Falmouth graduates collaborate to secure 5 book deal with children's publisher

Since graduating, Sarah Oliver has gone on to become a Sunday Times bestselling author, publishing over 30 non-fiction books for children. Her talent for writing captured the attention of Tiny Tree, a children’s book publisher, who has offered Sarah an exciting five-book deal, the first of which was published on 8 May.  

The Hedgehog Rescuers is a picture book that explores the joys of protecting wildlife, and is a collaboration between Professional Writing MA graduate Sarah and Juliet Prentice, a Falmouth Illustration BA(Hons) graduate who worked on the book whilst she was still a student.  

The partnership began through Falmouth’s micro-internship scheme, a programme hosted by Falmouth’s Employability Team that offers students as many as 100 internships a year. Sarah joined the scheme looking to hire an intern illustrator for what would later become The Hedgehog Rescuers. 

“I thought it would be a great opportunity to help a Falmouth illustrator get their first real experience.” Sarah said, when asked about the project. “The book didn’t begin to materialise until I saw Juliet’s sketches of hedgehogs, which were included in her sample of work. It was those hedgehogs that inspired the story.”  

Juliet added: “I was in my third year when we met through the internship scheme, and when I submitted my portfolio there was an illustration I had done, to raise money for the Cornwall Wildlife Trust, on hedgehogs that caught Sarah’s eye. After a couple of chats over Zoom we decided to work together to create The Hedgehog Rescuers!”  

Since graduating, Sarah’s publications have featured everything from child-friendly biographies of Harry Styles and Taylor Swift to ghostwriting a book on business. When asked how Falmouth helped her to reach such success, Sarah said: “My creative non-fiction tutor told us to become an expert in something and then write a book on it. That’s something I have done time and time again in my work. I’m so grateful for the support the course tutors still offer me today. It was my course tutor who put me in touch with my agent.” 

“I chose Falmouth as the course is about making a career from writing, as it exposes you to write for radio, magazines, copywriting, novels and creative non-fiction. If you’re considering whether to do the Professional Writing master’s then my advice is to just do it. It will change your life. It will open your eyes to so many great opportunities that wouldn't have been open to you otherwise. I don't think I would have become an author without the course, my tutors and my fellow students helping me to get there.” 

Speaking on her working relationship with Juliet, she said: “Juliet is a phenomenal illustrator, and I feel honoured to have had this opportunity to work with her. She is full of great ideas, committed to her work, and has a huge talent. She worked tirelessly on every image.” 

She added: “All five of my books that are being published by Tiny Tree have been illustrated by the Falmouth students I did micro-internships with.” 

Reflecting on the collaboration, Juliet said: “Sarah was so enthusiastic and supportive, especially with this being my first children’s book. I am so grateful the micro-internship put us in contact with each other.” 

Since working on The Hedgehog Rescuers, Juliet now designs t-shirts for small businesses in Norwich and has started working on her own illustrated children’s book. She also sells beautifully drawn cards and prints from her website.  

External links 

Sarah’s website 

Juliet's website

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