Ben is a Manchester based award winning Illustrator, author of Champagne And Wax Crayons and host of the original thinking and creative innovation podcast 'Arrest All Mimics'

Ben's unique energetic brush style illustrations have been used by the Guardian, Channel 4, World Wrestling, The Premier League, UNICEF, Penguin Books, among many others. He hosts a great podcast ‘Arrest All Mimics’ he's given many talks and lectures at Universities, been featured in Design Week, Creative Review and of courses his latest book ‘Ya Mum’ which is out this week!

‘Ya Mum’ is a rancid collection of short stories, moments and embarrassments from Britain’s cultural underbelly. And guess who narrated it? The happy Mondays Shaun Ryder!

Ben's Takeaways 

1.Only put out what you want more of

2.Doing a side project takes belief and bravery and because it’s not making money at this point it needs the respect the paid work gets too, as this be the reason we leave the project unfinished. Keep chipping away at it as there is always a win win ending you will Always gain from it in some way!

3.The drive Is not about the prestige or gloss, it’s about fulfilment and satisfaction

4. The idea is the inspired state of mind which is very different from the doing. The doing is the messy hard middle stage where you need to stay focused and committed. Remember know one can see that idea yet so it’s Uk to you to jerk it watered for the harvest

5.Creativity can lift us of depression

6.The opposite of depression is purpose

7. If you’ve made a connection with a creative from your  idol company, nurture that relationship, their opinions and inputs are so  golden!

8.If you are painfully shy, own it! Own your personality!

9.Paying the bills of course  is important but if you aren’t happy about the direction in which your work is at then you have to keep going with your side projects. It’s side projects that keep us inspired at those times and work often comes from them!

10.You don’t need a book deal any more, spend your time and money on an editor and the right designers and creatives of course but self publishing is the game now!

Find Ben here-

https://bentallon.com/

Books-

Champagne and Wax Crayons by Ben Tallon

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Champagne-Wax-Crayons-Creative-Industry/dp/190779493X

Ya Mum by Ben Tallon

https://www.bentallonwriter.com/

This  latest book ya mum is out this Thursday 22 October and to celebrate this I’m giving away a copy!

To be in with a chance to win - wright a review of this show on Apple iTunes and send me a screen shot or share this episode on your stories on Instagram and Facebook. And I’ll announce the winner Monday 26th!