Mirror Magic Blog Tour Round-Up

It’s been a quiet month since Mirror Magic launched. But never trust a quiet writer – when we’re silent, we’re plotting.

I’ve been finishing off my latest draft of Storm Hound, due out next February, thanks to Literature Wales and Macmillan’s Children’s Books. And I’ve had my first glimpse of the cover. It’s still top secret at the moment, but I love it.

I have quite overwhelmed by the love and support for Mirror Magic. The blog tour in particular was great fun, and in case you missed any of the stops I thought I’d collate them all here in one handy guide to the Unworld. My thanks once again to everyone who took part, and to Karen Bultiauw for organising.

STOP 1 – THE READER TEACHER – Review and Guest Post, If Rome had Magic

‘Claire has conjured up a story that’s a richly magical, mid-nineteenth century myriad of mirrors and mystery. Her writing not only transcends beautifully between magical realms but in the real world too… This is definitely my most favourite of Claire’s yet!’

STOP 2 – IN PURSUIT OF WONDERLAND – Review

‘As a kid I used to wonder whether there was something on the other side of the mirror – and still do sometimes if I’m honest.’

STOP 3 – DRAWING ON BOOKS – Interview

‘Some people fear the unknown, but in the end it’s always better to be shaped by our kindness than our fear.’

STOP 4 – BOOK MURMURATION – Guest Post, If William the Conqueror had Magic

‘Inhabitants of southern England are today being urged to remain calm amid rumours that William, Duke of Normandy, is planning an invasion of the Kent coast. Normandy is well known for its enchanted apples and it is feared that Duke William has singled out Kent as suitable land for an extension of his vast orchards.’

STOP 5 – A LITTLE BUT A LOT – Review

‘Serious fun with some brilliant characters!’

STOP 6 – NO SAFER PLACE – Guest Post, If the Middle Ages had Magic

‘King William 1 of England has confirmed that the Doomsday Book will contain information on the mortal world only and will not include the corresponding Unworld towns… The Unworld welcomed the news with its usual indifference. “Your king does not rule the Unworld,” one blue-haired man said. “He can count what he likes. It makes no difference to us.”’

STOP 7 – THE UNTITLED BOOK BLOG – Review

‘This book couldn’t be any further up my street if it lived in my house.’

STOP 8 – TALES OF YESTERDAY – Guest Post, If Henry VIII had Magic

‘King Henry has shocked England by marrying his Unworld mistress, Anne Unboleyn, in a secret ceremony.’

STOP 9 – KELLY’S RAMBLES – Review

‘A truly magical and captivating adventure that will have young readers itching to jump through mirrors to visit the otherworld.’

STOP 10 – A CUP OF WONDERLAND – Review

‘I often used to imagine that there was a world similar to my own but perhaps had some magical qualities which belonged to that world.’

STOP 11 – GOLDEN BOOKS GIRL – Guest Post, the 17th Century with Magic

‘Sir Walter Raleigh has been arrested for treason following his latest expedition to the Unworld.’

STOP 12 – MINERVA READS – Review and Guest Post, the Industrial Revolution with Magic

‘The wonder of magic, of course, is that you can make anything happen anywhere. What makes it work within a novel is a basis in reality and familiarity, and the ability to exploit its comic as well as dark potential.’

STOP 13 – BOOK LOVER JO – Guest Post, What if We Had Magic Today?

‘The London Marathon once again ended in chaos as some runners used magical shortcuts through the Unworld and others took magical potions for extra speed and energy. Fifty runners were disqualified for using winged costumes.’

STOP 14 – MR RIPLEY’S ENCHANTED BOOKS – Interview

‘You have to be careful in Wyse as nothing is how it seems.’

STOP 15 – THE FAMILY BOOKWORMS – Video interview

‘What can you tell us about Mirror Magic?’

‘Um.. It’s called Mirror Magic and it’s got a cover…’

(The interview does get better after that – stick with it!)

I have added all the guest posts to my resources section, along with the Wyse Weekly Mirror and a newspaper template for you to print out and create your own ‘what if’ newspaper. Please do take a look!