Chloe Savage
MA Children's Book Illustration 2018
1. Tell us about yourself.
I studied for my MA in Children’s Book Illustration at CSA. My debut picturebook The Search for the Giant Arctic Jellyfish won the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize for Best Illustrated book 2024 and was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal for Illustration 2024.
2. What is your fondest memory of Anglia Ruskin University?
The moment James Mayhew walked through the door. He came in to tutor our group and was a breath of fresh air. That day was a turning point for me in terms of how I thought about my work and how I approached the work I wanted to be making in the future. 'Paint what you love' seems like such simple advice, but it is a clarifying thought that I still carry with me.
3. What has been your favourite job?
Of all the jobs I have had, by far my favourite is working with Walker Books. I am exceptionally lucky to have the most amazing editors, who not only make the whole process a joy, but they took the time to nurture and support me through the making of my debut picturebook while I was battling cancer. It was a lot to cope with and they proved themselves to be the very best of people.
4. In one word, how would you describe Anglia Ruskin University?
Formative.
5. How did your time at ARU help you?
I came to the MA with no previous formal drawing training beyond technical drawing skills from my previous job. The pace of the full time MA Children’s Book Illustration is rapid and the standards are very high, so you see your work changing week by week. The support of the tutors is immensely helpful, because it is a transformative time, and you have to make the most of their wisdom while you have access to it.
6. What did you love about your chosen course?
My favourite thing about the course was that it connects you to a community of fiercely supportive like-minded people. I learnt so much from the other people on my course who made all the difference in the world to my experience of the MA and they really are the most extraordinarily talented bunch of people.
7. What advice would you give to current students as they are preparing to graduate?
Regardless of how well your career goes post graduation, do not lose contact with your friends from the course. For those looking to take a step into publishing, it's not an easy industry to get started in, whether you have a book contract or not. It is emotionally taxing and you will need your community around you. If someone has gone quiet, or dropped off the map altogether, then reach out to them. Leave no man behind.
8. What do you know now that you wish you had known while studying?
I wish I had known that editorial meetings in the real world would be nowhere near as intense and stressful as crits on the MA. Or that the pace of picturebook making in the real world is much slower than the modules on the course, so if you can manage the MA you’ll be just fine in the real world.
9. Who was the biggest influence on your career?
There are a few people who have deeply influenced my career, particularly my amazing agent Philippa Perry. She is a steadfast advocate and took a chance on me at the very beginning. That faith and support has been vital, because publishing is a huge industry, and sometimes trying to promote a book feels like shouting into the void. Her fearlessness and strength gives me room to protect my creative space. She protects me from a whole world of creativity killing stress and worry.
10. What advice would you give your younger self?
Do nothing differently. Either start playing the lottery, or try and save some money. You’ll learn to roll back the pressure on yourself eventually and one day you might learn how to actually rest, but in the meantime, do it scared and tired, embrace the fear, but do nothing differently. You’re doing the best you can with the information you have, and that is a very peaceful thought.
11. Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know?
Everyone knows about my food obsession, but I think most people don’t know just how much I love gardens and nature. If I can just forest bathe once a week, it will see me right.
12. What’s next?
More books, lots of new work and paintings. The Search for Carmella comes out on 7 November 2024 with Walker Books, and I am in the middle of making book 3 which is set in outer space. There are so many exciting books in the pipeline and I am very lucky that I can continue to make new work.