Norfolk & Suffolk Group: Interview with John Shelley

Join the Norfolk & Suffolk Group online on Thursday 22 October from 7pm to hear from illustrator John Shelley.

Born in Birmingham to an Anglo-Welsh family, John Shelley studied at Bournville School of Art, then in Manchester under children’s illustrator Tony Ross, before debuting as a book and editorial illustrator in London in the 1980’s. His first trade picture book The Secret in the Matchbox was shortlisted for the Mother Goose Award. A fascination with Japanese art then took him to Tokyo, where he became a prominent illustrator within the Japanese graphic design industry, as well as continuing to illustrate children’s books for publishers in Japan and the USA. Aside from illustration, in Tokyo he was also a fashion model represented by his wife’s agency, and in his spare time, enjoyed helping to run events and DJing for several years. 

After 21 years in Japan, John returned to the UK following the unexpected passing of his wife, and settled in Norwich to raise his daughter. He now spends his time writing and illustrating, still largely for overseas clients, and most recently has begun spinning vinyl again. 

As well as award-winning campaigns in the Japanese design industry, John’s children’s books have received various prizes in the US. With a career illustrating over 60 books for different countries, he was 5-times nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award 2018-2022. 

A former volunteer for the Japan Graphic Designers Association (JAGDA), and Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), he’s currently a member of the Society of Authors (SOA) and East Anglian Writers.

This event will be online.

All members welcome from the surrounding area!

To join us, click the Going button below and enter your details in the RSVP form so we have an idea of how many people are planning to attend. Please contact us with any questions.