I have so many picture books I love! Basically anything by Rachel Bright and Jim field! For me The perfect fit by @naomijones1.bsky.social and James Jones is simply perfection!

This is a day we can really get behind - #shareahugday ! The young protagonist in @naomijones1.bsky.social 's delightful picture book The Hug Button would like to share a hug with her mum 🥰🥰 You can book Naomi for a visit to your school here: authorsalouduk.co.uk/speaker/

I loved doing this interview! Have a read for my unfettered opinions on publishing and writing!

Naomi Jones@naomijones1.bsky.social · last yr.

This was such a great interview with @louiestowell.bsky.social Read it to discover the importance of perspective, the benefits of self promotion vs a publisher's marketing budget and why rejection is the breakfast of champions. naomiandjamesjones.substack.com/p/words-and-...

This was such a great interview with @louiestowell.bsky.social Read it to discover the importance of perspective, the benefits of self promotion vs a publisher's marketing budget and why rejection is the breakfast of champions. naomiandjamesjones.substack.com/p/words-and-...

Words and Pictures with Louie Stowell

The importance of perspective, self promotion vs a publisher's marketing budget and why rejection is the breakfast of champions.

naomiandjamesjones.substack.com

COMPETITION TIME for anyone who's purchased or pre-ordered a copy of The Hug Button! 🎉 @naomijones1.bsky.social To enter: Email proof of purchase/pre-order of The Hug Button to tradepublicity.uk@oup.com Use subject line 'The Hug Button Competition' in your email T&Cs www.instagram.com/p/DLWtdxpuyPh

This week we interviewed bestselling author @juliesykesbooks.bsky.social about how it felt to see Unicorn Academy become a Netflix show, why you shouldn't ever compare yourself to others and how the industry has changed over the last 30 years. naomiandjamesjones.substack.com/p/words-and-...

Words and Pictures with Julie Sykes

How it felt to see Unicorn Academy become a Netflix show, why you shouldn't ever compare yourself to others and how the children's industry has changed over the last 30 years

naomiandjamesjones.substack.com

This week we had SUCH a fascinating chat with author/illustrator Paddy Donnelly. You can watch our conversation here: naomiandjamesjones.substack.com/p/words-and-...

Words and Pictures with Paddy Donnelly

Why the energy you put into promotion matters, how he utilised the power of mind maps to change his career and what surprised him most about the children's industry

naomiandjamesjones.substack.com

We loves chatting to @readingrocks.bsky.social this week about: - How authors are chosen for festivals. - Tips for events. - What makes books sell in a shop. - Why covers matter so much. - The impact of school visits. naomiandjamesjones.substack.com/p/words-and-...

Words and Pictures with Heather Wright from Reading Rocks

How authors/illustrators are selected for festivals, what really makes a book sell in a bookshop, tips for events and the impact of school visits

naomiandjamesjones.substack.com

This week we’ve been joined at Words and Pictures by inspirational creative writing entrepreneur and author @meltaylorbessent.bsky.social We discovered how she created her own opportunities and why it’s so important to ‘think big’. Read more here: naomiandjamesjones.substack.com/p/words-and-...

Words and Pictures with Mel Taylor-Bessent

Why we all need to think big and create our own opportunities

naomiandjamesjones.substack.com

Thanks so much to @justynedwards.bsky.social for joining us this week at Words and Pictures and letting us quiz you about everything from school events, to writing tips and what you're working on now. The full interview can be read here: naomiandjamesjones.substack.com/p/words-and-...

Words and Pictures with Justyn Edwards

As a debut middle grade author he signed a six figure deal but that was just the beginning of his journey

naomiandjamesjones.substack.com

There are loads of submission opportunities available this month for children's authors and illustrators. We've listed them all in this post: naomiandjamesjones.substack.com/p/submission... Please do share with fellow creatives!

Submission opportunities for children's authors and illustrators and industry news

April 2025 publishing updates

naomiandjamesjones.substack.com

This week we interviewed award winning author/illustrator Catherine Rayner. We discovered: - What it's like working with Julia Donaldson. - Why it's important to stick to your guns. - How she works. - Her top tips! - What she's working on now. naomiandjamesjones.substack.com/p/words-and-...

Words and Pictures with Catherine Rayner

Discover what it's like working with Julia Donaldson, why it's important to stick to your guns and her top tips for authors and illustrators

naomiandjamesjones.substack.com

This week we spoke to @whycraigwhy.bsky.social about the impact of being up for so many awards, the inspiration for Gina Kaminski, how working as a bookseller and lecturer influences his writing and why neurodiverse characters are so important. naomiandjamesjones.substack.com/p/words-and-...

Words and Pictures with Craig Barr-Green

Learn how it feels to be shortlisted for so many awards, why we need neurodiverse characters and his tops tips for writers

naomiandjamesjones.substack.com

We absolutely loved chatting to indie bookshop owner Jaimie this week. She shared why she set up a shop, how she chooses which books to stock and how authors and illustrators can help with promotion and sales. You can read the full interview here: naomiandjamesjones.substack.com/p/words-and-...

Words and Pictures with Clemo Books

Indie bookshop owner Jaimie shares why she set up a shop, how she chooses which books to stock and how authors and illustrators can help with promotion and sales

naomiandjamesjones.substack.com

I absolutely loved chatting to @moohara.bsky.social about all things book related from event tips to why you shouldn't put all your eggs in one basket. You can watch our full conversation here: naomiandjamesjones.substack.com/p/words-and-...

Words and Pictures with Mo O'Hara

Discover why 'chunking' is her top tip for events, what it takes to have a super lead book and why you shouldn't put all your eggs in one basket

naomiandjamesjones.substack.com

Thank you for having me!!

Naomi Jones@naomijones1.bsky.social · 2y ago

It was such a joy chatting to @ianeagletonauthor.bsky.social about everything from the impact LGBTQ+ books have on readers, to how being a teacher influenced his writing and his top tips for authors. You can watch our full conversation here: naomiandjamesjones.substack.com/p/words-and-...

It was such a joy chatting to @ianeagletonauthor.bsky.social about everything from the impact LGBTQ+ books have on readers, to how being a teacher influenced his writing and his top tips for authors. You can watch our full conversation here: naomiandjamesjones.substack.com/p/words-and-...

Words and Pictures with Ian Eagleton

How being a teacher helped his writing, the impact LBGTQ+ books have on readers and his three top tips for authors

naomiandjamesjones.substack.com

This week we interviewed Claire Powell at Words and Pictures. She talked about being a self taught illustrator, the perils of social media and why comparison is the thief of joy. You can watch our chat here: naomiandjamesjones.substack.com/p/words-and-...

Words and Pictures with Claire Powell

We talked about being a self taught illustrator, a debut author, the perils of social media and why comparison is the thief of joy

naomiandjamesjones.substack.com

Such a fun day doing virtual events with kids all over the country. Happy World Book Day everyone!

Have you ever wondered how the children's laureate gets selected? This is just one of the questions we asked Joseph Coelho when we interviewed him recently. James and I both found talking to him incredibly inspiring - watch our conversation here: naomiandjamesjones.substack.com/p/words-and-...

Words and Pictures with Joseph Coelho

Learn how long it took him to get published, how he become children's laureate and why libraries are so important

naomiandjamesjones.substack.com

Thinking about going to Bologna? Not sure exactly what happens at a book fair? If so, this post is for you... naomiandjamesjones.substack.com/p/the-truth-...

The truth about book fairs including Bologna, London and Frankfurt

What are they? What happens at them? And why do they matter so much?

naomiandjamesjones.substack.com

I loved asking author @keris.bsky.social lots of questions about publishing and creativity at Words and Pictures last week - but it was her thoughts about money, advances and transparency in the publishing industry that I found the most insightful: naomiandjamesjones.substack.com/p/words-and-...

Words and Pictures with Keris Fox

Why we need to talk about money more in the publishing industry, the difference between writing for teens and adults and top financial tips

naomiandjamesjones.substack.com

If you're a CREATIVE, this should go to the top of your TO DO LIST. Act now. Don't hesitate.

Chris Haughton@chrishaughton.bsky.social · 2y ago

This is very urgent. The UK government is planning to change copyright law. If you are an artist, author, musician or work in the creative industry please read this. www.chrishaughton.com/blog/ai-and-...

One of the best bits of awards ceremonies is getting to hang out with lots of other authors! @hannahgold.bsky.social @meltaylorbessent.bsky.social @sharnajackson.com Tom Percival Joseph Coelho Alex Wharton Jeffery Boakye

Feeling very honoured to have been shortlisted for the Ruth Rendell Award. Huge congratulations to Tom Percival on his very well deserved win. Thanks to @alcs-uk.bsky.social for the super fun awards ceremony last night!

What a fantastic selection of children’s books! Thank you so much for including some of mine ❤️ @oxfordchildrens.bsky.social

@corambeanstalk.bsky.social · 2y ago

At Beanstalk we spend a lot of time finding books which we think are 'Beanstalk brilliant' for children who 'don't like reading' Each school we work with gets a pack of brilliant Beanstalk books & we've just chosen 20 new titles for our 25/26 packs www.corambeanstalk.org.uk/beanstalk-brilliant-books

Had a lovely chat with Naomi and James Jones of Words and Pictures; two of my very favourite things. Have a watch / listen!

Naomi Jones@naomijones1.bsky.social · 2y ago

@the-bookseller.bsky.social recently reported that in 2024 sales of children’s comic strip fiction and graphic novels were up by a record 18.3%. So it feels timely that this week we’re sharing an interview with @neillcameron.bsky.social naomiandjamesjones.substack.com/p/words-and-...

I am absolutely blown away to have been shortlisted for the Ruth Rendell Award 2025 which recognises a writer who has had a significant impact on literacy in the UK over the last year. www.alcs.co.uk/news/ruth-re...

Ruth Rendell Award 2025 shortlist

The Ruth Rendell Award was launched by ALCS and The National Literacy Trust in memory of the author who championed literacy throughout her life.

alcs.co.uk

@the-bookseller.bsky.social recently reported that in 2024 sales of children’s comic strip fiction and graphic novels were up by a record 18.3%. So it feels timely that this week we’re sharing an interview with @neillcameron.bsky.social naomiandjamesjones.substack.com/p/words-and-...

Words and Pictures with Neill Cameron

Discover why comics and graphic novels are so popular right now, whether words or pictures come first when he puts pen to paper and Neill's top tips for aspiring comic creators

naomiandjamesjones.substack.com