CELEBRATIONS May 2025

 

Another month is drawing to a close, so let's see what our members have to celebrate...

Congratulations to Bruna De Luca whose novel, Livia in Rome, is being published by Chicken House on 3rd July. Chicken House describe the novel as a 'sun-drenched clean teen/YA romance in a vibrant destination setting'. It is aimed at readers aged 12+.

Bruna is now a teen/YA author as well as a published picture book author

When writing the novel, Scottish Italian author Bruna drew upon her own experience of growing up as a third culture 'Scotalian' kid. 

Bruna drew on her own experiences of being 'Scotalian' when writing this novel

The novel sounds wonderful and we wish you every success, Bruna.

 

Rekha Salin celebrated her book's birthday on 1st May. Little Sheku and the Animal Orchestra is a gorgeous picture book, written by celebrity cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, published by Puffin Books UK and illustrated by Rekha. Just look at that front cover!

'A musical picture book adventure' 

Rekha Salin

'Little Sheku can't wait to play his cello in a concert with the animal orchestra. But when they discover a dragon has stolen the conductor, Little Sheku and the animals must embark on a music-filled adventure to the dragon's cave. Will they rescue the conductor in time to finish the concert?'

Huge congratulations, Rekha. This sounds and looks absolutely fantastic.

Sheila M. Averbuch is celebrating good news! Her new book, Pitch Your Book: Write the letter that hooks an agent on your novel will be available on Libro FM as an audiobook from 4th July.


Sheila says, 'Audiobooks are surging in popularity both among retailers and at libraries so I'm delighted the book will be available on audio. Pitch Your Book is the definitive how-to guide for aspiring novelists wanting to grab the attention of literary agents with a query letter.'

Sheila's book is also available as an ebook via all retailers and publishes 3rd June.

Congratulations Sheila!

Sheila's book is publishing in ebook and audio book formats

Finally, a massive congratulations is in order for translator Nanette McGuinness. Nanette has been incredibly busy and has a staggering amount of her translations publishing this year:

Graphic novel translations:

*Smurf Tales #12, with Joe Johnson, Papercutz (2025) (FR>EN)

*Smurf Tales #13, with Joe Johnson, Papercutz (upcoming, 2025) (FR>EN)

*Smurf Tales #15, with Joe Johnson, Papercutz (upcoming, 2025) (FR>EN)

*Smurf Tales #14, with Joe Johnson, Papercutz (upcoming, 2025) (FR>EN)

*Sorceline 3, Andrews McMeel Publishing (upcoming, 2025) (FR>EN)

*Geronimo Stilton Reporter #19: The Cheese Connection, Papercutz (upcoming 2025) (IT>EN)

*Dogmatix #4: The Indomitables Ruff Things Up, Papercutz (upcoming, 2025) (FR>EN)

*Asterix Collector, Vol. 2, with Joe Johnson, Papercutz (2025) (FR>EN)

*Asterix Collector, Vol. 3, with Joe Johnson, Papercutz (upcoming, 2025) (FR>EN)

*Asterix Collector, Vol. 4, with Joe Johnson, Papercutz (upcoming, 2025) (FR>EN)

*Asterix Omnibus #13, with Joe Johnson, Papercutz (2025) (FR>EN)

*In Mourning, Maverick (upcoming, 2025) (ES>EN)

*Elsbeth and the Curse of Silence, Dargaud (upcoming, 2025) (FR>EN)

*The Smurfs Archives, Vol. 1, with Joe Johnson, Papercutz (2025) (FR>EN)

*The Smurfs Archives, Vol. 1, with Joe Johnson, Papercutz (2025) (FR>EN)

*Geronimo Stilton Reporter #18: Attack of the Killer Whale, Papercutz (2025) (IT>EN)

*Dogmatix and the Indomitables, Vol. 3: Ruffin’ and Rollin’ in Lutetia, Papercutz (2025) (FR>EN)

*Dogmatix and the Indomitables, Vol. 2: The Romans Go to the Dogs, Papercutz (2025) (FR>EN)

*The Fairy Tales of Mr. Perrault, Vol. 1: Autumn Notes, Dargaud (2025) (FR>EN)


Illustrated, but not Graphic Novels:

*Up in the Blue Sky: Journey from the Earth’s surface to outer space, Orca Books (upcoming, 2025) (IT>EN)

* Custom Sneakers: Everything You Need to Personalize Your Kicks, Andrews McMeel Publishing (upcoming, 2025) (FR>EN)

Nanette McGuinness is winner of The American Prize for
Chamber Music Performance in 2021 and a long-standing SCBWI member

Nanette also hosts and co-produces a podcast of conversations with marginalised voices in music For Good Measure. Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful news with us, Nanette.  

Nanette McGuinness

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: Ell Rose & Tita Berredo

*All other images provided by those celebrating

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Tracy Curran is the Deputy Editor of 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, X/Twitter and Facebook. 

She also enjoys reviewing children's books on her blog The Breadcrumb Forest.

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Ell Rose is the Illustration Features Editor of Words & Pictures.

Find their work at https://fourfooteleven.com

Follow them on Instagram and X/Twitter

Contact them at illustrators@britishscbwi.org

Tita Berredo is the Illustrator Coordinator of SCBWI British Isles and the Art Director of Words & Pictures. 

Follow her on Instagram and X/Twitter or www.titaberredo.com

Contact her at: illuscoordinator@britishscbwi.org.