Meet the author – Jessamy Taylor

This month we bring you a short Q&A session from Jessamy Taylor, author of King’s Company, showcased in The People’s Book Prize Autumn Collection.  

Can you briefly summarise your debut book, King’s Company.

King’s Company is a historical adventure story. William D’Amory is growing up in twelfth century England, during a time of civil war, when a chance encounter plunges him into a world of intrigue and betrayal. He meets new friends and dangerous enemies, and learns the truth about his father, as he is caught up in the fight for the throne of England itself.  The book explores the themes of friendship and betrayal, in a vivid and realistic historical setting.

What were your inspirations for writing the book?

I’m fascinated with the similarities between our world now and the same place and people centuries ago, which make historical fiction relevant. In writing children’s books, the historical setting gives a context where children have to be independent and responsible at a much earlier age, so their stories can be more dangerous and exciting. And I’ve always been inspired by poking around in ruined castles, overgrown woodlands, and other grubby places.

Were you aiming the book at a particular age-range? 

The book is targeted at children (boys and girls) aged between 9 and 12. It is relevant to the National History Curriculum, particularly in the aim to ‘understand historical concepts such as continuity and change, cause and consequence, similarity, difference and significance’. It has particular relevance for Key Stage 3, particularly to the development of Church, state and society in Medieval Britain following the Norman Conquest.

Did you have any interesting experiences during the research for the book?

I love doing the research: clambering over ruined castle walks and going on long walks through the Dorset countryside, reading lots and lots of historical novels for research (the ones written for children are often the best) and watching any historical dramas and films (particularly if they include some good sword fighting). But I also love studying really obscure history books in the British Library. When I was a teacher I saw how fascinated children are by the ‘true story’. After one of my ‘medieval’ lessons they all galloped out of the classroom one by one as I dismissed them – I was very proud.

Do you know of other books that readers might have read, who may also enjoy King’s Company?
King’s Company falls into the same category as books by Rosemary Sutcliff, Ronald Welch and Geoffrey Trease, although with a less formal, more contemporary feel to the dialogue and political passages. More recent books which deal with a similar period in history are Elizabeth Laird’s Crusade and Kevin Crossley Holland’s Arthur series (The Seeing Stone etc).

Do you have a favourite bookshop where you are a regular customer or in your hometown?
Ink84 on the Blackstock Road in Highbury is my new favourite bookshop. My other regular one is the Waterstones on Islington Green.  There is also the Stoke Newington Bookshop, and the Muswell Hill Bookshop. The Alligator’s Mouth in Richmond is near where I grew up, although it’s relatively recent so I didn’t actually go there as a child.

Do you have any hobbies?
Visiting historical sites and discovering their stories; having bizarre conversations with nine-year-olds about how the world works; long walks in the countryside; reading, and watching good TV.

Are you on twitter?
Yes, my twitter address is @jessamy_taylor

You can read an extract from King’s Company on The People’s Book Prize website where it is being showcased for the Autumn collection. Please visit the site and help support new and undiscovered works.

*  UPDATE  * We are very pleased to give an update - King's Company is a Finalist in The People's Book Prize! The Autumn collection is now closed and final voting will open again on 15 May 2017

King's Company
ISBN 9781908041197
Published by IndieBooks

More about Jessamy:

Jessamy was born in 1975 and educated in Hampton, Middlesex, and at Cambridge University, where she read History.  She has worked in music publishing and as a teacher.  She now lives in North London with her family, and muses on the similarities between twelfth-century England and daily life in her kitchen. She is currently working on the sequel to King’s Company. 

Other related articles:

• King’s Company has been reviewed by the author S J A Turney. The review is published online here: https://sjat.wordpress.com/2016/04/28/kings-company
• Jessamy’s ‘Top Ten Castles in Fiction’ published in the Guardian Review (March 2015) https://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2015/mar/05/jessamy-taylors-top-10-castles-in-fiction

Jason Drew is Lord of the Flies!

We are just days away from the 7th Awards Ceremony for The People's Book Prize 2015/2016 and very pleased that our author Jason Drew is one of the finalists.

The People's Book Prize is the unique literary competition that is judged by the nation. It is aimed at finding, supporting and promoting new and undiscovered works. Voting is done on The People's Book Prize website where all 36 Finalists are listed, within 3 categories: Fiction, Non-Fiction and Children's and you can vote for one book in each category. The winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony on 12 July which will be broadcast by Sky News.

Jason's book was chosen in the Summer 2015 Collection.  The Story of the Fly and How it Could Save the World will take you behind the pesky reputation and inside the brain and body of the much misunderstood fly.  It investigates the insect as pest and how man has tried (tirelessly, often unsuccessfully) to kill it – exploring everything from how it walks on ceilings to how it survives Ice Ages and outsmart all manner of fly swats, toxins and traps. The book also reveals how, throughout history, innovative humans – including Napoleon Bonaparte’s surgeon, NASA, various forensic entomologists and the UK National Health Services – have harnessed and researched the fly to help mankind.
But ultimately it introduces the fly as a future hero that could help save the world.
How?  By recycling waste nutrients and generating sustainable protein to spare the fish in the ocean and feed the ever-growing number of people on our Earth.  That’s a story worth telling.  And one worth reading, too.

In the lead-up to the final, Jason was interviewed by The People's Book Prize team and tells how he has been described as 'Lord of the Flies and as 'one of Africa's most inspiring green leaders'.
You can read the full interview here and also includes details on how to vote.

We wish Jason all the best at the Awards Ceremony when the winners will be announced.

If you haven't voted yet, please visit the website now!

April is.... The London Book Fair!

It's that time of year... the evenings are lighter, daffodils and tulips are blooming, newborn spring lambs are bouncing. The new season brings signs of new beginnings and what better place to forge new business relationships than The London Book Fair.

Now in its 45th year, this Fair covers all aspects of the industry and we look forward to meeting clients and customers, old and new. The Fair returns to Olympia London and runs from 12 to 14 April.

Booksellers and Buyers attend the Fair to seek out new contacts, discover new titles and new suppliers. We can show you the range of titles available from our publishers and explain how easily we can supply.

Publishers will find the Fair is the global marketplace for negotiations.  If you are looking for a company who can provide a seamless service, covering both sales representation and distribution fully managed in one place, Vine House Distribution will provide you with a professional and personal solution so that you can concentrate on your publishing.

Whether you are a bookseller or buyer looking for new and exciting titles or a publisher seeking sales and distribution, we would welcome a visit from you. Come and have a chat to see how we can help.

We will be exhibiting a selection of our titles together with information about our services and forthcoming list. Visit us on Stand 6E70 or if you prefer, call or email us first. We look forward to hearing from you.

Vine House Distribution Limited, The Old Mill House, Mill Lane,
Uckfield, East Sussex  TN22 5AA
email: sales@vinehouseuk.co.uk
phone: +44 1825 767396

Welcome to our March blog....here is a little bit about what we do.

If you'd like to discuss any of our services in greater detail, and how we can help you in any way, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

What makes our distribution cutting edge

Vine House Distribution Limited

This month we focus on one of Vine House Distribution Limited key services our platinum standard warehousing and distribution.

What makes our distribution cutting edge

Vine House Distribution Limited client and customer services department support and control a comprehensive range of distribution services:

·         handling the order, picking and despatch of orders whatever the size for all over the world;

·         investing in dynamic service orientated leading edge IT to improve efficiency in operating performance.

Improving 

·         Maximisation of warehouse storage capacity.

·         Better packing practices with positive environmental effects.

·         Faster despatch times.

So why choose us for your distribution

Vine House Distribution Limited staff understands fully the needs of distribution for their customers and individual staff are assigned as first point of contact and ongoing liaison.

The staff are always on hand to offer or discuss with you any challenges you may have.  We understand that getting the distribution right is the key to getting your book out there. 

And of course we specialise in distribution for the smaller publisher.   

Our client and customer services department support and manage:

·         Slick processes for checking stock;

·         Handling deliveries and returns;

·         Stock husbandry; and  

·         Individual bar coding and annual stocktaking.

A cut above

66,000 sq ft distribution centre operating a high capacity quick turn-around system within twenty hours of receipt.

A successful warehouse distribution supported by Vine House’s strong management team, leaving you time to market your book.

Our pledge to you 

Vine House Distribution Limited sets itself apart with its cutting edge service and pledges to you a service second to none:

Value for money
International distribution
Nothing is too much trouble
Encouragement and support
Help at your fingertips
Orders of any size 
Understand our business
Sales and Marketing bespoke to you
Excellent communicating with our customers at all times

Distribution Limited   

And finally

If you need a professional efficient cutting edge distributor contact Vine House Distribution Limited now.

Email sales@vinehouseuk.co.uk
Phone +44 1825 767 396Fax +441825 765 649

Firstly we would like to wish you Happy New Year and hope you all had a good Christmas and that you're not sitting at home watching the rain and wondering how your 2016 will pan out!

Well.....

1. You could write a book and let us distribute it for you.......we are waiting for your call!

2. Read a good book...does wonders for your brain and imagination.

3. Turn off the TV....reading at night settles your mind for a better night sleep than watching TV.

4. If you have children or other dependents....read to them or help them read to you.

5. Take a trip to your local library....it's great to browse...take your time, you never know what you'll find

6. The 'Catch 22' of January is trying to speed up a long month with new things to do or slow it down because of looming bills...better still read the book of the same name and grow your sole by the same measure!

7. When it's dark outside read the Art of Happiness by the Dalai Lama and feel the light.

8. Before watching a film where there is already a book, read the book first and see how it changes your perspective.

9. If you didn't get a Kindle Fire for Christmas, get your duffel coats on and light one in the garden and read stories to each other.

10. Finally....Even the intellectual of readers will take most of January to plough through ‘The Luminaries’ but at least we can all blame it on the hangover of Christmas.

....OK that was 10, I got carried away!

So Moving on......

What we can do for you:

Your book is your passion, and if you’re the author then you’ll have spent months, maybe even years, finishing it and if you’re the publisher then your authors are important to you so let us take care of the distribution and sales.

Book distribution is our passion. Vine House has been around for over 25 years and have gained a wealth of knowledge and contacts to get your book out there.
The book distribution process may be new to you, but we’re here to help with every step. From the actual warehousing, distribution, invoicing and cash collection to the sales and marketing, with a tailor made service so you can rest assured that your book will receive the personal attention it deserves.

To read our full services please visit our website: www.vinehouseuk.co.uk

What our Publishers say...

“We have been a client of Vine House for more than 17 years and have had consistently excellent service from them for the whole period.” Dance Books

“Easy On The Eye Books were pleased with the attitude and enthusiasm of Vine House to our initial proposals, and as a new publisher have found them helpful and supportive”. Easy On The Eye

"To Picnic, ‘Vine House’ means Pauline Gosden, Julie McCarron and Sarah Squibb. They have been steadfast throughout a very difficult time for Picnic and I cannot rate them or the service they provide more highly. Efficient, always supportive and helpful, nothing is too much trouble. They specialise in sales and distribution for the smaller publishers - and I don't think you can get much smaller than Picnic! - and do so with dedication, thoughtfulness and great kindness." Picnic Publishing

"Vine House, having been MRP's distributor for 12 years, has demonstrated that a small, enthusiastic, friendly and efficient team is ideally suited to the requirements of a specialist publisher such as ourselves." Motor Racing Publications

Read more on our website - http://www.vinehouseuk.co.uk/testimonials.php

If you would like further information and would like to have a chat or arrange a meeting, please get in touch – email:  sales@vinehouseuk.co.uk
Vine House Distribution Ltd, The Old Mill House, Mill Lane, Uckfield, East Sussex, TN22 5AA
Tel:  +44 1825 767 396  Fax: +44 1825 765649
 

                     FORTHCOMING TITLES SCHEDULE 2016

DECEMBER 2015

Path of Duty - £9.99   Fiction

JANUARY 2016

The 7^th Python - £16.99      Biography

If Only They’d Met -  £16.99       Historical Fiction

FEBRUARY 2016

The Hunt Shanghai - £7.99          Travel

Organic Wine: A Marketer’s Guide - £22.95        Business/Wine

Concepts of Wine Chemistry PB - £49.00       Wine/Winemaking

MARCH 2016

The Hunt Chicago - £7.99          Travel

Superbrands Annual 2016 - £60.00          Marketing/Branding

Greece – Lesbos - £23.95        Travel/Wildlife

Spanish Pyrenees Revised - £24.95       Travel/Wildlife

 

APRIL 2016

The Hunt Barcelona - £7.99      Travel

    

JUNE 2016

The Hunt Rio de Janeiro - £7.99    Travel

The Hunt Sydney - £7.99       Travel

Ibiza Nudes Vol 2 - £43.00      Photography

The Hunt Washington - £7.99       Travel

Ethiopia – Traveller’s Handbook - £17.99         Travel

JULY 2016

The Hunt Vancouver - £7.99        Travel

French Poems of the Great War - £10.99       War Poetry

If you would like further information please get in touch 

email:  sales@vinehouseuk.co.uk
Vine House Distribution Ltd

The Old Mill House

Mill Lane

Uckfield

East Sussex

TN22 5AA
Tel:  +44 1825 767 396  Fax: +44 1825 765649