Journals64
Newest
Still popping in now and again
1 min read
It's been a long, long while since I last wrote. Those who are kind enough to follow my gallery have probably noticed that I am not posting or commenting very much. This past fall, I had my second baby, a little girl named Elyse, and so now our family has two beautiful little girls....who keep me on my toes! Between trying to keep up with freelance and keep up with my kids, and occasionally talk with my husband or sleep, I have had very little leisure time to be on DA or to make personal pieces. Whenever I have a few moments, I do read the DA comments, or post a new piece. I wanted to just write this quick note to give a group "Thank You" to all who have continued to visit my page and write kind words about my artwork. This "lull" in my online activity is just a season while my children are young, and I appreciate all of you who check in now and again here in my little corner of DA. Happy illustrating!
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Christmas ideas
3 min read
Hi DA friends! Well, it's been a super exciting year for freelance illustration. I've been booked solid with projects (sometimes juggling 2-4 books at a time) since August 2012, and am booked up through this coming February! While this has been great for my professional portfolio, I haven't had much time to devote to personal projects. Normally by August, I already have my Christmas card sketched out and ready to paint, so that I have time to print and distribute to my clients and family in time for the holidays. However, this year, I have a artist's block! I have no idea what to do for my card, so I need your help! Give me some ideas or themes for my holiday card this year! However, there are a few rules. I can't repeat themes (like "snowmen", "penguins", "cookies", etc) that I have done in the past. So, here are my past Christmas cards. Take a look, and let me know what exciting new holiday piece you would like to see this year. Thanks for your help!
2012:
2011:
2010:
2009:
2008:
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Time to Update the Journal
2 min read
Hi everyone,
It's been over a year since I have written, and just wanted to change the post. It's been another busy and exciting year. My daughter is now 2 years old, and she keeps me busy! I'm also pleased to be keeping busy with my freelance illustration projects. I haven't posted much on DA this year, since I cannot post my client-work here. So, while I am sorry not to have be able to post more personal art on this site over the past year, I am pleased that my freelance business is still going strong! I have been able to take my art to a new level this year, focusing on color, lighting, details and movement, all in hopes of being ablt to compete in the trade market. I am hoping that 2013 will be the year for me to branch out from educational and mass market, and be able to join the ranks of trade picturebook artists! I am very grateful for my agent, who has pushed me to grow in my artwork, my husband who has been so good about helping me balance work and parenting, and my daughter who has brought new inspiration to my life and my artwork, and who tests my creativity. Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all, and best wishes to everyone in the new year!
It's been over a year since I have written, and just wanted to change the post. It's been another busy and exciting year. My daughter is now 2 years old, and she keeps me busy! I'm also pleased to be keeping busy with my freelance illustration projects. I haven't posted much on DA this year, since I cannot post my client-work here. So, while I am sorry not to have be able to post more personal art on this site over the past year, I am pleased that my freelance business is still going strong! I have been able to take my art to a new level this year, focusing on color, lighting, details and movement, all in hopes of being ablt to compete in the trade market. I am hoping that 2013 will be the year for me to branch out from educational and mass market, and be able to join the ranks of trade picturebook artists! I am very grateful for my agent, who has pushed me to grow in my artwork, my husband who has been so good about helping me balance work and parenting, and my daughter who has brought new inspiration to my life and my artwork, and who tests my creativity. Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all, and best wishes to everyone in the new year!
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Thanks for the love!
1 min read
Hi Everyone! I can't believe that "Nightime Superhero" got a Daily Deviation! Thanks go out to wdwparksgal for featuring the piece and to Minato-Kushina for suggesting it! This piece took me a long time, and was my first official transition into digital art, so it has a special place in my heart. I am glad that it was good enough to get featured here on DA.
Thank you to everyone for the faves and comments! I will try to respond to all of your comments personally, but it may take me some time! So, I just want to thank you all for your kind words and appreciation of my art.
Thanks for the love, everyone!
Thank you to everyone for the faves and comments! I will try to respond to all of your comments personally, but it may take me some time! So, I just want to thank you all for your kind words and appreciation of my art.
Thanks for the love, everyone!
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So you've written a children's book...
6 min read
Now what? First-time writers often contact me after they have finished writing their children's book, mistakenly believing that getting the book illustrated is the next step in the publishing process, and are surprised to find out that there's more work to do before the book is ready to be handed off to an illustrator. First, you have to decide if you want to pursue traditional publishing or self publishing. So, for you new-authors out there, here is your mini-guide to the world of publishing...
Traditional Publishing
With traditional publishing, your manuscript is published by a publishing house, such as Randomhouse or Harpercollins. The publisher buys your manuscript (the money varies depending on the rights they buy). You do not hire an illustrator if you go this route. You simply submit your manuscript. The publisher takes care of finding/hiring an illustrator, graphic designer, marketing team, and takes care of getting the text copyrighted in your name.
The Pros: This does not cost you any money. In fact, you get paid for your manuscript.
The Cons: You will not have any say in who the illustrator is or how your manuscript is illustrated. Also, you will have to go through the work of submitting to publishing houses. Also, there is no guarantee that your manuscript will be selected for publishing.
How to do it:
The best way to start submitting your manuscript to traditional publishers is to buy a copy of the current Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Market book. This yearly publication contains the contact information for pretty much all of the publishers in the US, their submission guidelines, and information about what they publish. Some publishers are small and some are large, and by reading the information, you can get an idea as to which publishers might be a good fit for your book. Then, you mail off your manuscript according to the submission guidelines, and wait for a response.
Self Publishing
With self publishing, you basically assume all of the costs and responsibilities of a publisher. You pay to get your manuscript printed and put into book form.
The Pros: You retain complete control over your book. You get to decide who illustrates it and what the pictures look like. You have a hands-on experience through the publishing process.
The Cons: This can be expensive and time consuming, due to the amount of research and hiring involved. You must hire the services of an illustrator and a graphic designer, as well as a printing service. You would need to select a printing house and understand the print guidelines so that your illustrator and designer can work within those specifications.
How to do it:
NOTE: Before anything - RESEARCH YOUR COSTS and TIMELINES. Before you start making commitments to print houses and contacting illustrators and designers, find out how much it is going to cost to hire these people. Many first-time authors are dismayed to find out that it's going to cost more than $300 and longer than 30 days to turn your manuscript into a hardback picturebook.
Ok, moving on....
1) Decide on what your goals are for your book. Are you just wanting to print about 50 copies to give away as gifts to family for Christmas, or do you want to try and get your book into stores? My Dad wanted copies to give away to friends and family, so he decided to just get it printed at Pip Printing. This did not require him to have to get a copyright or anything official, but it was an inexpensive way to meet his goals for his book. If you are thinking about a wider or more official distribution, you will want to look at a self publishing house.
2) After you decide on a printer, you should find an illustrator and a graphic designer. There are lots of ways to find an illustrator. One of the easiest things to do is to browse the latest PictureBook annual. Download the recent PDF. Each page features a different illustrator (I'm in there as well!) If you see an illustrator that you like, you can contact them (their contact info is on the same page) for their availability and pricing). You can also contact an agency. You can pick out an illustrator that you like, and the agent connects you with them, and tells you the pricing, etc. Another source of talent is Children's Illustrators. You can browse the galleries, select an illustrator that you like, and contact them for pricing. After the illustrator finishes the art, the art will be provided to you, and you can give it to a graphic designer, who may be independent or affiliated with the print house you chose.
3) After the illustrator finishes his/her work, the graphic designer puts the book together into a format that the printer can use. This file is delivered to you.
4) You send the final book to the printer for print, if the designer was independent and not affiliated with the print house you chose.
Some self publishing houses help you with marketing. Others do not. With self publishing, you will want to talk to local stores, etc about taking on copies of your book to sell.
Whether you are publishing traditionally or going the self-publishing route, I highly recommend becoming a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Members have access to documents about publishing and lists of editors, agencies and other industry contacts. Member can also access the forums, where you will fins answers to questions you didn't even know to ask! You can post you manuscript for critiques before you submit it to a publisher, and also get tips on writing query letters. If you are new to publishing, this organization is a great place to get acquainted with and get perspective on the children's publishing industry before you start making commitments.
Good luck to all!
Traditional Publishing
With traditional publishing, your manuscript is published by a publishing house, such as Randomhouse or Harpercollins. The publisher buys your manuscript (the money varies depending on the rights they buy). You do not hire an illustrator if you go this route. You simply submit your manuscript. The publisher takes care of finding/hiring an illustrator, graphic designer, marketing team, and takes care of getting the text copyrighted in your name.
The Pros: This does not cost you any money. In fact, you get paid for your manuscript.
The Cons: You will not have any say in who the illustrator is or how your manuscript is illustrated. Also, you will have to go through the work of submitting to publishing houses. Also, there is no guarantee that your manuscript will be selected for publishing.
How to do it:
The best way to start submitting your manuscript to traditional publishers is to buy a copy of the current Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Market book. This yearly publication contains the contact information for pretty much all of the publishers in the US, their submission guidelines, and information about what they publish. Some publishers are small and some are large, and by reading the information, you can get an idea as to which publishers might be a good fit for your book. Then, you mail off your manuscript according to the submission guidelines, and wait for a response.
Self Publishing
With self publishing, you basically assume all of the costs and responsibilities of a publisher. You pay to get your manuscript printed and put into book form.
The Pros: You retain complete control over your book. You get to decide who illustrates it and what the pictures look like. You have a hands-on experience through the publishing process.
The Cons: This can be expensive and time consuming, due to the amount of research and hiring involved. You must hire the services of an illustrator and a graphic designer, as well as a printing service. You would need to select a printing house and understand the print guidelines so that your illustrator and designer can work within those specifications.
How to do it:
NOTE: Before anything - RESEARCH YOUR COSTS and TIMELINES. Before you start making commitments to print houses and contacting illustrators and designers, find out how much it is going to cost to hire these people. Many first-time authors are dismayed to find out that it's going to cost more than $300 and longer than 30 days to turn your manuscript into a hardback picturebook.
Ok, moving on....
1) Decide on what your goals are for your book. Are you just wanting to print about 50 copies to give away as gifts to family for Christmas, or do you want to try and get your book into stores? My Dad wanted copies to give away to friends and family, so he decided to just get it printed at Pip Printing. This did not require him to have to get a copyright or anything official, but it was an inexpensive way to meet his goals for his book. If you are thinking about a wider or more official distribution, you will want to look at a self publishing house.
2) After you decide on a printer, you should find an illustrator and a graphic designer. There are lots of ways to find an illustrator. One of the easiest things to do is to browse the latest PictureBook annual. Download the recent PDF. Each page features a different illustrator (I'm in there as well!) If you see an illustrator that you like, you can contact them (their contact info is on the same page) for their availability and pricing). You can also contact an agency. You can pick out an illustrator that you like, and the agent connects you with them, and tells you the pricing, etc. Another source of talent is Children's Illustrators. You can browse the galleries, select an illustrator that you like, and contact them for pricing. After the illustrator finishes the art, the art will be provided to you, and you can give it to a graphic designer, who may be independent or affiliated with the print house you chose.
3) After the illustrator finishes his/her work, the graphic designer puts the book together into a format that the printer can use. This file is delivered to you.
4) You send the final book to the printer for print, if the designer was independent and not affiliated with the print house you chose.
Some self publishing houses help you with marketing. Others do not. With self publishing, you will want to talk to local stores, etc about taking on copies of your book to sell.
Whether you are publishing traditionally or going the self-publishing route, I highly recommend becoming a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Members have access to documents about publishing and lists of editors, agencies and other industry contacts. Member can also access the forums, where you will fins answers to questions you didn't even know to ask! You can post you manuscript for critiques before you submit it to a publisher, and also get tips on writing query letters. If you are new to publishing, this organization is a great place to get acquainted with and get perspective on the children's publishing industry before you start making commitments.
Good luck to all!
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