Tuesday, March 21, 2006

Not EVERY book gets published...





















Was trawling through my files earlier today and dug out the following images from a book I worked on that never saw the light of day. Very few people will have seen this. It was a collaboration between myself and wonderful Wallasey wordsmith (and lover of dodgy glam metal) Ian Carney. Ian's written for loads of animated shows, but is probably best known as the writer of many groovy comics, including SUGAR BUZZ and PANTS ANT.





















POCKET DOG featured the adventures of the world's smallest dog, and how with the help of his rather ingenious girl owner, he conquered his size-related obstacles. Text was funny and bouncy, there was a sweet twist in the tail, and the pictures seemed to accompany the words well enough. Advanced reviews from our publisher, Hodder (who also published FRANKENSTEIN'S CAT) were good.





















But it never happened. They changed their mind. And we were never really told why. I reasoned that maybe it was too close to Clifford, the Big Red Dog, but we'll never know I guess. The book concept also worked really well as a show, preferably a puppet/muppet type one. Hensons were interested for a while too.

















Them's the breaks. Just a cautionary tale to say that even if an idea feels good, strong and right to you, doesn't neccessarily mean it's gonna fly. Sometimes you just have to suck it up and move on to the next thing.

Bada Bling!


10 comments:

Andrew Glazebrook said...

Great pics as usual !! I think this looks like a great idea,doesn't remind me of Clifford too much !! Oh well !

sheriffmitchell said...

Tiny Dog Tastic

Jo Bling said...

I think there were some newer Clifford animations done where Clifford starts out life as a tiny pup- that may have been their reasoning. Who knows.

Either way, if the opportunity arose to revisit it I'd be up for it, but not holding my breath!

Andrew Glazebrook said...

I can see an awful lot of problems keeping a puppy that may not be house trained in your pocket though ! You should think these stories through more :)

Jo Bling said...

Vanish is a wonderful product :-)

Andrew Glazebrook said...

So you advertise products in your book s ,it'll be Cillit Bang next !

Anonymous said...

Found you via google & someone elses blog can't remember whose. They do weep a bit on the who do you think you are prog don't they. You are much better at doing your blog than my brother. He's just moved to Louisiana & is hopeless at updating, but I've just started webcam with him - which is nice. You seem to be doing tons of work! When are you next appearing in my neck of the woods?

Jo Bling said...

Lousiana you say? Spooky! I'm off over there next month to speak at the Baton Rouge Red Stick Animation Festival. Great place, was there last year too.

Don't know about appearances in necks of woods and whatnots- all my book signings are along the M62 corridor at present it would seem, as well as Teesside of course. I'm doing a spot of signing at Borders there on Easter Sunday actually.

Feena said...

Hello you!!! I found you through Wikipedia (you have your very own page) and now I'm here at your blog.... *thinks she sounds like a cyber-stalker*

My blog is about writing my book. If I ever get it finished I hope *someone* might publish it. Still, all good experience I guess.

Love to the family, xx

Jo Bling said...

Ahh, Wikipedia. I suspect my cousin Martin is responsible for starting a page about me on there but it looks like every man and his dog has added to it since.

Blogging is proving a really good way of keeping momentum going with projects. Am diggin' it!

Bada Bling!