New Zealand Writers
GALBRAITH, Ben
Galbraith [has] evolved a distinctive style of illustration, collaging traditional artistic media … with scanned objects … The effect is phantasmagoric…
Malcolm Wood, MASSEY, Issue 21, November 2006
GALBRAITH, Ben (1980 - ) is a writer and illustrator of children’s books. He gained a Bachelor of Design in Wellington, and now works as a graphic designer for a surfboard company in his hometown, Gisborne.
Galbraith designed his first book, The Three Fishing Brothers Gruff, while in his final year at Massey University.
Reviewing The Three Fishing Brothers Gruff in the New Zealand Herald, Jenni Keestra said: ‘Galbraith has written a witty and intelligent text that will delight children and adults.’
The Three Fishing Brothers Gruff was nominated as a finalist in the Picture Book category in the New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults 2007, and won the Best First Book Award.
SH
Where do you live?
Makorori Beach, Gisborne.
What books do you read?
I read all kinds of books, I like adventure stories, books on art and design, and magazines; but my favourite books are picture books.
Who is your favourite writer?
John Sciezka (for kids) and Larry McMurtry (for big kids.)
How do you think up your ideas?
I get inspired by lots of things ... music, newspaper articles, the ocean, funny people, websites.
What is the best thing about being a writer?
Seeing my book on the bookshelves in stores, also being told by people that it’s their favourite book.
Primary School Students
What sort of pets do you have?
I used to have a cat called Girlie who lived till she was 21. I’d love a puppy but mum won’t let me have one until I get my own house!
What is your favourite colour?
Dark blue.
What is your favourite food?
Toad in the Hole (not really, I cooked it once and like the name of it.)
What is your favourite movie?
Pirates of the Caribbean.
What is your favourite game?
Pictionary.
What is the most fun thing about being an author?
Being able to work wherever I want.
How do you make books?
It all starts with an idea, then I convert the idea into a story. Next, I do a whole lot of research in the library and scribble up how I want the illustrations to look. I then make the scribbles into illustrations on the computer. Once I’ve finished illustrating I send everything off to the book publisher, where they print the book, bind it, and send it off to the book stores.
Where do you go for your holidays?
Somewhere warm! I like to go surfing in the tropics. In New Zealand, I love the East Cape. It’s really beautiful.
What was the naughtiest thing you ever did at school?
We used to make stink bombs by crushing up the seeds of a special tree and spitting on the pulp. Then we’d slip the stink bomb into other kids’ backpacks
Secondary School Students
How did you get started?
My first book was spotted at our end of year exhibition while I was still at university.
Who inspired you when you were getting started?
My parents, teachers and tutors, illustrators like Lane Smith, Henrik Drescher and Sara Fanelli.
What advice would you give an aspiring young writer?
Take your time. If you get stuck for ideas, put it aside and work on something else for a while. You’ve got to be pretty thick skinned too. It can really suck being turned down by a publisher, but you’ve got to take it in your stride.
Is it difficult to make a living writing in New Zealand?
Yeah it is. I have to work full-time as a graphic designer. I write and illustrate in my spare time. At the moment it’s more of a hobby than an occupation.
What were you like as a teenager?
I was no different to any other teenager. I surfed every day (still do!), listened to punk rock music (I still do this too), went to parties, and hung out with friends.
Additional Ideas and Information
Is there anything else you could tell students about yourself?
Um ... I’m a terrible speller. At a book launch I once signed every book the wrong year because I was so nervous. I’m colour blind but I still call myself an illustrator.
