The summer holidays have arrived but what good news have they brought with them for our SCBWI members...
Congratulations to Kristina Rahim who was recently chosen as the winner of the PFD Agency's Queer Prize. Kristina won the Children's and YA category with her contemporary MG novel, The Doughnut Club. As a result, she has now signed with PFD agent Silvia Molteni. You can read more about the news here and by following Kristina on her social media handles: @kwbwrites (Twitter) and @krahimwrites (Instagram). Congratulations Kristina.
Kristina Rahim
Fiona Spence-Arnold is celebrating the release of her debut children's book, which was launched on 8th July. Rhamni Finds Her Wings is an illustrated chapter book for 8-10s. It’s illustrated by Keith Turner and published by HoneyCraft.org as part of their MiniBEAST series aimed at getting children into nature. Part funded by the National Forest, it was launched at the Timber Festival between the 7 - 9th July. The festival hosted guided butterfly and moth walks for children with Entomologist Graham Smith, as well as children’s poetry and craft workshops. For more info, check out @fispencearnold on Twitter and @honeycraftbuzz on Instagram.
Rhamni finds her wings is an illustrated chapter book for 8-10s
Another SCBWI member celebrating the launch of her book is Jean Healey. Jean has self-published her first picture book, The Perfect Fit, which is available now on online and produced by Bear With Us Productions. Jean's book is based on the rhyme; The Old Woman who lived in a Shoe. The family have outgrown their home and the search is on to find a better one. But can they find the perfect fit? It's not going to be easy but a fairytale surprise awaits them...
Jean Healey
Congratulations to Corryn Webb who has been awarded funding from the Arts Council Wales. Corryn is using this grant to develop her work as an author-illustrator. Her main two research avenues are representing and exploring her Welsh heritage and culture and investigating more ways to represent more diverse characters in stories that don’t centre on their abilities or challenges. Corryn is working with a lot of wonderful SCBWI’s on the project, including the fantastic Tita Berredo as her portfolio and illustrator mentor and Penny Joelson who is helping her refine her characters and representation.
Corryn's art is influenced by being a Welsh, LGBTQ, working-class, neuro-divergent, female writer and illustrator based in North Wales; giving it a unique, diverse and under-represented voice. Corryn hopes this project will build on her experience to develop her art and gain more opportunities to bring her work to the mainstream.
You can find out more about Corryn's work
here. Good luck, Corryn!
There's double good news for Words & Pictures editor, Eva Wong Nava. Her new book Busy Little Fingers ART, illustrated by Eleonora Marton and published by Big Picture Press was released on July 6th, 2023.
Busy Little Fingers ART was released on 6th July 2023
Eva has also received an awards nomination. The House of Little Sisters, published by Penguin Books, 2022 has been shortlisted for Best Literary Work in the Singapore Book Awards, 2023. The announcement of the winner will be made on September 6th. We wish you every success!
The House of Little Sisters has been nominated for Best Literary Words in the Singapore Book Awards
And finally, Sital Gorasia Chapman is celebrating again this month with the release of her new picture book, The Bedtime Boat. Published on the 20th July by Farshore and illustrated by Anastasia Suvorova, it is the perfect book to help little ones settle at bedtime.
Congratulations to Sital Gorasia Chapman who is celebrating for the third month running
Tune in next month for more upcoming news of book deals, new releases and exciting new opportunities!
Agents, Awards or Good News?
Have you got good news to share? A new book? An offer of agent representation? An award? Don't be shy! Why not send an email over to production@britishscbwi.org together with a picture and any links so we can celebrate with you.
*Header image: in-house collaboration by Ell Rose & Tita Berredo
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Tracy Curran is Production Editor for
Words & Pictures and enjoys writing picture books, young fiction and lower middle grade novels. Known as Little Cornish Writer, you can find her on
Instagram,
Twitter and
Facebook.
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Ell Rose is the Illustration Features Editor of Words & Pictures.
Contact them at illustrators@britishscbwi.org
Tita Berredo is the Illustrator Coordinator of SCBWI British Isles and the Art Director of Words & Pictures. She has a Master's degree in Children's Literature and Illustration from Goldsmiths UOL and a background in marketing and publicity.
Contact her at: illuscoordinator@britishscbwi.org.
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