Blog

July 2021

May/June 2021

Kintana school visits

I have been busy doing some school visits all about Kintana and the Captain's Curse in preparation for my book's publication on Thursday 1st July. I have spoken to schools in Wirral, Kent, Norfolk as well as 400 Year 7 pupils in Barnsley!

I have donned my pirate hat and answered lots of superb questions from pupils about my favourite authors and books, Madagascar animals and all things piratey!

I have been able to tell children about show off my giant elephant bird egg replica which was shipped all the way from America!

I also have booked in my first writing workshops for next term - do get in touch if you know a school that would like more information. I am currently piloting two sessions - writing inspired by setting and writing inspired by old newspapers and magazines.

I have also started a new job! After 12 years working in heritage education I decided it was time to try something new. I am thrilled that I have accepted a position as a library information assistant with Halton libraries. I am really enjoying my new role. I am learning lots of new skills including using a computer system called koha, shelving books, finding holds, choosing books for home library service members and giving out library cards to new joiners. I have also created a display for this year's Summer Reading Challenge which has a Wild Worlds theme and I am looking forward to helping with family events.

Undiscovered voices

Back in 2016, I was chosen as a winner in the SCBWI British Isles Undiscovered Voices competition.

The opening chapters from one of my children's books - set in the Khmer Empire, Cambodia - was published in an anthology.

The competition runs every two years and is an opportunity for unpublished writers to get noticed by agents and editors.

This year's competition is open for submissions between 14th June and 18th July 2021.

You can find out more about the competition and read my recent guest blog HERE.

Kintana reviews

The first reviews for Kintana and the Captain's Curse are starting to come in - and I thought you might like to read some of them.
These early reviewers all read ARCs - advance reading copies.
Kintana is also available for request for review on netgalleyUK.
Thank you to Tony Higginson of Beyond Books whose review is here.
Thanks to Kelly Buxton of A Page Turner for her review here.

Thanks to Paperbound Magazine for featuring Kintana in their Summer edition. You can read the review here.

Set sail for Madagascar!

February 2021

January 2021

I am taking part in two events. The first is the Student Showcase - a video panel event organised by Uclan MA Publishing students. I was made up to be invited to take part in an author chat with Sam Pope and Ruth Estevez two brilliant authors whose books are published by Uclan Publishing this year. Sam's book is for young adults and is called Beyond the Grave. Ruth's book is also for young adults and is called The Monster Belt. We talk about our writing process and how we worked with Uclan students on their MA Publishing final projects. A Different Route to Publication is available for one week from Friday 15th January. Writing with Uclan authors is available to view for one week from Friday 15th January.

This Trailblazers video is available to view for one week from Sunday 17th January.

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I am also taking part in a book chat on Monday 11th January with Tony Higginson of Beyond Books. This chat will also be available to watch on Youtube and on Access North West radio on Thursday 14th January.

I will be talking about Gracie Fairshaw and the Mysterious Guest and selecting some favourite tracks for the show, so do tune in!

December 2020

Book of the Month

Gracie Fairshaw and the Mysterious Guest has also been chosen as Bookmark Book of the Month for December. Bookmark offers advice and book recommendations for families, teachers, librarians, authors and publishers. Bookmark is part of Booktrust, the UK's largest children's reading charity.

Christmas video

I was delighted to be asked by Get Blackpool Reading to film a short video talking about how the main character in my debut children's book - Gracie Fairshaw - would spend Christmas. Luckily I had already given the theme a lot of thought, as my Gracie sequel is set around Christmas 1935! All my research definitely came in handy! I hope you enjoy watching the video on the Get Blackpool Reading facebook page. Look out too, for the two children's competitions to win a book bundle this December, on their page.

BookMatch

I am also very pleased that Gracie Fairshaw and the Mysterious Guest is being recommended in a brilliant new project by The Reader Teacher. Scott Evans has created #BookMatch to suggest similiar books to some of the UK's favourite children's books.

Gracie has been recommended as a suggestion for fans of the popular Murder Most Unladylike Series by Robin Stevens along with other brilliant mysteries.

Articles

Speaking of recommendations, I was chuffed to be asked to take part in author Amy McCaw's blog feature on favourite bookshops. Amy's debut Young Adult book - Mina and the Undead - will be published by Uclan Publishing this April. You can read about one of my favourite bookshops here.

November 2020

Virtual School Visits

I am thrilled to have been able to deliver my first virtual school visits as an author! Teaming up with Tony Higginson of Beyond Books, I have spoken to wonderful primary school classes in Preston, Bootle, Formby and Litherland.

Tony is offering signed copies of Gracie from his bookshop in time for Christmas - so do give him a shout if you would like to order a copy!

Halton Reads Festival

I have also taken part in a virtual community panel about reading and the importance of libraries for the Halton Reads festival.

The discussion was hosted by librarian Helen Osborne and the other panelists were Milorad Vasic, Strategic Director at Halton Borough Council and Louise Nulty, manager at The Studio, Widnes.

You can watch the panel event on youtube here.

Online articles

Any writers who read my blog may be interested in a fantastic article on the Notes from the Slushpile. Written by Em Lynas, In Praise of Writer's Resilience part 1 - pre-published offers tips on resilience from SCBWI British Isles authors including myself.

I was also pleased to be interviewed by Uclan student Laura Jones for The Publishing Post about Presenting disability in children's fiction.

October 2020

September 2020

Give Me 5

I was thrilled to take part in a Books for Topics Give Me 5 feature this month. I chose to highlight five children's books that feature main characters with limb difference like Gracie. To find out which books I recommended visit https://www.booksfortopics.com/booklist-limb-difference

GEC recommends Gracie Fairshaw

Gracie Fairshaw and the Mysterious Guest has also been chosen by The GEC (Global Equality Collective as a recommended book starring a character with a disability.

The GEC posted on instagram - "I really struggle to find stories for kids featuring neurodiverse characters and characters with disabilities - not books *about* neurodiverdity or disabilities, - characters with them, doing other things, like solving mysteries, going on adventures, being kids...That's why we created a section on GEC Best Books specifically featuring disabled and neurodiverse characters. If you've not read it already Gracie Fairshaw and the Mysterious Guest by Susan Brownrigg is just this!! We just added it to Best Books *AND* did a feature on Susan because we were bowled over by not just Gracie being an amazing female lead but also that her limb difference is just part of the story - exactly like in real life. Love it, love it, love it! Definitely one for the Christmas list for those of you buying for 7-10 year olds!"

You can read my author profile interview with The GEC through this link.

August 2020

July 2020

June 2020

Ten Minute Challenge

It has been a busy month preparing for the publication of Gracie Fairshaw and the Mysterious Guest. We are still restricted as to where we can go and what we can do, although some lockdown restrictions have been limited. So I have been concentrating on spreading the word about my book on social media platforms. One of the highlights has been taking part in the Authorfy ten minute challenges. I travelled to my local beach at 4 in the morning to record my challenge! I'm not an early bird despite being the daughter of a milkman! The beach was deserted and it was a beautiful sunny morning. It was very peaceful sitting in my deckchair with only the seagulls for company. I do hope you will have a go at my postcard challenge - don't forget there are templates you can use on my activities page.

Detective Trail Challenges

I have also been to Blackpool to record three Detective Trail challenges for Get Blackpool Reading. The first is inspired by Blackpool Tower and Reginald Dixon, the second is about Blackpool Town Hall and Audrey Mosson and the third is about the North Shore Cliffs and animated tableaux.

Get Blackpool Reading is a community-driven campaign led by the National Literacy Trust in partnership with Blackpool Council and the Blackpool Opportunity Area. The project works with seven Blackpool schools.

I am delighted to be teaming up with Get Blackpool Reading for the launch of Gracie Fairshaw and the Mysterious Guest. I have recorded a Questions & Answers with Jill from GBR which will be uploaded at 10am on Thursday 2nd July. The questions were all set by Blackpool school children and I had great fun answering them.

My book has now been printed and copies are starting to be delivered. It is very exciting actually holding a finished copy in my hands! I am very proud to have my published book on my shelf along so many of my favourite children's authors.

May 2020

I chatted with Jen to find out what the process was like from her point of view.

Hi Jen, could you tell us a bit about yourself.

I have lived in the Ribble Valley most of my life, apart from a few years living on the outskirts of London.

I love the Ribble Valley and the scenery, it's a very calming place with a lovely community, we are fortunate to live in such a beautiful setting.  I have a daughter, two dogs, two cats and a fish which basically entertain us all every day.  They are all bonkers! But great fun. I blame the owner for the animal's antics. Ha ha.

Can you tell me about your career so far ...

I have a BA Hons degree in business management with music, which I focused on when I was younger and later I went back to university and retrained.  I chose Webdesign and Development BSc degree.  It surprised my family and friends that I decided this choice, however, I felt it was an obvious choice as I needed more vital skills within technology, as websites are here to stay.  I wanted to be part of that.  I was considering an art degree but felt it would be hard to translate this into a job at the end of the degree, so chose technology instead.

From here I hopped over to the Arts. I'm currently working on an MA in Contemporary Fine Art again people think its a bit of a random choice; however, I have always been creative and previously just done art as a hobby before I started my own business. 

I have split my work into three sections, Web designer, Commerical illustrator, then me as an artist.  I have found over time this is the simplest way to put myself forward to clients as a freelancer. I use many techniques from adobe creative suite, traditional art supplies and just good old fashioned pencil and paper. For my own art practise I make my own pigment from soot, squid ink, nuts and avocado seeds! I have also been down to the river Ribble to choose some tiny pebbles that I have ground up into pigment.  I then make the pigment into paints, it is relatively time-consuming but totally compelling too!! Also, I make paintbrushes from twigs, sheep's wool and from my dog's hair! Ha ha, I know it sounds a little old!!

I also use collage, photography and make short art films of my artwork. I paint mostly in oils (most homemade) and watercolour (handmade too), if I'm in a rush, I also use readymade oils and watercolours.

How did you become involved with the Gracie Fairshaw book?

I became involved with the Gracie Fairshaw book through the University of Central Lancashire (Uclaan) in Preston. A group of MA publishing students were advertising for an illustrator.  I thought it would be an exciting project to get involved with and a great way to meet other people really. Also, to give me a challenge, I like setting challenges for myself! I had designed a book cover before, but not a children's book.

How did you go about designing the cover?

It is all about collaboration when you are working on a book cover - you have the author and the publishing team. I was given a brief with an outline of the styles and colours and the age range the book was for. Like every illustration job, sometimes it can be hard to interpret the brief accurately, so there were numerous drawings, (both hand-drawn and digital) and ideas for the book cover, I think I did around five different covers.  From here, the publishing group decide on the final look, and we then head down that path.

I always hand draw to start with, this is then scanned into the computer. I use a mixture of programmes to complete each drawing. I use Adobe software, so photoshop, illustrator, my iPad with apps such as photoshop express, Fresco, adobe draw and adobe sketch.  I'm a bit of an Apple fanatic and use my Mac, MacBook Pro and Ipad pro with the pencil. The designs get thrown from different programmes for different elements or look, it can seem quite random using so many applications, but I'm used to it now! Someone asked me what I used once how I worked, and I blew their mind on how I get to the final result!! But there is no right or wrong answer in how to create your illustration, you just have to go for it and without even realising you have your own way of working on getting to your final image.

For the Gracie Fairshaw book I have around 150 files on my computer all different illustrations and elements!

What did you learn about book design from the project?

Collaboration between all the different teams is key to getting a successful outcome. Using the final dimensions of the book from the beginning is very useful too.  I have a book template that I created, and yes, you do need to use maths!!  There is plenty of reworking the designs which are very time consuming, so always factor in time to change and revise the designs - I have learnt I always underestimate the time it takes to create an illustration- even now!

What did you enjoy most about designing the cover – what was the hardest part?

I love laying out the book cover when I have all the elements to create it, it comes alive! The hardest part is probably self-judgement, you can be your own worst enemy at times, I have to stop listening to myself at times!

How does it feel knowing your cover is going to be on bookshelves?

When I got the call from the publishing department, I nearly didn't answer the phone as I didn't know the number! I couldn't believe it was the publishers. I was totally thrilled and genuinely excited. I don't tend to tell people what I am up to, still, I have told my family and a few close friends - they are obviously thrilled for me, and I am going to frame the Gracie Fairshaw book when it is released and put it in the loo, so visitors to the house will see it! 

What are you working on now?

I have just finished another book cover for you the pirate pet shop that I have been working on for the past six months.  I have also collaborated on several photography projects, which involved making an outfit out of cardboard for me to wear in the pictures! I'm in the process of sourcing some fabric so I can make my own canvas frames for my own art, I want to go big in size for these, so I am going to be making the canvases myself before making my own traditional gesso and oil paint on my personal project. I also have several websites I am currently organising and working on for my clients and some new illustrations for Christmas.

My hopes for the future are to keep going with all three of my businesses, web design, commercial illustrator and artist. I would like to do more book covers as well. For my own art practise, I will be completing my MA in Fine Art in summer 2021. I would like to see them in a gallery at some point; however, it's not the be all and end all. I am also considering doing a PhD, but we will see if I have the time to fit this in with everything else!

Just being able to create things is my end goal really and to make my clients happy with my designs.  It is truly satisfying to see your own creations printed and out in the world for people to see, that's definitely the best thing and more than I can ever wish for! It's just fabulous!

Illustrations by Jenny Czerwonka.

www.jennyczerwonka.com

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April 2020

March 2020

Gracie will be published by the fabulous Uclan Publishing on July 2nd 2020.

February 2020

Winter Gardens Visit

ck to add an engaging title. High quality images go a long way in looking professional online.

January 2020

One of the first guests was the author Charles Dickens who stayed at the hotel while on tour doing readings from his books. Dickens was unwell, reporting a weakness and deadness all on the left side. However his visit to the "charming sea beach hotel," improved his health and he wrote to his sister that he had enjoyed a "delicious walk by the sea" and had an improved appetite. Hotel staff reporting seeing Dickens kicking his hat along the sand like a football.

Many other famous people have stayed at the hotel over the years, including Jayne Mansfield, the Beatles, Fred Astaire and one of my favourites - Gracie Fields! (I wrote my degree dissertation on the Rochdale-born actress and named Gracie Fairshaw after her! Apparantly Gracie is the only guest who has been allowed to bring takeaway fish and chips into the hotel - and she insisted on eating them straight out of the newspaper. Of course Gracie was born over a fish and chip shop, so it is a lovely story! .

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We also saw the lovely Louis XVI room which used to be an exclusive restaurant with a three month waiting list for a table! The Lancastrian Suite with its minstral gallery was used for buffet style dining but is now used annually for a racing pigeon auction. The record price for a bird being an incredible £74,000!

The Palm Court restaurant has lovely sea views and was popular for people wanting afternoon tea, it features some eye-catching chandeliers that used to be in the Lancastrian Suite.

The highlight though was being able to see the remains of the original turkish baths! The Burmantoft tiles date from 1898 and were covered up in the 1950s. Now they are being painstakingly uncovered and restored by Blackpool Civic Trust volunteers so can visitors can appreciate how oppulent these rooms used to be. The designs include scallop shells and diving pikes - you can see images of the tiles and the hotel's rooms in the gallery.

December 2019

October 2019

Then it was time to hop onto a heritage tram for a trip down to the much newer Starr Gate depot.
This was a real contrast. New, clean and rather sterile, but still fascinating.

Guide Phil explained the complex systems of keeping up to 16 flexity trams on the go and showed us the tally board where the rota is updated regularly.

We saw the 'Stable block' which is where all the trams are stored undercover overnight (at Ribgy Road the canopy is not large enough to allow all the heritage trams to be sheltered from the elements.) Then onto the engineering hall where repairs take place. It was very different from the set up at Rigby Road (which had a Heath Robinson feel about it!) Here for example it takes three hours not three weeks to fix a flat!

Starr Gate felt very modern and ordered, but it certainly didn't have the character of the older depot.

September 2019

Heritage Open Days

In the afternoon I went on a tour of Layton Cemetery. The guide told us about a number of interesting residents of Blackpool who are buried in Layton including a number who moved to the resort for health reasons but often died shortly after. We saw the grave of John Bickerstaffe (Blackpool Tower founder) and William Holland (Manager of Winter Gardens.) Bill Holland was buried in one of a number of Victorian 'safe' graves designed to keep out grave robbers.

We were also shown the graves of Anthony Karmy (grave pictured) who had one of the earliest Blackpool souvenir kiosks on a pier and animal keeper Jim Walms whose friend's disappearance may have inspired the poem The Lion and Albert. Jim was also the inspiration for Blackpool Tower's 'Jungle Jims' play area which closed recently. We also saw the grave of Mr Burton the inventor of the 'Wagon Wheels' (1948) while the delicious aroma of biscuits from the nearby factory filled the air!

It was also particularly interesting to see the grave of Afro-American historian George Washington Williams who spoke out against slavery in the Congo in 1890. I first learned about Williams while researching my Journey to the Okapi Forest book. Williams only lived in Blackpool for three weeks for the sea-air before his death.

Cemetery tours can be booked on request by contacting www.laytonfriends.org/

August 2019

July 2019

June 2019

May 2019

April 2019

King of Cinemas

March 2019

January 2019

November 2018

October 2019

Town Hall Tour

September 2018

August 2018

July 2018

Tower Secrets

After lots of editing and feedback I have now completed my Blackpool set upper middle grade novel, Gracie Fairshaw and The Mysterious Guest.

I am now working on a new Blackpool book currently titled Trouble at the Tower. This has meant several more trips to Blackpool, including the local history centre where I have been using the microfilm readers to look at the Blackpool Gazette. I haven't done that in a very long time!

My sequel sees my main character becoming a local newspaper journalist - which is the job I used to have a long time ago! It's been a real trip down memory lane thinking back to my days as a reporter.

Of course I couldn't write a book set in the Tower without making a few trips there myself. I have been to the top of the Tower, ventured into the dungeon where the aquarium used to be, and watched the circus. I was also lucky to be able to join a tour of the Tower with the Blackpool Civic Trust. I was able to step into the circus ring and venture below where the animals used to be kept as well as seeing where the roof gardens used to be. It really is the most incredible building and is so inspiring.

June 2017

Research Pleasures

May 2017

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September 2016

Okapi Experience

I have very recently completed the first draft of a new children's book inspired by the discovery of the okapi at the beginning of the 20th century. Liberty and the Unicorn Trap is my fourth historical novel for children aged 10+. As part of the research I have been on an Okapi and Red River Hog experience at the Wild Place Project in Bristol. I got to meet Kibibi a female okapi, her calf, Ruby who was born in May, Lodja another female who is heavily pregant and Kivu a four year old male who was less shy than the females. I fed the okapi and the zookeeper kindly answered all my questions. I also fed two cheeky red river hog brothers who chased each other round. The okapi is related to the giraffe and has a long blue tongue like their relative. The stripes on their hind is individual to each okapi. I had a brilliant day at the Wild Place Project and would highly recommend a visit to see these endangered animals.

August 2016

SCBWI

Here are two articles I have written for Words & Pictures. The first is about how my North West group celebrated 20 years of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) in the British Isles. The second is a reflection on winning the Margaret Carey Scholarship last year and why I would encourage members of SCBWI to apply this year.

March 2016

Winners Party

Last month, as one of the winners writers, I was invited to attend the launch of the Undiscovered Voices competition anthology. I was then invited to write an article sharing what my experience of the party had been for the SCBWI BI online magazine Words & Pictures. Here is what I wrote. Thanks to Candy Gourlay for the use of her photograph left.

January 2016

Undiscovered Voices

I am thrilled to be able to tell you that I have been chosen as a winner in the SCBWI BI Undiscovered Voices competition. I would like to thank SCBWI BI especially the UV team and sponsors Working Partners Ltd for organising a fabulous opportunity for writers and illustrators to be noticed. The winning opening chapters from the 12 winning writers and the winning 9 illustrations are available in the UV2016 anthology. You can download a copy for free or buy a printed book for £5.99 here.

December 2015

Competition Success

I am delighted to tell you I have been longlisted in the SCBWI BI Undiscovered Voices 2016 competition.This competition is for unpublished and unagented children's books writers and illustrators living in the EU. The shortlist will be announced in January 2016.

November 2015

Words & Pictures Article

I was delighted to win the Margaret Carey Scholarship and attend the SCWBI BI conference in Winchester. Very sadly while away I was given some sad news. Friendship helped me through a difficult weekend and I was glad that their support meant I stayed. I wrote an article for SCBWI Words & Pictures to say thank you.

October 2015

Scholarship Delight

I am chuffed to announce that I have been awarded the Margaret Carey Scholarship 2015 for fiction. This scholarship is awarded by the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators British Isles. The news was announced on the SCBWI WI online magazine Words & Pictures. The award is made in memory of children's writer and illustrator Margaret Carey (pictured). The award is judged on a combination of writing merit and need.

August 2015

Opening Lines

The first few lines of a book are often said to be the most important. SCBWI BI's Words & Pictures online magazine now run an Opening Lines challenge. I decided to send in the beginning of my Incan adventure children's book in for some feedback. Find out what agent Shelley Instone thought of my submission (no3) here.