Ellie Egleton
Sit down with Shepperton, UK-based writer Ellie Egleton as we discuss what the Lower Your Sights project means to her, her contribution to the anthology, and her thoughts on the unifying power of art.
Q: What does this project mean to you?
Ellie: I always try to do good but sometimes it is hard to know how. My contribution to the Lower Your Sights anthology is just my small way of trying to help those who are in true crisis. I have always loved comics and to know that the proceeds of this book will go to the Voices of Children anthology means the world to me. I am grateful to everyone who allowed this to happen; artist Alejandro Rosado for bringing my script to life: Lucas Gattoni for his genius lettering: Chas! Pangburn for being an awesome editor and Allison Pond for her clever marketing.
Q: What is your contribution to Lower Your Sights? (Short Story, Pinup, Etc.)
Ellie: I am pleased to have been able to contribute a four-page story titled ‘A Toy’s Tale of War’. I remember scrolling Twitter a few months back and finding that submissions were open to be able to pitch to this anthology. I have always thought highly of Mad Cave Studios and as soon as I saw that this book will help support the Voices of Children charity, I knew I had to be a part of the project. When writing the script, I imagined how a child might respond to stories of war and conflict, especially in today’s world, and how they might innocently express their thoughts and feelings through play.
Q: In addition to supplying food and essential supplies, Voices of Children also provides art therapy to help kids cope and overcome the stress, anxiety, and trauma of living in war conditions. Do you believe art has the power to heal?
Ellie: I can answer this question in so many different ways but my short answer is yes, I do believe that art has the power to heal. As a primary school teacher, I see how the arts can help to support children on a daily basis. As a writer, I understand that art is a powerful tool that helps us to voice our ideas for a better world and it is these worlds we create that allow us to escape from our stresses, anxieties, and traumas. Even if it’s just for a moment.
A note from Ellie
The first comic book ever read to me was Batman #500. It was a time when Bruce Wayne was
not wearing the cape and cowl. Since then, comic books have been at the heart of everything that I do. I have studied comics, I teach with comics and now I write and edit comics. After the successful debut of my self-published fanzine, First Class Comic Review, I have had the opportunity to interview many exciting creators such as Stan Lee at London Super Comic Convention. By speaking with these creators, I was inspired to write my own original stories and so in 2018, I crowdfunded my first all-ages graphic novel, Power Punch Boot Camp, which has since been voted as one of the UK’s ‘Best Graphic Novel’ in the ComicScene Magazine Awards. I am always open to new opportunities in the comic book industry and so I have recently worked with a small publisher as their first female editor and have had articles published by
an independent comic book blog. In 2022, I was proud to be named a semi-finalist in Negative Space Comics’ writing competition and I cannot wait to see where my work will take me next.
Ellie’s short story, A Toy’s Tale of War, will be featured in our upcoming Ukrainian benefit anthology, Lower Your Sights!
You can learn more about Ellie and her work here.
Mad Cave Studios and Voices Of Children are teaming up to publish Lower Your Sights, a graphic novel anthology, to raise awareness and proceeds for children impacted by war. Earnings from the book’s sales are going directly to the Voices of Children foundation.
Lower Your Sights is available for preorder (FOC on August 29th 2022), and officially in stores on September 14th, 2022. You can pre-order your very own copy of this benefit anthology here.
