Just a quick one from me as it’s half term and we’re about to head off for a few days to the Harry Potter Studios! My nine-year-old is a huge Harry Potter fan – he and I have both read all the books and watched (most of) the films. We’ve just been watching The Goblet of Fire to get ourselves in the mood. Very exciting – I’ll let you know how it goes! I may well cover Instagram with photos!
Before I go, I do have a teeny bit of news to report on the writing front. I’ve just submitted three picture book manuscripts to an agent! I really meant to send off a batch of five or six (one of the pieces of advice I heard at the Festival of Writing was to submit this way) but researching suitable agents and following the different submission guidelines takes time and I just wasn’t getting round to it. So, since I had an agent in mind who I knew I wanted to submit to, I figured I’d send my manuscripts to her first and go from there.
Submitting also meant I spent lots of time last week polishing my third manuscript (one and two were already good to go) and I’m pretty happy with it now. It’s the only non-rhyming book I’ve written and though I love rhyme, prose translates more easily, making it better in commercial terms (potential for huge international sales, see!) so I figured I should at least give it a go. The book was actually inspired by this picture I drew back in February – I had a hunch Stanley had a story so I’m quite chuffed to be right! 
Oh, and on the subject of drawing, I had an inspiring conversation with a friend about all the pictures we’ve done this year. Plans are afoot – watch this space!
That’s it for now, I’m off to cast some spells.
Yay! Good luck and all sorts of happy thoughts for your manuscripts and many many fingers crossed!
Carie @ Space for the Butterflies recently posted…Clutter be gone
Thanks Carie, I always like having work out there because I have something to hope about! (it mostly ends in rejection but I enjoy the optimism while it lasts!) xx
Maddy recently posted…favourite moments from the Harry Potter Studio Tour
I too have a 9 year old mad on Harry Potter, would love to hear what you think of the studios visit as we’re planning to go sometime soon! I’m so chuffed how much my son wants to read the books and reads them to himself. Huge congrats on submitting your picture books, it’s both scary and exciting I know, but such an achievement! #whatimwriting
Harry Potter was amazing – you should definitely take your kids. nine is a really good age for it I think although it’s full of fans of all ages – adults on broomsticks, students in gowns etc! Only recently discovered your illustrating alter ego – in awe! xx
Maddy recently posted…favourite moments from the Harry Potter Studio Tour
Oh, fancy making poor Stanley wear the jumper Aunty Mavis knitted. You cruel woman. I bet the story is awesome. Good luck with the agents.
I look forward to hearing about Harry Potter studios. I’ve always wanted to go there but never got round to it.
#WhatImWriting
suz recently posted…Meet my “Reading Mother”
Poor old Stanley, but he does come out on top in the story – as does Aunt Mavis! Thanks Suz. Harry Potter was amazing – have just published a post all about it! xx
Maddy recently posted…favourite moments from the Harry Potter Studio Tour
will head over and read about Harry Potter.
Glad to hear Stanley isn’t too traumatized by Aunt Mave’s knitting lol
suz recently posted…Five little Monkeys jumping on the Bed – #PictureBookMonth – Nov 3
that’s amazing, well done for submitting those manuscripts. fingers crossed for you! #whatimwriting
Thank you! xx
Maddy recently posted…favourite moments from the Harry Potter Studio Tour
Go you! Keeping everything crossed that the agent loves them, but it’s great progress either way
Hope you’re having a wonderful half term! xx
Sophie Lovett recently posted…A rambling mind…
Thanks Sophie! I do think we have to pat ourselves on the back just for submitting and it is nice to think ‘maybe… just maybe’. xx
Maddy recently posted…favourite moments from the Harry Potter Studio Tour
Such exciting news! You’ll have to keep us posted! X
Thanks Nicole – I will! xx
Maddy recently posted…favourite moments from the Harry Potter Studio Tour
Excellent news, Maddy, well done. Everything crossed for you!
Rebecca Ann Smith recently posted…There are weeks when just about the whole internet needs a trigger warning
Thanks Becky. xx
Maddy recently posted…favourite moments from the Harry Potter Studio Tour
Exciting times! All the best with it Maddy. I think you’re right about getting on with submitting before you have a batch of 5 ready. It’s just so time consuming otherwise!I love the pic of Stanley – so much personality in only a small glimpse of eyes! Look forward to seeing more.
jude recently posted…Playing Dress Up
Thanks Jude! I’ve submitted to a batch of agents before and it took an age to research them and then submit to each in a similar but slightly different way (as requested in their guidelines). I definitely want to submit to more but at least this way the work is out there! xx
Maddy recently posted…favourite moments from the Harry Potter Studio Tour
I hope you had a fab time Pottering about over half term! Great to hear about your submission, I’m keeping my fingers crossed. And I’m intrigued to hear what the plans for the pictures are… xxx
Alice @ The Filling Glass recently posted…How I am killing my To Do list
Harry Potter was fab! The picture plans are exciting – its finding the time to sit down with my friend and make a proper plan that is the issue at the mo – so many ideas, so little time! Thanks Alice. xx
Maddy recently posted…favourite moments from the Harry Potter Studio Tour