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Studio Notes


When the Page Becomes a Guillotine: Books That Killed Reputations
From the unforgettable scream of "No wire hangers!" to the surreal spectacle of "Piggate," these books dropped bombs on the images of some of the most powerful public figures. This is a look at the moments when books didn’t just make headlines — they remade history.
17 min read


How to Write a Children’s Book
Whether you dream of writing a picture book, an adventure novel for eight year olds, non-fiction or a chapter book series.
7 min read


Reader’s Digest: Rise and Fall of a Publishing Giant
From a speakeasy basement in 1920s New York to a marble-and-brass editorial fortress in Berkeley Square, Reader’s Digest defined 20th-century publishing. I began my career at their London offices in 1979, and watched as the world’s most widely read magazine rose, thrived, and slowly faded. This is a story about illustrated books, prize draws, fine art, forgotten founders, and a publishing ethos that might just deserve a second look in today’s AI era.
9 min read


Create Your Own You Wouldn’t Want To Be... Book Workshop for School Kids
Engage young minds with You Wouldn’t Want To Be... book workshop! Kids explore history, creativity, and teamwork by making their own book
10 min read


David Antram: Book Maker,The Maverick Illustrator of the "You Wouldn't Want To Be..!" Series
David Antram is the celebrated illustrator who works in an astonishing variety of styles, yet he is perhaps best known for his caricatures.
22 min read


A Ghost in My Own Books: The Existential Adventures of a Schrödinger’s Cat/Author
In this strange business of ours, where we live and die by names, what irony to find myself suddenly nameless. A refresh, they called it.
6 min read


Research Tips & Tricks for Writing Children's Historical Fiction & Non Fiction
To research for accuracy in a historical children's book, use primary sources, consult secondary sources, visit historical sites.
13 min read


The inspiration and ideas behind "The Secret Journal of Victor Frankenstein On The Workings Of The Human Body" By David Salariya
The idea of Victor Frankenstein's notebook intrigued me and I started to think about what a student of anatomy would learn 19th Century.
17 min read


Publishing Terms Explained
Specialised jargon and acronyms have become deeply embedded in business communication, evolving as industries and technologies advance.
19 min read


What's new? What Are the Trends in Children's Book Publishing in 2025? by David Salariya
By the time 'Trends' are spotted - they are probably over or fading - so lets take a look at trends in children's book publishing for 2024.
20 min read


You Wouldn't Want To Be...Series Created and designed by David Salariya in 1999
Back story of the creation and design of the You Wouldn't want To Be an Egyptian Mummy...! series by David Salariya in 1999.
27 min read


David Salariya Interviewed: Unlocking the Power of ‘Words and Pictures’ in Books for Children
One name comes to the forefront in children’s literature, where creativity is unrestricted: David Salariya, known for founding The Salariya Book Company in 1989.
5 min read


Spectacular Visual Guides
A Step-by-Step Guide To The 'Inside Story' Of ‘The Spectacular Visual Guides’
Series And How To Create a children’s history book series.
10 min read


What Are The Best Font Choices For Children's Book Text?
What Are The Best Font Choices For Text in Children's Books? When it comes to designing text in children's books, every font matters.
7 min read


Names - The Significance of Identity
As creators of books, we invest not only our time and creativity but also a part of ourselves into our works, for us it is never ‘just a job
5 min read


Suffering With A Smile
D'ARCY SARDONE 24 Jan 2024 The Hitchcockian Twist in David Salariya's Darkly Humorous World ir The Hitchcockian Twist in David Salariya's...
3 min read


It’s Only a Book!
In the world of publishing - the selling of book ideas, the rights eightsome reel — every step matters. Every fair, every pitch, every deadl
3 min read
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