Writing a book is like climbing a mountain.
Actually getting a book published is like climbing a mountain after losing all your limbs and having to inch your way up the rock face on your tiny stumps while all the mountain goats tell you that you’ll never make it.
My point is, it’s bloody hard. And seeing a hugely talented writer finally making it to the top of that damned summit is one of life’s great pleasures.
Amelia Goddamned Paper Alchemist Mellor, sometime spider and longtime friend of the blog is getting her book published and it is about frucking time.
Here’s the trailer and blurb for The Grandest Bookshop in the World, a middle grade novel by Amelia Mellor:
“Pearl and Vally Cole live in a bookshop. And not just any bookshop. In 1893, Cole’s Book Arcade in Melbourne is the grandest bookshop in the world, brimming with every curiosity imaginable. Each day brings fresh delights for the siblings: voice-changing sweets, talking parrots, a new story written just for them by their eccentric father.
When Pearl and Vally learn that Pa has risked the Arcade – and himself – in a shocking deal with the mysterious Obscurosmith, the siblings hatch a plan. Soon they are swept into a dangerous game with impossibly high stakes: defeat seven challenges by the stroke of midnight and both the Arcade and their father will be restored. But if they fail Pearl and Vally won’t just lose Pa – they’ll forget that he and the Arcade ever existed.”
I’ve read two of Amelia’s previous manuscripts and I always knew it was only a matter of time before she broke through. The book is now available to pre-order from the Affirm Website, for twenty Australian dollary doos, which is 14 yankee greenbacks or €12 in proper money. I know you’ll all join me in giving Amelia your heartiest congratulations. And be sure to drop by her awesome blog too.
“Brava, Mim.”
unshavedmouse 
Congrats! Wild applause! Also, that’s a good blurb. 😁👍
Cheers, Jackel!
All my love for this description, Mouse. If I can add a slight correction, it’s really more middle grade than YA – more nine- to twelve-year-olds than teens.
If anyone wants to read about the real Cole’s Book Arcade, I’ve written quite a lot on it on my blog, but this is probably the best place to begin. Even three years after I started writing this, it still blows my mind that Melbourne – my Melbourne! – was home to this gorgeous, unique place. https://ameliamellorsfantasticnarratograph.wordpress.com/2017/11/07/introducing-coles-book-arcade/
Congratulations on your publishing! I’ll have to look into this.
Thank you! Even if you’re not a preteen fantasy fan, E.W. Cole in general was a pretty inspiring figure and worth looking into.
Now fixed
*partying emoji*
Can I just say I appreciate the fact that you call them dollary doos?
You may.
Congratulations on becoming a published author, oh Antipodean Arachnid One! (-:
Thanks, ED! I’ve been chasing the dream since I was a spiderling and it’s all getting pretty surreal now.
Let’s just hope you can keep things Australia-level weird (aka ‘Duck-billed platypus as seen while seriously tipsy”) and avoid a descent into the timeless level of frivolous, pitiless madness and the unrelentingly surreal they call … BAHIA.
Ooh, this is definitely on my radar now!
Under the Red Hood is going to have an interactive prequel/sequel.
Dunno how I feel about that.
You’re killing it, PA! I’ll try to check out your book when I get the chance