Did you know I’m writing and illustrating a book?? I hope you do, I’ve written it everywhere! I’ve included lots of pictures from my working sketchbook for this project throughout this blog post to help you picture where it’s going. None of these are final images they’re me pondering colours, techniques and options! All my favourite elements will be included in the final book (expected 2027).

I started to work on this idea 2 years ago, with the first words and illustrations which I shared and they seemed to really connect with people. But I’ve now made a draft of a full size picture book and I’m gearing up for painting the final pages and to start taking pre-orders  

The further I’ve got with the designs, printing and publishing plans the more I’ve realised it’s a really unique book. It’s a picture book for parents, family and carers of disabled children but it’s also for people who have built their own family of chosen friends and support systems. I want it to help communities and networks to build a shared language and an understanding of the fact that their family (chosen carefully or birthed!) might not feel like it runs as well, or as easily, as other family units. But it’s still beautiful and has value. It’s still worth it, even if you spend more time trying to keep it running than watching sunsets together. 

I plan to take pre-orders to help me pay for printing costs, as I’d love to get enough printed to give some to libraries, hospitals and charities. All pre-ordered books will be signed by me! Lucky you.

Im also going to offer options to bling up your first edition with little golden details which I’ll add by hand when they arrive with me so they’ll be truly one-off. 

I’m also going to create a small selection of book artwork for a special price when the preorder is placed, which I aim to have available as prints or greetings cards. If there’s anything else you’d like included as an option please let me know. 

All help sharing this book will be so appreciated as I’m going to pay for printing and market it myself, but I have full faith in myself and my friends and community and organisations I work with. It’s amazing having people around me I know will help get this to people it will help. I don’t take you for granted. 

I hope you’ve enjoyed this behind the scenes sneakpeek into my Beautiful Boat sketchbook and that you’re as excited as I am about the finished product. 

Thanks as always for supporting this independent artist.