A very Merry Christmas to you all! (“,) – The Book Republic Team.

Bookstores break down books according to genre for easy shelving and categorization. Agents and editors do it so they can tell writers what they like and are looking for. As helpful as this is to the business and the reader, this can seriously mess a writer up — especially if they aren’t sure what genre they fall into.

I can’t tell you how often I see “what genre is this?” posts on the writers’ boards. I always feel for the writer, because it has to be frustrating to be so unsure what you’re writing. But here’s a tip:

Not every book falls into a genre. Sometimes it’s just fiction.

“Genre” is a term that refers to the books that have some strong element in them that defines them as a particular type of book. There are required tropes, and if you don’t have those, you’re not that genre. Readers expect to see those tropes and are disappointed if they’re not there. Read more>>>

Born without arms or legs due to Thalidomide, life could have turned out very differently. From growing up in a working class family during the Troubles of Northern Ireland, to the USA and back again, this story is of one woman’s determination to live life to the full.

Through support of family and friends, as well as sheer determination Leigh overcame prejudices, lived through the Troubles in Northern Ireland, escaped life with an alcoholic husband while raising two babies, only to find love again.

This is not the story of a “victim” but instead one of a woman who has learned and grown through the experiences life has thrown her way, has never let anyone steal her dreams and is still an activist working for dignity and respect for all people with disabilities.

The L.A. Commandments – Gillian Duffy

Joanne Kavanagh and best friend Suzie pack their bags and swap dreary, depressing Dublin for the cool Californian coast. Both are determined to start a new life in the land of opportunity, leaving behind the recession and their complicated families.

They make a pact at the airport to stick religiously to the ‘LA Commandments’, a list of ten ‘Thou Shalt Nots’ for their new life in LA, including ‘Thou Shall Not Fall in Love,’ but when Jo befriends sexy, shy musician Marc, and Suzie falls for womanizing bar-man Chris, not only are the commandments at risk of being broken, but also the girls’ hearts…

With all California has to offer —sunshine, shopping, killer nightlife, and drop-dead-gorgeous men, will the girls stay faithful to the LA Commandments?

Leigh’s autobiography Don’t Tell Me I Can’t: The Truimphant Story of a Thalidomide Survivor is out now.

Here's a preview of the full cover for 'Don't Tell Me I Can't' by Leigh Gath

The book is now available to buy from the Book Republic website.

The ‘aim of the game’ is to write a novel containing 50,000 words in 30 days; no mean feat! The primary purpose (presumably) is to get into the habit of writing a little bit every day. Even if what you write is dribble, drab, and totally uninformative it still gets people practising their skill. It allows you to get involved in a new, very helpful community of like-minded individuals who you may even end up becoming life-long friends with.

Join the online community here. What are you waiting for?

-Karen Hayes (Book Republic)