About
ToyTalk launched in January 2006 with the aim of filling a huge gap in the world of consumer publishing. Our lofty ambition is to one day manage to cover every single new toy that is released in the UK, but for now we’re kept busy enough with the hundreds of launches we do manage to write about.
David Smith, editor
The editor of ToyTalk is David Smith, a freelance journalist with more than 20 years’ experience in a variety of fields. Starting out as a staff writer on the weekly American Football newspaper First Down, he has also worked as a subeditor, deputy editor, designer and editor on a huge range of consumer magazines and websites.
Since 1996 David has been a freelance writer, contributing features to magazines including FHM, T3 and New Woman. He has interviewed England rugby players for the Sky Customer magazine, reviewed the latest home entertainment gadgets for FHM and T3 and reviewed restaurants in Santa Monica for Moving Pictures Magazine (a particularly tricky assignment that involved repeated visits to several establishments).
In February 2007 David’s first book was published, Sherman’s March to the Sea 1864, and his second book for Osprey Publishing, New York 1776, was published in 2008. Last year he wrote 100 Classic Toys for Vivays Piblishing.
David set up ToyTalk in January 2006, having rediscovered his love of toys following the arrival on the scene of his two boys. ToyTalk allows him to combine his two passions in life – his family and writing.
You can contact David at david.smith [at] ToyTalk.co.uk.
Eleanor de Bruin, writer
Born in Scotland, Eleanor de Bruin developed a passion for writing from an early age and had her first poem published at the age of 13 – a feat which is less impressive than the fact that the subject of the poem was an obscure Welsh architect (and you try finding a rhyme for ‘Clough Williams-Ellis’).
Eleanor spent four years in Brighton, studying English and Media. Whilst in Brighton she worked at Juice Radio and also filmed and edited the yearly ‘Streets of Brighton’ crazy street-performance festival for Zap Art. Somehow she also found time to spend many lazy hours on the beach.
Upon graduating with a 2:1 and a tan, Eleanor moved to the Midlands where she became a publishing assistant for Scholastic Ltd. After four months, Eleanor was promoted and spent three happy years as Assistant Editor of Nursery Education PLUS – a magazine and website for pre-school education professionals.
In addition to her editorial role she wrote articles, rhymes and quizzes for the magazine and website, developed a popular online events calendar, and recorded the voice of a singing pirate and a musical keyboard for the animated games section of the website. During this time she also had a piece about her little Scottish hometown published in a collection of short stories.
Eleanor now works from home as a freelance writer and editor, in order to combine her passion for her career with spending time with her little son and daughter.
As well as writing and reading, Eleanor (named after Eleanor of Aquitaine) enjoys relaxing with family and friends, horse-riding, watching rugby, singing and song-writing, all types of music, silly puns, Thai food, film-editing, piña coladas and getting caught in the rain.
You can contact Eleanor at eleanor.debruin [at] ToyTalk.co.uk.
You can also read Eleanor’s personal blog at www.mum-me.co.uk.
