This week I am about to embark on an exciting new venture. I’m
going to be working with a very talented illustrator to turn my text about Richard III into a highly illustrated children’s book. Firstly I’d like to introduce you to the illustrator. Her
name is Alice Povey and you can see examples of her work on her website at Alice Povey's Portfolio.
Good, isn't she!
Secondly I'd like to explain how we met. To all those people who still think that Twitter is a waste of time, I got to know about Alice through my Twitter discussions with her mother @Richard1483. As you can guess from her Twitter name, she's even more enthusiastic about 'everything Richard III' than I am. That was how we got talking. She mentioned her daughter. I looked at Alice's website and we were 'in business'. Don't you just love Twitter!
Back to Alice and the book, we're about to have our first meeting to discuss the project. I've never before had the opportunity to work so closely with an illustrator and I'm really looking forward to viewing my work through an artist's eyes. The text follows Richard's life, from when he was a young boy, through the confusions of the Wars of the Roses, to his rule as Richard III, his death at the Battle of Bosworth and his subsequent rediscovery under the tarmac of a Leicester City Council car park, including a bit about the science that was used to properly identify his remains.
The proposed publication date for the book is Summer 2014 which brings me to the only negative point in this blog post, the disagreement about where Richard's final resting place should be. The case was taken to the High Court in London last November but was adjourned because there were issues to be resolved. The next hearing will not be until 13th March 2014. I won't go into all the politics about where he should be buried. I'll just say that I hope they rule in favour of keeping him here in Leicester. It would mean a lot to us Leicester folk and I must admit that I have already written the final page of the book. I do hope I don't have to rewrite it!
Here's hoping you don't have to re-write the last page of your book. Congratulations on this wonderful new book and all your diligent preparation with the new illustrator.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Manzanita. I do hope they let him stay.
DeleteYou are very versatile with your projects. Good luck with it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, L. Maybe my versatility is due to a short attention span!
DeleteI love Alice Povey's work! Just sometimes everything falls beautifully into place ... and I suspect that magic will continue when the law courts prove your last page right! Hope so, anyway!
ReplyDeleteShe is good, isn't she, Pippa.
DeleteGood luck with the new venture! It does sound exciting. ~Miriam
ReplyDeleteYes, it's exciting doing something slightly different like this. Thanks, Miriam.
DeleteBrilliant!! Love the idea of Richard 111 on a bicycle pedalling through the streets of Leicester! hahahaha. I shall be buying this when it comes out.
ReplyDeleteThat would be an interesting alternative to the King in the car park! The King behind the bike sheds!
DeleteRos, her illustrations are beautiful! So expressive! This is wonderful. I can imagine you are thrilled about this! I also hope you don't have to re-write that last page. It feels fitting to me that Richard III should be in Leicester close to where he died. Haha, I like the idea of the King behind the bike sheds too! I'll also be buying this when it comes out!
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed we can keep the last page as it is. Thanks, Val.
DeleteBeautiful drawings - the artwork will be up to your writing, obviously. Hope you get to keep Richard.
ReplyDeleteYou say the kindest things Lizy :-)
DeleteI think King Richard would be proud to be represented by two such talented ladies. And I will be in line, well, the virtual line to buy this book! All the best with it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Inger. No plans as yet to produce an ebook... if that's what you meant!
DeleteI hope you don't have to rewrite either! You're going to make an excellent team! It'll be great! :)
ReplyDeleteHow exciting Ros, I too hope you don't have to do a rewrite, and I agree with other readers of your blog that Alice's illustrations are fabulous!
ReplyDeleteThat's really exciting! Hope it all works well for both of you :)
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for this book to be published Ros! Obviously, I jknow what you've written, but now seen Alice's work, I'm doubly excited!
ReplyDeleteHow exciting Ros that it's really happening.I love Alice's illustrations,how clever to be able to draw like that. Your book will be great.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful! Alice's illustrations are delightful, and between the two of you, I'm sure you'll create a winning book. (Educational, too!) Good luck with it.
ReplyDeleteThis is all so exciting Ros, and Alice's photos of her workshop are wonderful. I can almost smell the paint!
ReplyDeleteI am so excited for you, Rosalind! This is such a great idea for a children's book, and you've chosen an amazing illustrator! I also love how you met Alice's mom on Twitter. Best of luck to both of you!
ReplyDeleteJulie
Leicester deserves to keep him after protecting him for all these years. Looking forward to reading your text.
ReplyDeleteHow exciting and they are wonderful drawings :)
ReplyDeleteHi Ros .. how great you found Alice and a quick look at her site -shows she's a great illustrator. Looking forward to see how this goes ..
ReplyDeleteLove the idea you're doing a book on Richard III .. it is a muddling part of English history ... and I too hope he remains in Leicester ...
I am looking forward to getting up sometime to see the exhibition etc .. cheers Hilary
Wishing you and the very talented Alice, an very productive working relationship x
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