Northern Highlight - Jenny Pearson

Northern Highlight


Jenny Pearson

1. Why did you become a writer?

I became a writer because I love sharing stories with kids. I’m very lucky that as a teacher I get to see the affect a great book can have. I don’t remember exactly when I decided to sit down and try and write one myself but now I’ve started writing, I don’t want to stop!

2. Tell us about where you live.
I live in Durham, in a stable. That sounds quite biblical. It has been converted so it is fit to live in! I am very lucky because my lovely neighbour is an animal rescuer and we live directly opposite a field of four alpaca, two pigs, one horse and a large duck pond. She also has two dogs, two cats, four peacocks, two cockerels and many chickens that all come wondering into our garden. It is a wonderful place to be.

3. Where do you write?
At home, in coffee shops – there are some great ones in Durham, the library, on trains - I write wherever I can.

4. What for you is ‘the spirit of the North’?
The people. Their pride. The humour. The feeling of community – both on a large and small scale. The big skies. The coast. The cities. The countryside.

5. Has this spirit influenced your work?
I didn’t write before I moved to the North, so yes, absolutely.

Published by Usborne Publishing
Illustrations by Rob Biddulph
Designed by Will Steele at Usborne


6. Who for you are the great Northern writers?
Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Ross Welford, David Almond, Dan Smith.

7. If you could be transported to anywhere in the North where would it be?
Really anywhere on the Northumberland coastline, maybe somewhere near Bamburgh Castle.

8. What would you like to see from children’s publishing in the North?
More events, more noise, more schemes, more socials, more books set in the North, more everything!

9. What’s your favourite children’s book set in the North?
Tricky, I do love Time Travelling with a Hamster – a hamster called Alan Shearer is inspired.


You can find Jenny on Twitter and Instagram @J_C_Pearson 





Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Mentor Scheme 2024 - Applications Open

Image
Children's Books North 2024 Mentor Scheme Applications Open! Applications are now open for the Children’s Books North Mentor Scheme! The scheme offers twelve aspiring publishers living in the North West, North East, Yorkshire and Scotland four hours of mentoring with a publishing professional over four months, with the goal of demystifying the industry for new talent. Mentoring will work on a 1:1 basis and mentees will be matched with a mentor that suits their interests and experience, whether that’s editorial, production, design, marketing, sales or agenting. For more info on publishing roles, see document here for a list of different departments within publishing. Applications are open to anyone interested in beginning a career in publishing. No previous experience is needed and we also welcome applications from those looking to change career path. The only essential is a love for children’s books and to be based in the North of England or Scotland. Scroll to the ‘How to Apply&#
Read more

Looking North: The Children's Books North Directory

Image
Looking North:  An indispensable di rectory of Children's Books North members We are delighted to be launching our Directory of Members, which lists published children’s authors, illustrators and publishing professionals based in the North East, North West, Yorkshire and Scotland.   Tilda Johnson said: ‘ The Directory is a key resource in our aim to connect the children’s book professionals living in our regions, to promote our members' work, and to champion the importance of regional diversity in children’s books and the publishing industry.’ Members are listed along with their details, short bios and recent covers, enabling booksellers, librarians, schools, festivals, literacy organisations, agents and publishers to easily get in touch. The Directory is also a valuable resource for authors and illustrators looking to connect with other creatives working in their region and to forge new networks. Our plan is to update the Directory annually, as the network grows. It wil
Read more

Northern Highlights - Jenny Bloomfield

Image
NORTHERN HIGHLIGHTS Jenny Bloomfield    Where do you live, and how would you sum up the place in three words?   Leeds - Urban, Dales, Evolving   What is special to you about creating children's books, and what is your favourite part of the process?  Children's books are mini-works of art and a favourite book will be looked at hundreds and hundreds of times - not many books get this much attention from their audience! I am always drawing (I've drawn every day since 1st September 2014 - you can see every single day on my instagram @Jennybloomfield ) so I love being able to transfer my sketchbook observations and ideas to a living breathing story. For instance,  The Worry Jar , has some scenes at a swimming pool and I was able to go back to all the drawing I did sitting on the side of the pool while my kids were having lessons.   Jenny's sketches by the pool The Worry Jar, Oxford University Press, 2022.       Tell us about your upcoming/most recent book. The Worry Jar  is
Read more