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Bonnier Books UK encourages new illustrative talent with open portfolio review day

Bonnier Books UK encourages new illustrative talent with open portfolio review day

Bonnier Books UK children’s imprints Templar, Big Picture Press, Hot Key Books and Piccadilly Press are to host an open professional portfolio review day for emerging illustrators on 14th February 2020. The day is open to anyone over 18 with an illustration portfolio and will be held at the Bonnier Books UK office in Chelsea, London.

The portfolio review day aims to encourage new illustrative talent and contribute to more opportunities for emerging illustrators to engage directly with publishing teams and receive industry feedback and direction on their portfolio.

The portfolio review day is open to illustrators working on picture books, non-fiction and fiction illustration. Attendees can book a portfolio review session where they will talk with a designer and an editorial professional from Bonnier Books UK and receive expert advice on putting together the best possible portfolio for submission to a publisher. Bonnier Books UK imprints Hot Key Books, Piccadilly Press, Templar and Big Picture Press will be promoting the day in the upcoming weeks through the #loveyourillustration hashtag.

‘Discovering, nurturing and encouraging new talent within the children’s publishing space is something we are all incredibly passionate about.’

Jane Harris, M.D. of Children’s Trade, Bonnier Books UK

Jane Harris, Managing Director of Children’s Trade, said: ‘Our team is thrilled to extend this opportunity for emerging new illustrators to join us for a portfolio review day in our London office.

‘Discovering, nurturing and encouraging new talent within the children’s publishing space is something we are all incredibly passionate about.’

The portfolio review day follows the announcement of the expansion of the Templar Illustration and Design Award – which in 2020 will for the first time be open to international submissions and include categories for non-fiction illustration and children’s fiction cover design alongside its traditional picture book illustration category. The awards impetus is to discover and foster new creative talent, and the expansion serves to help widen the platform for illustrators to launch successful careers. The 2020 award will be judged by a number of high-profile illustrators and industry professionals, including Chris Wormell (Planetarium, The Book of Dust series), Grahame Baker-Smith (The Wind in the Willows, FArTHER), and IBBY Executive Sophie Hallam.

Morning portfolio review slots can be reserved between 10–12pm via email to [email protected] or [email protected]. Afternoon slots (2–4pm) will be available on a walk-in basis.

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