Hello.
My name is Frann Preston-Gannon and I am an author and an illustrator from south London.
How did I become an author and illustrator?
I began my career in children’s books as a children’s weekend bookseller at 15 years old. I worked in various bookshops all through my eduction and it was a job I loved and valued. I was a bookseller for over 10 years.
After a foundation in Art at Chelsea Art College I went on to Kingston University to study Illustration. I graduated in 2010 and in 2012 by first book, The Journey Home, was published. It was shortlisted for the Waterstone’s Children’s Prize and nominated for the Kate Greenaway. It was turned into an amazing puppet play by The Little Angels theatre in London and is still used widely in schools to teach children about endangered animals and habitat loss.
In 2011 I became the first UK recipient of the 'Sendak Fellowship' and spent the autumn of that year living with and learning from the great master of illustration, Maurice Sendak, at his home in Connecticut, USA. This was an experience that has shaped, and will forever influence, who I am as a book creator. Here is a photo of us walking together in the woods with his German Shepard Herman.
The Sendak Fellowship
How many books have I published?
Since 2012 I have published nearly 30 books and have been lucky enough to work with many amazing publishers including Nosy Crow, Hachette, Piccadilly Press, Templar Books, S&S, Chronicle and Magic Cat.
My books have been published around the world and in many different languages.
If you would like to get it get in touch you can do so below.