I stumbled into working in children’s books. This was 1984; I’d done some English Language work with OUP but had mostly been working for magazines: The Literary Review, Time Out, Radio Times and the like, when (as mentioned in a previous blog) a designer at Heinemann saw something I’d done and put me forward for a ghost story for children. Storm by Kevin Crossley-Holland was in the first series of Yellow Bananas Books, the first “readers” now prevalent in children’s publishing, (I think this had a great deal to do with Judith Elliott who was children’s book editor at Heinemann). With that book under my belt, by ‘phoning and arranging to meet with editors I went on to work with several independent publishers, illustrating work by Fiona Waters; Rosemary Sutcliff; Jill PatonWalsh, (including Thomas and the Tinners, above); Joan Aiken… you get the point; it was a good break.
Does this happen now? The small, independent publishing houses did seem more approachable than today’s conglomerated businesses, and I do understand the pressures on modern publishing. Somehow ease of communication has made connecting all the more difficult. I, naively, used to deliver work by hand to editors and was often welcomed, shown work-in-progress etc. It was part of an editor’s job to find and nurture new talent. Starting out was never easy; not everyone wanted to look at what was essentially college work. But I remember, having just left college, talking to Tom Maschler, head of Jonathan Cape, from a ‘phone box; he was helpful and encouraging and gave time to explain how I should approach publishers with my work. I sat in Klaus Flugge’s office, Andersen Press, whilst he read a story that I’d written; in both cases, probably unthinkable now. The story, Nowhere to be Found, (via an introduction from Frances McKay), was later published by Michael Neugebauer, now owner of Minedition and another great publisher, who took a chance with that early picture book. During all this time I don’t think I knew how fortunate I was. I’m sure that new talent is encouraged today, if it can make itself known. I’m not sure that young illustrators can get away with stumbling any more. Alan Marks MarksOnPaper Alan's Biography, Books and Awards Follow us on Facebook Tweet
