extra bits & bobs from mcm expo
Today I’m wearing my Simon’s Cat t-shirt from Expo. Isn’t it great? Gary and I have just been having a Team Simon fan moment here in the studio.
Here’s a fab reworking of my Vern and Lettuce book cover by Hester!, one of Warwick Johnson Cadwell’s ‘nippers’, as he calls them. Still don’t know nipper’s name, but a big thanks to you if you’re reading this! Love the potted plant pattern on Lettuce’s dress and the reimagining of the sousaphone (which Vern erroneously calls a ‘tuba’ in the story, but just so it will fit in speech bubbles, he’s a considerate sheep).
And speaking of Warwick Johnson Cadwell, his poster now has pride of place over my desk. He’s compiled drawings he made of passengers on the boat he captains on Chichester Harbour, and you can see loads of the individual sketches over on his blog.
I was hoping I’d be able to make more sketches in a similar vein from my table at Expo, but between battling Mo-Bots and table tending, I only had time to make these here. (I didn’t get Lucy’s feet in because even when I stood up, I couldn’t see them over the table.)
And here’s a card from the lovely Alex Milway, who’s just reported seeing a first printed copy of his latest Mythical 9th Division yeti book. Hurrah! I still haven’t got around to making a full post with the film footage I took at the recent Crystal Palace Children’s Book Festival, but a massive thanks to Alex for his hard work in organising it… and meeting his book deadline! I am at once hugely grateful and deeply impressed.
Upcoming events!
Sat, 6 Nov: I’m speaking with my dear friend Layn Marlow, and the writers Mary Hoffman and Philip Pullman in Oxford for the open conference of the Federation of Children’s Book Groups.
Oxford University Press, Great Clarendon Street, 9:15am – 3:45pm (Lunch included plus a tour of the University Press Museum 12:30 – 1:30, £35 for membrs, £40 for non-members.
Sat & Sun, Nov 13 & 14: Speaking on panels at the Winter Conference and book launch party with the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators, details here. My panels include:
How to Sell your Book, with Lucy Coats, Nina Douglas & Jon Mayhew
Social Networking: a blessing or a curse?, with Candy Gourlay & Keren David
SCBWI is a great organisation; if you’re trying to get into publishing, or are already publishing but want to meet other fab people in the industry and get insider industry info, this is the group to join. It’s very friendly and approachable, so great if you’re a bit shy.
Sat, Nov 20 Thought Bubble comics festival, Leeds
I’ve never been to this festival, but I’ve heard AMAZING things about it and had to get in on the action! The writer of You Can’t Eat a Princess!, Gillian Rogerson, has never been to a comics festival and I’m looking forward to seeing her mind blown by this one! We’re running a Space Station kids area, where kids and adults can design aliens and make space comics. It’s going to be fantastic.
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