flowers, which I was too ill and short of vases to display properly.
 |
| Ill face, body and hair + party dress, champagne and flowers = really sexy actually. |
My friends bought me champagne, which they passed through the door to me as though I had bubonic plague, and my best friend risked it all by coming round to make me the most nutritious dinner of my life. Later, we launched a heart-shaped paper lantern covered in our dearest wishes into the sky.
 |
| It plummeted after a few seconds. |
Since then, I have been lucky enough to get reviews in all The Big Guys (Telegraph, Guardian, Times), and to cut a long story short, they basically said the book is pretty s w e e t.
I also did a signing at Derby Waterstones, where we sold out of books in the first hour, and I wore really high shoes, and tried not to walk like a heron.
 |
| My nan and my best friend queuing up to meet me. |
So, thanks so much to all of you who have bought my book, and sent nice messages saying that you enjoyed it, I never ever get tired of receiving them. Please don't forget to recommend it to others too, if you liked it, (and even if you didn't.)
Monday, February 4, 2013
Infinite Sky countdown
Okay, I admit it, I'm A BIT EXCITED about my first ever book, Infinite Sky, coming out.
Petra, better-known as Safari Poet has made a countdown widget for lots of marvellous-looking books, including mine, and many of my Lucky 13 colleagues. Have a look at it on the right hand side of the blog. It's the coolest thing I've ever seen. In my whole life.
A couple of other nice things book-related have happened lately.
One is that children and adult author/Independent columnist Terence Blacker has given a lovely blurb for Infinite Sky:
"Infinite Sky is terrific - moving, original and heartfelt. I loved it. A compelling, heart-wrenching coming-of-age story."
Terence taught me creative non-fiction at an Arvon retreat at the ridiculously gorgeous Totleigh Barton in Devon a few years ago. He saw Infinite Sky in its earliest stages, and was very encouraging and supportive, though he did have to tell me off for my presentation skills (I handed in my work on a creased bit of ripped-out notebook paper for some reason.)
The other good thing is that I'm going to do my first ever radio interview. It's with Andy Potter at BBC Radio Derby, and will be on in the next couple of weeks, and I'm going to try really hard not to say anything stupid. My dad sorted it out for me, which if you know my dad, you'll know is quite extraordinary. I have started calling him PR guy. I suggest that you do too.
Petra, better-known as Safari Poet has made a countdown widget for lots of marvellous-looking books, including mine, and many of my Lucky 13 colleagues. Have a look at it on the right hand side of the blog. It's the coolest thing I've ever seen. In my whole life.
A couple of other nice things book-related have happened lately.
One is that children and adult author/Independent columnist Terence Blacker has given a lovely blurb for Infinite Sky:
"Infinite Sky is terrific - moving, original and heartfelt. I loved it. A compelling, heart-wrenching coming-of-age story."
Terence taught me creative non-fiction at an Arvon retreat at the ridiculously gorgeous Totleigh Barton in Devon a few years ago. He saw Infinite Sky in its earliest stages, and was very encouraging and supportive, though he did have to tell me off for my presentation skills (I handed in my work on a creased bit of ripped-out notebook paper for some reason.)
The other good thing is that I'm going to do my first ever radio interview. It's with Andy Potter at BBC Radio Derby, and will be on in the next couple of weeks, and I'm going to try really hard not to say anything stupid. My dad sorted it out for me, which if you know my dad, you'll know is quite extraordinary. I have started calling him PR guy. I suggest that you do too.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
My first handwritten letter from a reader...
Hey look!
I received my first ever handwritten letter from a reader. Her name is Ellie Ball, and she is nearly 16, and clearly very, very cool.
Here is what she wrote:
I received my first ever handwritten letter from a reader. Her name is Ellie Ball, and she is nearly 16, and clearly very, very cool.
Here is what she wrote:
Monday, January 14, 2013
I love Simon and Schuster, and book news...
Sincere apologies for the gush-fest that is about to occur, but I've had the loveliest experience of publishing so far, and for this I wholeheartedly and unequivocally blame the team at Simon and Schuster.
From getting a cover that I loved, to seeing the book improve due to my talented editor, copy-editor and proofreader, to meeting the sales team, my experience has been so positive. Everybody has been enthusiastic and committed to getting the book into shape and getting it noticed, and I'm so grateful.
And now, as if they were trying to make me actually weep, Catherine, the Children's Publicity and Marketing Manager, has sent out these gorgeous items to important industry folks.
I know I'm biased, but have you ever seen anything so gorgeous? I really really doubt it.
And other book-related stuff:
Infinite Sky was on Stylist Magazine's Cult Books of 2013 list, along with my lovely friend, Nathan Filer's The Shock of the Fall about who they said: "No less than eleven publishing houses entered a bidding war for Nathan Filer's groundbreaking novel, which draws on the author’s own background as a mental health nurse. Matthew and Simon are brothers who are separated, yet united by a tragic accident. Exploring themes of loss, grief and mental illness, the reader is said to be transported 'directly into the spinning vortex that is schizophrenia.'"
About my book, they said: "Loved by young adult journalists, C.J. Flood's debut novel is also a burgeoning hit among adult readers. It tells the story of Iris, who the reader encounters at the funeral of a boy she loves - but is she mourning her tearaway brother or her tentative boyfriend? We journey through a summer with her as she encounters betrayal, conflict and first love."
His sounds better, doesn't it? Damn him. I should never have included his quote on here.
Also, I wrote a blog post over at The Lucky 13s about how Infinite Sky got its cover if you are interested in the behind the scenes stuff.
There's still a book giveaway at Good Reads.
And finally, I have really nearly finished book two, which is due for release in February 2014.
Upcoming events
February 7th, will be a launch for Infinite Sky, along with Tom Benn's Bane Book Two: Chamber Music and Andrew Cowan's Worthless Men. Starting at 8pm in the Drama Studio at UEA, there will be readings and then a winey signing afterwards. Come along! It'll be fun!
February 16th, I'm doing a signing at St Peter's Street Waterstones, Derby. From 2-4, I will be upstairs near the Young Adult section, so PLEASE come and talk to me. I will provide sweets, and am also going to do a free book raffle. So COME ALONG, for god's sake. Even if you can't afford the book/wouldn't buy it if you had one million euros, there will be other prizes too (probably a Toblerone). You can get a free ticket to be entered into it at any point, and then just pop by at four for the 'grand prize draw' (most likely me, looking embarrassed, shouting to a room containing my mum and dad and booksellers who can't quite meet my eye.
From getting a cover that I loved, to seeing the book improve due to my talented editor, copy-editor and proofreader, to meeting the sales team, my experience has been so positive. Everybody has been enthusiastic and committed to getting the book into shape and getting it noticed, and I'm so grateful.
 |
| In case you have forgotten what it looks like. |
And now, as if they were trying to make me actually weep, Catherine, the Children's Publicity and Marketing Manager, has sent out these gorgeous items to important industry folks.
 |
| Swoon. |
I know I'm biased, but have you ever seen anything so gorgeous? I really really doubt it.
And other book-related stuff:
Infinite Sky was on Stylist Magazine's Cult Books of 2013 list, along with my lovely friend, Nathan Filer's The Shock of the Fall about who they said: "No less than eleven publishing houses entered a bidding war for Nathan Filer's groundbreaking novel, which draws on the author’s own background as a mental health nurse. Matthew and Simon are brothers who are separated, yet united by a tragic accident. Exploring themes of loss, grief and mental illness, the reader is said to be transported 'directly into the spinning vortex that is schizophrenia.'"
About my book, they said: "Loved by young adult journalists, C.J. Flood's debut novel is also a burgeoning hit among adult readers. It tells the story of Iris, who the reader encounters at the funeral of a boy she loves - but is she mourning her tearaway brother or her tentative boyfriend? We journey through a summer with her as she encounters betrayal, conflict and first love."
His sounds better, doesn't it? Damn him. I should never have included his quote on here.
Also, I wrote a blog post over at The Lucky 13s about how Infinite Sky got its cover if you are interested in the behind the scenes stuff.
There's still a book giveaway at Good Reads.
And finally, I have really nearly finished book two, which is due for release in February 2014.
Upcoming events
February 7th, will be a launch for Infinite Sky, along with Tom Benn's Bane Book Two: Chamber Music and Andrew Cowan's Worthless Men. Starting at 8pm in the Drama Studio at UEA, there will be readings and then a winey signing afterwards. Come along! It'll be fun!
February 16th, I'm doing a signing at St Peter's Street Waterstones, Derby. From 2-4, I will be upstairs near the Young Adult section, so PLEASE come and talk to me. I will provide sweets, and am also going to do a free book raffle. So COME ALONG, for god's sake. Even if you can't afford the book/wouldn't buy it if you had one million euros, there will be other prizes too (probably a Toblerone). You can get a free ticket to be entered into it at any point, and then just pop by at four for the 'grand prize draw' (most likely me, looking embarrassed, shouting to a room containing my mum and dad and booksellers who can't quite meet my eye.
Friday, November 30, 2012
Infinite Sky in The Bookseller...
Infinite Sky was Editor's Pick in The Bookseller.
This is what they said: "Another strong debut with huge support in-house, this is a heartbreaking coming-of-age novel about a summer that changes everything. She's one to watch."
Also, Julia Eccleshare (Children's Editor of The Guardian) wrote this about the book on LoveReading4Kids:
"Shot through with danger as adolescence can be, this is a powerful coming of age novel which combines dark realities with optimism and naivety. When Iris’s mother takes off on a road trip, things at home begin to fall apart. The arrival of a family of travellers close by sets off a chain of events which leads to tragedy. But Iris sees Trick and his family differently; she knows he isn’t the boy his is made out to be. But, when everything spirals out of control, will she ever be able to feel the same about him? Beautifully written, this is a poignant story of young love from a talented new author."
There's still a couple of days left on the Goodreads Giveaway too. If you can't wait till February 14th, enter the competition there.
This is what they said: "Another strong debut with huge support in-house, this is a heartbreaking coming-of-age novel about a summer that changes everything. She's one to watch."Also, Julia Eccleshare (Children's Editor of The Guardian) wrote this about the book on LoveReading4Kids:
"Shot through with danger as adolescence can be, this is a powerful coming of age novel which combines dark realities with optimism and naivety. When Iris’s mother takes off on a road trip, things at home begin to fall apart. The arrival of a family of travellers close by sets off a chain of events which leads to tragedy. But Iris sees Trick and his family differently; she knows he isn’t the boy his is made out to be. But, when everything spirals out of control, will she ever be able to feel the same about him? Beautifully written, this is a poignant story of young love from a talented new author."
There's still a couple of days left on the Goodreads Giveaway too. If you can't wait till February 14th, enter the competition there.
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