Naomi Jones

I have so many picture books I love! Basically anything by Rachel Bright and Jim field! For me The perfect fit by @naomijones1.bsky.social and James Jones is simply perfection!

Thank you - that's so lovely to hear!

This is a day we can really get behind - #shareahugday ! The young protagonist in @naomijones1.bsky.social 's delightful picture book The Hug Button would like to share a hug with her mum 🥰🥰 You can book Naomi for a visit to your school here: authorsalouduk.co.uk/speaker/

Thanks so much for sharing!

I loved doing this interview! Have a read for my unfettered opinions on publishing and writing!

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer all of questions!

Words and Pictures with Louie Stowell The importance of perspective, self promotion vs a publisher's marketing budget and why rejection is the breakfast of champions.

This was such a great interview with @louiestowell.bsky.social

Read it to discover the importance of perspective, the benefits of self promotion vs a publisher's marketing budget and why rejection is the breakfast of champions.

naomiandjamesjones.substack.com/p/words-and-...

Thank you so much for your lovely review. @familyofbeasts.bsky.social and I really enjoyed making this story.

COMPETITION TIME for anyone who's purchased or pre-ordered a copy of The Hug Button! 🎉 @naomijones1.bsky.social To enter:

Email proof of purchase/pre-order of The Hug Button to tradepublicity.uk@oup.com
Use subject line 'The Hug Button Competition' in your email
T&Cs www.instagram.com/p/DLWtdxpuyPh

Words and Pictures with Julie Sykes How it felt to see Unicorn Academy become a Netflix show, why you shouldn't ever compare yourself to others and how the children's industry has changed over the last 30 years

This week we interviewed bestselling author @juliesykesbooks.bsky.social about how it felt to see Unicorn Academy become a Netflix show, why you shouldn't ever compare yourself to others and how the industry has changed over the last 30 years.

naomiandjamesjones.substack.com/p/words-and-...

Words and Pictures with Paddy Donnelly Why the energy you put into promotion matters, how he utilised the power of mind maps to change his career and what surprised him most about the children's industry

This week we had SUCH a fascinating chat with author/illustrator Paddy Donnelly.

You can watch our conversation here:

naomiandjamesjones.substack.com/p/words-and-...

Words and Pictures with Heather Wright from Reading Rocks How authors/illustrators are selected for festivals, what really makes a book sell in a bookshop, tips for events and the impact of school visits

We loves chatting to @readingrocks.bsky.social this week about:

- How authors are chosen for festivals.
- Tips for events.
- What makes books sell in a shop.
- Why covers matter so much.
- The impact of school visits.

naomiandjamesjones.substack.com/p/words-and-...

Words and Pictures with Mel Taylor-Bessent Why we all need to think big and create our own opportunities

This week we’ve been joined at Words and Pictures by inspirational creative writing entrepreneur and author @meltaylorbessent.bsky.social

We discovered how she created her own opportunities and why it’s so important to ‘think big’.

Read more here:

naomiandjamesjones.substack.com/p/words-and-...

Words and Pictures with Justyn Edwards As a debut middle grade author he signed a six figure deal but that was just the beginning of his journey

Thanks so much to @justynedwards.bsky.social for joining us this week at Words and Pictures and letting us quiz you about everything from school events, to writing tips and what you're working on now.

The full interview can be read here:

naomiandjamesjones.substack.com/p/words-and-...

@faberbooks.bsky.social y.social @walkerbooksuk.bsky.social @orangebeak.bsky.social y.social @bathnovelaward.co.uk @postwavebooks.bsky.social @lemonjellypress.bsky.social @chickenhousebooks.bsky.social @write-mentor.bsky.social @scbwi.bsky.social

Submission opportunities for children's authors and illustrators and industry news April 2025 publishing updates

There are loads of submission opportunities available this month for children's authors and illustrators.

We've listed them all in this post:

naomiandjamesjones.substack.com/p/submission...

Please do share with fellow creatives!

Words and Pictures with Catherine Rayner Discover what it's like working with Julia Donaldson, why it's important to stick to your guns and her top tips for authors and illustrators

This week we interviewed award winning author/illustrator Catherine Rayner.

We discovered:

- What it's like working with Julia Donaldson.
- Why it's important to stick to your guns.
- How she works.
- Her top tips!
- What she's working on now.

naomiandjamesjones.substack.com/p/words-and-...

Thank you!

This is such a great list. Please could you add me to the primary one? Thank you x

Words and Pictures with Craig Barr-Green Learn how it feels to be shortlisted for so many awards, why we need neurodiverse characters and his tops tips for writers

This week we spoke to @whycraigwhy.bsky.social about the impact of being up for so many awards, the inspiration for Gina Kaminski, how working as a bookseller and lecturer influences his writing and why neurodiverse characters are so important.

naomiandjamesjones.substack.com/p/words-and-...

Words and Pictures with Clemo Books Indie bookshop owner Jaimie shares why she set up a shop, how she chooses which books to stock and how authors and illustrators can help with promotion and sales

We absolutely loved chatting to indie bookshop owner Jaimie this week.

She shared why she set up a shop, how she chooses which books to stock and how authors and illustrators can help with promotion and sales.

You can read the full interview here:

naomiandjamesjones.substack.com/p/words-and-...

So did we!

Words and Pictures with Mo O'Hara Discover why 'chunking' is her top tip for events, what it takes to have a super lead book and why you shouldn't put all your eggs in one basket

I absolutely loved chatting to @moohara.bsky.social about all things book related from event tips to why you shouldn't put all your eggs in one basket.

You can watch our full conversation here:

naomiandjamesjones.substack.com/p/words-and-...

Thank you for having me!!

Words and Pictures with Ian Eagleton How being a teacher helped his writing, the impact LBGTQ+ books have on readers and his three top tips for authors

It was such a joy chatting to @ianeagletonauthor.bsky.social about everything from the impact LGBTQ+ books have on readers, to how being a teacher influenced his writing and his top tips for authors.

You can watch our full conversation here:

naomiandjamesjones.substack.com/p/words-and-...

Huge congratulations!

Words and Pictures with Claire Powell We talked about being a self taught illustrator, a debut author, the perils of social media and why comparison is the thief of joy

This week we interviewed Claire Powell at Words and Pictures. She talked about being a self taught illustrator, the perils of social media and why comparison is the thief of joy.

You can watch our chat here:

naomiandjamesjones.substack.com/p/words-and-...

Such a fun day doing virtual events with kids all over the country.

Happy World Book Day everyone!

Hope you had a wonderful day!