Introducing... Rebecca James

We who work in publishing are supposed to be good at words. People expect us to win at scrabble, and excel at the quick crossword, and be able to dredge up a good synonym when one is needed. We are supposed to be fluent, articulate, maybe even erudite.

Sometimes, however, when passion overtakes us, eloquence flies out the window.

Case in point:

Editor: 'Hey, you know how we're introducing Rebecca James on the blog? Well is there anything you particularly want to say about Beautiful Malice?
Publisher 'I love it'
Editor: 'Yes. I see. Anything else?'
Publisher: 'I love it. I love it. I love it.'
Editor: "..."
Publisher: "I love it."

What's more, it appears that publishers all over the world are being rendered just as speechless by Rebecca's novel Beautiful Malice. It's already been sold to the UK, and in Germany people are using very exciting words like bidding and war. We are happy happy happy to be publishing Beautiful Malice here in Australia in May 2010.

And the reason for that is that the novel is freaking awesome.

We know words like 'unputdownable' and 'page turner' are overused by us supposedly fluent, articulate and erudite publishing types. But what do you say when you are so swept along by a story that you genuinely feel unable to stop reading, when to stop turning the pages causes you physical pain? What are you supposed to say then??

Well one good idea is to let the book speak for itself:

'Truth or dare?' she asks me.
'Truth.' I laugh. 'Definitely. I can imagine one of your dares, and I don't fancy running down Oxford Street naked tonight.'
'Truth.' Alice says, slowly, drawing out the vowel sound as if she's savouring the word. 'Are you sure? Are you sure you can be completely honest?'
'I think so. Try me.'
'Okay.' And then she looks at me curiously. 'So. Were you glad, deep down? Were you glad to be rid of her? Your perfect sister? Were you secretly glad when she was killed?'

And therein lies the proof that writers should be the ones living with the pressure to be good at Scrabble - because they, specifically Rebecca James, have all the good words. Rebecca has stolen all the good words and woven them together into a completely gripping story about murder, love, loyalty and betrayal. Bring on May 2010!

Here are some things about Rebecca:

1. She has designed kitchens for a living.
2. She keeps an excellent blog.
3. At one point she was the mother of four boys under four.*
4. Her sister, Wendy, is also a writer.
5. Despite having four boys and being a self-confessed procrastinator, she is already writing her next book.

So... Rebecca James - welcome to the House of Onion. We are deadset thrilled to have you in the family.



*If we weren't speechless before, we certainly would be now!