DEAR DYLAN - long-listed for the Young Minds Book Award

“I’m so tired of feeling sad. And waiting for other people to make me happy and they don’t. And if no-one else is going to make you happy, well maybe you just have to do it for yourself?”

Fourteen year old Georgie Harris feels as if the summer holidays are over before they have even begun. Banned from going to the local drama workshop by her bully of a step-dad and her increasingly fragile mum, she is consigned to six long weeks of looking after her tooth-fairy obsessed kid sister. Sick of feeling like the outsider at home and at school, she starts emailing the one person she thinks might understand; Dylan Curtland, star of the popular soap opera Jessop Close. And when Dylan starts emailing back, Georgie finally feels a spark of hope. At last she has someone who really gets her, someone who really wants to help. But in the faceless world of email all is not as it seems…

Dear Dylan cover

DOWNLOAD DEAR DYLAN FOR FREE

‘This is an absorbing, moving novel. I finished it last night and I’m still thinking about the characters so much that I want check on them and see how things are going for them now!’ Luisa Plaja, author of Extreme Kissing and Swapped by a Kiss, Chicklish.

‘I must admit that Dear Dylan didn’t unfold in the way that I expected at all…and upon finishing it I can definitely see why it has been nominated for the Young Minds Book Award. The way that the emails are written exude feeling and personality. Dear Dylan was something different for me and I thoroughly enjoyed it.’ So Many Books, So Little Time.

BACKGROUND

• Dear Dylan is my first cross-over novel for adults and teens.
• In 2009 I got a two book deal with a traditional publishers for the book.
• But I ended up turning it down!
• In April 2010 I self published Dear Dylan and launched it at the London Book Fair where I was a guest panellist alongside authors Meg Rosoff and Lionel Shriver and agent Carol Blake.
• I want Dear Dylan to reach as many readers as possible so it is available as a FREE digital download via this website (see below for more details).
• I am also running workshops based on the issues raised in the book for schools and youth organisations.
• Dear Dylan has been long-listed for the Young Minds Book Award.
• For more information on my work for teenagers please visit the Den at this website.
• If you would like more information on any of the above please email me via the mailbox on this site…

‘Siobhan Curham has penned a heart-warming story that explores the social media of emails and how a most unlikely relationship can be formed via the Internet. What transpires is a telling of truths, hopes, dreams, fears and a bond of friendship that is endearing to behold. A story to lighten the soul. I laughed and cried and only wanted more. Siobhan has done an amazing job and I cannot wait to read more from her, Bravo! If you are in the mood for a great read that will entertain and delight you while making you smile then you need not look any further. This is the book for you.’ Tales of a Ravenous Reader

Original artist's sketch for cover

Artist and book illustrator Michael Hill designed the cover for Dear Dylan. Michael also designed the cover for my last book with Hodder & Stoughton, The Scene Stealers. The image above is the very first biro sketch he did for the Dear Dylan cover. I find it fascinating how book covers develop and thought you might like to see the progression from initial sketch to final product.

 ‘Dear Dylan is truly a diamond of a novel. It’s touching, funny, and full of heart; simply a novel I just couldn’t get enough of. In all, I feel the funny and touching novel Dear Dylan establishes Siobhan as one great writer, one who I hope has a very, very long successful career in front of her filled with more wickedly awesome books!’ Lauren’s Crammed Bookshelf.blogspot.com

‘This book will have you laughing out loud one minute and close to tears the next. I actually had goose bumps towards the end and really couldn’t put the book down until I knew how things turned out. This book may be aimed at young adults but it is one that I’m sure most adults will enjoy too and I highly recommend it.’ Sarah’s Book Reviews.

DOWNLOAD DEAR DYLAN FOR FREE

If you are unable to download Dear Dylan please click here to install the latest version of Adobe Reader to your pc and follow the instructions given.

If you prefer your books with old-fashioned things like paper and covers and spines then please click here to buy a copy from Amazon.

Dear Dylan can also be ordered through any book store.

American readers can order a copy of Dear Dylan from Barnes & Noble by clicking here.

 To read more reviews of Dear Dylan please click on the link below…