Tony Orchudesch is the author of Milton the Amazing Jumping Mouse.

What was your goal when we started working together?

To bring to life a project that has been 25 years in the making. The illustrator Maurice Stevens and I met when he was directing a channel 4 programme called Making Sense of Science, for which I was composing music. It was the start of a long working relationship – and a shared project in Milton mouse, the character I was inspired to create after hearing the song ‘The Tale of the Jumping Mouse’. Maurice created hundreds of illustrations in watercolour and we sold the rights to Woodmansterne greetings cards company, so Milton was available in John Lewis and Fenwicks across the UK, as well as hundreds of independent retailers. Maurice sadly passed away recently and I wanted to bring the stories and the illustrations together into a book that can be shared.   

How did it feel to receive the first print copy?

I was delighted to see it in print and share this with Maurice’s widow Anne and my own family, who had heard these stories as children and now have their own little ones to read to.

 What has been most useful in our work together?

Learning about the book business, of which I knew nothing but which dovetails interestingly with the music industry. It was a refreshing challenge.

What’s next for publishing plans?

I’d just love to see Milton reach an appreciative audience.

Review

Claire's help was invaluable in taking my stories from script to print. She is supportive and helpful, points out potential pitfalls and directed me in the best ways to promote and bring my creative efforts to life. Great job!