Nosy Crow take on Weasels!

Another thing that happened in Bologna that thrills me so much it demands it's own post is that the lovely people at Nosy Crow want to publish my book Weasels. Now they shall finally take over the world! Mwahahaha!

Bologna 2012

This year I decided to take the plunge and go to the Bologna Children's Book Fair. I've had a bit of a headache ever since and I'm not sure I've ever done so much walking in such inappropriate shoes but it was well worth it. 

A big draw for me was the Cambridge School of Art's stand which I was lucky enough to be a part of. It was buzzing almost constantly (not just the afternoon we handed out wine) and I could barely squeeze in through the mob that consistently surrounded it to see my own book in situ. Having just said that I seem to have managed to take a photo at one of the few times it was empty, you'll have to take my word for it. I know for a fact that a variety of people who had work on the stand have had offers from Japanese, Brazilian, Italian, French and UK publishers and I'm not surprised because the standard was so high it was making me start to wonder if I should just quit now and become an accountant.

Thanks to my cunning agent, Frances McKay, I've met more publishers than I can count and I very much enjoyed a talk by Jon Klassen of 'I Want My Hat Back' fame. I learnt he has the laugh of a chipmunk and a Martin Salisbury attitude to the concept of style.

Here's a few holiday snaps for your perusal:

The Cambridge School of Art Stand

My books 'The Monkey Bus' and 'Monty the Monster' on display. Courtesy of Sarah Whelan.

The illustrators wall where you can see the highest concentration of promo pieces anywhere on earth.

And some people I know who do pictures looking a touch manic. Also courtesy of Sarah Whelan.

CSA MA Children's Book Illustration at Bologna 2012

This is probably a little short notice but this year at the Bologna Children's Book Fair the MA in Children's Book Illustration from the Cambridge School of Art has a stall, woo! It'll be showcasing the work of current students and graduates (one of those graduates being my fine self) and there'll be a drinks reception on the Wednesday from 4.30. If you just so happen to be in Italy next week do come along and have a look.

Camping