I was asked to participate in this book tour and I thought it would be interesting to find out more about how authors work with an illustrator. I’ve worked with various illustrators, graphic designers and cover designers over the years but I’m always interested in other experiences. There’s also an element of personal curiosity as it could have been me on the other side of the story as here’s a random fact: I originally wanted to be a book cover designer and was headed to Art College but changed path.

So over to the author…

This is my third highly illustrated younger Middle Grade book, and each time, I have worked closely with South African illustrator Gerda Smit. 

Gerda found me before I started putting my first book, Mister Mishkins’ Apothecary, together. She followed both my and Mister Mishkins’ accounts on Instagram, and I had a look at her website. I immediately fell in love with her work, especially a book she had done on an otter. Gerda had the animals’ expressions just right, and I knew she was the perfect person to bring my words to life. 

Over time, we have finessed the way we work together. I tend to send her chapter by chapter as a WhatsApp voice note. When Gerda listens, she plays the recording through once and then listens again. As she listens that second time, Gerda draws what she ‘see’s’ as she listens. 

Once she is happy, Gerda sends me her storyboard, and I look at it for my own ideas. Almost always, I love what she has created, but sometimes, there is a key scene in my mind that needs to be seen. We then discuss, and Gerda creates the most beautiful art from her original sketches. 

From the second book, The Magic of Mister Mishkins, onwards, I did the layout for the books myself. This makes it so much easier as I can highlight easily which illustrations may not work layout wise, and we can quickly adapt before Gerda gets to the watercolour painting stage. 

I am incredibly lucky as I have all of Gerda’s original artwork. While she may be in South Africa, through friends coming back and forth to the UK, they have been able to bring the art to me. Gerda tells me that not everyone wants their artwork, which I find incredible! For me, it is part of the journey, the world I have created for Mister Mishkins and now for Nero. The watercolours are A3, and I have them in poster books in chapter order. 

Nero the Hero is a very different book to The Magical Mister Mishkins series. He is a spin-off character, but the story itself had to be different. I couldn’t just repeat Mister Mishkins in dog form! Instead, Nero belongs to a lady called Jean. Her grandson comes to stay for the summer, and slowly, he notices that there is something different about Nero – and Nero’s relationship with his grandmother!

I could never imagine working with a different illustrator now. While Gerda and I have never met, she is a dear, dear friend, and we both get excited about the same scenes. And for Nero the Hero, I even wrote an otter into the final chapter, just as an acknowledgement of how we met. 

The third book in The Magical Mister Mishkins series will be out in September, and both cat and dog will return in 2027! I cannot wait to work with Gerda once more, and to see her breath life into my words. 

Thanks Samantha. Since this is a book tour, I’m going to include a bit more info about the book itself and of course the author also deserves a bit more recognition!

Blurb

Prepare to meet your new favourite superhero as Nero the Hero reveals his secret! 

Nero is no ordinary dog. This miniature schnauzer has a beard, a bark, and a secret. When danger strikes, he transforms into Nero the Hero, a powerful protector with extraordinary abilities.

Alongside his human, twelve-year-old Jack, Nero dives into fast-paced adventures filled with mystery, heart, and just a touch of fun. But when Jack makes a brave mistake and finds himself in real danger, Nero must face his greatest challenge yet to save his best friend alone.

Perfect for readers aged 8-12, this highly illustrated chapter book blends action-packed fantasy with an engaging, accessible style, making it ideal for reluctant readers and confident young bookworms alike. With short chapters and dynamic illustrations, Nero the Hero is a thrilling start to a children’s fantasy series about friendship, bravery, and daring rescues.

Fans of Claude and The Hounds of Penhallow Hall will love this action-filled adventure starring a heroic dog and the boy who believes in him.From the author of the popular Magical Mister Mishkins series, Samantha Mattocks introduces a bold new hero first seen in The Magic of Mister Mishkins. Beautifully illustrated by Gerda.

About the author

Samantha Mattocks is best known for her highly illustrated Middle Grade books in The Magical Mister Mishkins series. Her words have transported readers across all her work to another place, one filled with magic, inspiration, dreams, and more.

An award-winning journalist and author, Samantha lives in Norfolk. She owns The Arabian Magazine, a beautiful publication that celebrates the Arabian horse. She was on MasterChef UK in 2019.