NTU alum Salomey Doku publishes acclaimed graphic novel
Salomey Doku, a Nottingham Trent University (NTU) alum, has been applauded as an exciting literary talent with the publication by HarperCollins of her romantic graphic novel “Brielle and Bear: Once Upon a Time”.
By Lorna Baisley | Published on 15 October 2024
Categories: Alumni; School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment;
Illustrator and author Salomey Doku is making waves in the literary world with the recent publication of the first volume in her series of young adult graphic novels.
Brielle and Bear: Once Upon a Time has been receiving glowing reviews, with critics describing it as “a warm hug of a book” and “the fairytale romance of your dreams”. Salomey’s debut novel is a stunningly illustrated coming-of-age story about love, friendship and heartbreak, with a good sprinkling of escapism thrown in. The story is set in the fictional Once Upon a Time University, in the fictional city of Rosebridge, but Salomey admits that some of her own experiences at NTU have influenced her novel. She says: “I chose to launch Brielle and Bear: Once Upon a Time in Nottingham as I have so many fond memories of being a student at NTU, and Rosebridge and Nottingham have many similarities”.
Salomey has also illustrated two of Sir Lenny Henry’s books: You Can Do Anything, Tyrone! and Tyrone’s Cool Crown.
Salomey Doku and Sir Lenny Henry
Salomey studied Architectural Technology BSc followed by a Masters in Interior Architecture and Design; she then worked as an architectural assistant for three years. Explaining her transition into illustration and writing Salomey says: “I’ve always loved art and, when I found myself on furlough during lockdown in 2020, I drew all the time and started to learn about comics. I entered a Webtoon competition and, as a result, was approached by an agent wanting to represent me. NTU had taught me the skills, processes and work ethic I needed to distil my creative ideas into something tangible and, within a year, I had the confidence to leave architecture to pursue a full-time career in art.”
Everyone at NTU would like to congratulate Salomey on the publication of Brielle and Bear: Once Upon a Time - we can't wait to read all Salomey's graphic novels in this series! #ProudtobeNTU
Salomey Doku: Author-Illustrator
Brielle and Bear: Once Upon a Time - Brielle and Bear Book 1 (Paperback)