Northern Highlight - Susan Penny
NORTHERN HIGHLIGHT
Susan Penny
Where are you based and how would you sum up the place in three words?
A hop, skip and a jump from the Bonnie Banks o’ Loch Lomond.
Every shade (of) green.
What is special to you about working with children's books, and what is your favourite thing about it?
For me, the most exciting and magical thing about children’s books – picture books in particular – is that third reality created in the mind of the child (and parent) as they interpret what the words and pictures mean to them. There are endless opportunities to convey meaning, and owning that meaning for ourselves allows the story to live on, beyond the page, reaching into the fabric of our imaginations and staying with us for a lifetime. I never forgot my favourite picture books.
Tell us about the most recent project you worked on
As an agent I have my fingers in so many pies – at different stages of cooking – that picking a highlight from such an embarrassment of riches is a predicament (and sometimes I’m forbidden from sharing till later in the process!). What I can say is that there is no shortage of courage, curiosity, and charm in the characters being brought to life on the page, as I speak.
If you could be transported to anywhere in the North/Scotland right now, where would it be?
Via Glencoe, I would aim for the wild and windy white sandy beaches of North Uist. Rich with incredible bird life, wild moors, gorgeous flowering machair, old ruins and secret coves – it’s a feast for the senses. And the ideal setting for a picture book!
What literary/kid lit events have you been involved with recently in the North/Scotland?
Edinburgh Book Festival was abuzz this year with a great line-up, and I never miss the Grad shows at the Art Schools in Scotland – for there, treasures lie in wait! In the Summer I also had the pleasure of sitting in on a Rainbow Library Workshop at the Glasgow Zine Library run by one of the talented author illustrators I represent – Clive McFarland. It was infinitely encouraging to see the progress these young Scottish creatives achieved with their picture book making in one week!
Name your favourite children’s book set in the North/Scotland.
Katie Morag Delivers the Mail and quite frankly all of Mairi Hedderwick’s books in the Katie Morag series. Katie Morag’s peaceful pace of life (and infamous Fairisle jumper) are a nostalgic comfort and constant source of inspiration, decades after falling in love with these stories.
What advice would you give to aspiring publishing professionals living in the North and Scotland?
Don’t feel intimidated. Only you have the power to tell the stories that live in your mind palace. Be honest in your storytelling and dig deep, even when the premise is simple.
What would you like to see from children's publishing in the North and Scotland?
Scotland is unbelievably rich in setting with a wealth of great craic. Stories of the land and its people are waiting to be told. As compelling as they are, I’d love to see budding Scottish author illustrators go beyond the notorious myths and legends and explore the everyday and the mundane that characterises the Scottish experience; there’s magic and universal sentiments to engage hearts and minds there too.
Who for you are the great Northern/Scottish children’s writers/illustrators?
Well, a talented Scottish author illustrator has just joined my list so...watch this space. To talk of other Scottish talent though, Marion Deuchars, Jill Calder and Alistair Chisholm are all fantastically talented. And, if I may veer into the Adult space – Gail Honeyman’s Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine hit me right in the feels and I’ll race to read whatever she writes next.
What’s next on your TBR pile by a Northern/Scottish creative?
The Story of Scottish Art by Lachlan Goudie
You can follow Sus on:
Instagram: @sus.penny
Twitter: @sus_penny
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