Sunday 7 September 2008

Two minute silence


The nicest thing that happened yesterday was seeing the final artwork from the illustrator who's been working on my story for Smokelong Quarterly.

The story opens with the line, 'Molly Cottle was burying stolen spoons in the garden.'

The picture is just perfect. I love it. The illustrator, Venetia Sarll, has captured the essence of my heroine and her story. Here's a sneak preview of the inked version. The final artwork features red poppies. Smokelong say they are honoured to be publishing my story. Well, I'm honoured to have it illustrated so wonderfully. Thank you, Venetia!

15 comments:

Douglas Bruton said...

lovely picture... can't wait to read the story now!!

Best

D

Gay Degani said...

Love the illustration. And it not only captures the story (only you know that since I haven't read it yet--can't wait) but to me it captures some of the essence of Sarah Hilary. That innocence that is often so shockingly and compellingly NOT innocent, but wise and wily.

Sarah Hilary said...

Thanks, Douglas and Gay. Isn't it a beautiful picture? I'm so proud to have one of my stories illustrated so wonderfully.

Gay, thank you the great comment about wily innocence - one of the smartest things anyone's said about my writing! So smart in fact that I hadn't thought of it until you put it into words and then I thought, yep, that's what I try (subconsciously, even) to pull off.

Tania Hershman said...

Wow, a stunning illustration, there is something so redolant of those books we used to read as kids in the 70s, it's simple yet full of life. I love it!

Sarah Hilary said...

Thanks, Tania, I've prompted the artist to check out the great comments here.

Nik Perring said...

Ooh, lovely.

Nik

Sarah Hilary said...

Hi, Nik! Glad you approve.

Anne Brooke said...

That's fabulous! Well done, you!

Huge hugs

Axxx

Sarah Hilary said...

Thanks, Anne!

Fionnuala said...

Wow, how lovley that the artist has interpreted it so perfectly..by the way, do you mind if I link your blog to mine? F

Sarah Hilary said...

Thanks, Fionnuala. Always nice to link up - I'll add you to my list too.

Anonymous said...

Sorry to intrude, and on an unrelated topic, but I caught your piece, "The View From Alcatraz," over at Zygote. Simply delightful. Well done.

Sarah Hilary said...

No apologies necessary, Douglas. Please intrude all the time with comments like that one. Thank you!

K.C. Ball said...

Fantastic illustration, Sarah. Loved the pun in the girl's name, too.

Sarah Hilary said...

Thanks, KC, I'm glad you got the pun in Molly's name - that was one of the interview questions they asked me.