Meet Martyn Harvey, the artist and author who sold his house to pursue a creative career! – downthetubes.net

Few people would sell their home to fully invest in their career. But that’s exactly what Martyn Harvey I became a writer and artist late in life, and it’s paying off.

Martyn’s latest storybook, Squiggly Pete and the Curse of the Zombie Monster Mushy Peasis now available, the latest in a series of children’s stories published under his own imprint, Penzance Press.

An artist and musician at heart, Martyn, originally from Cornwall, actually studied Combined Sciences after school, before picking up a couple of music degrees, ending with a Masters in 20th Century Composition at the University of Hudderfield. But it was his science and computing background that led to a job as a technical writer and web developer at a fairly prestigious UK software company.

This career path led him to build a successful business in web development and programming in the 2000s. A personal loss led him to change careers, returning to art – and over the last six years Martyn has developed his career as a children’s author and illustrator.

“It’s been a bit of a strange career path, but I’m glad I’ve finally found an outlet for my creative side… and created some lovely children’s books.”

This strange career path led him to sell his house to become a writer.

His books include The Boy in the Saucepan Hat: The Unhappy Story of Oliver ToddMartyn’s first children’s book to be published by Penzance Press. Even crazier titles are in the works, like Elsie Green and the trampolineabout a rude girl who always gets what she wants – and who, in this Ronald Dahl-esque tale, pays an unlikely price for her behavior!

His latest book, Squiggly Pete and the Curse of the Zombie Monster Mushy Peastook three years to complete, delayed by the pandemic, but the wait was worth it, because it looks absolutely wonderful – and is a positively joyful read.

In this crazy adventure, when wacky pirate Squiggly Pete and his crew arrive in Parkgate, on the Wirral, in search of the famous Fish ‘n’ Chips, they are disappointed to find the chip shop closed! And that’s just the beginning of their problems! With a giant mushy pea machine running amok, it’s not long before the village is flooded with mushy peas… and it’s up to Pete to save the day!

Armed with his incredible magic pencil, will Pete be able to fix everything? Or will he just make things worse?

Follow Squiggly Pete and his team as their madcap Mushy Peas-based adventure takes them to many well-known locations in the Liverpool area, lovingly described in Martyn’s unique style.

“In addition to the hundreds of children who now enjoy the book, many adults – parents, grandparents and even people without children – have bought the book, simply for the appeal of the illustrations!” says Martyn.

“Oh… and that explains the origin of the Northern Lights!”

If you know Parkgate and the surrounding area on the Wirral, live in Liverpool, Merseyside or the North West of England or are visiting the area with children, this book is a must-have.

Although the book is set in the real world of Parkgate and Neston, which is ideal for anyone visiting Wirral and to provide context for the story, the story includes references to Martyn’s Cornish heritage. Martyn attended Humphry Davy Grammar School in Penzance in the 1970s, and eagle-eyed readers may recognise the St Pirran’s flag atop the mast of ‘Squiggly Pete’s’ little pirate ship.

Cornish readers of downthetubes might also notice the reference to the colours of the Penzance Newlyn rugby team – ‘The Pirates’ – for whom Martyn’s father played many years ago. (He died in March this year, aged 89.)

“The sequel, Squiggly Pete and the Curse of the West Kirby Ktaken“The book, due out in 2025, will be based in Cornwall,” says Martyn, “and I might even include the old school! There’s a bit of HDGS memorabilia in the book, in the references to Sir Humphry Davy and his miner’s lamp.”

Martyn continues to be enthusiastic about his work and has no plans to change his lifestyle in the near future.

“I don’t see myself retiring one day,” he said. “I have too much to do and too little money!”

• Squiggly Pete and the Curse of the Zombie Monster Mushy Peas is available now on AmazonUK (affiliate link) or buy it direct from Martyn’s website at SquigglyPeteThePirate.co.uk

Founder of Downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently the editor of Star Trek Explorerpublished by Titan – his third mission on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, he has edited titles including Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazineand more. He also edited the comic book anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He also edited several comic book collections, including the volumes “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare.”

He is the author of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible,” a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.

Categories: Art and Illustration, Books, Downthetubes News, Other Worlds

Tags: children’s books, downthetubes news, Martyn Harvey, Penzance Press, Pirates, Squiggly Pete