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“Don’t write in rhyme!” said the guide books.
“Editors have had their fill of pirates!” said an agent.
Pirates vs. Monsters - a rhyming pirate story - won the Picture Book Award at the @BSCFestLit this week.
Here’s a thread on how it came about...
“Editors have had their fill of pirates!” said an agent.
Pirates vs. Monsters - a rhyming pirate story - won the Picture Book Award at the @BSCFestLit this week.
Here’s a thread on how it came about...
I wrote the text over about four or five nights back in 2015. It was my first try at a picture book text and I was pretty pleased with it. I enjoyed writing in rhyme.
Inspiration came from old Sinbad films and the classic Secret of Monkey Island games (pictured).
Inspiration came from old Sinbad films and the classic Secret of Monkey Island games (pictured).
I sent it to an agent and waited. I chased them in early 2016 and they rejected it. 
They said it wasn’t the right format and “editors have had their fill of pirates.” They also said to read and study debuts (great advice!).
Did I bounce back? No. I sulked. For about 18 months.
They said it wasn’t the right format and “editors have had their fill of pirates.” They also said to read and study debuts (great advice!).Did I bounce back? No. I sulked. For about 18 months.
In summer 2018 I finally stopped sulking. I sent my text to @maverickbooks as I’d rather irrationally written off agents after one rejection. I liked the look of Maverick and I liked that they accepted unsolicited submissions. My head was back in the game.
In May 2019 I parked my car on the roof of @BridgesSund. My son had fallen asleep in the back, and my wife too!
I checked my emails. There it was...an email from Maverick saying they enjoyed my story and wanted to meet me!
I couldn’t shout YES! coz my wife and son were asleep.
I checked my emails. There it was...an email from Maverick saying they enjoyed my story and wanted to meet me!
I couldn’t shout YES! coz my wife and son were asleep.
Keen to make a good impression I decided I’d go and meet the Maverick team in person. I broke into a family jaunt to the Lake District to make the 700 mile round trip to Maverick HQ in Horsham. What a grueller that was!
The other option was Skype but I didn’t know how to do it!
The other option was Skype but I didn’t know how to do it!
I met with Steve, Kim and India and talked about the story for a bit. They liked the story but didn’t like the title, which at the time was a rather rubbish “Three Lying Pirates”.
Kim came up with Pirates vs Monsters. Infinitely better. Thanks Kim!
Kim came up with Pirates vs Monsters. Infinitely better. Thanks Kim!
Given the long journey, Steve very kindly treated me to lunch during which his dog chewed through its lead and went off walking round the pub! We were oblivious to this for some time coz we were too busy chatting. 
I stopped off on the return journey and had an email from Kim confirming they’d like to go ahead with my little pirate book. Get in there!
Then in no time at all they brought the brilliant @gorillustrator on board. Here’s his amazing sample for the book.
Then in no time at all they brought the brilliant @gorillustrator on board. Here’s his amazing sample for the book.
One of the many great things about working with Maverick is the relatively short turnaround time.
Book agreed in May 2019. Book on shelves on September 2020! I made this trailer featuring review snippets from @FatherReading @HelenIshmurzin and @BizzieBabyUk to mark the occasion.
Book agreed in May 2019. Book on shelves on September 2020! I made this trailer featuring review snippets from @FatherReading @HelenIshmurzin and @BizzieBabyUk to mark the occasion.
In November we learnt we’d been shortlisted for the Bishop’s Stortford Picture Book Award by the @BSCFestLit.
It was a huge surprise and when we saw the others on the shortlist we felt very honoured to be on it.
It was a huge surprise and when we saw the others on the shortlist we felt very honoured to be on it.
Fast forward to this week and our most unexpected triumph. It was a brilliantly organised event and one from which we learnt a great deal.
I was very nervous but fortunately Lee settled my nerves with a quip about pirate underpants.
I was very nervous but fortunately Lee settled my nerves with a quip about pirate underpants.
As well as our sincere thanks to all who voted for us and to the wonderful Maverick team, I’d also like to thank @WaterstonesSun for all their support and the amazing @drakebookshop too. 
So there you have it. A case of stubbornly ignoring anything that sounds like a sweeping generalisation and carrying on regardless, with a dose of sulking in there for good measure.
