I’ve woken up with a spring in my step! This Summer I’m going to be a published children’s book author.

I began teaching at twenty years young, it was my four years as an early years teacher where the idea to write a story book blossomed.

Stories were a huge part of our day. I’d finish the day with a book and often share stories before lunchtime. Our class library was always busy. Little people laying on cushions or squeezed into tiny spaces immersed in pictures, talking out loud as they took their first steps in reading.

Memories

My wonderful classroom assistant Carol and I would re-ennact stories. Oral story telling was just as important as reading picture books.

I retold traditional fairy tales, changing voices and acting out parts. My sweetest memories are of children rolling on the carpet in laughter. I’d fall off the table pretending to be the big bad wolf with rocks in my belly. (The Big Bad Wolf and the Seven Goats was my favourite Greek bedtime story).

Children in reception have this wonderful skill of laughing, screaming, chatting in unison. When one starts, so does another child and another like falling dominoes.

This was the first time I imagined writing. I had read so many picture books, both amazing and not so amazing, that I wondered if I would ever do this myself. Fast forward many years later and here I am. The count down begins for my own journey into story making…

Beginnings…Someday I’ll be a Queen

I remember seeing a beautiful book by Christel Minne, Someday I’ll be a Queen, at the London Chess Conference. I was drawn to the illustrations. I messaged Christel on facebook but there were no plans for an English translation back then. I was curious to read her story and learn more about these fun little chess characters shaped as chess pieces created by an artist named Diriq.

Writing my story

A few years later I had written my story in one the many notebooks scattered around my home. It was something organic and from the heart. Locked away in a safe place, my story slept.

When a plan comes together

Last Spring I felt it was time to make the story a reality. I had watched Christel Minne speaking at the ECU Online monthly discussion group hosted by my dear friends Brigitta Peszleg and John Foley. Each month a chess educator from around the world shares their story. It’s a global community of chess educators and well worth joining if you haven’t already.

I listened to Christel talk online about her book and work in Belgian schools. It reminded me just how much I loved the illustrations by Diriq . In that moment I knew I was ready to publish and I wanted Diriq to be the illustrator.

Christel Minne, an expert early years chess

Before I continue my book journey I have to share that Christel Minne has published her story in English. For teachers, I recommend you buy the teacher’s guide. It’s packed with activities, minigames and delves into the pedagogy for teaching the very young (and beyond!). A true expert in her field.

To find our more about Christel’s book and teaching click below:

https://kleuterschaken.be/

Making contact with Thinkers Publishing

Last May, I met online with Daniel Vanheirzeele, the head of Thinkers Publishers. I had won him over with my concept in our online meeting and he invited me over to Ghent, Belgium. 🇧🇪

We’d like to get inside your mind Hari, create the story across the table and bring your book to life.

The butterflies were overwhelming. Who would ask to enter the depths of my messy mind? This was a risk. ‘What if…’ type scenarios entered my mind but I knew I had to take the chance.

I have heard from other authors that the writer’s journey is often a long one especially from a small voice like myself. Most unpublished authors send off scripts and never hear back. Some get a response months later, a ‘no thank you’ , a ‘better luck next time’ and some are lucky with proposals accepted.

The Trip ❤️

My dearest friend Eleni was, according to her, ‘coming, before I asked her’! We taught the older year groups together for years. Eleni would plan the English and I would plan the maths lessons.

A typical week might involve drawing maps of fantasy worlds, drama, sketching characters and immersing our students in different genres of writing. She inspired me to teach English and story writing in the most creative way!

Ghent, the beautiful riverside town 🇧🇪

We arrived in Ghent. This beautiful place felt like a scene from a fairy tale. Sunshine, architecture, food and people.

Highlights

The chess club tour of Schaakhuis Caissa was such a treat and the weekend food festival made May the month to visit! It was also a pleasure to meet Christel and dine together.

Bringing the book to life

That weekend we sat across the table and I shared my story. We delved into my ‘why’, my target audience and how I imagined the book. I described the feelings I wanted to evoke through words and pictures.

The Waiting Game…

I felt emotional that day. Sharing your work, your words with others is a really raw experience. You feel vulnerable. Rejection could be round the corner at any moment. Each movement or word feels amplified as you try to figure out what’s going on. Is this a business pitch? Are we negotiating? Has this story affected you the way it was meant to?

I had to put a lot of trust into Daniel and Diriq, we were after all, strangers in a foreign place.

Fast forward to a happy ending ⏩️

We left Ghent with the go ahead for my book. 🎉 As an unpublished author, I came back with a suitcase of hope. I had to trust the process and be patient. Giving strangers a part of me, I had to believe it would all work out.

We both had projects for the Autumn and Winter but Diriq sent me some starter sketches, I fell in love with all 4 illustrations. He had captured my words on the page and crafted something from the depths of my heart. Little pieces of art. As you can see the two illustrations are full of wonder and joy!

The second illustration by Diriq

Book contract signed 📝

In the new year of 2026 we signed the contract. I’ve joined the Thinkers team and it feels amazing!

Spring and a new beginning

This Easter weekend I opened up an email from Diriq with some sketches. Not of his beautiful art but about the book design. It blew my mind to know that somewhere, in another part of the world an illustrator and bookmaker were discussing the page designs of my book.

What’s next in the publishing plans?

Over the next few months Diriq will send me all the illustrations. We’ll also be looking at the text, the blurb and other components of a book. I’m learning as I go along by the way.

If all goes to plan my wonderful chess book will be on sale this summer at a fab little London book shop. 🤫 The title and concept will be revealed soon!!

A message for teachers

Teachers and chess teachers consider adding a chess book corner for your club or school. A chess book might turn a reluctant reader into a bookworm. For another student, it might ignite a passion for chess.

I said this was a gratitude post so I must thank my dearest Rita. Her encouragement and belief in me keeps me creating. Working for Logiqboard really is a dream.

If you haven’t subscribed yet, try our free subscription on https://logiqboard.com

I have a wonderful teacher book that’s nearly ready for our LogiqBoard subscribers. ❤️

And Eleni, (my agent😉) thank you for being by my side as I spread my author wings. ❤️

Hari x♟️📚