Northern Highlights - Julian Beresford

NORTHERN HIGHLIGHTS

Julian Beresford 




Where do you live, and how would you sum up the place in three words

I live in south Yorkshire, Doncaster, Newfound city status


What is special to you about creating children's books, and what is your favourite part of the process?

What’s special to me about creating children's books is the ability to tell stories that I would have loved to read as a kid and reflect the world I grew up in. My favourite part of the process is character creation and world-building, designing the look and style of the characters and the setting of the worlds they dwell in.


Tell us about your upcoming/most recent book

Having recently illustrated the Gadgeteers for the Summer Reading Challenge, I am also currently illustrating a fantastical picture book with Hachette, Title and publishing date to be announced.



Gadgeteers, The Reading Agency


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

St Kilda, part of the outer Hebrides of Scotland would be a cool and unique place in the north to visit.


What literary events have you attended or been involved with recently (in the North/Scotland)?

The last events I went to was before Covid lockdowns, one was the Northern Writers’ Awards: Hachette Writing for Children Roadshow and the other was with Booktrust shadowing Author-illustrator Yasmeen Ismail around schools in Leeds.


What advice would you give to aspiring writers/illustrators/publishers in the North/Scotland?

This goes for writers and illustrators, to try to expand their “imagination/research bank” by experiencing as much as possible outside your norm; which will allow you to infuse your stories and illustrations with the diversity of reality even if you are creating something fantastical.

Who for you are the great Northern/Scottish children's writers/illustrators?

Ross Welford is a great northern writer his Middle-grade book the 1000-year-old boy is a great read and as for an illustrator/ artist, it would be Leonora Carrington; her surrealist fantastical work is amazing!

What's next on your TBR pile by a Northern/Scottish creative?

As I'm currently writing a middle-grade book full of hijinks, I was recently recommended I Never Liked Wednesdays by Roger McGough so looking forward to reading that.





Twitter: @jgberes
Instagram: @jbfantasticalemporium

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