Not many people would sell their house to fully invest in their career. But that’s exactly what Martyn Harvey came late to being a writer and artist, did. And it’s paying off.
Martyn’s latest storybook, Squiggly Pete and the Curse of the Monster Zombie Mushy Peas, is out now, the latest in a series of tales for kids published through his own imprint, Penzance Press.
Alway an artist and musician at heart, Martyn, originally from Cornwall, actually studied Combined Science after school, before doing a couple of degrees in Music, finishing with a Masters in 20th Century Composition from Hudderfield University. But it was his science and computing background that led to a job as a Technical Writer and Web Developer at a fairly prestigious UK software company.
This career path led him to building a successful business in web development/programming in the 2000s personal loss led to a change in career, going back to art – and and for the past six years, Martyn has been developing his career as a children’s author and illustrator.
“It’s been a bit of an odd career path but I’m pleased to have finally found an outlet for my creative side… and created a few nice kids’ books.”
This odd career path included selling his house to become a writer.
His books include The Boy with the Saucepan Hat: The Unfortunate Tale of Oliver Todd, Martyn’s first children’s book to be published by Penzance Press. In the works are more crazy titles, such as Elsie Green and the Trampoline, about a rude girl who always gets what she wants – and in this Ronald Dahl-like tale, pays an unlikely price for her behaviour!
His latest book, Squiggly Pete and the Curse of the Monster Zombie Mushy Peas, has taken three years to complete, delayed by the pandemic, but the wait was worth it, because it looks absolutely wonderful – and is a positively joyous read.
In this daft adventure, when wacky pirate Squiggly Pete and his crew turn up in Parkgate, on the Wirral, looking for the famous Fish ‘n’ Chips, they are gutted to find the Chip Shop shut! And that’s just the start of their problems! With a Giant Mushy Pea Machine running out of control, it’s not long before the village is swamped with mushy peas… and it’s up to Pete to save the day!
Armed with his amazing magic pencil, will Pete be able to sort it all out? Or will he just make things… worse?
Follow Squiggly Pete and the crew as their crazy Mushy Peas-based adventure takes them to many well-known locations in the Liverpool area, lovingly portrayed in Martyn’s unqiue style.
“As well as hundreds of children who are now enjoying this book, we’ve had lots of adults – parents, grandparents and even those with no kids – buy the book, purely for the appeal of the illustrations!” says Martyn.
“Oh… and it explains the origin of the Aurora Borealis, ‘The Northern Lights’!”
If you know Parkgate and its surrounding area on the Wirral; if you live in Liverpool, Merseyside or the North West of England or if you are visiting the area with children – this book is a must.
Although the book is set around the real world of Parkgate and Neston, which is ideal for anyone visiting Wirral and for putting the story’s setting into context, the story does include references to Martyn’s Cornish heritage. Martyn went to Humphry Davy Grammar School in Penzance in the 1970s, and eagle-eyed readers might recognise St Pirran’s flag atop the mast in “Squiggly Pete’s” little pirate ship.
Cornish readers of downthetubes might also notice the reference to the colours of the Penzance Newlyn rugby team – “The Pirates” – for whom Martyn’s dad played many years ago. (He passed away in March this year, aged 89).
“The sequel, Squiggly Pete and the Curse of the West Kirby Ktaken, due out in 2025, will be based in Cornwall,” says Martyn, “and I might even put the Old School in it! There is a tiny bit of HDGS memorabilia in this book, in the references to Sir Humphry Davy and his Miners’ Lamp.”
Martyn continues to be enthused by his work and has no plans to change his lifestyle any time soon.
“I can’t see myself ever being able to retire,” he says. “I’ve got too much to do and too little money!”
• Squiggly Pete and the Curse of the Monster Zombie Mushy Peas is available now from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link) or buy it direct from Martyn’s web site at SquigglyPeteThePirate.co.uk
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John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: Art and Illustration, Books, downthetubes News, Other Worlds
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