UK Children's Book Illustrators List 2018 - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books

Becka Moor grew up in Manchester where she still lives, above a little cafe in her home office filled with inspiration and coffee stains.

She graduated in 2012 with an honours degree in Illustration for Children’s Publishing from Glyndwr University in North Wales. It was there that her passion for children’s books really took flight.

Becka has always been fascinated by the way illustration and narrative work together, and she loves working with a new text, figuring out how to make the most of a humorous situation for example, and exploring different character ideas.

Website: http://www.beckamoor.com

Twitter: @BeckaMoor 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/becka.moor.illustration/

Benji Davies is an illustrator, author and, animation director. His first self-penned picture book The Storm Whale won the inaugural Oscar’s Book Prize and was Dutch Picture Book Of The Year 2017. His second, Grandad’s Island won the children’s book category of the AOI World Illustration Awards 2015 and was crowned Best Picture Book and overall Children’s Book of the Year at the Sainsbury’s Children’s Book Awards 2015.

Benji studied animation at university and has since worked on a diverse array of projects, from picture books and animated short films to music videos, commercials and, title sequences. His books have been co-editioned in many languages and countries around the world.

Website: http://www.benjidavies.com/

Twitter: @Benji_Davies

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benjidavies/

Ben Mantle was born in Leamington Spa in 1980, and developed a very early interest in things artistic, designing programme covers for school productions and even coming first in his local library colouring-in competition. From there he went on to study animation at Surrey Institute of Art & Design, graduating in 2003.. He then gained valuable experience working on Tim Burton's “Corpse Bride” before moving to Brighton to work as 'Head of Animation' in a media company, focusing on Character and Background design.

He was also part of the Animation team creating the BAFTA winning 'Big and Small' CBeebies website. Since 2008, Ben has been working as a Children's Book Illustrator from his shared studio in Brighton and he also produces screen prints and digital artwork to exhibit. He illustrated 'Callum's Incredible Construction Kit' which won the Bishop's Stortford Picture Book prize 2013.

Website: http://www.benmantle.co.uk/

Twitter: @BenMMantle

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benmmantle/

Caroline Uff was born in 1967 in Hong Kong. Whilst still very young she moved back to England with her family. For a few years, she lived in a shed in Shropshire. As a young child, she enjoyed pushing a trolley full of coloured bricks around the garden and eating coal, whilst sporting a Beatles haircut and a tartan mini skirt. Later we moved to Yorkshire in the north of England.

I have always loved drawing and making things from old cereal boxes and sellotape. Although sadly never reaching the dizzy heights of winning a Blue Peter badge I persevered with my artistic studies at Local schools before taking my degree at Edinburgh College Of Art. I thought of becoming a graphic designer but soon realized that illustration allowed me more freedom and enjoyment.

Website: http://www.carolineuff.com/carolineuff/about-2/

Twitter: @caradraw

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caroline.uff/

Chris Chatterton is an author and illustrator from County Durham, England. He has a background in graphic design and corporate /commercial animation. His passion for illustration has led him to pursue a career as a freelance artist working for a wide array of clients.  Chris loves all things creative and geeky.

Website: http://www.chrischatterton.com/

Twitter: @ChrisChatterton

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chatterton1/

David Litchfield is an illustrator from Bedfordshire in the U.K. He is represented by The Bright Agency. David first started to draw when he was very young, creating Star Wars and Indiana Jones ‘mash up’ comics for his older brother and sister. Since then David’s work has appeared in magazines, newspapers, books and on T-shirts. He has also exhibited his illustrations in both solo and group shows in the U.K, Europe, America.

David’s award-winning first author/illustrator picture book ‘The Bear & The Piano’ and it’s follow up  ‘Grandad’s Secret Giant’ are out now.

Website: http://www.davidlitchfieldillustration.com

Twitter: @dc_litchfield

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/david_c_litchfield/ 

David O’Connell is a writer and illustrator living in London, UK. He works mostly in children’s books, particularly humorous picture books and young fiction.

His first book was Monster & Chips, the first of a series of funny (and revolting) adventures of ‘hooman’ Joe Shoe whilst working at the Monster Diner of friendly monster Fuzzby Bixington.

He then collaborated with the brilliant Sarah McIntyre on the picture book Jampires, inspired by a comic they improvised together – a comic ‘jam’! After completing illustrating the Creature Teacher series by writer Sam Watkins, he worked with illustrator Francesca Gambatesa on a series of picture books all about families, as well as illustrating Boyband of the Apocalypse books for funny writer Tom Nicoll.

His latest series is the Dundoodle Mysteries, tales of spooky adventure in the strange little town of Dundoodle, illustrated by Claire Powell.

Website: http://davidoconnell.uk

Twitter: @davidoconnell

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidoconnell.uk/

Jim Field is an award-winning illustrator, character designer and animation director. From music videos and title sequences to advertising and picture books, Jim has worked on a variety of projects.

His first picture book, ‘Cats Ahoy’ written by Peter Bently won the Booktrust Roald Dahl Funny Prize in 2011. He is perhaps best known for drawing frogs on logs in the bestselling picture book ‘Oi Frog!’

He has illustrated children's books with Kes Gray, Michelle Robinson, Rachel Bright, Jeanne Willis, Steve Cole and comedian David Baddiel.

Website: https://www.jimfield.me 

Twitter: @_JimField

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_jimfield/

Kasia Matyjaszek is a freelance illustrator, living and working in Edinburgh, UK. She graduated with a Masters degree in illustration from Edinburgh College of Art in 2010. A picture book I created for my final degree show was highly commended in the Macmillan Book Prize. In 2013 she took part in the Picture books scheme and together with other finalists exhibited my work in The Scottish National Gallery. In 2015 her picture book was highly commended in Clairvoyants international competition.

I worked on various picture book projects and exhibited my work in Britain, Poland and Italy. 

Website: http://www.kasiamatyjaszek.com/

Twitter: @kasiatwits 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kasiamatyjaszek/

Kate Hindley is a children's book illustrator living and working in Birmingham, UK.

She worked as a Print Designer at a Northamptonshire based design company before she got her first book deal with Simon and Schuster back in 2011, illustrating Claire Freedman's "The Great Snortle Hunt".

Since then she has worked on picture books and fiction with publishers including Walker Books, Simon and Schuster, Bloomsbury, Candlewick, and Usborne.

Website: http://katehindley.com/

Twitter: @hindleyillos

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hindleyillos/

Karl James Mountford is an Illustrator, born in Germany and brought up in the U.K. Karl graduated in 2013 at Swansea Met Uni with a Masters degree in Illustration and Visual communication. Karl works in both traditional and digital mediums. He loves Illustration full heartedly, from picture books, writing stories, screen printing, contemporary design. His style of illustration is 'visually edible', sometimes witty, sometimes odd but always full of gusto.

Website: http://cargocollective.com/karljamesmountford

Twitter: @karlj_mountford 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karljmountford/

Mark A Chambers is an illustrator and author of children's picture books and young fiction. He studied illustration at university and has since been represented by the London and New York Illustration agency, Bright Group International. Mark was shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize in 2013 with Noisy Bottoms and Pigeon Poo written by Elizabeth Baguley won the Sheffield Children's Picture Book Prize in the same year. My Hamster is a Genius written by Dave Lowe was also Highly Commended.

Website: http://www.markachambers.com/

Twitter: @markAchambers 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markAchambers/

Marta Altés studied graphic design in Barcelona and after working there as a graphic designer for almost five years. I decided to pursue my interest for illustration that I had since I was a child. I moved to England and I joined 

the MA in Children’s Book Illustration at the Cambridge School of Art. Now, after finishing the course, I think 
it was the BEST decision I have ever made. 

Since I graduated, I'm working as an illustrator in London and it makes me feel so lucky and happy.

In 2012 I started working as a part time lecturer in the MA in Children's Book Illustration at the Cambridge School of Art.

I always try to have a positive and funny vision about life and to get a smile from who is looking at my drawings 
or reading my stories is what I like the most about illustration.

Website: http://www.martaltes.com/About

Twitter: @martaltes

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martaltes/

Nick Tankard is an Illustrator working from his studio in the world heritage village of Saltaire, West Yorkshire.

His illustrations are produced using a cross-hatch technique with a black fine line pen. Layer upon layer of small ink lines are built up to form structure and shape, whilst other areas are left untouched in order to hint at a flickering light or billowing clouds. It’s a very time consuming process. He cross-hatches in one direction, then turns the image around and adds another layer to create shade and depth, whilst also leaving elements untouched to hint at light and space. The image may turn ten to twenty times until it’s finished.

Nick studied art and Illustration at Bradford College from 1991 – 94.

He then continued his graphic design studies to HND at Cleveland College of Art & Design.

Nick has illustrated several children’s books producing full-page interior illustrations in his pen & ink cross-hatch style.

Website: http://nicktankard.co.uk

Twitter: @NickTankard

Sarah Horne grew up in snowy Derbyshire, UK with some goats and a brother. She learned to draw whilst trying to explain her reasoning for an elaborate haircut at the age of nine. Sarah then honed her skills on the mean streets of Falmouth, studying Illustration. Here, there were daily street battles of scribbling resulting in many paper cuts, but some very nice drawing.

Alongside working on some very funny children’s titles, Sarah has also worked on commissions for The Guardian, The Sunday Times, Kew Gardens, Sesame Street and for IKEA as their Children’s Illustrator In Residence.

She now draws, paints, writes and giggles from underneath a pile of paper at her studio in London.

Website: http://sarahhorne.co.uk

Twitter: @sarahhorne9

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahbhorne9/

Sarah McIntyre is known for her lively adventure stories and action-packed illustrations. She writes and illustrates picture books and comics. Most recently, she has teamed up with Carnegie-winning writer, Philip Reeve, to produce illustrated longer stories, including ‘Oliver and the Seawigs’ and ‘Cakes in Space’. 

Her books have won awards including the Leeds Graphic Novel Award, the Sheffield Children’s Book Award (in the ‘Overall’ category), the UKLA Award, the Independent Bookshop Week Book Award and the Bishop’s Stortford Picture Book Award. 

Website: http://www.jabberworks.co.uk

Twitter: @jabberworks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jabberworks/#

Sharon King-Chai is a designer & illustrator. Born in Australia, she moved to London in 2003 after completing an Honours degree in Visual Communication at University of Technology Sydney, and has been based in North London ever since. 

Sharon has extensive experience in music & publishing industries. She has worked on a wide range of projects including album artwork, branding and logos, product packaging, book covers and event identities. 

Recent awards include Best Children's book cover at the Academy of British Design awards, Best Classic Children's Book at Junior Design Award, Family Choice Award (US) and a shortlisting for the Futurebook Innovation Award. 

In 2013 Sharon’s first children’s picture book ‘Lucy Ladybird’ was published as both book and an iPad app, and her second book, Snail Mail, is out in September 2016. 

Website: http://sharonkingchai.com/

Twitter: @SharonKingChai

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharonkingchai/

Steven Lenton hails from Cheshire and now works from his studio in Brighton, creating an array of charming characters for his books.

Best known for illustrating Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam, written by Tracey Corderoy, he has illustrated many lovely books and wrote his first picture book with Nosy Crow, Princess Daisy and the Dragon and the Nincompoop Knights.

Steven also loves to visit schools, festivals and bookshops, encouraging and inspiring his audience to draw, giggle and create! He is also a children’s book blogger – just search for his name on YouTube. 

Website: http://stevenlenton.com/

Twitter: @StevenLenton 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steven_lenton/
 

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Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books: Children's Middle-Grade Book Picks - March 2018 - UK Post One

Danny Wallace (Author), Jamie Littler (Illustrator) - Hamish and the Baby BOOM! (Hamish 4) - Published by Simon & Schuster Children's UK (8 Mar. 2018) - ISBN-13: 978-1471167829

Get ready for another hilarious adventure from bestselling author Danny Wallace brought to life with illustrations from Jamie Littler, perfect for fans of David Walliams, Roald Dahl, David Baddiel and David Solomons!

Beware the Babies ... they CRY ... they POO ... they ATTACK!
 
Hamish and the PDF have been left in charge of Starkley while his dad and the rest of the Belasko agents are off hunting down the universe's second-most dangerous villain - Axel Scarmarsh!
But nothing bad will happen while he's gone, right? WRONG!

Suddenly the babies of Starkley are on the rampage and causing chaos - but only  Hamish and his friends seem to be worried about the odd behaviour. 

What’s behind the baby uprising and can the mini-mutiny be stopped before EVERY BABY ON EARTH rises up?!

Natasha Farrant - The Children of Castle Rock - Published by Faber & Faber (1 Mar. 2018) - ISBN-13: 978-0571323562

 

When Alice Mistlethwaite is shipped off to boarding school in Scotland it's nothing like she imagines. Run by the mysterious Major, there are no punishments and the students are more likely to be taught about body painting or extreme survival than maths or English!

Then Alice's dad goes missing and she must run away to find him. Can she persuade her new friends to help?

So begins an epic quest across wild Scottish highlands and islands, where friendships will be made and broken, lies will be untangled and the children will face danger and excitement at every turn.

Both hilarious and heartfelt, this is the classic adventure story brought bang up to date, and told in Natasha's inimitable voice.

Vashti Hardy  - Brightstorm: A Sky-Ship Adventure - Published by Scholastic (1 Mar. 2018) -  ISBN-13: 978-1407181707

Twins Arthur and Maudie receive word in Lontown that their famous explorer father died in a failed attempt to reach South Polaris. Not only that, but he has been accused of trying to steal fuel from his competitors before he died! The twins don't believe the news, and they answer an ad to help crew a new exploration attempt in the hope of learning the truth and salvaging their family's reputation. As the winged ship Aurora sets sail, the twins must keep their wits about them and prove themselves worthy of the rest of the crew. But will Arthur and Maudie find the answers they seek?

James Nicol - A Witch Alone (The Apprentice Witch)  - Published by Chicken House (1 Mar. 2018) - ISBN-13: 978-1910655979
During an eventful holiday in Kingsport, Arianwyn is recruited for an important mission: to retrieve the Book of Quiet Glyphs from its hiding place in the Great Wood. But as she returns home to Lull, feyling refugees gather outside the town walls and hex plagues the forest. As tensions lead to fall-outs with her friends, town squabbles and magical mishaps, Arianwyn faces a sobering truth: she alone can find the Book, and wield its secrets ...

Read Book Extract Here. 

Peadar O'Guilin - The Invasion (The Grey Land Book 2) - Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books Book Review

In a world where teenagers are trained for the most horrific 3 minutes of their lives, Nessa and Anto have both survived their Call, but fate has a cruel way of rewarding them. Nessa is branded a traitor as no one believes that someone like her could survive the experience. She's thrown in prison and eventually sent where all traitors are sent - back to the horrifying Greylands, but this time there's no way home. Anto is packed off out of the way to join the militia. Ireland is being invaded and the enemy are building their army from the very people defending it. However, Anto can't get Nessa off his mind, he knows in his heart that she's innocent and he'll go to any length to rescue her. The final chapter in this thrilling and fast-paced adventure with the power of true love at its very core.

I've been invaded by The Invasion of Peadar O'Guilin's long-awaited sequel to the Call. It is soon to be published on the 1st March 2018 by David Fickling Books (the home of great stories). In this book, we are reunited with the two main characters, Nessa and Anto. They survived the Call, but what's in store for them in The Invasion is more terrifying than you can ever imagine. The complexity of this book is brilliant. From the very start, it pulls the reader on a journey that is captivating. The story is beautiful and brutal at the same time which makes it both compelling and disturbing in equal measure. 

It's a fantastic blend of action horror written in its own unique style. Not using any of the classic tropes normally found in this category, it really makes this story stand out and addictive to read. The plot is dark and twisted just like the characters. In a world full of monsters, Sidhe's are disfigured, amalgamations of human flesh and animals/beasts. They are very cunning in character and appear to morph from the dark depths of the author's psyche into a very bizarre world. 

You will prowl into the strange and disturbing land of the Greylands which is very descriptive and well written. It will both captivate and thrill you in equal measures. The author has cleverly blended his fascination for mythology and Irish legend by instilling a very unsettling creepiness that follows you around through every twist and turn. The nation must survive but will they survive? That is most definitely the question.  

This is a fantastic sequel. In my opinion, it is even better than the first book which is something that I very rarely say or think. The author has spent time inventing and building a brilliant backdrop that is even more surreal than the last book. It certainly sucks you into a vortex of evil and chaos. The characters have been very well written, their personalities and emotions are depicted at just the right times through the story. Their different viewpoints come across very clearly and are very much in keeping with the storyline. The story is more compact, fast-paced and free-flowing whilst delivering just the right amount of character dialogue and back history to bring the reader up to speed on the previous story.

The author has taken no prisoners with this book. It's a bloodbath fuelled on high adrenalin action that is both unpredictable and deeply satisfying to read. I really loved this book. Thanks, Peadar - I'm looking forward to the next book, whatever it maybe.

Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books - Favourite Children's Picture Books - Jan/Feb 2018

Jonny Duddle - The Pirates of Scurvy Sands - Published by Templar Publishing (8 Feb. 2018) - ISBN-13: 978-1783704088

 

This summer, Matilda is going on holiday with her friends, the Jolley-Rogers. Their destination is the island of Scurvy Sands - a favourite holiday destination for pirates. 

When Matilda arrives, the swashbuckling residents are not too impressed with her. She has clean teeth, tidy clothes and doesn't smell like she's been at sea for six months without washing - she's definitely no pirate. But when Matilda discovers the secret of the legendary treasure of Scurvy Sands, the pirates decide that maybe some lubbers aren't so bad.

A scurvy sequel to the bestselling The Pirates Next Door.

Jonny Lambert -  Look Out, It’s a Dragon! - Published by Little Tiger Press (8 Feb. 2018) - ISBN-13: 978-1848698215

 

Saffi isn’t like other dragons. She doesn’t enjoy crushing castles and capturing princesses. But when she finds the perfect new home, how can she persuade her new neighbours that she is a helpful sort of dragon?

Written and illustrated by the award-winning Jonny Lambert (Little Why, The Only Lonely Panda and Tiger Tiger), this is a humorous and heart-warming tale about bravery, overcoming prejudices and finding new friends.

Helena Covell - Jumble Wood - Published by Flying Eye Books (1 Feb. 2018) - ISBN-13: 978-1911171362

Far, far away there was a wood. A jumble of twists and turns, ups and downs, and unknowns. The little creatures that lived there each had a thing that made them happy... all of them except Pod, who just can't seem to find hers. Exasperated and sad, Pod sets off to discover where her 'happiness' might be hiding, only to find it in the friends she meets along the way.

Julian Gough & Jim Field - Attack of the Snack: Book 3 (Rabbit and Bear) - Hodder Children's Books (11 Jan. 2018) - ISBN-13: 978-1444938173

Gorgeously illustrated and with a classic feel, this is a brilliantly funny story of a rabbit and a bear who discover that things are always better when they're shared with a friend. Ideal for readers moving on from picture books. 

'A perfect animal double-act.' (The Times, Book of the Week)

SPLASH! A Mysterious Thing lands in Rabbit and Bear's peaceful summer lake. 

Is it exciting, or terrifying? Is it a tiny fluffy owl, or a huge hungry monster? And has Rabbit finally met a creature with worse habits than himself? 

Rabbit's SURE he can solve this mystery. But when he accidentally turns the Best Day Ever into the Worst Day Ever, he needs Bear's help ... 

From novelist and playwright Julian Gough, and the winner of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize, Jim Field, this is a tale of friendship, acceptance, and what you can do with blueberry poo.

'Rabbit's Bad Habits is a breath of fresh air in children's fiction, a laugh-out-loud story of rabbit and wolf and bear, of avalanches and snowmen. The sort of story that makes you want to send your children to bed early, so you can read it to them.' Neil Gaiman

Sam Hay & Sarah Massini - Star in the Jar - Published by Egmont (11 Jan. 2018) - ISBN-13: 978-1405284301

An enchanting bedtime story for toddlers, perfect for fans of Oliver Jeffers' How To Catch a Star.

Up high, in the dark, dark sky . . . a message: LOST, ONE SMALL STAR. 

When a little boy stumbles across a special star, he puts it in a jar and takes it on adventures. Together with his big sister, he takes his special treasure with him everywhere – to the cinema, to the swimming pool and even to the toilet! 

But the poor star is sad and misses its home . . .

Can the little boy and his big sister find a way to send the star safely back?

Sarah Massini's artwork glows with warmth and humour and perfectly captures the friendship between the two siblings in this warm-hearted bedtime book.

Told from the perspective of the big sister, this is the perfect picture book for siblings to share and read together. The short text and warm tone is ideal for toddlers aged 2 years and up. 

David Fickling & Richard Collingridge - Tiny Little Rocket - Published by David Fickling Books (1 Feb. 2018) - ISBN-13: 978-1910200902

There's a tiny little rocket that will take you to the stars.
It only flies there once a year but zips you out past Mars.
Its fins are solid silver with a door made out of gold.
There's a cozy pilot seat inside for a person young or old.
Climb aboard for a bedtime picture book sure to appeal to every kid's sense of wonder. Young readers will love stepping into the cockpit of a wonderful rocket ship that takes them zipping through the planets, stars, and space, all the way back home to Earth and their cozy beds!

Celine Kiernan - Begone the Raggedy Witches - Q&A Interview with Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books

To celebrate the release of the fantastic "Begone the Raggedy Witches", Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books has taken the opportunity to ask some questions about the up and coming trilogy by Walker Books. It's a rich and fantastically dark story that will have you gripped. Here are the questions that we asked Celine about her recently published book. We hope they peak your interest to read this book. 

Thank you Celine and welcome to Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books. 

• Tell us a little bit about your latest book Begone the Raggedy Witches? 

Begone the Raggedy Witches is my first book for younger readers. The main character is a girl called Mup who must cross over into Witches Borough to rescue her Dad from the clutches of the grandmother she's never met. On the way, Mup finds a brave, if cranky, new best friend in a creature called Crow, discovers that her brother prefers life as a dog, explores powers she never thought she'd be allowed use, and faces up to a whole mess of complicated family history. 

The book features a variety of animals. How do you go about writing them as convincing characters?

Well... I guess they're just real to me! All the characters in 'Raggedy Witches' have their own long histories stretching behind them, and their own deep-rooted reasons for behaving the way they do. Most of them have been alive much longer than Mup, and they've been shaped by their experiences living under her grandmother's less-than-gentle reign. It's hard for Mup to understand or forgive how hard the residents of Witches Borough are sometimes, but I think the reader might find a thread of sympathy or understanding for each of them. As for Crow, he's had no-one to listen to him for so long that he's become sour and abrasive as a consequence. There's a caring, kind and affectionate heart under those glossy feathers - just don't expect it to show itself too often or on anything but Crow's own terms. 

The book has a lovely dark edginess about it, what was your inspiration and has your Irish heritage contributed to this?

I suspect every writer's heritage influences them in subtle ways. I know that Ireland's uneasy relationship with personal freedoms and self-expression has led to my exploring ideas of repressed memory and hidden histories quite a lot. Especially the poison leaked into innocent lives from the undealt-with fallout of previous generation's (often undisclosed) actions. These themes are quite prominent in Raggedy, I think. 

I had fun playing with the old Irish witch-lore of the hare too, specifically that witches can change into hares in order to cross to and fro across invisible borders and follow paths which others may be incapable of seeing.

What do you think makes a good story and why?

When it comes to my own reading, I like a story that challenges my perception - something that presents new perspectives or philosophies that may broaden my thinking or enrich my horizons. I also like stories that inform me about ways of life I may never get to experience for myself. I like thoughtful meat on the bones of a good adventure or fantasy. A little depth lurking beneath the surface of the entertainment. Heart.

In my writing I try not to think about whether or not people might like the story. All my stories start out as explorations of something - me unknotting whatever philosophical conundrum is fascinating me at the time, or chewing whatever piece of social gristle I have the need to break down for myself. It's only later, when I go to edit, that I try to make the narrative enjoyable for the unknown reader (to make the pace bearable, to make the characters breath, to smooth out the writing to a readable level) But the story itself? That's always just for me - I write what I want to read at that time. To do otherwise would not work for me, as the process and the output would feel hollow.

Where did your love of books/storytelling/reading/writing/etc come from?

I've been reading since the age of three. My mother said she couldn't get my head out of a book. She had to root me out from behind the sofa at my sixth birthday party because I'd been given a present of a book and I couldn't wait until everyone went home to read it. Stories were just a way of finding things out, of sharing other people's experiences, of seeing places I'd never yet been. And when I couldn't find one to satisfy me, I wrote my own.

I love the book cover. Do you think that the book cover plays an important part in the buying process? 

I love it too. The Walker design team are amazing, and Victoria Semykina's artwork is astonishing. I do think a good cover makes a difference. It's the nature of the publishing beast. There are so many books to choose from and often it takes a really smashing visual for one to stand out from the rest. A good cover can't make up for a weak story though. The true test is when you start reading.

What can we expect in book two?

Well, the residents of Witches Borough have a lot of work to do. Mup and her family move across the border and into her grandmother's castle, hoping to lend a hand. But - much and all as some folk would like to think it possible - people can't just start from scratch after a lifetime of fear and hatred. You can't always dust off the past and shake hands with your memories and move on. There are some ghosts that can't be forgotten - some ghosts that won't be forgotten. And unless Witches Borough faces up to its past, it may not be possible for anyone to survive let alone to move on. 

Do you read much and, if so, who are your favourite authors?

I read a lot, yes, despite having a very busy schedule. I tend to read biographies and history books a lot, and to have favorite books rather than favorite authors. But there are some writers I find myself returning to again and again. Sebastian Barry is one, Shirley Jackson, Jennifer Egan, Stephen King, Edith Wharton, Louis de Bernieres. I've just discovered Geraldine McCaughrean and Michelle Paver and I will be hungrily eating up their work as soon as edits to Raggedy Two are done!

What are your thoughts about how to encourage more children/teenagers to read?

Trust young readers, be honest with them, and stop worrying about what stories you think they want to read. Create stories about the things that motivate, inspire and entertain you. Produce books that are meaningful in a genuine, non-pandering way. The audience will follow. 

Website: https://celinekiernan.wordpress.com
Twitter: @Celine_Kiernan