I've been hinting at this for a while, but only a few people have known up until now. Now I finally get to tell you ! And it's really really big news !
The big news is: there's going to be a "Jake's Bones" book based on me, my bones and my blog !
It all began about six months ago I got an email from Ticktock, which is the childrens book division of a bigger book publisher called Octopus Publishing in London. The email asked me if I would be interested in helping write and produce a book based on my blog posts and my bone collection !
We talked about it by email and they came up to Scotland in November and I got to meet the publisher Mr Cook and my editor Jo at a restaurant at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh (which is when I was at the Prehistoric Autopsy exhibition I wrote about a few weeks ago.)
We agreed everything just before Christmas, and since then we have been working on some of the pages. The book is based around my bones but is aimed at young children as their first guide to animal bones and skulls, Jo showed me her ideas for every page when we met in November, and I liked it but suggested some changes.
Working on it is different to working on my blog, even though some of the text is going to be the same. There is a lot less writing and more pictures and the layout is different. When I do a blog post there is just me and dad who does the pictures. Now there is an editor, an illustrator (who has drawn a cartoon version of me and my cats), designers, dad providing some of the photos, and someone to check everything is right so it is a lot more complicated.
I'n not allowed to say too much about it now, but what I can tell you is the pages that are done already look amazing and I think it's going to be the best bone book I've ever seen for children !
The next stage is to take it at the Bologna Book Fair at the end of March, and it will be finally published in Spring next year ! I'll keep adding updates when new things happen here.
UPDATE: The story of my book deal has been in the newspapers ! This was in the Sun on Sunday (it's online too):
These from the Sunday Mail (who stole an incredibly old picture of me from my blog instead of using one of the good ones they would have had to pay for, boo !) and Scotland on Sunday. Online versions are here and here.
This one is from the Perthshire Advertiser (also online):
The Kids Blog Club and Parentdish website wrote really nice pieces too !
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36 comments :
Excellent news. Well done Jake!
That is unbelievably cool.Your sooooooo lucky!
Once upon a time in the 1980s there was a teenager called Richard Steel who wrote a book called 'Skulls!' and he won loads of childrens' book awards for it. Although the text of his book was OK the illustrations were really, really rubbish. I can send you some press clippings from the time and you can find the book on eBay or Amazon for a few pounds. Your book is going to be so much better, and if you don't win equally as many awards there is no justice whatsoever in this world. Congratulations Jake!
Thanks, Si !
I know ! They got in touch six months ago about it !
Thanks !
Sounds great, Jake. Well Done! I hope you'll let adults read it, too ;-)
That's great news - well done! I look forward to when it comes out so I can get a copy for my nephews!
It's going to be so well written that even adults can understand it.
One is never enough. You'll need to buy them four or five copies each.
Those are great news! I wish I had such a book when I was younger. I see forward to the releasing date.
Wonderful! I am sure you are having fun with this and will continue to do so, Jake.
Amaizing boy............................ congratulations.
What a truly wonderful experience for you Jake! Nice one!! Enjoy every moment won't you. And well done you! Bet you're v. proud of yourself x
Thanks Psydrache !
It's going to be brilliant !
Thanks !
I am !
Well done, you have a pashion and you seem to show it well (sorry about my bad spelling) Wish you all the best and hope the book sells :)
welldone, im so going to get your book :)
Thanks !
Seven or eight would be the ideal number. It's good to have spares.
Well done! My daughter loves bones as well (she wants to be a Bone doctor) and this book will definitely become part of her collection!
Congratulations! Well done. I just found your blog and am enjoying your articles. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experiences. I think my nephews might enjoy your articles and be inspired by your dedication (I certainly am).
Thanks for that! :)
Thanks !
Great! I would love to get some (one for me and a friend too)
A book at 11 is amazing!
Thanks !
When will the book be out?! I'll be happy to buy it! :D
It'll be out on the 4th of March next year.
Hi Jake :) I remember watching TV when Chris Packham came to see you and your collection and I've just watched Winterwatch Unsprung tonight. You're fantastic! Your enthusiasm is infectious :) Its wonderful to see a young person such as yourself with such great interest in our wonderful world around us. Keep up the good work :)
Thank you very much !
Roughly how much money did you get for this?
I can't say, but I am very happy with my deal and how the book is selling !
;-)
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