Naomi Jones
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naomijones1.bsky.social
Naomi Jones
@naomijones1.bsky.social
Award winning children’s author
Agent: @jodiehodges.bsky.social

Books: www.naomiandjamesjones.com
Words and Pictures: naomiandjamesjones.substack.com
Pinned
Feeling very honoured to have been shortlisted for the Ruth Rendell Award.

Huge congratulations to Tom Percival on his very well deserved win.

Thanks to @alcs-uk.bsky.social for the super fun awards ceremony last night!
Reposted by 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!
July 18, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Reposted by Naomi Jones
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/
July 30, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Reposted by Naomi Jones
I loved doing this interview! Have a read for my unfettered opinions on publishing and writing!
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-...
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.
naomiandjamesjones.substack.com
July 18, 2025 at 12:04 PM
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-...
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.
naomiandjamesjones.substack.com
July 18, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Reposted by Naomi Jones
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
June 26, 2025 at 2:35 PM
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 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
naomiandjamesjones.substack.com
June 13, 2025 at 12:15 PM
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 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
naomiandjamesjones.substack.com
June 9, 2025 at 10:01 AM
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 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
naomiandjamesjones.substack.com
May 23, 2025 at 11:20 AM
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 Mel Taylor-Bessent
Why we all need to think big and create our own opportunities
naomiandjamesjones.substack.com
May 16, 2025 at 12:13 PM
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-...
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
naomiandjamesjones.substack.com
May 2, 2025 at 8:52 AM
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!
Submission opportunities for children's authors and illustrators and industry news
April 2025 publishing updates
naomiandjamesjones.substack.com
April 30, 2025 at 10:22 AM
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-...
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
naomiandjamesjones.substack.com
April 25, 2025 at 10:59 AM
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 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
naomiandjamesjones.substack.com
April 11, 2025 at 2:51 PM
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-...
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
naomiandjamesjones.substack.com
April 4, 2025 at 11:41 AM
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-...
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
naomiandjamesjones.substack.com
March 28, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Reposted by Naomi Jones
Thank you for having me!!
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-...
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
naomiandjamesjones.substack.com
March 14, 2025 at 11:41 AM
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-...
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
naomiandjamesjones.substack.com
March 14, 2025 at 11:28 AM
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-...
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
naomiandjamesjones.substack.com
March 7, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Such a fun day doing virtual events with kids all over the country.

Happy World Book Day everyone!
March 6, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Have you ever wondered how the children's laureate gets selected? This is just one of the questions we asked Joseph Coelho when we interviewed him recently.

James and I both found talking to him incredibly inspiring - watch our conversation here:

naomiandjamesjones.substack.com/p/words-and-...
Words and Pictures with Joseph Coelho
Learn how long it took him to get published, how he become children's laureate and why libraries are so important
naomiandjamesjones.substack.com
February 28, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Thinking about going to Bologna?

Not sure exactly what happens at a book fair?

If so, this post is for you...

naomiandjamesjones.substack.com/p/the-truth-...
The truth about book fairs including Bologna, London and Frankfurt
What are they? What happens at them? And why do they matter so much?
naomiandjamesjones.substack.com
February 24, 2025 at 12:37 PM
I loved asking author @keris.bsky.social lots of questions about publishing and creativity at Words and Pictures last week - but it was her thoughts about money, advances and transparency in the publishing industry that I found the most insightful:

naomiandjamesjones.substack.com/p/words-and-...
Words and Pictures with Keris Fox
Why we need to talk about money more in the publishing industry, the difference between writing for teens and adults and top financial tips
naomiandjamesjones.substack.com
February 23, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Reposted by Naomi Jones
If you're a CREATIVE, this should go to the top of your TO DO LIST. Act now. Don't hesitate.
February 11, 2025 at 8:25 PM
One of the best bits of awards ceremonies is getting to hang out with lots of other authors!

@hannahgold.bsky.social
@meltaylorbessent.bsky.social
@sharnajackson.com
Tom Percival
Joseph Coelho
Alex Wharton
Jeffery Boakye
February 21, 2025 at 10:06 AM