I.G. Oliver
I.G. Oliver is the creator of the first fantasy series to reveal where magic truly began — and its original name: Maragic. An award‑winning author‑illustrator, he brings myth, nature, and emotional depth together in It’s a Kind of Maragic, winner of The People’s Book Award.
His writing journey began in the most unexpected way: with a simple request from his five‑year‑old daughter, who asked for a new story because she was bored of the usual ones. That bedtime tale grew far beyond its humble beginnings, unfolding into a four‑book fantasy adventure arc that explores imagination as a living force — a place, a power, almost a science of its own.
At the heart of Oliver’s work is the belief that creativity is not just something we use, but something we belong to. The Maragic universe reflects this vision: a world where transformation is power, where nature holds ancient secrets, and where magic has a history waiting to be rediscovered.
Alongside his epic fantasy arc, Oliver also creates colourful, stand‑alone picture books such as The Naughty Nifnogglin Vs The Snigglysnoos — playful, rhythmic adventures designed to spark joy and imagination in younger readers. These works showcase his signature illustration style: bright, expressive, and full of character.
A lifelong creator — in kitchens, classrooms, and now in the realms of myth — Oliver has worked as a chef lecturer, an educator, and even served during the first state visit to Moscow, for which he received recognition from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. These diverse experiences shape the depth, warmth, and humanity found in his stories.
He writes and illustrates from Derbyshire, drawing inspiration from the wild places that echo through his work, and continues to expand the philosophical and scientific framework behind Maragic under the banner of Maragic Press.
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Inside the Mind - I.G. OLIVER
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What inspired you to start writing?
Initially, my five‑year‑old daughter asked me to create a new story because she was bored with the usual traditional ones. My writing truly began with that simple request. But the story I told her grew and grew — expanding far beyond a bedtime tale and eventually becoming a four‑book fantasy adventure. I’ve always been drawn to the idea that imagination is more than a feeling — it’s a place, a force, almost a science of its own. That idea became the foundation of my It’s a Kind of Maragic arc, which is the heart of my work. I write to explore how creativity shapes us, how wonder connects us, and how stories can reveal deeper truths about the world. Alongside the Maragic series, I also enjoy creating lighter, stand‑alone picture books like The Naughty Nifnogglin, but it was the Maragic universe — and that moment with my daughter — that truly inspired me to become an author.
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Can you tell us a little about your latest book?
My main body of work is the It’s a Kind of Maragic arc — a four‑book fantasy adventure series that explores imagination, nature, and the mysterious force known as Maragic. It’s my flagship project and the heart of my storytelling. Alongside that series, I also create stand‑alone illustrated children’s books. My latest is The Naughty Nifnogglin Vs The Snigglysnoos, a completely separate world full of color, rhythm, and playful chaos. It’s a light‑hearted picture‑book adventure, very different in tone and audience from the Maragic saga.
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