I’m not sure I have ever introduced myself on instagram- so probably time to say hello! 👋🏻
#meettheartist #illustratorsoninstagram #inthestudio #creativementoring
It’s here! Weird Sea is out TODAY! You can buy it from all good bookshops and online! What does the sea make you think of? Crashing waves, crumbling sandcastles . . . maybe a squawking seagull or two? Well how about . . .Ghost ships! Mega sharks! The Bermuda triangle! Zombie starfish! Psychic sea serpents! And don’t even get us started on something called the Hot Tub of Despair . . .You see, the sea is actually weird. Really weird. Not only is it full of amazing creatures and mini monsters, some of the world’s most mind-blowing myths and legends revolve around the sea too. So what are you waiting for? Get ready to dive in and discover some of the incredible secrets of our weird, wonderful and totally wild oceans.
This book was a labour of love for me and it took a small village to put together! I’m so grateful to all of the wonderful people @puffinbooksuk who worked with me to bring it to life- @deborahhv & Naomi Coulthurst, the wonderful @stephingstones , @emilywilsonlunn , @andthered and @annaloubarnes ❤️🦑
#sophieburrows #cómics #childrensnonfiction #picturebooks #illustration #graphicnovels #deepseamysteries #kidsbookstagram #weirdsea #childrensbooks #mythsandlegends #kidslit #booktok #childrensbookshelf #picturebookmaker #coverart #puffinbooks #kidlit
It’s here! Crushing is released in the UK by @dfb_storyhouse . Thank you everybody who has picked up a copy already and those of you who preordered ♥️ it is so wonderful to see your pictures and messages. Those of you getting copies today, happy reading! 🤗 I’ll be sharing lots of behind the scenes stuff on my stories throughout the day.
This book would not exist without the help of so many amazing people. For now- huge thanks to the incredible team at DFB. I am so very grateful to my brilliant editor @rosieficklingbooks & designer @katie1353 , @bronwen4458 , who’s hard work means that Crushing is not only out in 🇬🇧 but also 🇺🇸 🇫🇷 🇮🇹 🇨🇳! Thank you also to @philearle , @clairemaxwell and Meggie Dennis for championing the book with such passion ♥️ and to my agent, @carteyclaire for being a total hero!
#crushingbook #graphicnovels #comics #autumnreads #ukcomics #sophieburrows #illustration #londonillustration
I can’t quite believe I’m writing this…
Today, I get to share the cover of my debut middle grade verse novel, When The Birds Wake Up 🪽
This book holds so much of my heart.
It follows Pear, a girl at the end of Year 6, whose world shifts in ways she doesn’t understand when her beloved Grandma is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
Pear feels friendsick. That quiet, aching kind of lonely that’s a bit like homesickness, but for a friend you don’t have yet. She is trying to find her place in the world while being teased for something she already wishes she could hide. Then, slowly and unexpectedly, connection finds her in new friendships, unexpected moments and an unbreakable bond with a scruffy rescue dog who changes everything.
It’s a story about love, hope, and the quiet, extraordinary power of connection.
At its core, it asks something simple but huge.
What if no matter what yesterday didn’t fix, we can always begin again tomorrow?
When the birds wake up.
I’m so grateful to Sophie for her utterly beautiful illustrations that have brought Pear’s world to life in ways I could only imagine. And to David Fickling Books, thank you for believing in this story and in me. You make dreams real.
I’m emotional, proud and I hope you and your children love this story as much as I do 🤍
Coming out on September 10th, available to pre-order now online and in your favourite bookshops!
#debutauthor #middlegradenovel #versenovel
A few years ago, I experienced a huge creative block while trying to build new portfolio work with no project lined up. I had lots of feedback, but the pressure to get it ‘right’ paralysed me. I tried to follow every piece of advice, paid too much attention to instagram likes, and my work started to feel confused and not like mine.
The last thing I wanted to do was to take time out, but ultimately, I needed to switch lanes and reduce the pressure. I picked up more part-time work, and looked for inspiration outside illustration- in films, on walks, with friends. When I drew, I started by ignoring what might make ‘a good portfolio piece’ and indulged in subjects I loved to draw, which led to new stories and discoveries about my style.
Not long after, an email arrived about exciting collaborative graphic novel project! It wasn’t easy, and this way of thinking is something I still work at. But I wanted to say, that it can be tough to deal with the ups and downs of freelancing, but it isn’t giving up or taking a step backwards to have a side gig or pause for a bit. Sometimes it can be exactly what your creativity needs!
….
Thank you Young Comics Laureate @itsrayning_@comicsyouth for inviting me to take part in your campaign #ScribbleThroughTheStruggle and share what motivated me to keep going through my creative wobbles. It’s been really inspiring to read all the posts already shared through the campaign 💛
#youngcomicslaureate #scribblethroughthestruggle
I’ve finally written a newsletter. Are you on Substack? If so, come and say hi. If not, it comes straight to your inbox if you’d like to sign up! There’s a link in my bio if you’d like to want to have a quick read, it’s a speculative thought dump guaranteed to leave you feeling whelmed
Ahhh! I’m thrilled to reveal the cover of my next children’s book…The Weirdest Wonders on Earth!
I cannot wait it for to come out- it’s got poisonous gardens, unicorn skeletons and swimming pigs (and of course, lots of comic strips) - what more could you want?
Waterstones are doing a fancy special offer until this Friday (20th March) giving you 25% off if you pre-order using the code FEB26. Pre-ordering is so SO helpful for authors and can play a huge part in a book’s success and visibility, so if you are able to, it means a lot. Plus, you get your copy as soon as it comes out! @puffinbooksuk
My silent graphic novel Crushing turned four years old this week. I am still so blown away by all of the lovely messages I get about this book. It started as a little comic about love and loneliness and grew into a big graphic novel about connection. It was the first story I wrote where I wasn’t thinking about what kind of stories I ‘should’ be making, or second guessing what publishers might want or expect. I made it for me, and, it turns out, for you too. I didn’t expect it to resonate with so many of you and I am so grateful that it does (AND that you message me to share this).Thank you!
Crushing is published by @dfb_storyhouse and you can find it in your local bookshop ♥️
#graphicnovels #autumnreads #ukcomics #illustration #londonillustration
happy halloween
🎃
hope you are all having a good spooky season, thought it was about time I made another comic. a little homage, because I am always and forever in love with The Funnybones 💚
#comics #comicartist #cómics #storyart
Found this little zine while sorting out doom piles in my studio this morning. I made it a few years back experimenting with the risograph at @cambridge_school_of_art (although I think the glowing bogies in this version might be hand drawn!)
#comic #risograph #illustratorsoninstagram #zinesters
I’ve just wrapped up my latest book and I’m pulling at the threads of some new ideas this week. I love talking to other creatives about idea generation- there’s so many different approaches people use to find inspiration. Do you approach the start each project the same way, or mix it up? Tell meeee, I could chat about it all day! #creativeblock #drawingtips #illustrationtips #creativecareer #illustratorsoninstagram
Just a short hello- I am still here but oh so busy! More half baked sketchbooks for you, this time random ideas 💡maybe some of them could go somewhere, if only I could remember a shred of context or what any of them mean
#illustratorsketchbook #showyoursketchbook #illustrationsketch
