By IW Galleries
Have you got a book in you? Have you ever dreamed of being a published author? Do you want to find out how to get published?
If the answer is yes, then Philip Bell from book publisher, Beachy Books, will be at Cowes Library on Saturday 14th March between 10:30 am and 1 pm with some of the books he has published over 10 years. He welcomes members of the public to drop in and have an informal chat about how to get published.
They’ll also be a chance to buy Beachy Books and meet Shirley Adams, one of the author’s Philip has helped get published. Shirley will be reading her rhyming picture books and running a mask-making craft activity in the Cowes children’s library from 10:30 to 11:30 am, so please come along. It’s free!
Cowes library supporter’s group will be providing cakes and refreshments. There will also be a selection of Beachy Books for sale including children’s books, poetry and Isle of Wight history.
Philip is a published author himself, most notably by Walker Children’s books, having had his story chosen by former Children’s Laureate, Michael Rosen. ‘I know what it’s like to be a struggling author. I feel all the highs and lows along with the authors I work with because I’m a writer too. I’ve developed a thick skin over the years from countless rejection letters. But then one day, after all the hard work, I got published!’
The publisher’s Isle of Wight history title, ‘Personae Vectenses’ by Phillip Armitage, was their fastest Christmas seller ever and proved very popular on the Island, and the company has just published another poetry volume by local poet Sandy Kealty called ‘The Mermaid Rides Again’.
Philip also works with several Island charities, schools and community groups to help them publish their books, as well as successfully self-publishing a series of Island-based ‘Jack and Boo’ children’s picture books that have gained a loyal following.
Given this experience, Philip rebranded last year to reflect a new direction, as he explains: ‘It’s been ten years since I first published Jack and Boo’s Bucket of Treasures and I’ve learned a few things. I have rebranded to reflect the next step in my business to now offer traditional publishing on the Beachy Books imprint, alongside publishing services to help other authors get published.’
’I love working with authors and illustrators to make their books as professional as possible, no matter what publishing route they take,’ says Philip. ‘Some people just want short runs of books for special projects, and others want to be the next J K Rowling! If you have a book in you then come along to see if I can help you get it published!’
And to all the budding authors out there, Philip offers this advice: ‘Even if you have some success, you soon realise it’s not all fame and glory, and you can still face rejection with new stories or book ideas. But, if you have a burning desire to write then you have to keep going. So I say… never give up!’
For more information visit: www.beachybooks.com
Isle of Wight Observer