Well, Sam, I'm back
(I've been re-reading Lord of the Rings, can you tell?)
Hi there!
This month I have been furiously working on the art for Loki book 3 I have laboured. I have howled. I have had a stinking cold. But now IT IS DONE. This is me today:
Now it’s in the bag, I cannot wait to share Loki: A Bad God’s Guide to Ruling the World with you in June. Annoyingly, publishing is not an instant process and you have to print the books and get them to the shops and whatnot.
So, in the meantime, I thought you might like to see a bit of the process of drawing. Now, usually I draw pictures all on one sheet, but if it’s a complicated scene I sometimes break it down onto different pieces of paper, like a luddite version of layers in photoshop. It means if I mess up a drawing, it doesn’t mess up the whole scene. Here’s one of those! There’s actually another layer but it features a new character you haven’t met yet so that is CLASSIFIED. The only spoilers are HOT CHOCOLATE WILL BE DRUNK and at one point in the book LOKI WILL LOOK SAD. And be wearing smudged eyeliner…
Writing tip of the day
I often get asked about where my ideas come from. A wonderful middle grade writer I know called Lucy Hope has collected the answers of a whole bunch of authors (including me) and it might help other writers out there. Read her piece here!
Follow Lucy on twitter on @lucyhope_author and buy her awesome books here!
Upcoming events
It’s world book week next week so I’ll be in schools all around london. But my next public events are coming soon!
Children
Egham - a public event for kids, can’t wait! Doodles! Jokes! Chaos! That’s March 4th at 10.30am. Book here.
Calling all unpublished authors!
Then on 25th March - the day the ring went into the fire - I’m doing a rare online event for adults. It’s a masterclass on writing and drawing, but it would suit people who don’t draw as it’s about how I make stories. But if you’re a writer who’s curious about doing your own doodles…This is for you most of all. Book here - you get access to pitching to agents the following day, too, if you book my event. So unpublished authors, assemble!
It’s run by @Writers_Artists, follow them on twitter and check out their website.
Joke of the day
There’s an account on twitter that tells jokes made up by children called @Kidswritejokes. This one was a particular fave of mine recently.
For some reason I love jokes that are just statements of fact. I can’t tell you why it’s funny. But it gets me every time.
Horrifying monstrosity of the day
I was taking an innocent walk in Hackney and came across this beast. A mural of a zombie! She wants to eat your brains! RUN! SAVE YOURSELVES, IT’S TOO LATE FOR ME!
Loki doodle of the day
This is a little out of the news now as I drew it a few weeks ago but then there were deadlines and a cold…here, have a not-exactly-topical cartoon from Loki.
Dog pic of the day
Buffy needed to have her feet trimmed as they were too floofy. She was a very good girl.
She also insisted on having a photoshoot for her favourite World Book Day Book - Boot it, by AM Dassu. So here’s a bonus World Book Day Buffy pic featuring tongue blep.
Here’s more about Az’s world book day book and her other brilliant books too!
Speaking of world book day…
When designing Loki, I had half an eye on exhausted parents being told “I need a costume for tomorrow” at 8pm the night before. Hence his costume can be composed of ordinary clothes with a few bits of paper pinned on and a spot of hair gel.
Loki has very generously doodled a simple guide to dressing as his handsome and blessed self. How kind.
Book of the day
I absolutely loved The Marvellers by Dhonielle Clayton. Magic school done RIGHT! The food magic was a particular favourite of mine. Click on the cover for a link to buy! (Yes I am having fun learning how Substack works, why do you ask?)
And follow the lovely Dhonielle for more updates - a little birdie tells me there is a sequel, which I am very relieved about. TV has scarred me for unresolved plotlines with all the cancelled shows. But books…I love you books. You don’t get cancelled on a whim. You keep giving me joy!
SIGNED BOOKS!
If you’re UK based and you’d like a signed copy of any of my books, email or call Stoke Newington Bookshop. They’re my local and I can always pop in to sign. (If you need it quickly, let them know, so they can nudge me to come right away!) Or if you’re local, pop in - they’re a lovely shop!
Telephone
020 7249 2808
staff@stokenewingtonbookshop.co.uk
http://www.stokenewingtonbookshop.co.uk/contact/
BUY MY LOKI BOOKS
BOOK ONE - here!
BOOK TWO - here!
BOOK THREE - preorder here!
I’ll be sending out a wee email about getting personalised preorders for book 3 soon!
Have a lovely month, everyone!
Louie
Great newsletter! The masterclass looks amazing! :)
Excellent literary fare. Food magic definitely sounds right up my diabetes street! Unrelenting cake pizza and cheese for me. I was intrigued by this new book, now I just have to have a read! 🙂💙📚🧩