Join In!

  

I love having people on my blog, whether it is through guest posts or taking part in features.

I'm always looking for guest posts, whether they're from authors or readers. You can find out more information here and you can find past guest posts here 

 If you would like a spot on the blog, give me a shout at jenniferjoycewrites@gmail.com

Calling All Summer Book Lovers!

 

 

Summer is the perfect time for enjoying a good book, whether you're at the beach, lounging on a picnic blanket in the park or sitting with a cup of tea in the garden.

 

So I thought I would set up a new feature on the blog - creatively named 'My Summer Reads' - where we can share our love for reading in the sun with summer-based posts.

 

If you'd like to take part, give me a shout at jenniferjoycewrites@gmail.com with your post and any links/images you'd like to go with it.

 

Posts can include:

• Your favourite summer read
• The summer reads you're looking forward to this year
• Your Summer Reading List
• Your Top 5 or even Top 10 summer reads
• Your favourite summery book covers
• What you look forward to most in a summer read
• Your favourite place to read during the summer

Or feel free to get creative with your own ideas!

 

If you'd like to take part but don't want to write a post, I can send you some questions about your summer reading habits instead.

 

If you're a writer and have a summery read you'd like to share, please get in touch too! You could tell us the inspiration behind your story or setting or any research you did for the book. Again, feel free to get creative with your own summer-based ideas!

 

I'm hoping to run the feature throughout July and August, so please do get in touch if you'd like a spot.

 

Click here to see My Summer Reads posts

Calling All Authors and Book Bloggers!

Are you an author - either traditionally published or indie? Or perhaps you're a book blogger who'd like to have a jaunt around the blogosphere? Then I'd love to welcome you here.

 

I'm looking mainly for authors or fans of chick lit/women's fiction. If you're interested in appearing on the blog, simply send me an email to jenniferjoycewrites@gmail.com with your guest post and the images and links to your book and/or social media so people know where to find you.

 

As a vague guide, guest posts should be around 3-500 words and must be about books or writing. Possible topics could be:

• inspiration behind your book
• book titles
• when you decided to become a writer
• favourite books/authors
• favourite childhood book

But feel free to be creative and write about your own topic - as long as it centres around books or writing!

 

If I'm going to use your post, I will email you with a date of when it will go up on the blog. Please make a note of it so you can let your friends and followers know when the time comes and you can also answer any comments that may be left for you.

 

If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment or email me at the above address.

 

Wanted: Festive Guest Posts

Are you an author of a festive book - either traditionally published or self-published? Or are you a book blogger who loves to read festive books? Maybe you're just a massive fan of Christmas! If so, would you like to guest post on my little blog?

I have guest posts every Wednesday from authors and book bloggers and thought I'd throw a bit of tinsel at them in the run up to Christmas. Possible topics could be:

• Your festive book
• Top Ten Christmas books/films/songs
• Your favourite Christmas book/film/song
• Family Christmas traditions
• Your town at Christmas
• Your Christmas crafts or baking

Or make up your own Christmassy topic! Don't forget to add any links and images to you, your social media and book (if applicable) that you'd like to include.

If you're interested in a festive guest post spot, please email me at jenniferjoycewrites@gmail.com

If I'm going to use your post, I will email you with a date of when it will go up on the blog. Please make a note of it so you can let your friends and followers know when the time comes and you can also answer any comments that may be left for you.

If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment or email me at the above address.

 

***Please note, non-book promotional posts and editorials and those looking to advertise on behalf of other companies will not be accepted. I am not looking to make a profit, I'm only interested in spreading some festive joy***

The Shine On Award

Thank you to Kirsty at The Love Of A Good Book for nominating me for the Shine On award.
 
THE SHINE ON AWARD
Here are the rules of the award:
1. Visit and thank the blogger who nominated you.
2. Acknowledge that blogger on your blog, and link back.
3. Share seven random, interesting things about yourself.
4. Nominate up to 15 bloggers for the Shine On Award, provide a link to their blogs in your post, and notify them on their blogs.
My 7 facts:

1. My favourite colour is pink. I wish everything I owned was pink.
2. I've never watched a Star Wars, James Bond or Indiana Jones film. And I'd very much like to keep it that way.
3. I've only ever had one stay in hospital, when I had my oldest daughter.
4. My favourite flavour of ice cream is vanilla.
5. I prefer older music and am partial to cheesy pop.
6. If somebody filmed Tom Hanks reading out a phone book, I would watch it.
7. I can't stand Scooby Doo or Rupert the Bear.

The blogs I'd nominate seem to have already got it so if anyone else wants to take part, feel free!

Blog Makeover

As you can see, the blog looks a little bit different and it even has a new name (unless something has gone horribly wrong).

When I started the blog, it was completely anonymous. I set it up one afternoon to see how difficult it was, fully expecting to struggle and get fed up with it really quickly before abandoning it. But that didn't happen. It wasn't difficult and I LOVED blogging so I'm still here, two years later.

The blog is no longer anonymous as I finally plucked up the courage to add my name to my profile and also added it to twitter so I thought it was about time I added it to the blog name too. It's a bit strange saying goodbye to Mama J (although I am still her to my 10 year old. The J stands for Jellyfish, by the way - It's a longish story) but I've been thinking about changing it for a while and, with my domain needing a renewal, I thought now was the perfect time.

 

 

As well as a change to the domain name, my email address has changed too. If you wish to contact me, you can at jenniferjoycewrites@gmail.com 

Two Awards!

Back in May I was nominated for two Liebster awards from Sylvia Ney and Sidonie Helena and have finally gotten round to responding (it's been a hectic time, blog-wise. Sorry).

Liebster Award Rules

1. List 11 facts about yourself.

2. Answer the 11 questions given to you.

3. Ask 11 new questions for the bloggers you nominate for the award.

4. Choose up to 11 up and coming blogs to nominate.

5. Go to each blogger’s page and let them know about the award.

6. Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their blog.

 

As I've been awarded two awards, I'm going to combine them and only post one set of 11 facts (I'm not interesting enough to have 22) and I'll answer half(ish) of the questions from each of my nominees.

So here goes.

My eleven facts:

1. I'm embarrassingly thick when it comes to geography. I only found out this year that Transylvania is an actual place and not just made up for vampire stories. Seriously.
2. I've never seen the film Mary Poppins all the way through. But I have seen the musical on Broadway. 
3. I've also seen Billy Elliot on the West End. But I have seen the film all the way through. Many, many times.
4. My favourite colours are pink, pink and more pink.
5. I don't like cheese unless it's been melted in or on something.
6. *whispers* I have never read the Bridget Jones books.
7. The first film I watched at the cinema was The Little Mermaid.
8. The last film I watched at the cinema was Identity Thief.
9. I'm the youngest of 5. I have a sister and three brothers.
10. I've been stung by a wasp once. I was about 11 or 12 and was innocently waiting outside the library for it to open when it jabbed me.
11. I can't stand coffee. The smell alone makes me feel sick. 

 

Questions from Sylvia:

What do you hope to have accomplished five years from today?
I'd love to be a published writer.

What is the best trip or family vacation you have ever taken?
We went to New York for Christmas 2011 and it was amazing. I've always wanted to go, especially at Christmas (thanks to Home Alone 2) and would love to go again.

Name one children’s book that you think all adults ought to read and take to heart.

The Animals of Farthing Wood by Colin Dann

What fairy tale character do you identify with the most?

Sleeping Beauty. But only because I love to sleep.

What do you think is one of the worst movies or TV shows ever made?

All the TOWIE type programs

If you had a super power what would it be?

I'd love to be able to pause time. Think of everything you could get done in a day!


Questions from Sidonie

What was your least favorite subject in school?

I'd have to say languages. We learned French and Spanish at school but I really struggled with them.

Do you prefer talking over the phone or face to face?

Face to face. I hate using the phone, even though I was a receptionist in my younger days.

Where did you grow up?

Oldham, Greater Manchester. I've always lived within the same general area.

If you could live anywhere on earth, where would you live?

New York. Although I'm sure I'd miss home.Your favorite film is...?

You've Got Mail.

Apple or PC?

PC. Apple is too confusing with its different kinds of clicking.


And now my questions:

1. Who is your favourite author?
2. And your favourite book?
3. When and why did you start your blog?
4. If you could live in any time period, what would it be?
5. What is your favourite thing about summer?
6. And your least favourite thing about summer?
7. Tea, coffee or none?
8. What is your favourite song?
9. What are your current favourite tv shows?
10. Do you have a party trick?
11. If you could have one wish, what would it be?

And finally, I nominate the following blogs:

Shaz's Book Blog 
The London Diaries 
I heart Books
Georgina Troy 
Reading In The Sunshine 
Miss Bookworm Reviews
Jersey Girl Book Reviews
Victoria Loves Books

PS Please ignore any formatting issues within this post. It's been a bloody nightmare and I wash my hands of it.

Guest Posters Wanted

 

 

For the past few weeks I've been hosting guest posts, doing my bit to spread the word about books and their authors so I thought I would continue to do so.

 

Are you an author - either traditionally published or indie? Or perhaps you're a book blogger who'd like to have a jaunt around the blogosphere? Then I'd love to welcome you here.

 

I'm looking mainly for authors or fans of chick lit/women's fiction. If you're interested in appearing on the blog, simply send me an email to jenniferjoycewrites@gmail.com with your guest post and the images and links to your book and/or social media so people know where to find you.

 

As a vague guide, guest posts should be around 3-500 words and must be about books or writing. Possible topics could be:

• inspiration behind your book
• book titles
• when you decided to become a writer
• favourite books/authors
• favourite childhood book

But feel free to be creative and write about your own topic - as long as it centres around books or writing!

 

If I'm going to use your post, I will email you with a date of when it will go up on the blog. Please make a note of it so you can let your friends and followers know when the time comes and you can also answer any comments that may be left for you.

 

If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment or email me at the above address.

 

 

***Please note, non-book promotional posts and editorials and those looking to advertise on behalf of other companies will not be accepted. I am not looking to make a profit,  I'm only interested in spreading the good word of books***

The Booker Award

For moi? Thank you, Kate!

This auspicious award targets literary and book-centered blogs and the rules for this one are simple:

1. Post your top five books of all time.

• Rachel's Holiday - Marian Keyes
• The Animals of Farthing Wood - Colin Dann
• One Hit Wonder - Lisa Jewell
• Babyville - Jane Green
• Matilda - Roald Dahl

2. Post the Booker Award icon.
3. Nominate other bloggers to do the same.
My nominees are:

• I Heart Books
• Books, Biscuits & Tea
• Kyra Lennon
• Shaz's Book Blog
• Sarah's Book Reviews

Change of Address

To go with its mini makeover, my blog now has a new address. Anyone who follows me through blogger should still be able to find me as usual.

I've had to adjust my header picture as it turns out part of the letters were being cut off on some computers (but not mine, annoyingly so I didn't have a clue). I'm hoping it's fixed now (even if it does look like my pen was running out after I'd resized it). If it's still cutting off bits for you, please let me know so I can weep with frustration. And then try and fix it.

As well as the header, I've added a review page to list all the reviews I've posted and I'm going to work through them and add them onto Amazon too because I always forget to do that.

Mini Makeover

I've given my blog a little mini makeover. I wanted to personalise it a bit more with an image at the top but couldn't find anything I wanted so I made my own. While I was mucking about with post-it notes (which now have another use - yay), my notice board and my camera, I thought I'd make some images for my tabs too.

Happy 1 Year Blogiversary To Me!

Time flies when you're having fun and time has definitely flown this past year. I can't quite believe it's been a year since I set up my blog one afternoon to 'see how difficult it is'. It wasn't difficult at all and I've been waffling ever since.

My first post was an introduction and we're still pretty much the time but a year older and we have a gazillion stick insects now *shudders* I still can't stand the creepy little dudes.

At the time I was rereading Babyville by Jane Green, one of my all-time favourite chick lit books and I was 37,000 words into Book 1.

Since then I have completed Book 1 and submitted it to agents and got through two drafts of Book 2. I've read lots of books and started reviewing some on here and on Novelicious and have taken part in my first blog tour, interviewing author Ellen Sussman.

I've joined Twitter (@Writer_Jenn on there), which has been brilliant and have taken part in a few blog hops.

Thank you to everyone who has visited or commented on my little blog. Here's to another 12 months of blogging. I hope it's as much fun as the past year has been.

I have compiled my top ten favourite posts over the last year here

Sunshine Award

I've been spoiled with awards this week - first the Versatile Blog Award and now a Sunshine Award!

Huge, sunny thanks to Kate from Me, My Books and I for giving me the award. Me, My Books and I is a lovely blog full of wonderful reviews and Kate genrously shares posts from fellow bloggers via twitter.

The rules of the award are:

Write five things about yourself

Include the award’s logo in a post

Nominate five other bloggers

Link to your nominees

Link the person who nominated you

Now for my five facts:

1. I once touched Simon Cowell's car. A group of us had tickets to watch the auditions for Britain's Got Talent in Manchester but we didn't get in (they give out far more tickets than they have room for to ensure all seats are taken - bastards :-P ). Simon's car was outside so I touched it and bring it up every time it's shown on BGT or X Factor (it's probably a different car by now but meh).
2. I'm a rubbish swimmer. Even my 9 year old is better than me and on Sunday, she kindly offered to help me practice swimming on my back.
3. My first job was working in a filthy cafe in my town's indoor market. It still makes me itch thinking about it.
4. I've never seen the Mary Poppins film all the way through but have seen the stage show on Broadway.
5. I don't like Pringles.

I would like to pass on the Sunshine Award to:

Talli Roland - a blog full of fun and writery things. Talli is friendly, both on blogs and twitter

Rebecca Leith - another aspiring writer, who is also lovely on twitter too

Debs Carr - aspiring writer and book reviewer whose shed I am extremely jealous of

The Romaniacs - a group of writers who share their love of writing and cake

Teresa Morgan - another aspiring writer sharing journey to publication



Blog Award

I had a nice surprise yesterday when I found out I'd been nominated for The Versatile Blogger by Rebecca Leith. Her blog has author interviews and lovely, thoughtful posts on writing and things of interest.

The rules of the award are:

Thank the person who gave you this award, and include a link to their blog.

Next, select 15 blogs/bloggers that you've recently discovered or follow regularly (I'd pick blogs or bloggers that are excellent!) If it's a bit of a task to list 15, and I don't want you to feel being nominated is a burden, but mention as many as you can - 8 or 10 is fine. List them, and you might like to include a link to the sites, and let them know that you've nominated them.

And tell the person who nominated you seven things about yourself.

Okie dokie, seven things about little old me:

1. I am one of five; I'm the baby and my sister is the oldest with three brothers in the middle.
2. My Great Uncle was the mayor of the town I'm from and the local swimming pool is named after him.
3. I was once a vegatarian. I lasted almost four years until the lure of chippy gravy and Hollands meat and potato pies grew too much. I reverted back four days after Christmas - so I missed out on my turkey!
4. After leaving school, I went to college to train to become a beauty therapist, despite hating feet. I (somehow) managed pedicures but soon scarpered when it came to the waxing module.
5. I have no middle name. As a kid, I always felt I was missing out. My girls have middle names.
6. The first film I saw at the cinema was The Little Mermaid. I watched it with my mum, grandma and one of my brothers.
7. During the summer holidays when I was seven, I broke my ankle. This didn't stop me playing out with my friends once I discovered I could walk on my cast. I used to leave my crutches at the front door and hobble out into the street to play marbles. My mum had to then take me back to the hospital to get my cast reinforced as it cracked and crumble underneath my foot.

I would like to nominate:

Kyra Lennon  Me, My Books and I  DizzyC'sLittleBookBlog  One More Page  Books, Biscuit and Tea  Sarah's Book Reviews  ReaBookReview  Chloe's Chick Lit Reviews

The Versatile Blogger Award

Huge thanks to Amy who awarded me the Versatile Blogger award this week. I feel all special now :-D

The rules for The Versatile Blogger Award are:

1. Thank the award-giver and link back to them in your post.

2. Share 7 things about yourself.

3. Pass the award along to other, recently discovered blogs and let them know about it.

4. Contact your chosen bloggers to let them know about the award.

So my 7 facts are:

1. I am the youngest of 5 and have 3 three brothers and a sister
2. I'm an Aquarius (but I don't believe in all that)
3. I LOVE sprouts. Really.
4. I have a fear of horses. Among many other things
5. I gave birth to my youngest daughter on the sofa I am sitting on right now (sorry, too much information there)
6. In a couple of months, I am going to be a Great Aunty (and I'm only 28 - 'Great' makes me feel ancient)
7. I don't like cheese unless it's melted

The blogs I am passing the award on to are:

Liz Crump - who blogs about writing, words and parties that look like great fun

Debs Carr - who blogs about books and authors, adorable puppies and the equally adorable Grumps

Chick Lit Central: The Blog - who blog about books, giveaways and promote other blogs

Blog Awards

A huge thank you to Liz Crump who nominated me for The Liebster Blog award.

Liz said my blog has a happy lay out and chatty, vibrant and honest blog posts
I often think I am waffling away to myself so I really appreciate the award and anybody who pays any attention to my little blog.


In accepting the Liebster Blog Award, the recipient agrees to:
- Thank the person who gave them the award and link back to that person's blog
- Copy and paste the award to their blog
- Reveal the 5 blogs they have chosen to award, commenting on their blog to break the news!
- Hope those people in turn pay it forward by accepting and awarding "The Liebster Blog Award" to bloggers they would like to honour

This award is for anyone with fewer than 200 followers. :)

The five blogs I have chosen are:

• Bang Out The Prose for great posts that I often find myself nodding along with. Writing can be tough so it's great to know there are other people in the same boat as you. Also love Suz's little drawings too
• Coffee with Marcie for sharing her journey into self publication.
• Diary of a Mummy Misfit Blog for her fun posts giving an insight into her life as a writer
• Emma Silver: Unpublished Author for sharing her quest for publication, which is something I can relate to. Her posts are honest and show how difficult and frustrating it can be for wannabe writers
• 120 Socks for great posts on writing, book reviews and the latest competitions

Thank you all for sharing and, as Brucie would say, keeeeeep blogging!

Awards

Today I am a proud Mama J as I have been given my first ever blogging award by PT_Writer. I haven't prepared a speech but many thanks to you. You're a star.


THE RULES:

1. Show your appreciation to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them.
2. Reveal your top five picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.
3. Post the award on your blog.
4. Bask in the camaraderie of the most supportive people on the internet—other writers.
5. And best of all—have bloggity fun and spread the love.

My top five are as follows:

Debs Carr - Another writer who gives fantastic book reviews and introduced me to the wonderful Dorothy Koomson

Sarah Duncan - A published writer who takes the time to give out brilliant advice for wannabe writers on her blog

PT_Writer - Not only does she have great taste in blogs by giving me an award (I assure you I am kidding), she has a great blog and I love following her on Twitter

Virginia Jewel - The first person to follow my blog and fellow member of ChickLitters. It's great having someone else to discuss writer type stuff with

Cally Taylor - Another published writer who provides inspiration and advice to us wannabes. Even when she has a maimed thumb


Can you feel the blogging love? I feel good now. Keep blogging and writing ladies x