Laline Paull's Blog
May 16, 2023
Schrodinger's Prize
So Pod's out in the world, the slings and arrows and all that - but also - the shortlisting for The Women's Prize in the UK! Didn't see that one coming, and it's a great honour and is bringing the book to readers all over the world.
The prize is announced on June 14th, just under a month from today, and odds are the shortlist is as far as POD goes. But it doesn't matter, because you don't write a book for a prize listing, or a particular kind of reader, or any reason except you have to.
I had to write POD, I really didn't want to - and I didn't get much of a say on the copy either, which makes it sound like a YA novel (not, I hasten to add, that there's anything wrong with the YA genre, but it's yet another box and limit to a story).
The book has upset people - but what I've come to see is that they're highly sensitive and they're upset at how humans are treating and trashing the ocean, and that is part of the story. I didn't set out to write a story about that, but about two dolphin tribes, one displacing the other as a result of human activity in the environment.
Displaced people struggle and fight to survive - that's what happens on land and in the ocean of this story. People struggling to stay alive lose their manners at times. And show extraordinary grace and resilience at others. This is also part of the story - and the people are marine citizens - they're unapologetically people in the form of dolphins, whales, fish.
So in the Schrodinger's Prize period between now and the announcement (my money's on the very good Black Butterflies by Priscilla Morris) Pod might, or might not have won - but it doesn't matter.
What matters is that The Women's Prize has got it more precious readers, and even pushed some of them over the edge into environmental activism. Everyone's powerful in some way - that's also part of the story.
Best wishes
Laline
The prize is announced on June 14th, just under a month from today, and odds are the shortlist is as far as POD goes. But it doesn't matter, because you don't write a book for a prize listing, or a particular kind of reader, or any reason except you have to.
I had to write POD, I really didn't want to - and I didn't get much of a say on the copy either, which makes it sound like a YA novel (not, I hasten to add, that there's anything wrong with the YA genre, but it's yet another box and limit to a story).
The book has upset people - but what I've come to see is that they're highly sensitive and they're upset at how humans are treating and trashing the ocean, and that is part of the story. I didn't set out to write a story about that, but about two dolphin tribes, one displacing the other as a result of human activity in the environment.
Displaced people struggle and fight to survive - that's what happens on land and in the ocean of this story. People struggling to stay alive lose their manners at times. And show extraordinary grace and resilience at others. This is also part of the story - and the people are marine citizens - they're unapologetically people in the form of dolphins, whales, fish.
So in the Schrodinger's Prize period between now and the announcement (my money's on the very good Black Butterflies by Priscilla Morris) Pod might, or might not have won - but it doesn't matter.
What matters is that The Women's Prize has got it more precious readers, and even pushed some of them over the edge into environmental activism. Everyone's powerful in some way - that's also part of the story.
Best wishes
Laline
April 27, 2017
Closer to P-Day
The first reviews are coming out and it's a funny time - I'm conscious of what a wonderful position I'm in - my second novel being published - but also that there is something inherently unhealthy to the part that writes, to be in this pending state. I have book 3 cooking, but the new baby needs a lot of attention and of course it's very exciting and still a bit nerve-wracking. Perhaps it always will and should be.
At the moment I'm just about able to get back to everyone who takes the time to review and rate and like all writers I appreciate it hugely - but my Facebook page is covered in cobwebs and I may never go there again. Meanwhile I've updated and simplified my website and all events and major news will go there.
Thanks again to everyone here who supports writers on Goodreads and beyond, and that includes all the generous fellow writers who set me a good example by reviewing and posting.
Best wishes book friends.
At the moment I'm just about able to get back to everyone who takes the time to review and rate and like all writers I appreciate it hugely - but my Facebook page is covered in cobwebs and I may never go there again. Meanwhile I've updated and simplified my website and all events and major news will go there.
Thanks again to everyone here who supports writers on Goodreads and beyond, and that includes all the generous fellow writers who set me a good example by reviewing and posting.
Best wishes book friends.
April 17, 2017
Pre-publication phase, THE ICE
It's written and it's out there and living the life every book must - standing alone. It looks great - I have a great team and Jo Walker did both UK covers, The Ice and The Bees, and I truly do find them beautiful. Simple and elegant and multi-layered.
Family life means that work on book 3 (which has been cooking for a while) must wait, but writing The Ice has been so extraordinarily demanding that it is very enjoyable to think about making a cake in the middle of the day - primetime that for the last three years has been devoted to the book.
Once I start work on book 3 in earnest (school holidays over) then I won't be coming here much, because working well requires a stripping away of all non-essential screen activity - so I am taking advantage of this time to say thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read and rate and/or review my work - we are all readers first.
Back here anon,
best wishes
LP
Family life means that work on book 3 (which has been cooking for a while) must wait, but writing The Ice has been so extraordinarily demanding that it is very enjoyable to think about making a cake in the middle of the day - primetime that for the last three years has been devoted to the book.
Once I start work on book 3 in earnest (school holidays over) then I won't be coming here much, because working well requires a stripping away of all non-essential screen activity - so I am taking advantage of this time to say thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read and rate and/or review my work - we are all readers first.
Back here anon,
best wishes
LP
