Get ready to make a splash at Swimming!

One of the reasons I wrote Mitch and Mooch Try Swimming was that I had seen so many children turn up for their first swimming lesson and spend some of it sat by the side of the pool, or in tears clinging to parents. For some, they hadn’t equated swimming lessons with fun, getting silly (whilst being safe!) in the water and learning a new skill.

But as parents or carers, we can help prevent that by playing with our children so they can see how much fun the water can be! If you are stuck for some ideas – good news! I also wrote a FREE downloadable booklet – 10 Swimming Games and Tips – not all of which require water! Featuring dyslexia-friendly font and bright colours in a comic book style (just like the Mitch and Mooch Try series!), there is also an explanation of why these games will help prepare your child for swimming lessons.

Free Swimming Tips and Games Booklet

So, why not try something new today? I’ll even give you a discount code for a SwimFin of your very own (as featured in the Mitch and Mooch Try Swimming book!) so you can play sharks. This discount code is exclusive and kindly supplied by our friends at SwimFin. All you need to do is pop in your email address and I will send you the link to download!

Why am I asking for your email address to download? Just so that I can stay in touch with you and ask how you got on with the games, any feedback you have and also to keep you posted on Mitch and Mooch news.

You can, of course, opt-out whenever you like and I promise never to share your details with anyone. If you don’t want to leave your email address, that’s fine – drop me a line here and I’ll send you a copy over anyway without adding your details.

I’d love to hear your feedback and if you have any other games ideas you would like featured in the booklet, just drop me a line!

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Catching the wave…

I’ve been so amazed by how much goes into a children’s book – I can tell you it’s been quite a journey! To create Mitch and Mooch Try Swimming, I have been honoured to work with some very talented people. If it takes a village to raise a baby, then believe me, I feel like I’ve been working with a town!

You know when you set out on something that you will face some big decisions – in the case of a book: to self publish or try and approach agents who will approach publishers for you. That was a biggie, make no mistake. But, after a lot of soul searching, I felt that self publishing was the way forward – I’d have more creative control, and I believe the Mitch and Mooch series would find its audience.

Launching March 2020 – meet Mitch and Mooch!

As I am setting the date to launch the book, I can’t help but think about all the other people though, who have had an impact or left an impression with it’s creation. From my editor – Lisa Edwards (editor of Tom Gates, Horrible Histories, and so many other wonderful books for children) who gave amazing advice, to my friend and colleague, Simon of Swimabout, who taught me about the importance of certain techniques in swimming for children. Friends and family who have had to read through endless iterations and versions of the story, correcting as they went and encouraging.

I have also made new friends and colleagues through writing this book – my wonderful illustrators Gabs and Jorge over in Brazil at GA2 Creative who’s passion and innovation have brought characters to life, and added interest and creativity to the story. I never imagined this book would turn out to be such an international affair!

I’ve had so much support also from an international community of Children’s Authors and Illustrators via various groups on Facebook and other networks. Also specialist groups for parents of autistic or dyslexic children, their help is invaluable.

I never imagined when I started that I would write websites, set up mailing lists, even (don’t laugh) write an Author Biography for myself. And yet, here we are….a month from launching, and finally I can bring a story, a series even, that I am passionate about to children everywhere.

Thank you everyone who has been, and continues to be, riding the wave with me.

Jan

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