Samantha Walshaw was born and lives in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, with her daughter Maisey.

Sam, an accomplished illustrator, works on a Mac, and is extremely skilled in Illustrator, Photoshop, and Indesign.

Sam is a new to publishing, and with her first three titles published by Rockpool Children’s Books in 2009, she has also seen two of those animated by Flix Facilities in Manchester. Her 2010 schedule is already decided, and Rockpool will be publishing two more Little Fairies, Daisy and the Dewdrops and Ivy and the Fireflies and Minnie the Minnow and Jasper the Jumping Jellyfish.

So, over to Sam, and in her own words:

In 2007 I submitted some picture book ideas I'd had to several publishers I discovered on the website UK Children's Publishers. The response was positive but only Rockpool Children's Books offered to take my books further. They mocked prototypes up and showed them at the 2007 Frankfurt Book Fair. Although the titles, 'Maisey and the Pirates', were well received, this first collection of ideas didn't sell. Rockpool continued to show faith in me and my books, and next year 'Maisey and the Pirates' will be published in French and English, with strong interest shown from several Scandinavian publishers.

Working closely with Rockpool's creative director, Stuart Trotter, we developed the 'Little Fairies' series and the first two of this series was published in September 2009. 'Roses Rainbow' and 'Poppy's Magic' are only the beginning of what is expected to be an ever expanding brand in both film and merchandise. In the summer of 2009, Stuart was approached by Flix, one of the UK's leading Post Production/Animation houses, and in the months since the first meeting they have animated both 'Little Fairies' titles. The books and DVD will be published, as a bundle, in the UK in February 2010.

Also in 2009, Rockpool published 'Lulubell Ladybird'. It was also published by a French publisher who on seeing my drawing for Lulubell, sought permission to adopt it as a logo for their new picture book imprint 'Margaux en Cie' Now 'Lulubell' adorns all of the French books published under this imprint. These were launched at this years Frankfurt Book Fair, to which I was invited by the publishers.

It was an unnerving, but inspiring, experience to sit through the publishers selling process and to be introduced to potential customers as the author/ illustrator of the books. More unnerving, but reassuring, to hear the positive feedback, in person, to my work and books.

Interest has been shown from countries such as Argentina, Italy, Australia and USA.

Rockpool have sold the next two Fairy titles and these will be published in the summer of 2010. Two other titles I've written and illustrated are 'Minnie the Minnow' and 'Minnie the Minnow and Jasper the Jumping Jellyfish'. These have also been sold and will be published in French and English mid 2010.

Rockpool Children's Books are great to work with and Stuarts faith in my books has been vindicated. A new company, they continue to go from strength to strength, and that's what makes it doubly exciting, to be in at the beginning of a company who have high standards and production values...my books are always produced and published with great attention to detail.

'We get lots of submissions from potential authors and illustrators, and occasionally a gem comes in. I think it's safe to say Sam is one of those. Her work is superb, and suits perfectly the quality trade picture books we strive to publish. Three titles in 2009 and four in 2010, Sam's talent and achievements go from strength to strength. Rockpool was blessed when her first submissions landed on our mat, and long may it continue!'

Stuart Trotter - Director - Rockpool Children's Books Ltd.