#clare pearson literary agent

[eddisonpearson]

CHERUB: The Recruit by Robert Muchamore was published 20 years ago this month by Hodder Children's Books, with a cover and logo designed by David McDougall. This was the start of a long-running series which has sold over 17 million copies worldwide and continues to find new readers today.

Journalist Tom Beasley marks the anniversary with a piece in today's Guardian. "Robert Muchamore’s series of novels about young undercover intelligence operatives with troubled lives shook up the sanitised world of early noughties YA literature ... it felt revolutionary. ... There are fans in all corners, from young offenders institutions to Hollywood".

In a 2007 interview for BBC Four documentary The Return of the Hero, Robert discussed the appeal of CHERUB and how he built the series into a bestseller.

[savewritingnsw]

Save Writing NSW

An open letter to Create NSW and the NSW Minister for the Arts

We, as writers and active members of the literary community, were dismayed by Create NSW’s decision not to grant Writing NSW Multi-Year Organisations Funding in their latest round, despite the fact that Writing NSW was recommended for funding.

This decision demonstrates the ongoing devaluation of literature within the Australian arts funding landscape. We know literature is the most popular artform in the country, with 87% of Australian reading some form of literary work in any given year, yet in this round Create NSW offered only 5.7% of their ongoing funding to literature organisations.

The decision to defund Writing NSW carries a particular sting. Writing NSW is the leading organisation representing writers in a state with a long literary history and one that is home to many of Australia’s leading publishers, writers, literary agents and other core participants in the Australian literary industry.

Writing NSW is an important stepping-stone for writers at the beginning of their careers, providing high quality professional development programs, and it also employs emerging and established writers to deliver and lead these programs. For decades the organisation has provided high-quality courses, seminars, workshops, festivals, events, grants and literary prizes. In putting such programs at risk, Create NSW is jeopardising both an entry point and an ongoing support system for writers.

Macquarie University research shows that the average income of an Australian author from their practice is $12,900. The current economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic makes the situation of writers even more precarious. Writing NSW offers key employment opportunities to writers, through teaching, publication, speaking engagements and both curatorial and judging positions. The removal of these opportunities will mean many writers will not be able to maintain the other income streams that support their writing careers.

The removal of $175,000 from a single source would be catastrophic for any business – not-for-profit or otherwise. For a government funding body to enact such a blunt economic withdrawal in the midst of a global pandemic and without concern for the economic flow-on effect to hundreds of industry professionals is deeply distressing.

We call on Create NSW to reverse this decision and ask them to reveal their future strategies for arts funding and how they plan to rectify the disparity in funding between other funded artforms and literature.

As writers, we will never accept the loss of a vibrant, essential cultural network such as Writing NSW.

What you can do We invite anyone affected by Create NSW’s decision – writers, publishers, literary agents, illustrators, readers alike – to co-sign this letter. You can copy and customise this letter to draft a version from your own point of view on this matter to send to a Member of Parliament.

To co-sign this letter, add your name here: shorturl.at/dERX6

Signatories

Pip Smith, Writer, creative writing teacher Sam Twyford-Moore, Writer and arts administrator Fiona Wright, Writer, editor, critic, reader Gabrielle Tozer, Author, writer, editor Brigid Mullane, Editor Jules Faber, Author, Illustrator Dr Christopher Richardson, Author and academic Liz Ledden, Author, podcaster, book reviewer Kate Tracy Ashley Kalagian Blunt, Writer, reviewer, reader Julie Paine, Writer Nick Tapper, Editor Belinda Castles, Writer and academic Simon Veksner, Writer Amanda Ortlepp, Writer, reader, reviewer, High School English Teacher Bronwyn Birdsall, Writer, editor Robin Riedstra, Writer, reviewer, reader, English teacher Dr Delia Falconer, Writer, critic, academic Robert McDonald, Author, writer, creative writing teacher Dr Kathryn Heyman, Author Wai Chim, Author Kirsten Krauth, Writer, editor Tricia Dearborn, Poet, writer, editor Dr Mireille Juchau, Writer Gail Jones, Writer Dr Jeff Sparrow, Writer, editor, academic Linda Jaivin, Writer, editor, translator Adara Enthaler, Poet, editor, literary arts manager Keighley Bradford, Writer, editor, arts and festival administrator Nicole Priest, Reader and aspiring writer Shamin Fernando, Writer Andrew Pippos, Writer Bianca Nogrady, Writer and journalist James Bradley, Writer Ali Jane Smith, Writer Dr Eleanor Limprecht Idan Ben-Barak, Writer Jennifer Mills, Writer Nicole Hayes, Writer, podcaster Michelle Starr, Writer/journalist Phillipa McGuinness, Writer and publisher Vanessa Berry, Writer and academic Blake Ayshford, Screenwriter Emily Maguire, Writer Sarah Lambert, Screenwriter Anwen Crawford, Writer Sarah Bassiuoni, Screenwriter Jackson Ryan, Writer, journalist, academic Simon Thomsen, Journalist, editor, other wordy stuff Ivy Shih, Writer Miro Bilbrough, Writer, filmmaker, screenwriting teacher, script editor Graham Davidson, Writer, artist, festival director Christos Tsiolkas, Writer JZ Ting, Writer, lawyer Susan Francis, Writer, teacher Suneeta Peres da Costa, Writer Dr Harriet Cunningham, Writer, critic, journalist Adele Dumont, Writer, reader Sheree Strange, Writer, book reviewer, book seller Phil Robinson, Reader Ashleigh Meikle, Reader, writer, book blogger Naomi RIddle, Writer, editor Cathal Gwatkin-Higson, Writer, book seller Hannah Carroll Chapman, Screenwriter Angela Meyer, Writer, editor Steve Blunt, Reader, supporter Ambra Sancin, Writer, arts administrator Michelle Baddiley, Writer, reader, archive producer Dinuka McKenzie, Writer, reader Catherine C. Turner, Writer, reader, freelance editor and publisher, arts worker Hilary Davidson, Writer, poet, academic, reader Dr Eleanor Hogan, Writer Nicola Robinson, Commissioning Editor Kim Wilson, Screenwriter Jane Nicholls, Freelance writer and editor Lisa Kenway, Writer Virginia Peters, Writer Sarah Sasson, Physician-writer and reader Dr Joanna Nell, Writer Laura Clarke Author / Copywriter Nicole Reddy, Screenwriter Anna Downes, Writer Sharon Livingstone, Writer, editor, reader Lily Mulholland, Writer, screenwriter, technical editor Benjamin Dodds, Poet, reviewer, teacher Markus Zusak, Writer Alexandria Burnham, Writer, screenwriter Sam Coley, Writer Marian McGuinness, Writer Selina McGrath, Artist Adeline Teoh Natasha Rai, Writer Catherine Ferrari, Reader Jessica White, Writer & academic Zoe Downing, Writer, reader, creative writing student Amanda Tink, Writer, researcher, reader Lisa Nicol, Children's author, screenwriter, copywriter Aurora Scott, Writer Gillian Polack, Writer, academic Susan Lever, Critic and writer Denise Kirby, Writer Michele Seminara, Poet & editor Meredith Curnow, Publisher, Penguin Random House David Ryding, Arts Manager Catherine Hill Genevieve Buzo, Editor Hugo Wilcken DJ Daniels, Writer Linda Vergnani, Freelance journalist, writer and editor Tony Spencer-Smith, Author, writing trainer & editor Dr Viki Cramer, Freelance writer and editor Petronella McGovern, Author, freelance writer and editor Jacqui Stone, Writer and editor Talia Horwitz, Writer, reader & writing student Sophie Ambrose, Publisher, Penguin Random House Rebecca Starford, Publishing director, KYD; editor and writer David Blumenstein, Writer, artist Rashida Tayabali, Freelance writer Sheila Ngoc Pham, Writer, editor and producer Rosalind Gustafson, Writer Alan Vaarwerk, Editor, Kill Your Darlings Gillian Handley, Editor, journalist, writer Karina Machado Isabelle Yates, Commissioning Editor, Penguin Random House Michelle Barraclough, Writer Natalie Scerra, Writer Melanie Myers, Writer, editor and Creative Writing teacher Emily Lawrence, Aspiring Writer Nicola Aken, Screenwriter Jennifer Nash, Librarian, writer Clare Millar, Writer and editor Kathryn Knight, Editor, Penguin Random House Linda Funnell, Editor, reviewer, tutor, Newtown Review of Books Stacey Clair, Editor, writer, former events/projects producer at Queensland Writers Centre Virginia Muzik, Writer, copyeditor, proofreader, aspiring author Lisa Walker, Writer Sarah Morton, Copywriter, aspiring author, Member of Writing NSW Board Laura Russo, Writer and editor Vivienne Pearson, Freelance writer Justin Ractliffe, Publishing Director, Penguin Random House Australia James Ley, Contributing Editor, Sydney Review of Books Alison Urquhart, PublisherPenguin Random House Debra Adelaide, Author and associate professor of creative writing, University of Technology Sydney Magdalena Ball, Writer, Reviewer, Compulsive Reader Anna Spargo-Ryan, Writer, writing teacher, editor, reader Charlie Hester, Social media & project officer, Queensland Writers Centre Mandy Beaumont, Writer, researcher and reviewer Chloe Barber-Hancock, Writer, reader, pre-service teacher Dr Patrick Mullins, Academic and writer Wendy Hanna, Screenwriter Chloe Warren Dianne Masri, Social Media Consultant Jane Gibian, Writer, librarian, reader Dr Airlie Lawson, Academic and writer Karen Andrews, Writer, teacher, reader Tim Coronel, General manager, Small Press Network and Industry adjunct lecturer, University of Melbourne Tommy Murphy, Playwright and screenwriter Evlin DuBose, Editor, writer, screenwriter, director, poet, UTS's Vertigo Magazine Tony Maniaty, Writer Emma Ashmere, Writer, reader, teacher Alicia Gilmore, Writer Suzanne O'Sullivan, Publisher, Hachette Australia Jacqui DentWriter, Content Strategist Rachel Smith, Writer Intan Paramaditha, Writer Cassandra Wunsch, Director TasWriters (The Tasmanian Writers Centre) Meera Atkinson Eileen Chong, Poet, Writer, Educator Debra Tidball, Author, reviewer Beth Spencer, Author, poet, reader Lou Pollard, Comedy writer, blogger Bronwyn Stuart/Tilley, Author and program coordinator, Writers SA Gemma Patience, Writer, illustrator, reviewer Amarlie Foster, Writer, teacher Dr Felicity Plunkett, writer Angela Betzien Drew Rooke, Journalist and author Michael Mazengarb, Journalist RenewEconomy Katrina Roe, Children's author, broadcaster, audiobook narrator Liz Doran, Screenwriter Arnold Zable, Writer. Tom Langshaw, Editor, Penguin Random House Brooke Maddison Monica O'Brien, ProducerAmbience Entertainment Jacinta Dimase, Literary AgentJacinta Dimase Management Jane Novak, Literary AgentJane Novak Literary Agency Sarah Hollingsworth, Arts Organisation ManagerMarketing and Communications Manager, Writers Victoria Barbara Temperton, Writer Sandra van Doorn, Publisher Red Paper Kite Alex Eldridge, Writer Karen Beilharz, Writer, editor, comic creator Esther Rivers, Writer, editor, poet Jane Pochon, Board Member, lawyer and reader Zoe Walton, Publisher, Penguin Random House Eliza Twaddell Alison Green, CEO, Board Member, Pantera Press Emma Rafferty, Editor Sarah Swarbrick, Writer Dayne Kelly, Literary Agent, RGM Léa Antigny, Head of Publicity and Communications, Pantera Press Jenny Green, Finance, Pantera Press Sarah Begg, Writer Mark Harding, Writer, Brand Manager, Social Media and Content Specialist Shanulisa Prasad, Bookseller Katy McEwen, Rights Manager, Pantera Press Olivia Fricot, Content Writer/Bookseller, Booktopia Jack Peck, Writer, Open Genre Group Convenor, Writing NSW, Retired Kathy Skantzos, Writer, Editor Serene Conneeley, Author, Editor Kerry Littrich, Writer Merran Hughes, Creative Cassie Watson, Writer Lisa Seltzer, Copywriter, Social Media Manager and Marketing Consultant Gemma Noon, Writer and Librarian Tanya Tabone, Reader Laura Franks, Reader, Editor, Writer Dani Netherclift, Writer Who to contact We urge you to join us in advocating for Writing NSW and the state of funding for Australian literature, by contacting Create NSW, your NSW Member of Parliament, and the NSW Minister for the Arts.

Chris Keely Executive Director, Create NSW Email: chris.keely@create.nsw.gov.au

The Hon. Don Harwin, MLC Phone: (02) 8574 7200 Email: office@harwin.minister.nsw.gov.au

Who to else to contact

The Hon. (Walt) Walter Secord, MLC Shadow Minister for the Arts Phone: (02) 9230 2111 Email: walt.secord@parliament.nsw.gov.au Ms. Cate Faehrmann, MLC Greens representative for Arts, Music, Night-Time Economy and Culture Phone: (02) 9230 3771 Email: cate.faehrmann@parliament.nsw.gov.au A full list of names and contact details for NSW State MPs is available here.

[eddisonpearson]

Mary Murphy's new picture book Friends Forever is out now from Quarto's Happy Yak imprint.

“A seemingly simple tale with hidden depths ... Murphy’s stark monochrome monkeys stand out in contrast to the bright green of the jungle, making this an iconic follow-up to last year’s I Love You.” — The Irish Examiner

[eddisonpearson]

Megan Rix and Valerie Bloom feature in Booktrust’s Great Books Guide 2021, both in the 6-7 years category.

[eddisonpearson]

Mary Murphy's eagerly-awaited first novel is out now. A Sarah Odedina Book from Pushkin Children's designed by Jet Purdie, The Minute Minders is written and fully illustrated by Mary Murphy.

"The world that Murphy creates is captivating. The Minute Minders is a treat for all ages." ― Patricia Forde, Laureate na nÓg "A fresh take on the 'tiny person' theme with a beautiful empathetic message!" ― Harriet Muncaster, author of the Isadora Moon series “The Minute Minders by Mary Murphy is a funny, sweet fantasy adventure about fidders, tiny people who help humans. Illustrated by Murphy throughout, it’s perfect for age 8+. (Or to read aloud to 7+)” — Sarah Webb "A book with heart and humour and a bit of jeopardy, served up with a light touch and a wink." ― A.F. Harrold

"A timeless classic in the making and so full of heart." — NetGalley reviewer

"A delightful tale full of many messages and themes which would lend itself to being a class story time book. I can't wait to buy my own copy to share with my class as I'm certain they'll enjoy it as much as I did." — NetGalley reviewer

"Now that I have finished this book, I am not just going to leave it on the shelf but will keep reading it over and over again." — Books Up North review by Emaan, aged 7

"‘The Minute Minders’ is a completely captivating, thoroughly enjoyable read, full of warmth and humour ... Stevie is a wonderful character … Her relationship with her father is beautifully captured … Mary Murphy’s world building is brilliant." ― Through the Bookshelf

"Mary Murphy's first chapter book for older readers is a delightful story ... Readers will be transported into a magical world that closely resembles ours ... Highlighting the importance of friendship, this story shows how a little bit of kindness and care can go a long way and how the actions we take, even if just for a minute, can make a world of difference." — Inis Magazine (Children's Books Ireland) review by Elanur Eroglu Williams

"The Minute Minders is a wonderful middle-grade debut novel. A heartwarming and captivating story which is full of adventure, fantasy and empathy. I love the hidden messages throughout about never giving up which will not only support younger readers but educate them as well ... about checking in on people, supporting them and making small changes to improve our mental-wellbeing which is something we could all do with doing even from a young age. The illustrations are just stunning and really help to bring this fabulous story to life. ... The Minute Minders is a perfect book for upper primary libraries and classrooms and is a great match for fans of books by Cressida Cowell, RJ Palacio and Andy Shepherd." — Emma Suffield, blogger, Waterstones Senior Bookseller and SLA School Librarian of the Year 2018

"With soft pencil illustrations throughout, Murphy’s first longer book for older readers has the cosy feel of a new classic." ― The Irish Examiner

"The Minute Minders, a richly imaginative tale from Mary Murphy, takes the ‘little person’ framework and imbues it with new life. ... Some children’s books prove especially hard acts to follow. Any story about tiny people secretly interacting with human beings, for example, is fated to draw comparisons with Mary Norton’s beloved series The Borrowers (1952), which told the story of a family of such people who live clandestinely in the walls and floor of an old English house. ("Borrowers don’t steal… except from human beings.") The Minute Minders, an enchanting debut novel by Mary Murphy, is also about tiny people – and it is to Murphy’s great credit that it doesn’t feel borrowed at all." ― The Telegraph; review by Emily Bearn, 17th January 2024

"This is the first book in a series, told through Stevie's frank and funny voice." — The Week Junior; Book of the Week review, 27th January 2024

"In the tradition of Borrowers, Minpins and flits, fidders are tiny people who live alongside humans. But fidders are there expressly to help, putting thoughts into heads to nudge people in directions that will make them happy, fulfil their dreams, save their lives. They can also communicate with cats and dogs, and they have various jobs: some reveal truth, some inspire creativity, and “minute minders” have one minute to solve problems. Stevie is a ten-year-old fidder who lives with her dad, and gets him into trouble by breaking the rules of interactions with humans, which leads to tasks on which their livelihood and dream holiday depend. These include helping two lonely children to find each other and deal with a bully. This delightful book has empathy, sweet pictures, a virtuoso meta ending, and a good deal of wise advice." — The Sunday Times best books for children 2024; Children's Book of the Week review by Nicolette Jones, 28th January

[eddisonpearson]

Mary Murphy rounds off the final day of the Children’s Books Ireland International Conference 2019 in Dublin, speaking on the conference theme of ‘Belonging’, and unveiling two forthcoming picture books.

[eddisonpearson]

Valerie Bloom’s Stars with Flaming Tails illustrated by Ken Wilson-Max (Otter-Barry Books), has won the CLiPPA, the UK’s leading award for published poetry for children.

Poet Philip Gross, chair of the judges, said: “Stars with Flaming Tails is like a passport to the whole world, and beyond. This is poetry that can go anywhere, from the personal to the planetary, the surreal to the scientific, with its invitation to us all to look, and to laugh, to listen to our feelings, and to think. And meanwhile, almost without noticing it, we’re being handed the keys to the craft of writing for ourselves.”

Louise Johns-Shepherd, CLPE chief executive, said: “Valerie’s inspiring collection invites children to engage with poetry in so many different ways and speaks beautifully to all realms of human experience. It deserves to be in every book corner and library in the land.“

Stars with Flaming Tails was previously selected for EmpathyLab’s Read for Empathy Collection 2022, and longlisted for the UKLA Award. On publication last year it was selected by Imogen Russell Williams as a Guardian Book of the Month. 

Click here to watch the CLiPPA Poetry Show and award ceremony at the Southbank Centre, with performances from children whose schools took part in the CLPE Shadowing Scheme, as well as performances from event host Michael Rosen and the shortlisted poets Kate Wakeling, Laura Mucha, Matt Goodfellow, Liz Brownlee, Manjeet Mann and Valerie Bloom.

Click here for a teaching resource and for video and audio clips from the Stars with Flaming Tails launch event in 2021, hosted by Manchester Poetry Library.

[eddisonpearson]

Lizzie & Lucky: The Mystery of the Lost Chicken by Megan Rix, illustrated by Tim Budgen (Puffin), is on the shortlist of the inaugural Inclusive Books for Children Awards. The winners in each of three age categories will be announced at a ceremony at the Barbican Centre in London on 28th February.

Megan Rix introduces her shortlisted title in British sign language in this video:

[eddisonpearson]

Author-illustrator Mary Murphy has two very different books out this month. The first, published today, is I Love You (Happy Yak / Quarto), with artwork from the book gracing the cover of Inis magazine's January 2024 issue.

“Here is a simply gorgeous and gorgeously simple book that celebrates all the things that make life worthwhile. … An endearing pair of pandas express their affection by comparing their feelings for one another to those elicited by all the other things they love. We see all that is important to them, and we are never in doubt of how important they are to one another. ... The intricacies that compose an ordinary day are applauded. This book feels joyous and genuine, and its brilliant ‘small things’ are placed at the centre of the story, highlighting how they are in fact big things for small people, and should really be considered huge for all of us. … The last line brought a tear to my eye. … A remarkably lyrical and profound book, certain to delight young readers and warm the hearts of older ones. I will be buying this for new babies from now on.” — Children’s Books Ireland review by Ciara O’Hara of I Love You by Mary Murphy; Inis magazine Issue 70

More soon on Mary Murphy's middle grade novel The Minute Minders, due from Pushkin Children's Books on 18th January.

[eddisonpearson]

Caroline Lawrence shares her revelations about ‘writing on the right side of the brain’, along with tricks, tropes, and insights about story structure gleaned from Hollywood screenwriters and filmmakers. Out on 22nd August, with black and white illustrations by Linzie Hunter, this book is aimed at storytellers of any age – adults as well as children – and promises to be a great resource for teachers.

[eddisonpearson]

The Time Travel Diaries by Caroline Lawrence is Nicolette Jones’ Sunday Times Children’s Book of the Week.

To celebrate the launch, Caroline will be doing family sessions at The London Mithraeum and a livestream event at the Museum of London.

The Time Travel Diaries is also one of Books for Keeps magazine’s Books of the Year 2019. Read the five-star BfK review, or watch Waterstones bookseller Rhiannon Tripp’s YouTube review.

[eddisonpearson]

Radha beautifully translates young fiction title Lizzie & Lucky: the Mystery of the Missing Puppies (Puffin) into British Sign Language. Championed by deaf author Megan Rix, herself a BSL user, this video was made by the Royal Association for Deaf people (RAD) with support from the Arts Council. 

The fourth book in the Lizzie & Lucky series is published today by Puffin, with illustrations by Tim Budgen. 

Also celebrating its launch today is the new Inclusive Books for Children (IBC) website (as reported in The Guardian). The first Lizzie & Lucky title has been selected as a Top Pick, featuring in two Top 10 booklists.

[eddisonpearson]

Published by Puffin, with black and white illustrations throughout by Tim Budgen, a new series starring Deaf protagonist Lizzie and her Dalmatian pup Lucky is inspired by Megan Rix’s experience of living with partial deafness since childhood.

“Nothing stops me. Ever”: How Megan Rix was inspired to create a Deaf heroine – Booktrust

Puffin to publish animal detective series for younger readers by Megan Rix – The Bookseller

[eddisonpearson]

Michael Catchpool’s latest picture book is a Booktrust pick for November 2022.

‘Funny and charming, this book is simply super!’ is Booktrust’s verdict on SuperJoe Does NOT Say Sorry by Michael Catchpool, illustrated by Emma Proctor (Lantana).

The book is a companion volume to SuperJoe Does NOT Do Cuddles, read here by Michael Catchpool for the Lantana book club.

Watch a clip of actor and musician Tom Moutchi’s new reading for the Tata Storytime programme.

[eddisonpearson]

Robert Muchamore’s Robin Hood is a Guardian Book of the Month, a Booktrust pick for ‘Books we love in May 2020′ and a featured title in The Times Literary Supplement’s ‘Lockdown reading for anxious children’.

[eddisonpearson]

Megan Rix meets and finds out all about the elephants at Woburn Safari Park – from what they eat to the noises they make to communicate with each other (via The Guardian website).