Signs of Life
This is a big week for signs of life in my world. Not only am I about to finish the first draft of a novel [...]
Launching my 100 Days of Enchantment Project 2019
An enchanting new image in my sketchbook every day for 100 days...now there's a challenge! Sometimes fate steps in and gives you a big fat [...]
Five Writing Lessons I’ve Relearned
What do you do when your 'work in progress' stops progressing? I am currently writing a middle grade fantasy novel. Having published three novels and one [...]
A Fashionable Valentine’s Day Art Workshop with the Sanderson Collection – POSTPONED!
UPDATE: unfortunately we have had to postpone this event until later this year. But stay tuned for info about a new date! Do you love [...]
My EU GDPR Statement Of Data Protection Compliance
I have read the Information Commissioner’s Office guidelines for compliance with the new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) rules that take effect on May 25, [...]
About My Very Occasional Newsletter…
...and why you might like to receive it! My mailing list is full of special people who share my love of art and books. Sure, [...]
It’s New Year Resolution time again!
There is a slightly doom-laden quality to January 2nd. Not only do a lot of people go back to their daily routines after the holidays, [...]
I have joined Instagram!
The only surprise is why it took me so long to discover Instagram! But I am finally posting images here and it's feeling fine. And here's the [...]
Children’s spooky Halloween art and bookmaking workshop at The Little Bookshop in Leeds
Are you looking for fun creative Halloween workshops in Leeds for the kids? On Sunday the 29th of October, I will be leading two fun [...]
My new shiny redesigned author and illustrator website!
Every few years I rethink my website, usually because technology has moved on and I need to catch up. This new incarnation has come about [...]
Summer Highlights: Orcas
And now for the most beautiful and terrifying highlight of my summer: watching orcas at close quarters in the Straits of Gibraltar. When the bluefin [...]
Summer Highlights: Return to Tallinn, Estonia
In spring 2012, I took a ferry trip from Helsinki across the Gulf of Finland for a day trip to Tallinn. I fell in love [...]
Summer Highlights: My Candlewick Press Presents podcast
Earlier this year I was invited to do a Top Secret project with my wonderful U.S. publisher, Candlewick Press, which published the American edition of [...]
Summer Highlights: Leeds West Indian Carnival 50th Anniversary Project
As summer highlights go, this one is right up there. In the spring I had the honour of being asked to create an illustrated map for [...]
Summer Highlights: Spring Fling in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland
I know it’s September and we’re almost at the Autumn Equinox, but technically it is still summer. I’m holding onto that thought until 21:02 this Friday, [...]
Holiday Greetings!
I'm giving thanks for the many wonderful days this past year - and reflecting on the ones that weren't so good. Despite enjoying the fond [...]
50 Word Spooky Story Winners!
I had an inspiring visit with Year 7 at St John Fisher Catholic High School in Harrogate last month and I set them a [...]
Gallery of Pupil Art!
Earlier this autumn I had the pleasure of visiting Belmont Grosvenor School in Harrogate and working with the pupils on creating stories and illustrations. Here's [...]
Inspiration Monday: Taking a Breath
I haven't been near this blog since last month because life has been incredibly busy (in a good way). The last time I checked in [...]
Jet Black Heart News!
This is a pretty cool surprise: JET BLACK HEART has been shortlisted for the 2016 Coventry Inspiration Book Award in the 11-16 'Rapid Reads' [...]