World Book Day: Celebrating the latest books created by Falmouth alumni and lecturers
06 March 2025
Whether it be a cosy mystery, an exploration of dark romance, an LGBTQ+ fairytale, or a study on the interior design of architecture, there have been a plethora of diverse and unique publications released in the last year by both Falmouth University alumni and lecturers.
For World Book Day, we are celebrating eleven books that have been published in the last 12 months by members of the Falmouth community, to help inspire your next read.
Doomed Romances: Strange Tales of Uncanny Love by Joanne Parsons
Written by School of Communication lecturer Dr Jo Parsons, Doomed Romances focuses on the weirder side of romantic literature.
Alfie’s Adventures: Hyacinth Macaw by Hayley Jane Smith
Hayley Jane Smith is an Illustration MA(Online) graduate and has published her first children’s book which follows the life of Alfie, an African grey parrot. The book was first developed during Hayley’s time as a master’s student at Falmouth and aims to educate young people on environmental conservation and the climate crisis.
The Dog and the Sailor by Pete Jordi Wood
After graduating from Falmouth’s Animation BA(Hons) and Illustration: Authorial Practice MA courses, Pete secured a two-book deal with the renowned publishing house, Puffin Books.
Based on work he produced for his Falmouth master’s thesis, The Dog and the Sailor, is an LGBTQ+ fairytale that marks Pete’s first publication as both author and illustrator, having earlier released Tales from Beyond the Rainbow, a collection of LGBTQ+ fairytales with illustrations from a wide range of queer creatives, described by critics as ‘groundbreaking’.
The Film BA(Hons) and Film & Television MA lecturer released a book based on the range of music documentaries that have aired over the last 70 years.
After examining as many as 250 films, this book offers a compelling review of the genre, delving into their cinematic style, political undertones, racial dynamics and gender representations.
The Heart of the Woods by Wyl Menmuir
Creative Writing BA(Hons) and Professional Writing MA lecturer, Wyl Menmuir, published a calming collection of essays that reflect on the ways we relate to trees and woodlands.
Wyl traveled the length of Britain and Ireland to meet the people who plant trees, the ecologists who study them, those who shape objects and tools from wood, and those who use it to help others to create this charming collection which came out last spring.
Domadomadoma-Blumblumblum: Conversations with Other Animals by Luke Thompson
Professional Writing MA lecturer, Luke Thompson, has published this playful, cultural, and literary exploration of human attempts to converse with animals.
The book references how humans speak with animals - ‘good dog’, ‘leave that mouse alone’ - but explores the concept and stories of when animals talk back.
Amazing Asia illustrated by Jason Lyon
Illustration BA graduate, Jason Lyon, has co-produced a beautifully crafted children’s encyclopaedia, covering the history of Asia’s five regions: East, West, North and Central, South, and Southeast.
It takes readers on a journey across the continent, exploring its history, culture, people, nature and future.
The Cream Tea Killer by Judy Leigh
Professional Writing MA graduate, Judy Leigh, has gone on to have huge success with her creative writing – selling over one million books across three genres.
Her time as a student at Falmouth inspired her Morwenna-Mutton series, which draws on the charm and character of Cornwall. In January, Judy published the third instalment of the series, The Cream Tea Killer. The novel explores how Morwenna and her family are knee-deep in a crime that shocks Seal Bay to the core.
This is not the only book that Judy has recently released. In December, The Silver-Haired Sisterhood, which is set on Skye, was published. Another book, written under the pseudonym of Elena Collins, and named The Cornish Witch, will be released on 20 April 2025. Inspired by a trip to Mullion Cove, it will explore the story of the Cornish witches of the 1600s.
Life Itself: Photography and South Africa by Dr Simon A. Clarke
Having visited South Africa to chart the country’s photographic history from colonialism to democracy, Falmouth lecturer Simon shares his findings in his new book, which was published by Reaktion Books in February.
Exploring how people, events, and places have been depicted in photographic images, this fascinating book sheds light on the role of the camera in South African society.
Interior Interruptions: Rehabilitating the Old to Design the New by Jean Whitehead
Just last month Jean Whitehead’s latest book was published by Routledge, a discussion on the idea of sustainable renovation, and how the adaptive reuse of a building can aid its ability to tell a story, maintain its history, and play a central role in the consideration of the designed interior.
Released today, in combination with World Book Day, this children’s book is part of the Wacky Histories series written by Jelena Poleksic and illustrated by Illustration BA(Hons) graduate Ella Kasperowicz.
Aimed for children between the ages of five to eight, this book encourages readers to learn about the development of some of our greatest inventions, from vaccines to X-rays.
Coming Soon
Falmouth is a place that inspires creativity and encourages imaginative thinking, and so it comes as no surprise that many of our alumni and graduates go on to pursue creative writing. Later this spring several publications are due to be released, including a collaboration between Illustration graduate Juliet Prentice and Professional Writing MA graduate Sarah Oliver on the children’s book The Hedgehog Rescuers. In June, Professional Writing MA graduate Claire Frances will release her book To Hell With It, which follows the story of someone living with OCD and pushes herself outside her comfort zone in search of real connection. The release of this book follows Claire’s impressive two-book deal with HarperCollins UK’s award-winning imprint, One More Chapter.
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