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mrjamesmayhew.bsky.social
Author, illustrator, concert presenter, live art performer, insomniac. #Katie #EllaBella #ASymphonyOfStories
160 posts 1,683 followers 949 following
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Posts 15 Comments 35

Every artist I know is really struggling right now. Financially, emotionally, their confidence, in general. If you like an artist's work, support them any way you can. Buying their stuff or subscribing to their Patreon is great, but words of encouragement are also incredibly helpful.

submitted 1 day ago • 64 comments

The postwoman has been…!!!!! 😍 It’s so touching to receive these letters, & humbling to realise that the Katie books still inspire children to discover art, 36 years after the first title was published! Thank you Raddlebarn School! I’ll read & reply to every one of them! #katiespictureshow

submitted 4 days ago • 2 comments

AUTHORS & ILLUSTRATORS please add your name to this open letter against the modification of our copyright law in favour of AI! #kidlitUK #HandsOffOurCopyright docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

submitted 10 days ago • 5 comments

A handwritten letter on my illustration work desk to my local MP, Mel Stride, asking him to help UK children's book illustrators keep our copyright during the current AI policy consultation ✍️ @mrsteveantony.bsky.social @alcs-uk.bsky.social @societyofauthors.bsky.social (Typed out in the alt text)

submitted 11 days ago • 7 comments

Only one more collage illustration to go (out of 80). It’s been an epic project, & I am so tired. But there is light at the end of the tunnel. I wonder if people realise how intensely illustrators work to meet deadlines? Can’t wait to clean this up! 😱

submitted 15 days ago • 3 comments

Noticing more accts posting photos & art created by others, without credit. PLEASE incl proper credit (not just in alt-text). Only share if you know creator is ok with it. Check if creator is on Bluesky, tag if they are. Human creators have enough of a challenge these days. #PicturesMeanBusiness

submitted 16 days ago • 4 comments

Time for my regular post for new writers about picture books. You do NOT need illustrations to submit a picture book text to an agent or publisher. Please do not pay anyone to create illustrations for you. It’s not necessary, you just need the text.

submitted 17 days ago • 1 comment

Well I’m new to the whole #kidlitartpostcard thing, but here’s a work in progress picture for a book I’m working on. Can you guess the story?

submitted 17 days ago • 1 comment

Whenever it’s cold I turn to Sibelius’s violin concerto. In a troubled world, his music always reconnects me with the eternal strength of the natural world. I’m in awe of this music, humbled by the realisation that a mere mortal can create something so profoundly beautiful, timeless & pure.

submitted 18 days ago • 1 comment

Spotted on my way home in the Orcadian bookshop window with books on a theme of love, including two wonderful children's books. 'The heart in a bottle' by Oliver Jeffers and a favourite of mine, 'The Frog's Kiss' by @mrjamesmayhew.bsky.social and Toto! 🐸👱🏻♥️🤴🏾🌈 #Orkney

submitted 23 days ago • 3 comments

Children's books build empathy, compassion, and understanding. They can transport readers to whole new worlds and back again, all without leaving your sofa. They can comfort, they can delight. They are magical. #kidlituk

submitted 24 days ago • 3 comments

Hello children's book lovers. Here's my first Reading Matters Children's Book News round up of 2025. A look back at the best of 2024, a preview of books in the coming months. There are free events & resources too so why not settle down and explore. #UKKidLit alibrarylady.blog/2025/01/04/r...

submitted 49 days ago • 4 comments

“the book is perfect for enriching the curriculum: music appreciation lessons, assemblies, story times, art lessons - sprinkling a little much-needed creative joy into learning!” A wonderful 5🌟 review for #ASymphonyOfTheStories on the #readingrealm site: www.readingzone.com/books/a-symp...

submitted 30 days ago • 0 comments

My favourite thing is turning old address labels into cute stickers.

submitted 31 days ago • 1 comment

Such a lovely review of dear old Mouse and Mole - and for once, the illustrations are fully credited and appreciated! Hurrah!

submitted 31 days ago • 0 comments