Sam Arthur, co-founder and creative director of Flying Eye Books, shares his journey from directing music videos to shaping children's literature. He discusses how visual storytelling enhances children's books and what makes a manuscript stand out. Sam offers invaluable tips for aspiring authors, stressing the importance of humor, relatable characters, and writing primarily for children. He also dives into the nuances of publishing, the challenges of international markets, and the vital collaboration between authors and illustrators in the creative process.
Sam Arthur emphasizes the importance of authors understanding picture book formats and engaging children through humor and relatable characters.
The podcast discusses the differing cultural nuances in children's publishing between the UK and US markets, impacting the success of various titles.
Deep dives
The Role of a Creative Director in Publishing
The creative director plays a pivotal role in shaping the content published by a house, focusing on identifying new talent and ideas. This position involves persuading the team of the value of proposed projects and managing their development through various stages. Coordinating with editors, designers, and marketeers, the creative director ensures that the vision for each book is realized while aligning with the company's broader goals. With a small staff, collaboration across various functions becomes essential to maintain creativity and streamline the publishing process.
Differences Between UK and US Publishing Markets
The podcast highlights varying approaches in children's publishing between the UK and US markets, noting that certain themes resonate differently across the two cultures. A book that is successful in the UK may not necessarily translate to the US well, and vice versa, reflecting the unique preferences and norms of each audience. The conversation mentions examples like 'Hilda,' which has found success in multiple languages yet faces challenges in different markets due to cultural variations in storytelling. Understanding these nuances is essential for publishers aiming to reach global audiences effectively.
Guidelines for Aspiring Authors and Illustrators
For aspiring authors and illustrators looking to submit their work, understanding the specific requirements and standards of picture books is crucial. The creative director emphasizes the importance of familiarizing oneself with the conventional formats and storytelling methods, highlighting that picture books typically range around 32 pages. Authors are encouraged to present their manuscripts in layouts that demonstrate their vision for illustrations, enhancing collaboration with potential publishers. This approach fosters a more engaging and communicative relationship between writers and the publishing team.
Current Trends and Themes in Children's Literature
The discussion delves into the themes and topics that are currently gaining traction in the children’s book market. Humor and character-driven stories are highlighted as vital elements that attract young readers, with a focus on creating joyful experiences rather than addressing heavy themes. In addition, there is an interest in non-fiction formatted as comics or graphic readers, which aim to engage children through fun and educational storytelling methods. Publishers are encouraged to foster creativity and originality, ensuring that the content remains relevant and appealing to the target audience.
In this, our first interview with Sam Arthur, co-founder and creative director of Flying Eye Books, talks about his love for visual books led him into children's publishing, how he decides on which manuscripts to pursue, and his tips for aspiring authors of picture books: play close attention to the picture book format, usually 12 or 13 double spreads, write stories with humor and characters that we feel for, and write primarily for the children, not the adults.