How a Florence Book is Created

This week, I visited Killin Primary School — the first step in bringing another Florence adventure to life. It got me thinking that people might like to know how one of these books actually goes from a school hall full of excited children to a real, physical thing you can hold in your hands.

So here it is. The whole, some might say daft, I prefer to say wonderful, process.

It starts with a visit. I spend most of a day at a primary school, and we talk. The children tell me what they think Florence should get up to next, and I write everything down. Every idea. Even the wild ones. Especially the wild ones. I come home with a notebook full of scribbles, and I go through it carefully, marking every detail that feels important — a character, a place, a moment that made the room light up, even just a suggestion for the colour of the book cover. We also plan a new recipe to go in the back of the book (a nod to The Magical Tearoom on the Hill).

Then I sit with it.

Sometimes a story arrives quickly, fully formed, as if it were already waiting. Sometimes it takes weeks. I’ve learned not to rush it. The story knows when it’s ready to show itself. Florence, meanwhile, knows when it’s ready for her tea. One of us has our priorities straight.

When it comes, I write. And as I write, I cross off the notes one by one — making sure as many of those children’s ideas as possible find their way in, without the whole thing going completely off the rails. It’s a balancing act. Florence helps by sleeping on the couch and offering no useful feedback whatsoever.

Once I’m happy with the words, I show them to Jessica. We usually meet at Prost Coffee at Abbot House in Dunfermline, which is the ideal place to talk about imaginary adventures over coffee and a cake (or two). We chat about the illustrations she’s been working on for the previous book, and I tell her about the new story. She listens. She thinks. Then she goes away and produces the most beautiful hand-drawn watercolour illustrations you’ve ever seen, and magics them across to me.

Then it’s my turn again. I typeset the story, add the illustrations, and design the book cover. When it’s all sitting together on the page, looking like an actual book, it still gives me a little thrill every time.

The files go to IngramSpark to be published. I wait. The eproof arrives — a digital version to check carefully for anything that’s slipped through. Once that’s signed off, I order a physical author proof. A real copy. This gets checked with the finest of fine-tooth combs, because there is always something. There always is.

Eventually, after all of that, it’s ready. Pre-orders open. The order goes in.

And then the books arrive.

I cheer. Florence cheers. Jessica cheers. Mr M puts the kettle on.

Would I change any of it? Not a single chaotic, wonderful, slightly baffling step.

There will be 23 books in the series. The 23rd will be just the recipes that appear in each of the books.

To date:

·         I have visited 14 schools

·         Attended a children’s book festival

·         Held a workshop in the oldest building in Dunfermline

·         Books 1–5 have been published

·         Books 6–12 have been written

·    Jessica needs to draw faster. Jessica, if you’re reading this, I am absolutely kidding. Mostly.

When do I expect the whole series to be finished? I’m not entirely sure. Taking a stab in the dark, possibly by the end of 2027.

I am now actively researching how to create a box to hold all these beautiful books in so that it becomes a box set. If anyone has any connections with magical box makers, please drop me a message.

If I seem distracted at times, it’s because I have an Arctic unicorn, a friendly fire-breathing dragon, and a magical bunny who looks remarkably like one of my friends running around in my head.

Well. That’s my excuse, anyway.

Mr M and Florence might not agree.

I hope you've enjoyed discovering the whole process and, of course, if you'd like to see more about the finished books (and order them), here's the link:

Click here to visit
The Magical Adventures of Florence the Border Collie