SPOON IN A JAR PUBLICATIONS
Written by Joey Walter - Illustrated by Ning-ning Li
This website launches alongside the printing of my first book Jazz in the Jungle. It is about poor Oscar the Ocelot who is trying to swing. No matter how much he tinkles the ivories, he doesn’t feel like he can play. With the help of his animal friends (who are obviously all jazz musicians) Oscar finds his confidence.
This was a lot of fun to write. We were driving home late one evening, the babe fast asleep in the back. I was getting itchy feet. Motherhood had started to feel a little stuffy. Amazing, but stuffy! I complained I wasn’t getting any time to write so, Ben said, ‘you have thirty minutes ‘til home. Write something’. So, I did. I then got the amazingly talented illustrator and violinist Ning-ning Li to draw my pictures and the whole thing burst into life.
JOEY WALTER
Pass the A3 paper and crayons so I can plot my next story, play or poem and I’ll be happy. Produce a jar of Nutella, a spoon and a flat white and I may just have to marry you! This simple combo is all I need to put pen to paper, or rather finger tip to keyboard. I’m fairly new to writing, starting my first book in 2014 and I have to tell you I love it.
I hope you enjoy my work. I decided to self-publish after getting offered a contract that would essentially bankrupt me and not guaranty my books getting on any shelves, anywhere. Creativity is one of the things that makes this world brilliant and it should be easily shared and enjoyed by everyone.
Spoon In A Jar hopes to get my work out there, and maybe other authors stuff too. You never know! My stories are printed in the UK, (yay!) and the next step will be making sure my books are made in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way. Once I’m more tech savvy I’ll turn my stories into eBooks for those of you who would prefer a cheeky download.
Now my daughter is at nursery I can write more and hoover the house (meh). Watch this space for news of my next book...
Ning-ning Li
Ning-ning is a self-taught Birmingham based illustrator whose distinctive bright,colourful and energetic style explores moments of humour, mischief and whimsical playfulness. Over the years she has created illustrations and animations for restaurants, hospitals and charities as well as many an album cover. She has also had an exhibition or two.
When Ning ning isn’t cosied up on the sofa, pen in hand, she can be found playing the violin, gigging and touring with friends or face painting in festival fields.
Ning-ning hopes that her illustrations bring joy to people, reflect themselves in the characters and encourage others to be creative.