Art and Illustration

What makes a picture book work well? The pictures or the words? Well, both, of course. But mainly the pictures… but there again, if there wasn’t a good story…

Some brilliant people can write good stories and draw wonderful pictures. Lucky them. Mostly, a relationship has to be struck up between a writer and talented artist.

As far as my experience goes, publishers prefer to ‘play cupid’ in these relationships, and like to control contact between the two precious creatives. I’m guessing there have been all sorts of problems in this area in the past. Clash of egos. Fallings out. And worst of all, ganging up on the publisher.

It’s a tricky balance. Sometimes as the writer of a picture book story, you know that the pictures can do so much of the work. The lovely touches in pictures which can be clumsy in words include visual clues to plot development, sense of place, objects to find, little details, subtle facial expressions and repeated visual jokes.

It really …

I used to think that I was perhaps a bit eccentric to have a favourite font (Verdana, since you ask), but then I saw an article in The Independent and realised that you could delve far deeper into the world of good and bad fonts.

According to Why does everyone hate Comic Sans so much?, the playful-looking font is despised because it is used too widely and in the wrong context. Should you feel strongly you can join the campaign to ban it at Ban Comic Sans, where like-minded individuals are plotting to 'put the sans into comic sans'.

I suspect that the popularity of Comic Sans also stems from the prevalence of emailing and publishing copy online. A font that mimics the look of handwriting is a way of injecting personality when there are few other opportunities to do so. The problem is, it's not really your personality, just an identikit 'font with personality' personality.

There is something special about fonts, though. The best fonts combine design and precision, and contain …

For some reason seeing all these tattoos surprised me. It brings a whole new level of commitment to reading books and loving literature:

Click here to see 15 amazing literary tattoos, care of the Huffington Post.

I've often thought about getting a tattoo but never found a design which appealed 100%, that I knew I'd be happy with and never tire of. What about you? If you were to get a literary tattoo, what would you get? Or maybe you already have one... go on, do tell.

Best wishes,
Claire
(publisher, A&C

I've come across a website that gives artists a new outlet, and anyone who feels inspired, a new creative tool. It's very much in the beta stages at the moment, so you will have to bear with its quirks for a while yet.



Storybird is a site where you can set out a short story using the library of images they have uploaded, and then see your very own picture book on screen. They will eventually be offering a (paid-for) print option, and are also looking for illustrators to contribute, so it's a site worth keeping an eye on.

Even if writing children's picture books isn't your usual cup of tea, it's fun to create something for children you know. You would be in good company – think of Tolkien's Father Christmas letters, or even Beatrix Potter who wrote her stories for her nieces and nephews.

Enjoy!

Cressida
(editorial

If I knew the definitive answer to ‘how to get a publishing deal’, I’d be able to mend the hole in my roof. Only kidding (I live in a basement).

I’ve had quite a few books published, but it’s always been tricky. It helps if you (occasionally) think you’re a genius of course, and are slightly rhino-skinned to let those rejection emails/letters bounce off you.

My first book was published in 1986. I love magic tricks, but am quite inept at performing them. Anyway I wrote and illustrated a book about them, some of which I’d invented and tried out on my long-suffering daughter, and went off to see a small publisher called Patrick Hardy (later taken over by Lutterworth).

The pictures and text weren’t enough; he wanted a demo. I ended up doing something far too complicated with string and legs (don’t ask). Tricky Tricks got published, and amazingly is still in print. Probably what I’m saying is, enjoy your subject, whatever it is.

Believing in your work and …