Jane's Studio

@janes-studio.bsky.social

Jane Cornwell is an artist, illustrator & book designer. Bibliophile.
Publishing Scotland Network Member.
www.janecornwell.co.uk

@janes-studio.bsky.social Oct 10, 2026, 9:40 AM

Very happy to learn Go to Sleep Toes, Go to Sleep Nose by @gabrielconstans.bsky.social earned a 5-star rating from Readers Choice Book Awards! It is available in English and Scottish Gaelic. The Gaelic translation is by Roddy Maclean.

The front cover of Go to Sleep Toes, Go to Sleep Nose, featuring two little girls wearing sleepsuits, carrying toothbrushes and soft toy monkeys.

A graphic including the book blurb: Go to Sleep Toes, Go to Sleep Nose is a mindful, tender bedtime story that guides children to notice their breath, body, and the gentle rhythms of night. Through soft, flowing words and peaceful imagery, this calming story becomes a simple meditation that helps children to release the busyness of their day. With mindfulness at its heart, this comforting picture book invites children to connect with their breath, relax their bodies, and discover a sense of calm that carries them gently into sleep.

Dr. Gabriel Constans is an award-winning author of fiction, nonfiction, and children's books whose writing has appeared in newspapers, magazines, and literary journals worldwide. His writing explores mindfulness, compassion, healing, and hope. He is the author of more than a dozen books, including Being Mindful: Exercises for Your Health and A B.R.A.V.E. Year: 52 Weeks Being Mindful. Beyond writing, Gabriel has dedicated his life to helping others as a grief counsellor, educator, chaplain, and social worker. He also supports children and families through humanitarian work in Rwanda. A father of five and grandfather of four, Gabriel believes stories can inspire kindness, curiosity, and courage in readers of every age.

The front cover of the book in Scottish Gaelic. I wanted my little nieces to be able to read it. The translation is by Roddy Maclean.

@janes-studio.bsky.social Oct 8, 2026, 8:03 AM

Another very slick, convincing, very personalised scam. I’d love it if Richard Curtis made a film starring our characters 🤔
I'm grateful to Victoria Strauss for raising awareness through her Writer Beware website: writerbeware.blog
You can follow her on here: @ victoriastrauss.com

The front cover of The Friendly Giant Called Zak and his Friend Rory the Misnamed Monster by Geoff Swift

The latest scam email, from someone claiming to be director and producer Richard Curtis.
"I recently came across The Friendly Giant Called Zak and His Friend Rory the Misnamed Monster, and the premise immediately caught my attention. A giant of the oceans and a creature feared as a monster meeting by chance, becoming friends, and then travelling the world's seas together creates a wonderfully warm foundation for a family screen story.

What particularly drew me to Zak and Rory is the contrast between them. Zak's friendship gives Rory a chance to be seen for who he really is rather than how others perceive him, while their journey allows that friendship to grow through adventure, danger, and encounters with creatures from different parts of the ocean. The idea that some creatures want to attack Rory simply because they believe he is a monster also gives the story a meaningful theme about fear, acceptance, and looking beyond appearances.

The world of the oceans gives the story enormous visual potential as well. Each new sea, creature, and encounter could introduce another part of a much larger world, while Zak and Rory remain at the emotional center of the adventure. That combination of friendship, exploration, humor, and gentle lessons about compassion could work beautifully for a younger audience.

I was also interested in your experience creating books for children and young readers, giving school talks, and working closely with illustrator Jane Cornwell. Your body of work shows a clear understanding of stories that can entertain children while also encouraging imagination, friendship, and curiosity about the world around them.

I am Richard Curtis, a film director and producer associated with Comic Relief. I specialize in developing compelling stories into emotionally resonant films and series, particularly when the material combines memorable characters, adventure, heart, and a world that can translate naturally into visual storytelling.

I can see The Friendly…

@raeradford.bsky.social Oct 5, 2026, 7:05 PMReposted by @janes-studio.bsky.social

Wise words….

#BookSky

@kateem.bsky.social Oct 6, 2026, 12:50 PMReposted by @janes-studio.bsky.social

Another good review for Radical Magic, from @fantasybooknerd.bsky.social so thank you!

peachfieldpress.uk/2026/10/06/m...

@janes-studio.bsky.social Oct 6, 2026, 8:31 AM

It does sound mundane. I suppose it is trying to strike a balance between ensuring writers' work isn't buried by a computer algorithm; if a blurb is stuffed with AI keywords, the book will be more visible.

@samanthaterrell.bsky.social Oct 5, 2026, 12:47 PMReposted by @janes-studio.bsky.social

Much thanks to fellow poet Steve Bucher, for this thoughtful review of 'For, On, or After' published by @janes-studio.bsky.social Press earlier this year. You can grab a copy of 'For, On, or After' on any Amazon marketplace. 🙏

#poetry
#poetrylovers
#poetrycommunity
#internationalcommunity

screenshot of book review of 'For, On, or After'

cover art of 'For, On, or After' by artist Jane Cornwell

@janes-studio.bsky.social Oct 5, 2026, 12:12 PM

"... On one hand, it’s got to convince the humans to buy your book. And on the other, you have AI models reading it to understand your story (and whether it matches whatever recommendation prompt they’ve been given)." This has changed the way I write blurbs.😕
a.co/d/01SPkdhW

@janes-studio.bsky.social Oct 5, 2026, 12:08 PM

Hello, I've been trying to keep up with Ricardo Fayet's (Reedsy) marketing tips:"...the importance of customizing your book descriptions for AI search engines... your book description now has two readers..." 1/2

@kateem.bsky.social Oct 5, 2026, 6:41 AMReposted by @janes-studio.bsky.social

New glowing review for Radical Magic just in! ... available on ebook everywhere, and from The Peachfield Press shop here: peachfield-press.sumupstore.com

a rave review for my second novel, on amazon.com

@clhellisen.com Oct 2, 2026, 9:45 AMReposted by @janes-studio.bsky.social

I will say, as an author, you get to a point where you *hate* your book, so seeing a review where someone loves it for the things it does makes you remember that once you loved it too and had fun writing it. It's a nice feeling. I almost miss being in Aleks's stupid head. Almost. It is Aleks.

@janes-studio.bsky.social Oct 2, 2026, 12:03 PM

'Tiger Lily' grew from a creative partnership with Susan Richardson. It was a lot of fun to work with Susan. This is my favourite poem from Tiger Lily, which Susan wrote in response to a watercolour painting of my children.
#NationalPoetryDay

The front cover of Tiger Lily features a painting of the moon, stars and clouds. The graphic includes a quote from Steve Denehan: "This is a book unlike any other. It is as though we are hearing, seeing and sometimes almost a part of the subconscious workings of both Susan and Jane. The poems have a quiet power, are often mournful yet full of hope as Susan searches, and finds, some understanding of herself and her place in the world. There is so much silence here, so much delicacy and this is reflected beautifully by the accompanying paintings. It is as though Jane can read between the lines Susan has written. The poems showcase a writer at the height of her powers and an artist capable, somehow, of painting dreams. They are so perfectly in tune that it almost appears that there is an overlap between the minds of both."

My favourite poem from Tiger Lily is called In The Cradle of a Whisper.
'She watches them sleeping,
resting in the cradle of a whisper,
a secret only they share.
They are petals drifting
side by side in a painted pink sky,
clouds billowing, a breath of blue.
They are fairy dust and magic,
joy at full volume,
the best part of every day.
They are lilacs blooming,
love that fuels the sun,
laughter that fills the sky.
She watches them dream,
wonders,
will they always be this close?'
Susan Richardson

@janes-studio.bsky.social Oct 1, 2026, 7:14 PM

Please can you help? 🙏 This petition is ongoing, every signature matters. Our outdated building regulations need to catch up with new tech so our environment and beautiful countryside are not ruined for future generations.

@merrildsmith.bsky.social Oct 1, 2026, 1:15 PMReposted by @janes-studio.bsky.social

This post made my day! 💙
Jane @janes-studio.bsky.social is so great to work with! So careful and professional.

@samanthaterrell.bsky.social Oct 1, 2026, 5:24 PMReposted by @janes-studio.bsky.social

Humble thanks to Jane Cornwell @janes-studio.bsky.social for the many wonderful collaborations...and for this celebratory post! Happy National (UK) Poetry Day! 🎊

#nationalpoetryday
#poetrylovers
#poetrycommunity
#internationalcommunity

@janes-studio.bsky.social Oct 1, 2026, 10:36 AM

Happy #NationalPoetryDay I enjoyed illustrating this wonderful collection of poems by @lawrencemoore.bsky.social as it was like going on an epic quest with him. Please check it out #poetrycommunity
Hardcover £9.99: amzn.eu/d/06nvd7Et

It took me a long time to illustrate his collection, mostly using pencil. The cover art features one of my favourite views of Storr on the Isle of Skye, with Lawrence and Matt in the foreground.

@janes-studio.bsky.social Oct 1, 2026, 10:21 AM

Happy # NationalPoetryDay 2026! I've followed photographer & poet @merrildsmith.bsky.social on Insta for a long time; it was a pleasure to work on this lovely collection of her photos and poetry: amzn.eu/d/0gCdg4bD Merril's 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟blog: merrildsmith.org/2026/09/28/t...
#poetrycommunity

The cover of held inside the folds of time by Merril D Smith, features one of her lovely photos of the Delaware River, with a heron in the foreground, the title type is reflected in the river. The graphic includes a quote from her friend: "I have known Merril for some years but never realized she was such a poet and photographer! Many of the images in this book were taken at the Red Bank Battlefield, a place very dear to my heart. Her poem “In Memoriam: for the Unknown Soldiers at Red Bank Battlefield” captures thoughts I’ve often had as I walked the paths of history there. A lovely sublime read to be sure..." Karen Boucher

@janes-studio.bsky.social Oct 1, 2026, 9:19 AM

Happy National Poetry Day 2026! I loved working with Samantha Terrell on: Keeping Afloat, Confronting the Elements, On The Wing& For, On or After.
DM Samantha @samanthaterrell.bsky.social for signed copies, or On The Wing is available here: amzn.eu/d/0iJZQ1Wi
#NationalPoetryDay #Poetrycommunity

The front cover of On The Wing by Samantha Terrell features a watercolour painting of a single feather on a textured paper background, with Samantha's name and the title in bold capitalised type above. The graphic features a quote from poet Susan Richardson, "On the Wing offers poems that embrace a lovely stillness, all noise stripped away until you are left with the complex simplicity of undeniable beauty.
There is a purity of heart in this collection that embodies the very essence of hope, and through her extraordinary craft, Samantha Terrell delivers a truly sublime poetic experience. These are poems I will return to again and again."

@thewombwellrainbow.bsky.social Oct 1, 2026, 8:17 AMReposted by @janes-studio.bsky.social

Thank you to @janecornwell.bsky.social , outstanding artworker and publisher for this account of her work on my "Hedgerow of Voices" as part of her celebration of "wonder" for National Poetry Day:

@janes-studio.bsky.social Oct 1, 2026, 8:41 AM

Happy National Poetry Day! I love this year's theme! To celebrate, I am going to share some poetry collections I've enjoyed working on. DM Aidan @uphilldowndalew.bsky.social for a signed copy, or the paperback is £9 amzn.eu/d/04g82wVi, also available in ebook.
#NationalPoetryDay #poetrycommunity

The cover and blurb of Why It’s Better To Be Struggling Half-way Up A High Hill On Your Own by Aidan Parr, features a photo of Aidan up a high hill looking into the distance, with green fields and clouds in the background. The blurb is: Raw, darkly funny, and fiercely honest, this collection cuts through the noise of modern life to uncover something real - something that bites, stings, and occasionally sings.

Aidan Parr takes readers on a journey through the grind of daily frustrations, the quiet heartbreaks of ageing and illness, and the absurdity of pop culture, only to throw it all aside for the wild freedom of moors, hills, wind, and solitude. These poems speak to anyone who has ever wanted to run for the hills (and actually did).

Whether he’s poking fun at celebrity nonsense, venting rage at bureaucratic madness, or capturing the sublime stillness of nature, Parr’s voice is sharp, human, and unmistakably his own. Beneath the sarcasm and bite, there’s a deep compassion and a fierce desire for truth in a world increasingly content with illusion.

This is poetry for people who think they don’t like poetry.
And for those who do, it’s a breath of fresh, bracing air.

Step out the door, feel the wind on your face, and start climbing. You might just find yourself along the way.

@annabookwriter.bsky.social Oct 1, 2026, 12:02 AMReposted by @janes-studio.bsky.social

Some things I wish I had known when I was a new writer: Being accepted by traditional publishers has less to do with skill than whether they think they can sell it. Just because publishers aren’t ready for a story doesn’t mean readers aren’t. Writing the book is the easy part. 🧵

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