Ask a Juby

Hah. Two posts in one day. But this is appropriate. I am busily writing up an interview with Susan Juby for the CANSCAIP journal. CANSCAIP is the unnion we both belong to, i.e. the Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illustrators and Performers. I'm a big Juby fan, so she is getting what every author dreams of: twenty minutes of well reasoned praise. (I can't remember who said that, however.) Spent over an hour chatting to her on the telephone today. She's in BC and I'm in Ireland and we have 8 hours, the entire Canadian landmass, and the Atlantic Ocean between us.

Done and Dusted!

Yes, it went off to my agents on Friday - my new young adult fantasy novel based on Celtic mythology. Hurrah! Will say more about it in the future. My brain is exhausted. But I am really happy with it. I think it's fabulous.

Nearly There

Yes, it's three chapters to go and then a quick read-over for typos and this baby is off to my agents before the week is done! A new young adult fantasy based on Celtic mythology. More will be revealed in the near future. I'm utterly thrilled. But I'll be even more thrilled when I announce that it's gone. Then I write up my interview with Susan Juby - more about that anon, also - and complete the final copy-edit on The Book of Dreams. I won't go near the final draft of my new adult novel until the winter. There's some fun ahead first! Will blog as it happens. God, I'm feeling prolific these days. Also knackered.

Pauline Baynes 1922-2008

A great lady and gifted artist has passed beyond the circles of the world. Favoured illustrator of both CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien, she was a shining part of my childhood. Sail on, silver bird.

Online Graphic Novel

My friend, author/illustrator Martin Springett has done it again. A fabulous graphic novel which he has posted online. You can catch glimpses of the artwork - as shown here - at http://www.wixletree.com/. If you sign up as a member, you can access all of it. The Wixle Tree is a truly stunning piece of work. The images are magical!

The High King of Dogs

Flying through my new young adult fantasy. I'm on the final polish draft. Writing so fast and for so long my hands are falling off. At three chapters a day I should have this finished by mid-August and off to my agents. It's been a working summer but that's what's called for right now. Play later. Here's a little glimpse into the book. It's not the right time frame but she looks exactly like my hero. The dog's in the book too! There is nothing more noble than an Irish wolfhound, the High King of Dogs. The painting is "Silent Sympathy" by Herbert Dicksee (1894) and I found it on this amazing site: http://www.irishwolfhounds.ie/.

Book Magic

Damn. I stumbled upon this wonderful image on Stainless Steel Droppings along with all kinds of gorgeous pieces of magical art made out of books, but they are not from a recent blog entry and now I can't find where they are posted. Sigh. Anyway, here's the link. It's only an amazing blog: http://www.stainlesssteeldroppings.com.