Never give up on your dreams says children’s author Claire Cope
Mum had been touring schools in the area with her book
NEVER give up on your dreams is the inspiring message of a Hinckley mum who has been on tour with her debut book.
Primary school teacher Claire Cope finally published her picture story last year, Veronica and the Magic Spell Book, which she wrote as a child 24 years earlier.
The mum-of-four showcased the colourful title at the Snap Dragon Festival in the town and has since been introducing it to children at Hinckley Parks Primary, Westfield Infant and Richmond Primary schools.
It follows Veronica as she goes on enchanted adventures in the company of her best friend, a spider.
Claire, who teaches at Outwoods Primary School in Atherstone, said: “My original inspiration for the story was a belief in magic and true friendship – something I wanted to share with the young readers of the book.
“I always intended that the story of Veronica and the Magic Spell book be one of enchantment and wonder, but I now also feel that the book stands for something else – it is never too late to chase your dreams and never, ever give up.”
Her twins, Archie and Alfie, go to Richmond Primary, and Claire said they were really proud to see her reading the book to their classmates.
She wrote the book when she was just 13 and a student at Mount Grace High School.
She was an avid reader and writer from childhood but she had to put her literary ambitions on hold when she became a single mum at 19.
In 2007, she qualified as a primary school teacher and in 2012 had twin boys, leaving her writing career very much sidelined.
She said: “In 2016, my Mother, Rosemary, changed this. She had recently been diagnosed and treated for breast cancer.
“Just after her treatment, she found one of my original illustrated stories – Veronica and the Magic Spell Book.
“It was this discovery that prompted me to revisit my dream of writing and becoming a published author.
“One thing I learnt during my mother’s period of ill health is that life is extremely precious and that you should always make the time to chase your dreams.”
The budding author dedicated the school holidays and all her spare time to re-drafting the story, but after two years trying to do this she felt she ought to give up her ambitions of getting it published.
In March 2018, an author gave an inspirational talk to Claire’s Year Six class about his experience getting published.
She said: “I also confessed that I myself had tried to write a story for publication but that I had stopped working on this ambition.
“I was sternly told by my class that I always tell them to keep trying and therefore I should also continue to try to get my work published.
“As a result, I began to work on my manuscript again and within a few weeks I submitted it to Austin Macauley Publishers for consideration for publication.
“To my utter delight and amazement I received a publishing contract for my story Veronica and the Magic Spell book - it really was an astonishingly proud moment.”
Claire also has a sequel planned where Veronica and her spider will be off on more adventures.
She is also working on some free resources and activities to go alongside the book for families to use.
She said: “No matter how hard life gets and how many times you get knocked down, keep trying.
“I hope that my book represents that message of don’t give up on your dreams.”
If you are interested in the resources, email Claire at claireelizabethcope28@ sky.com.