Miranda Writes 4: What’s this about a diner…?

All this year I will be documenting the writing, editing and publishing of my fifth novel, giving you a unique, behind-the-scenes look at my life as a writer. This week, the second of your suggestions is announced for Book who has suggested the RANDOM QUIRKY OBJECT that will be appearing in Book 5 (along with their name in the acknowledgements)? And what’s so special about the diner I’ve just written…?

Thank you so much to everybody who suggested random objects for Book 5. They were so good, I chose TWO! Both objects will appear in Nell’s cousin Lizzie’s apartment in San Francisco. To recap on the story so far, when Nell Sullivan discovers she’s been made redundant (and the news delivered by her on-off boyfriend Aidan, who she thought she was getting back together with), she refuses to be brought down by the blow. Instead, she blows her redundancy cheque on a two-month adventure to the City of Lights – San Francisco, where her cousin Lizzie lives. Nell, who has always been one to play life safe and never take risks, begins to discover what incredible things can happen when you throw caution to the wind and see where life takes you…

Just before you watch the vlog to find out which two people will be featuring in Book 5, I’d just like to mention this daft thing I’m doing for this year’s Comic Relief Red Nose Day

YES! YOU can be mentioned in an exclusive short story I’m writing for Red Nose Day 2013! Simply SPONSOR ME HERE – any amount – and I’ll mention you! It is slightly crazy because I’m going to work in everybody who sponsors me into the short story. At the moment, I’m thinking it will be a little bit like Love, Actually, where I’ll dream up several stories that work together. Please consider sponsoring me – you’ll be helping Comic Relief do their amazing work with people in the UK and Africa who desperately need our help. Thank you!

And so, without further ado, here’s this week’s vlog… Good luck, everyone!

p.s. This week’s YouTube-nominated freeze-frame is entitled, ‘Neeeeeeya…’

Miranda Writes 3 – Your Questions Answered!

All this year I will be documenting the writing, editing and publishing of my fifth novel, giving you a unique, behind-the-scenes look at my life as a writer. This week, I’m well into writing the new first draft of Book 5 and have started to ask for your help…

Last time I told you I was going to invite you to get involved with the new Book 5 – and this week I asked my first question:

What is the name of the San Francisco cabbie in the story?

I had fifty awesome suggestions on Twitter – so thank you so much if you sent one! I announce the winner in this week’s vlog below, so fingers crossed and enjoy! There will be more chances to get involved – watch out for the #getinvolved hashtag on my twitter profile and special requests on my facebook page. And if I use your suggestion, you will get a thank you in the acknowledgements of Book 5!

Enjoy!

p.s. This week’s YouTube-nominated freeze-frame is entitled, ‘La-Laaaaaaaah!’

p.p.s. I also mention some fantastic writing retreats – find out about BookCamp here

Future Stars – The WINNERS!


I am so excited to reveal to you the winners of my Future Stars competition!

It’s been amazing – over 200 entries, tons of awesome talent and one very tough decision for me. In the end, I’ve chosen seven Future Stars because the entries were so good and I just couldn’t choose between the last three. So two of my Magnificent Seven have been offered scholarships and five regular places. I’m not sure if they’ll be as excited to have to put up with me for a year as I am to work with them!

There were also a group of entrants who were so good that I wished I could take them all on. As a way of inspiring them, I will be contacting them in the next few days to offer something I hope will inspire them and encourage them to pursue their writing dream. Read on after the vlog below to see who those people are…

So, without further ado, here are my magnificent seven!


Congratulations to Dominique Hall, Emma Warburton, Ritzi Cortez, Neal Doran, Emily Glenister, Millie McGarrick and Kate Rhead, who I will be mentoring for the next twelve months!

The lovely writers I will be contacting this week are:
Mel Jordan
Gail Parnell
Anna Baker-Barnes
Catherine Meadows
Sherri Nicholds
Kate Farr
Sophie Waterfield
Alan Geoffrey Smith
Katharine D’Souza
Stephen Blower
Hillary Stevens
DJ Paterson
Julia Perry
Sarah Hughes
Helen McAnerney
Zaphinia Woods
Rachael Leo
Lisa Bambrick
Vanessa Savage
Jacqueline Sheppard
Nicole Trilivas
Laura E. James
Bethany Wheeler
Natalie Martin
Kate Scholefield
Jules Griffin
Romilly Hope
Catherine Miller


Massive congratulations to everyone and I’ll be in touch soon!

My VLOG is back! Big news and exciting times…

All this year I will be documenting the writing, editing and publishing of my fifth novel, giving you a unique, behind-the-scenes look at my life as a writer. This week, I’ve made a huge decision about Book Five…

I debated whether or not to reveal this, but I think it’s something that will encourage you if you’re a writer (and show you how important you are if you are a reader!) Over the past two years that I’ve been filming and sharing my vlogs, I’ve always been as honest as I can about the reality of being a writer.

So find out what my writing resolution is for 2013 and hear how my search for my FutureStars is inspiring me already…

As always, I love answering your questions in my vlogs. So if there’s something you would love to know about writing, editing, publishing, my novels, or anything else, leave a comment below, or email: mirandawurdy@gmail.com, chat to me on twitter or leave me a comment on facebook. I’d love to know what you think of the first vlog of 2013 – and my big news!

Enjoy! xx

p.s. This week’s YouTube-nominated freeze frame is entitled, ‘Look at the beautiful butterfly!’

Could YOU be one of my FUTURE STARS?

Future Stars logo

Are you a writer? How would you like the chance to be personally mentored by me for a whole year?

I am thrilled to launch my search for five talented writers who will embark on a year of challenge, scary adventure, huge opportunities and lots of fun!

FUTURE STARS is a one year mentoring programme where my chosen writers will have me on hand as their personal cheerleader, mentor, challenger and (hopefully) inspiration coach. I will work with each writer on their personal writing goals, offer help and advice with their work in progress, provide help with editing, give advice on promotion and social media, and will introduce them to people within the publishing industry to experience first-hand what agents and publishers are looking for. Each writer will receive a 30min phone call from me each month and there will be an exclusive networking group for all five writers and me to chat to and support one another throughout the year. There will also be opportunities to meet up!

What I’m looking for

I’m looking for writers of any genre who are committed to investing a year in their writing. Not only will talent count but also a demonstrable desire to make this year the year when things happen. Because of this, four of the chosen writers will be asked to pay a course fee of £80 (because this is an investment in your future career) – and I will choose one writer to receive a scholarship place for free. I’m asking all entrants to submit a chapter of their work, plus complete a personal statement outlining their goals for their writing. It all sounds very serious, but this way people who are really determined to be writers will stand out. I can’t promise you a publishing deal (I wish I could!) but I can promise you will learn about yourself as a writer, hone your craft and put yourself in the best possible place to pursue your dream.

So, are you up for a year of awesome writing adventure? 

To enter, download the application form HERE and send it with
ONE chapter of your work to: mirandawurdy@gmail.com.

APPLICATIONS WILL CLOSE AT MIDNIGHT ON THURSDAY 14TH FEBRUARY. WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON SATURDAY 16TH FEB.

GO FOR IT!

F.A.Qs: Do you write chick-lit?

This is one of the questions I am asked most often – here is my response.

Merry Christmas everyone!

I can hardly believe Christmas is here! Bring on the mince pies, twinkle lights and The Muppet Christmas Carol!

And, of course, Christmas is a time for PRESSIES – so here are two especially for you! Thank you so much for all your love, support and friendship this year, for buying, reading and spreading the word about When I Fall in Love and for being brilliant!

So – pressie number one is a little something to bop around the Christmas tree to. Michael Bublé has one, so does James Taylor, (and the less said about Rod Stewart’s the better), so here’s my very own collection of Christmas tunes especially for you! (Click on the image below to go to the free download)

Sparkly Christmas Medley EP cover

Pressie number 2 is a very special, magical story for the festive season. Find out what happens when one woman receives a surprise guest… (Click on the image below to read the story – you can download it free, too!)

The Christmas Window by Miranda Dickinson

Happy Christmas and look out for lots of exciting stuff coming soon! xx

Hear an extract of When I Fall in Love – read by me!

As you know I am a bit of a geek when it comes to new online media, so I’ve been having a lot of fun this week after discovering AudioBoo. I’ve recorded one of my favourite scenes from When I Fall in Love especially for you!

The scene is the first official public performance of The Sundaes, a choir my main character Elsie Maynard founds after a chance meeting with Wood Jensen, the former frontman of one-hit wonder 80s rock band Hellfinger. They’ve been asked to sing at the Brighton Carnival – a huge celebration that takes place in the town.

Hope you enjoy it!

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WOOOO-HOOO! My fourth Sunday Times bestseller!

I am over the moon to announce that When I Fall in Love is now officially my fourth Sunday Times bestseller!

When I Fall in Love by Miranda Dickinson

It’s my fourth Sunday Times bestseller, woop!

I received the news today after a nervous week and a half and I’m absolutely chuffed to bits! When I Fall in Love went straight in at number 17 in the Sunday Times Top 20 Bestsellers list (which is just for paperback sales) and my ebook sales are up from last year. It’s simply the best news and I am beyond happy about it!

I would just like to say a mahoooosive thank you to everyone who has bought (or is planning to buy) my book. It means the world to me that the book I’ve worked so hard on during the past year and am so proud of is something people want to read.

There are lots of promotions across the UK and Ireland and online worldwide, so make sure you take advantage of them – I know that Tesco still has a few copies of the special pink-page editions, but they’re selling fast so you’ll have to be quick!

As ever, thank you so, so much for your fantastic support and for making me a very happy author!

Love ya lots

M xxx

When I Fall in Love – It’s P-DAY!!!

This year I’m taking you behind the scenes of writing, editing and publishing my fourth novel, When I Fall in Love. This week, my lovely fourth book baby is finally released into the world as we reach P-DAY!
ImageI had a fantastic book launch event for competition winners at the amazing Fortnum & Mason Ice Cream Parlour – you won’t believe the size of the ice creams! Then I visited the lovely AVON team and recorded an episode of BookD podcast at HarperCollins HQ. It was a brilliant couple of days and of course I took my video camera with me…

So here, for your viewing pleasure, is my very exciting P-DAY VLOG (with added JLS… sort of)
Enjoy!

p.s. This week’s YouTube-nominated freeze frame is entitled: 

‘Things That Make You Go OOOOOOOOOOOOOOH’

p.p.s. Music on the vlog is ‘You Got It’ which will be available soon!