So today something kind of cool happened. My daughter was using my phone and decided to Google Oak and Mist. She then became very excited.
‘Mummy, someone’s drawn your book!’
I had a look and, sure enough, it was my first piece of fan art. I can’t share it here as it’s not mine to share, but the artist, a teenage girl, had drawn her own representation of the sword image from the cover and written a short post to go along with it. On looking further, I could see it was done through a site designed by young people for young people and working in conjunction with area libraries – the idea was that readers 11-18 could post reviews and artwork about books they enjoyed, something that seemed to me to be a great initiative.
At a time in the UK where a recent BBC report uncovered increasing library closures, a drop in paid library jobs and an almost 100% rise in the number of library volunteers, it was nice thing to see evidence of libraries being used within their communities. In these days of free books and easy downloads, I suppose going to the local library and browsing the shelves might seem a bit old hat. However, free internet, e-book downloads, classes and book group initiatives such as the website described here are just some of the services offered by local libraries. As an independent author, I’ve also received a fair bit of support from area libraries, being invited to speak with reading groups on several occasions and having my very own book signing, as well as the pleasure of seeing my books available to borrow on their shelves.
The BBC report generated a fair amount of interest so I hope it’s been a wake-up call and that local libraries will start to thrive, rather than gradually fade away, as the services they offer to the community in terms of opportunities to learn and grow are, in my opinion, invaluable. After all, it’s a sad thing when a flagship library such as the one in Birmingham are so short of funds that they have to put out a call for people to donate books.
Today it was a thrill seeing my first piece of fan art, which wouldn’t have happened without the library supporting my work and making it available to borrow. So I left a comment saying how much I liked the image and the interpretation of my book. And I think next week it might be time to visit my local library again…
Helen Glynn Jones 
That is so cool. I’ll bet the young artist is thrilled to hear from you too.
Thanks, Craig. 🙂
The first of many, I’m sure!
Thanks Colin 🙂
How awesome is that! My local library hasn’t been quite as supportive as yours, but I’m still glad that yours has implemented programs like that.
Thanks Allie – I think I’ve been very lucky in that respect, and also happened to be in the right place at the right time 🙂
I think you deserve a little more credit than that. All they had to do is read the first few pages of your book to know you were a good bet.
Wow, thanks Allie, you are making me blush 🙂
That is very cool indeed! Hurrah for libraries!
Thank you 🙂 Hurrah indeed!
That’s so cool! Maybe you can post a link to it, I’d love to see it.
Thanks Ali – this is the link:
http://imaginationeast.org.uk/2015/08/02/oak-and-mist-by-helen-jones/
Hey she’s talented! Shes drawn a really good representation of the sword. And she clearly doesn’t approve of homework! Lol! Congrats, Helen! I’d be well chuffed!
Thanks, Ali! I was very chuffed indeed 😀
And I thought she did a great job too.
To echo everyone else, that is really cool!
Thanks, Kate! 🙂
I hope someone draws my books one day. Congrats Helen!
Thanks, Kristin!
And you never know, they might 🙂
How very cool – and perfectly wonderful you left a note!
Libraries – only those who haven’t been in one recently think they should be closed. Treasure houses with eager guides waiting. Happy to see some here are turning into town square type places with language classes for new arrivals, story times, teen book clubs, after school programs/tutoring, and even bring your pillow and blanket for movies on Friday nights. Libraries are becoming centers helping immigrants move into the local community – and if you can get the family there and they see all the books …win-win!
Now if they would only pay those librarians what they are worth
Yes to everything you said! I love libraries, always have done, for all those reasons 🙂
There’s an echo chamber in your comments. Did you know?
That is SO cool! 🎉
You are awesome. Your young fan is awesome. That program at the library is awesome. Everything is awesome! ❤️❤️❤️
😀 Thanks, Sarah – I think I can hear an echo, come to think of it 😉
And yes, everything is awesome, I spent most of yesterday grinning like the (cliche) Cheshire Cat, I was so pleased.
omg this is bloody wicked – you should have shared the link to her work if not the photo itself. This must have been such a magical feeling – stuff like this would make me feel like a REAL writer! what a perfect moment ❤
Thanks, Sacha – it was pretty awesome, I have to say. And the link is in the comments, I shared it with Ali. I felt kind of weird sharing it 😀 Don’t know why, I guess because it’s all a bit new to me. I did feel like a proper writer, though 🙂
It’s soooo cool – you have proper fans. You should totally comment on her picture would make her year 😊
I did! I left a comment saying I loved her drawing and her interpretation of the story 😀
It’s in moderation, as far as I know…
*Squee* That’s SO exciting! And it’s a really good piece of fanart, too :). Congrats – she was obviously really taken with your novels 🙂 xxx
Thanks, Fay – it was a bit of a ‘squee’ moment when I saw the drawing! It felt a bit strange as well, but in a good way 🙂
That’s so lovely Helen… here’s to many more pieces of fan art to come. 🙂
Thanks, Marjorie. I thought it was lovely too, very exciting to see, that’s for sure 🙂
Definitely. 🙂