Northern Highlight - Emma Layfield

NORTHERN HIGHLIGHT 

EMMA LAYFIELD

Why did you want to work in the children's book industry?

I first fell in love with picture books reading Raymond Briggs’ The Snowman and, as I grew up, this love of picture books never left me.

I worked in bookshops, always in the children’s section, and went on to do a BA and MA in publishing, as I was so keen to work with creatives and understand the industry. Over the years, I’ve worked on picture books, fiction and non-fiction, but my love and passion will always be picture books.

Tell us about where you live.

We moved from Manchester city centre to Chorlton a year ago and I could not be happier living here. Chorlton Ees Nature Reserve is on our doorstep and we spend every weekend walking along the River Mersey. At one end of my road is the brilliant Chorlton Bookshop and at the other is Beech Road, filled with indie bars, cafes and restaurants. And, not forgetting, we also have Chorlton Library and the Chorlton Book Festival here too!

Where are you happiest working?

I am loving working in Hachette UK’s new Manchester office. We are based in Blackfriars House, right in the city centre by Parsonage Gardens and only a 1-minute walk to the biggest bookshop in the North – Waterstones Deansgate. We are also only a hop, skip and jump to Rylands Library and Chetham’s Library and, of course, all the shops!


 What for you is the 'spirit of the North'?

For me, the ‘spirit of the north’ is family, community, strong voices and a real sense of place, all wrapped up in a great, big bear hug!

Has this spirit influenced your work?

After 20 years of working in London in publishing, I moved back home in December 2019 to be closer to my family and to start a new role with Hachette Children’s Group focused on acquiring Northern and Scottish picture book writers and illustrators. I am also Hachette UK’s Manchester Office Lead, responsible for spearheading efforts to engage with the local creative and literary community. So, the spirit of the north encompasses everything that I do – in my personal and professional life.

Who for you are the great northern children’s writers/illustrators?

We have 320+ great northern children’s writer and illustrators in this network. I can’t name them all as this blog post would go on and on … but (sneak peek alert!) look out for the CBN Members’ Directory we are publishing at the end of the year, that will list all of our members in one place for the first time.

If you could be transported to anywhere in the North right now, where would it be? 

Formby Beach has been a lifesaver over this crazy year or so, and a trip there always manages to blow the cobwebs away! Oh, and hiking in the stunning Peak District.


Also, my next holiday has to be to Whitby and Robin’s Hood Bay, as I’ve been dying to visit since we moved back.

What would you like to see from children's publishing in the North?

This is simple - more children’s publishers in the North!

What's your favourite children's book set in the North?

Ooh, there are too many great ones to choose from here, but David Almond and Levi Pinfold’s The Dam has a special place in my heart. 

The Dam, written by David Almond, illustrated by Levi Pinfold. Published by Walker Studio. 

You can follow Emma on Twitter and Insta

 

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

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 upcomin...
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 wi...
Read more