Today we welcome Purple Pomegranate Press who will be joining our fair for the first time at Worthing Charmandean on Saturday 17th March. Find out what to expect from them…
Please introduce yourself and your brand…
My name’s Elspeth. I am an author and editor and I’ve worked in children’s book publishing for many years. In June last year, I set up a small independent publishing company, Purple Pomegranate Press. We publish little story books which can be given as both a greeting card and a gift; little story books that you can collect and build a miniature library with.
The first story was The Birthday Surprise which was inspired by a visit to the Tower of London, where I learnt that in 1252, King Haakon of Norway had given King Henry III of England a polar bear as a gift. The polar bear was kept at the Tower of London on the river Thames. The story is illustrated by artist, Claire Fletcher who studied graphic design at Kingston University and has her own shop in Hastings. Other stories in the series are: the old English Folk Tale – The Little Red Hen, Goldilocks and the Three (Polar) Bears, the Russian folk tale – The Little Snow Girl, a Turkish Tale about a man who flew across the Bosphorus in the C17th – Hezarfen Ahmet Celebi and The Selfish Giant by Oscar Wilde.
How would you describe your style and your creations?
I think they all have a fairy-tale quality, not only the stories. They are bright, colourful and visually very attractive. They are the kind of thing that brighten up a room or brighten up your day. They are keepsakes – collectibles – things to be treasured.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
I enjoy everything about my work. I am passionate about books and have always loved stories and reading. The thing I enjoy most about my work is seeing the illustrations for the stories for the first time. It’s wonderful to finally see the characters on the page and to see how the artist has interpreted the story.
What can we expect to find on your stall at The Fairy Tale Fair Easter Special in aid of St Barnabas at Worthing Charmandean on Saturday 17th March? And are you looking forward to taking part?
Firstly, I’d like to say, I am very much looking forward to the Fairy Tale Fair as it sounds like there will be lots to do and see and there will be a great family atmosphere. I have to say here that the name, The Fairy Tale Fair was what first attracted me as I publish fairy tales to give as greeting cards.
On our stall, you’ll find our little story book gift cards. Also on the stall we will be selling hand-knitted polar bears and foxes which we commissioned to accompany the story books. They can be purchased alone or with a story book. A range of 6 stunning polar bear prints signed by the artist, Claire Fletcher and some exquisite antique boxes beautifully lined with velvet and Liberty print fabrics will also be on sale.
Do you have a best seller?
The Birthday Surprise is a bestseller but The Little Red Hen comes a close second as many people have happy memories of it as a childhood favourite.
Do you have any plans or ambitions for the future?
I hope to grow the publishing company and create more little books. I would like to publish a series of stories inspired by castles, towns and places of interest around the UK and would love to hear from other authors and illustrators who have a story they’d like to tell and that they think would suit this format.
I want the company to be a showcase for good story telling and beautiful illustration.
Do you have a motto or inspirational quote?
Reading a lot of positive mystery and adventure books and fairy tales with happy endings as a child, instilled in me the idea that anything is possible. If there’s something you want to do, then go for it. Characters in books don’t let obstacles defeat them, they overcome them and so should we.
A favourite quote of mine is:
A house without books is like a room without windows. – Heinrich Mann
What part of Easter do you enjoy the most?
I like the daffodils, the spring flowers and fluffy yellow chicks but most of all I like seeing the Easter eggs in their brightly coloured boxes, unwrapping the shiny coloured foil and breaking open the chocolate shell to reveal what’s inside.
How can we find out more about you?
You can visit the Purple Pomegranate Press website www.purplepomegranate.co.uk or instagram: purplepomegranatepress
