We’ve told you plenty recently about artists who’ve recently agreed to work with us. I also have some great news about copy for the book. A few new pieces have just come in.

Firstly, thanks to Alastair Upham, editor of DVD and Blu-Ray Review. He’s with Future Publishing up in London and volunteered to work with Wendy Nichols on her story, about how she has fought off cervical cancer without chemo or radiotherapy. Earlier this week Simon Kirrane submitted the copy he worked on with Sarah Yates, who has survived leukaemia. Both of these stories just need to be subbed and then they’ll be ready.

Meanwhile, I’ve also been working with Frank Joussen, a teacher in Germany who loves writing in English. He’s done a great piece about a young lady called Romana Horn who was one of his pupils. It’s a very sad story as she died in the end from a brain tumour in 1997. Working on the story has been emotional to say the least as Frank has been back through his own thoughts and memories from the time, and has also been speaking to the Horn family who have allowed us to go ahead with the story. They’re pleased that Romana is still remembered. I can only think how hard it must have been for all of them when she was crying out for help, wanting to live.

I don’t want to give too much away and spoil the surprise when the book comes out, but there is some great stuff in Frank’s story that will inspire the illustrators who work on it. Our thanks go out to Frank, Alastair, Wendy, Sarah, Simon and the Horn family.