Amy is back by popular demand
Author and illustrator (14) lined up for more masterclasses
NIKI TENNANT
Comic book enthusiasts in Rutherglen will once again be able to learn from an award-winning South Lanarkshire teenage maestro the art of writing and illustrating in her next series of popular kids’ workshops.
Artist Amy Tucker may be only 14, but the young author and entrepreneur has already written seven beautifully illustrated comic books in her Mystery Club series, which are on sale in a number of shops across Scotland, including Waterstones, Forbidden Planet, A1 comics, Geek-aboo and Little Shop of Heroes.
Her talent earned her the Arts Award in the Young Scots Awards 2018, run by the Reformer’s sister paper the Sunday Mail to recognise exceptional young people in Scotland.
After hosting her first workshop for children aged between five and 10 at No. 18 in Rutherglen last October, she returned to the venue last month for another sold-out masterclass for seven to 11-year-olds at which she signed and sold copies of her books.
“I taught them how to come up with ideas for comics, how to come up with characters and how to make their own comics,” explained Amy, of East Kilbride.
“I have always liked comics and making comics. I discovered self-publishing so I thought I would give it a try selling my own comics and making it a business.”
Amy launched her enterprise, Mystery Club, in 2016 and has recently completed her seventh comic book in the series.
She has announced that due to popular demand, she will run more masterclasses at No.18 in Rutherglen, kicking off in June. Dates are to be confirmed by the venue.
Calderglen High School pupil Amy, who has created more than 20 characters with their own personalities and idiosyncrasies, already has her heart set on a career as an author and illustrator.
With her comic books selling well online and in book stores, an ambitious Amy is heading in the right direction.
It’s been a whirlwind year for schoolgirl Amy since she was the Young Scot Award.
Amy has appeared on BBC Newsround in its Inspirational Kids segment, and was invited to be a special guest at Dunfermline Comic Con alongside artists from Adventure Time and Rick and Morty.
She was also asked by her school to give inspirational talks to first and second year pupils on World Book Day.
Last week, Amy was invited into Geek-aboo in Glasgow to sell and sign her books.
She runs comic workshops at libraries and the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow, and her fan base is growing by the day.
To learn more and to buy Amy’s comic books, visit www.mysteryclub.co.uk and keep an eye on www.number18venue.org.uk/ whats-on for Amy’s summer workshop dates.