Posts Tagged ‘jane costello’

The cover for Jane Costello’s new book My Single Friend has finally been approved by the publishers so here it is! It’s fab and in keeping with the style of Jane’s first 2 book, Bridesmaids and The Nearly-Weds. My Single Friend is due out on April 1st 2010 so there’s a bit of wait but it’s one to look forward to. Here’s the synopis again:

“At 28, Lucy is doing well for herself. She’s got a great job in PR, her boss loves her, and her best girlfriends Dominique and Erin think she’s great. More important than anyone’s opinion is that of her flatmate, and oldest friend in the world, Henry. For twenty years they’ve been inseparable: beauty and the geek. Henry thinks the world of Lucy.

So why does she feel the need to lie outrageously on dates? From rock-climbing to Chekov: when it comes to prospective boyfriends, Lucy is compelled to embellish her C.V. with unlikely porkies that always backfire – with hilarious results. Henry can’t understand it. Lucy is so loveable: why can’t she just be herself? But when Lucy turns the spotlight on Henry, he wishes he’d never brought it up.

With a penchant for jumpers and NHS-style specs, Lucy decides that Henry is in need of a makeover – big time. Enlisting the help of Dom and Erin, it’s not long before the girls have Henry out of the flat, and into the Topman changing rooms. A new haircut, contact lenses, a flirting master-class from Dom …poor Henry doesn’t know what’s hit him. But nothing can prepare them for the surprise results! Before long, Lucy realises that their lives will never be the same again.”

It was provisionally called The Thinking Girl’s Crumpet but Jane Costello has confirmed her third novel will actually be called My Single Friend. I much prefer the new title the synopsis looks fab. It’s due for release on April 1st 2010:

At 28, Lucy is doing well for herself. She’s got a great job in PR, her boss loves her, and her best girlfriends Dominique and Erin think she’s great. More important than anyone’s opinion is that of her flatmate, and oldest friend in the world, Henry. For twenty years they’ve been inseparable: beauty and the geek. Henry thinks the world of Lucy.

So why does she feel the need to lie outrageously on dates? From rock-climbing to Chekov: when it comes to prospective boyfriends, Lucy is compelled to embellish her C.V. with unlikely porkies that always backfire - with hilarious results. Henry can’t understand it. Lucy is so loveable: why can’t she just be herself? But when Lucy turns the spotlight on Henry, he wishes he’d never brought it up.

With a penchant for jumpers and NHS-style specs, Lucy decides that Henry is in need of a makeover - big time. Enlisting the help of Dom and Erin, it’s not long before the girls have Henry out of the flat, and into the Topman changing rooms. A new haircut, contact lenses, a flirting master-class from Dom …poor Henry doesn’t know what’s hit him. But nothing can prepare them for the surprise results! Before long, Lucy realises that their lives will never be the same again.

Rowan Coleman’s next book will be titled The After Wife and will be released on 1st April 2010. As a huge fan of Rowan’s (I loved the Accidental Mother & Family) I look forward to her new one.

Louise Bagshawe’s next novel has the working title of Revenge and is about a trophy wife who is framed for murder. It’s due out in 2010.

Colette Caddle’s next release will be called The Secrets We Keep and is due for release on 29th April 2010.

Jane Costello’s third book is currently untitled but is due for release on 1st April 2010.

Milly Johnson’s fourth book is also currently untitled but is due for release on 29th March 2010.

Even though Louise Candlish’s new book Before We Say Goodbye is yet to be released, news of the book after that is up on Amazon although it’s currently untitled. The release date for that will be 24th June 2010!

Lauren Weisberger, of The Devil Wears Prada fame (loved the film, have the book to read), has her fourth book out on 25th May 2010. It’s currently untitled!

These are the most recent snippets. For news of 2010 books we’ve already posted, visit our release dates section!

Jane Costello - author of Bridesmaids and The Nearly-Weds - has updated her website and has put together some important tips for aspiring writers. It’s very helpful and well worth a read if you’re strugging with a novel or even if you’re interested in starting a novel.

1. Ditch the excuses.
I’ve loads of sympathy for anyone who has a house to clean, kids to entertain, a bedroom to decorate, gym membership to use and legs to wax – because, honestly, I’ve been there. Distractions are (still) my biggest enemy. If you want to succeed, either offload them onto a supportive family member or don’t bother with them at all (apart from the kids, obviously!).

2. Read.
Lots of the genre of fiction you want to write and become thoroughly absorbed in it. Moreover, change the way you read; analyse the structure of the story, the characterisation, the dialogue. Take inspiration, but never copy.

Read the rest of the tips here!

The shortlist was announced in April for the Melissa Nathan Award for Comedy Romance and the winner will be announced in a week on June 10th. The shortlist are:

The Secret Shoppers Revenge by Kate Harrison
Bridesmaids by Jane Costello
Recipe For Disaster by Miriam Morrison
A Winter’s Tale by Trisha Ashley
The Marriage Bureau for Rich People by Farahad Zama
The Importance of Being Emma by Juliet Archer

We’ll be sure to let you know who the winner is next week!