Book News!

After frantically checking my e-mails, every half an hour last week, I finally got the good news I had been crossing my fingers and toes for. My first children's book, 'This Way Up' had got a good response from Bologna Book Fair. I was thrilled!

It got interest from USA, France, Brazil, Japan, Spain, Korea and some of the Scandanavian countries, and a few hours later I heard that France had signed and ordered 5000 copies.

Yippee!

So, now it can be pre-ordered on-line from WhSmith, Waterstones and on Amazon. It comes out on the shelves in November 2010, so I am very excited!

Whilst over here in Australia, I've started working on my new book, as I am presenting a few ideas to Hodder's in a few weeks. Hopefully they'll like the new adventures I have planned for Poppy and Quinn.

In the meantime, I am also working on promotion for this book. Trying to organise some school visits, so if any one has a primary school they know of who might like a children's book author/illlustrator to pop by for a day or afternoon, please let me know. I do little sessions on how to draw animals, sometimes do cartoon portraits of the children or make cardboard collages with them, as well as a little storytime session.

Or if any other authors have any advice on organising school visits, please feel free to give me any tips.

Anyway, back to the grindstone. Best get some scribbling done.

Until next time.... xxx

Illustration Friday - 'Skinny' - Screw Skinny...Eat Cake!

I think at least once a day, I look at myself and think, "maybe I could loose a few fatty bits here and there..."

At least once a day I wish I was skinny.

At least 5 times a day I want to eat cake!

 

  

These illustrations were quickly achieved with a scrap of white paper, an old biro, a retro cookery book I found on the shelf and my fella's camera skills...thanks Andy! xxx

Front Cover... Discuss!

Well, I'm just working on the front cover for 'This Way Up' at the moment.
I did the artwork and gave it to Hodder's before leaving for my travels in May.
They have sent back a design idea, and I have today adjusted it to have a slightly different font, more 'stencil' like, and added some arrows to make it more 'cardboard-boxy'.

This is the original cover idea...

...then...

...I've adjusted and added a few bits....and changed some colours.

Which do you prefer?

Illustration Friday - 'Fast'

Bit cheesy I know, but thought I'd go along the lines of 'Fast Asleep'. "Yawn!"

This sketch was done unber fast, just doodling whilst drinking my brew, didn't realise I'd done it till I looked at my sketchpad...so thought I'd take inspiration for my friend (and 'hodderite'), Lynne Chapman, and have a go painting it with photoshop.

Her blog is cool, and really inspired me to do a lil digital painting. My attempt is pretty poor compared to Lynne's skills, but its a start.

This is how my doodle started, then just added new layer in photoshop for colour.

Looksa a bit sloppy and soft in colour, quite like the rawness of my doodle, but I guess the clour does make it look more finished.

Lynne's blog is awesome. Check it out! www.lynnechapman.blogspot.com/

Saatchi Gallery - Illustrator of the Day!

Yeah ok, so it was on the 16 July 2009, and I missed it for trecking around Thailand, but it actually did happen, I was Illustrator Of The Day on the Saatchi Gallery website, so I'm pretty chuffed with myself still!

Here's a link to the page...It's just a tiny link in the blue column, but hey it's better than a paintbrush in the eye! Woop di do!

http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/blogon/?todt=2009-07-16

Frankfurt Feedback!

Well so far so good! Frankfurt feedback was positive... Horrah!!
My book got interest from Spain, France and USA which I am absolutely thrilled about! :)



Hodder's have also now decided to publish 'This Way Up' sooner than what was earlier expected. Now going to be published November 2010, rather than Spring 2011 which is also good news!

Should be some printed copies avaiable for October next year. It feels like ages away but I know how fast it's going to come and I cannot wait!

Hodder's sent me over my front cover artwork today, so I shall be sat in the shade with my lemonade playing with that this week. Just going to alter some colours. All good fun! Looking forward to getting my acrylics out.



Alison and Emma at Hodder's definatly know what they're talking about when it comes to picture books and front covers so taking whatever advice and suggestions they have about my work best with open arms and ears! They think the cover will look best in blue rather than brown cardboard, which it is at the moment.

I agree with them. It's sometimes difficult trying to comprimise between what looks cool and arty and what is appealing to children and what will sell. You're aiming at children, but its actually adults buying the books so it's weird trying to work out what works and what doesn't. As I said though, the guys at Hodder's have lot's of experience in the field and know what they're talking about. They're good 'un's and I love working with them...especially when we have lunchtime meetings with posh snacks! :)

New Dummy!

Today I recieved some photos from Hodder's of my book. I've not seen it since I sent in the final artwork in May. Since then, they've put it together with the amazing Corina Fletcher's papaer engineering and made another rough dummy. This is the one that is being exhibited at Frankfurt this week. I think I might see if we can experiment with the type font for the next one, not sure if it's a bit harsh at the moment (let me know what you recon).

Overall I am really happy with it though, especially the space page. It's so good to see it's coming along. :)