Hello. I’m Claire Powell, a children’s book author and illustrator.
Welcome to Pen Powell Posts, my newsletter about drawing and making children’s books.
What to expect:
📮 Pen Powell Postcards
A short round-up of what I’ve been working on, reading, or drawing — sent most weeks, unless life says otherwise.
💌 Pen Powell Letters
Longer, warts-and-all updates on my creative life: the good, the tricky, and the totally ridiculous. Popular favourites include: How I was commissioned to write a children’s book and My journey into illustration.
✏️ Live drawing sessions
Tune into regular relaxed Live drawing sessions, most weeks. Draw along, or just watch with a cuppa. (Replays available afterwards).
🎙 Pen Powell Pals
Brilliantly talented bookish guests come on to chat with me, if they draw we do that, too. (Replays available afterwards).
✏️ You’ll probably enjoy this space if:
You’re into children’s books, illustration, or both
You want to be an illustrator and want inspiration
You’re already an illustrator and need a shoulder to cry on
You’re writing (or want to write) for children
You enjoy watching drawings unfold
You like peeking behind the curtain of an artist’s life
Everything here is free—on purpose.
I want my drawings, postcards, and behind-the-scenes thoughts to be for everyone - I don’t want to put my creative joy behind a paywall.
Why go paid?
Everything I post here is drawn with love, shared with honesty, but it takes HOURS every week at the drawing board and writing desk to create. So, if what I share brings you joy, please consider becoming a paid subscriber.
Your pledges will help to support my work, meaning I can do more of it.
If that doesn’t tug at your heartstrings, here’s 7 other reasons to go paid:
You learned something from me or one of my guests
You were inspired by me or one of my guests
You saw how in need of a haircut I was and thought you’d help contribute
You realise that making art and writing newsletters takes time and effort
You need to off-load some money at the end of your tax year
You want to let me know I am appreciated
What subscribers say:
"Ignoring feline pleas of starvation, I snuggled under the covers this morning, watching Claire create this beautiful drawing. What a glorious way to start a Saturday." ~ A. Wise
“It’s good.” ~ B. Stallone
"Your posts bring a smile to my face and are a refreshingly candid glimpse into the trials and triumphs of life as an author and illustrator. Cheers and thank you!" ~ C. B
"Hi, Claire. So glad to be a member of your SubStack. You are a terrific artist as well as a very interesting person." ~ D. Hunter
About me
I’m a children’s book author and illustrator; the self-taught kind who started late (aged 37) with no training, no contacts and no plan. Somehow I still ended up on the New York Times bestseller list.
I used to live in London but now I’m tucked away in a Derbyshire cottage built in the 1800s that I share with my husband and far too many sketchbooks. I’ve been illustrating professionally for about ten years, and recently added “author” to the job title; my debut series Marty Moose is out now with Walker Books.
