Yes, it's that time of year again. As always, I'm fretting about the Christmas presents I haven't bought, but I've also been looking forward to the parties. Yesterday, two of my publishers, Gullane and Hachette, had Christmas parties on the same afternoon, so I swapped my slippers and slouchy trousers for something a bit more flattering, put on some lippy and got myself off to London.
I had to jump between the two events, so missed half of each, but it did mean twice the fun and frolics for just the one train fare (I'm a well-know tight-wad). It also felt very showbiz: "Sorry, must dash, I have another party to get to..."!
At 4.30, I zipped across to Oxford Circus with new friend Jane Cabrera, who also works with both publishers. At the Hachette party we swapped 'gentle & intimate' for 'noisy & lively', so it was a fun contrast. At least a couple of hundred children's authors and illustrators were chatting, laughing and swilling their complimentary drinks in the semi-darkness of a trendy bar.
I have been to the Hachette party every Christmas for some years now, so by now I know at least half the faces, which makes it really welcoming. We all live at different corners of the country, so these dos can be the only chance most of us get to see one another, which means we generally get a bit giddy, especially since those lovely guys at Hachette are always really generous and keep the free wine flowing right through the evening too.
It was thinning out by the time I had to leave for my 9pm train home. As usual I cut it a bit tight, but it would have been OK, if I hadn't asked directions of a stranger on Oxford St. "Oxford Circus is that way," he said. But instead I found myself at Tottenham Court Rd, which meant changing lines, which added at least 10 minutes... You know what's coming.
By: Melissa Ackerman,
on 9/8/2010
Blog: Albert Whitman & Company Blog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Children's Books, podcast, Mara Bergman, Author Podcast, Lively Elizabeth, Cassia Thomas, author and illustrator, Add a tag
The first few days of September have (finally) broken the hot spell that has been summer 2010, and nothing says “fall” more than curling up with a cup of tea and a good book. That is exactly what you will want to do with the picture book Lively Elizabeth! Today we are speaking with author Mara Bergman and illustrator Cassia Thomas about what a strong character like Elizabeth can learn from watching the consequences of her actions spiral out of control. Click here to listen. (RT: 8:20)
Mara Bergman was born in New York and grew up on Long Island. She has written more than a dozen picture books and was awarded the Booktrust Early Years Award in 2009 (UK) for Oliver Who Travelled Far and Wide and a Parents’ Choice Award for Snip Snap, Who’s That? Mara lives in England with her family and their various pets.
Cassia Thomas was born and raised in London with a pencil in one hand and a cup of tea in the other. She has always loved how illustrators are able to transport you into their own worlds and so aspired to do the same. Cassia drew (a lot) and grew (not very much) and finally did a Masters in Children’s Book Illustration, at Anglia Ruskin School of Art. The course helped her realize her ambition to become a visual storyteller.
Since then, she’s twice been selected for the Cheltenham Illustration Awards, where she exhibited alongside her hero, Shaun Tan. She also exhibited this summer in the UK at a children’s book retrospective. Lively Elizabeth is her first book. Her second, George and Ghost, by Catriona Hoy, is set to come out in November 2010. She is currently beavering away on writing and illustrating a new picture book.
By: Lynne Chapman,
on 7/5/2010
Blog: An Illustrator's Life For Me! (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: drawing, pencil, festival, sketching on the train, Cassia Thomas, Chris Mould, John Lawrence, Philip Pullman, Add a tag
On Saturday, I took myself off to Manchester for the day, to meet up with some other illustrator friends and attend a lecture by children's book illustrator John Lawrence, part of the Manchester Literary Festival.
Many people may recognise John's illustrations from the spin-offs to Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials. To my shame, I didn't previously know his beautiful work. It was Cassia Thomas who suggested the outing, as John was one of her tutors on her Masters course.
The space was a proper, banked lecture theatre, but Saturday was roaringly hot, and there was no air-con, so we got dreadfully stuffy up at the top. Fortunately, I had brought a fan with me and wafted myself throughout, like something from The Importance of Being Earnest!The poor man was obviously very, very nervous, but it was a joy to be led on a journey through his wood and vinyl-cut illustrations. I had no idea that a modest, A4 size woodblock could cost £500! I think I'd find that stultifying, as I'd be terrified of making mistakes.
The other main activities of our day-out were eating, gassing, shopping and getting lost, by repeatedly walking in completely the wrong direction.
By: Lynne Chapman,
on 6/3/2010
Blog: An Illustrator's Life For Me! (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: writing, pencil, sketchbook, sketching on the train, Cassia Thomas, publisher, Add a tag
A few weeks back, I bit the bullet and phoned publishers I've worked with in recent years, asking if I could visit, to show them my new baby-book project. It wasn't strictly necessary to go in person, but I felt the project would have more impact if I could talk editors through it.
Luckily for me, nobody told me to sling my hook, and I managed to set up 4 appointments in one day.
I used up half a forest, getting all my illustrations, my research and the manuscript printed out 6 times (it always pays to have a couple of spares). Then I realised I didn't have a suitable case to carry it all in, so did a quick dash to Staples and found something perfect.
So, last week, with a mix of excitement and slight anxiety, I took the early train to London.
My appointments were 1.5hrs apart, all over central London, and my train didn't get in until 10.30, but luckily it all ran smoothly, with no running late (franticly leaping up escalators from the tube and arriving in a jibbering sweat is never ideal). Plus it was a nice, sunny day, so there was no grappling with a wind-crazed brolly or dripping puddles in editors' offices.
Everyone was really enthusiastic about my work and loved the concept (phew), so that's stage one. For those who don't know the process, stage two is getting your book into what's called the 'acquisitions' meeting - where firmer decisions are made about which projects are worth taking up.
I'll let you know what happens as a result of the meetings: it's a very early stage and no matter how much an editor says they like your project, absolutely nothing can be taken for granted.
When I was done, I spent a couple of hours winding down in Regents Park, as you can see, sitting on the grass, drawing the geese (well, bits of them - they don't keep still for a millisecond).
4 Comments on Down to see Publishers, last added: 6/4/2010
I was sad to hear that my new friend and fellow illustrator, 
I wasn't sure what to wear for the Hachette party on Wednesday, but in the end I decided to dress up (there are not enough opportunities these days), so I wore my red, spotty, dancing dress (several people said I looked like a ladybird). No heels though - far too many hours of standing!
I felt a bit over-dressed getting on the train at 11am though, and wouldn't you just know it: I was sitting opposite a nun. She had wonderful buck-teeth, so I just had to draw her. I found out she was 69, but still the youngest one in her community, when she got into conversation with the man below, by coincidence, someone big in the C of E:
As last year, we were in the Century Club on Shaftesbury Ave. There is a room at the top called the Roof Terrace, which is indeed on the roof (there is a large chimney stack poking up from the floor) but it's under a marquee-like cover, so very civilised and remarkably cosy.
Things were already in full swing when I arrived. It was lovely catching up with people. Amongst many others, I met up with 
Sounds like fun though, despite the epic journey home. It must be fab to have so many illustrators in one place at the same time (and with free wine!) - kinda makes up for all the hermit-like solitary studio hours!
What an adventure! Glad to know that you enjoyed the parties Lynne, but what an eventful journey home. Not a very chivalrous taxi driver!
There's a giveaway on my blog - hope that you'll take a look. Lesley
Very entertaining outing! Think I'd have had a sense of humour failure when it got to the taxi driver part though!
Stopping by to tell you i love your blog! You inspire me to sketch-sketch-sketch :). Thanks
i loved this post--and i'm envious, having never been feted at such a party. thanks for giving us a peek at it~~