Creative coaching and mentoring
Tessa is a compassionate and experienced creative coach bringing her fresh perspective on putting yourself at the centre of your practice. Her positivity and can-do attitude inspire creatives to go for their biggest dreams, feel good about what they're making, and most importantly enjoy the creative process.
Happy Creative coaching
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I'm currently offering one-to-one coaching and mentoring sessions to illustrators, writers, and picture book makers who want to enjoy and be proud of their creative practice.
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I'll help you reconnect with why you started making stuff in the first place, get you spending more time doing what you love, and help you gain momentum with creative projects.
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We’ll identify what success means to you and shape your practice to align with your goals and your heart’s desires.
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Sessions are 1 hour on google meet.
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Tessa’s coaching philosophy ​
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I'm all about having fun with your creativity. If you want to reconnect with your inner child and make art from that unselfconscious place of play and enjoyment then you've come to the right place.
I'll ask you to do uncomfortable things like say what you’re proud of, put healthy boundaries up around your creative practice, and identify ways to put you and your creativity first. Eek.
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I believe that we are all powerful creative beings and I'm excited to help you uncover what you’re truly capable of. Because you're probably already doing it.​
Warning: If you're not open to a big dose of self-compassion or living your life for you then these sessions will not be your bag.
What practical help will I get?​
- a clear focus and next steps for your practice
- achievable goals and timelines
- connection to supportive creative communities
- lists of courses and educational materials to support different areas of your practice
- connection to other tutors and mentors
- guidance on printing and self-publishing (if relevant)
- advice on working with publishers and agents in the UK publishing industry
- guidance on how to approach industry events like Bologna Children’s Book Fair
- advice on funding
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Tessa’s Qualifications & experience​
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As an Access Support worker for Arts Council England since 2021 I've helped a range of creative souls apply for DYCP and Project Grants funding. Together we've successfully secured over £100k of funding for personal artistic development and growth. And most of those not granted funding have still gone on to achieve the goals and growth we set out in their funding applications (see my win-win strategy in FUNd Club).
With 3 years teaching the BA Publishing and MA Children's Publishing at Bath Spa University I have a grounding in tutoring on a range of publishing projects. Support provided to students can be highly technical with a focus on using Industry Standard Adobe software to bring books, magazines, websites, and many other projects, to life. I also coach students through the inevitble ups and downs of the creative process.
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As owner of The Happy Book Company since 2018 I'm experienced in running a creative enterprise that supports my artistic practice. With 3 self-published books and over 2000 copies sold worthwhile I know how to turn a story idea from your sketchbook into a real physical product.
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I've been a Creative Mentor at EMERGE Studio, Bath Spa, for 4 years, supporting creative graduates with their first steps beyond university.​
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Lastly, and probably most importantly, I'm a self-confessed truly happy person. My creative life is a huge part of that and I love to share how I prioritise my creative happiness in my life.
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Specific advice​
Whilst I love giving general advice on creative direction and picture book projects, I can also provide more structured coaching in the following areas:
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Self-Publish a picture book
Do you want to bring your stories or pictures to life in your very own beautiful book? Perhaps you don't want to wait for the publishing industry to decide whether it's worthy of existence. Or you're making a really niche book and you know exactly where you'd like to share it.
Let me guide you through the self-publishing process, from story writing and editing, to illustration, proofing, printing, crowdfunding, marketing, and distribution. For this I reccomend 3 or 6 sessions.
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Apply for arts funding
Are you applying for a grant but have no idea where to start? Need some help with tooting your own horn, meeting the funding requirements, or making a plan for your funded time?
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I'll bring my Arts Council funding support experience and FUNd Club philosophy to the table to shape your application into the biggest win-win. Achieve your creative goals and dreams whether you get the money or not.
