David Salariya FRSA (born 28 July 1954) is a Scottish author, artist, and designer. He is the founder of children's books publisher Salariya Book Company.[1] He has created and designed many children's book series, including the You Wouldn't Want To Be series. He writes as David Stewart and Max Marlborough.

Early life and education edit

Salariya was born in Dundee, Scotland in 1954. He attended Ancrum Road Primary School then Harris Academy, before studying illustration and printmaking at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design in Dundee,[2] specialising in book design in his post-graduate year. He trained to be an art teacher at the University of Sussex.

Career edit

Salariya started his career as a freelance illustrator and designer in London and Italy. In 1989, he founded the Salariya Book Company in Brighton,[3][4] which has imprints including: Book House, Scribblers and Scribo. He collaborated on works including multi dimensional CD Rom in 1995 and Augmented Reality in 2010.

In 2017, Salariya inaugurated the Stratford-Salariya Children's Picture Book Prize for unpublished picture book writers and illustrators.[5][6][7]

In 2023, he was made a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

Salariya Book Company edit

In 2019, the Salariya Book Company's children’s history book The You Wouldn’t Want To Be an Ancient Egyptian Mummy was developed into a theatre show.[8]

The Salariya Book Company experienced difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic, with trading issues brought on by UK lockdown. The company was eventually closed down and sold to Bonnier Books UK in November 2022.[9]

Exhibitions edit

Salariya has contributed to group exhibitions at The Royal Scottish Academy, Compass Gallery, and Stirling Gallery. He has three works in the collection of the University of Dundee.

Personal life edit

Salariya lives in Brighton with his wife Shirley and their son Jonathan.[citation needed]

References edit

  1. ^ "David Salaryia: The Salariya Book Company - Minutehack". Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  2. ^ "Dundee's art college to mark 125th anniversary with former student stories". BBC News. 13 February 2013. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  3. ^ "David Salariya". Retrieved 17 December 2014.
  4. ^ Riddle, Alex (14 September 2023). "Hatch Press takes flight with Bonnier Books UK". Bonnier Books. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  5. ^ "ILLUSTRATION FEATURE The Stratford-Salariya Children's Picture Book Prize 2018". Words&Pictures. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  6. ^ "Camille is 'over the moon' to win Stratford-Salariya Picture Book Prize". Stratford Herald. 18 April 2018. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  7. ^ "Katarina Dragoslavic wins Stratford Salariya Children's Picture Book Prize". The Bookseller. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  8. ^ "Salariya to debut children's history book theatre show at Cheltenham Literary Festival". Museums + Heritage Advisor. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  9. ^ "Bonnier Books UK launches new children's imprint Hatch Press". The Bookseller. Retrieved 24 October 2023.