Thursday, May 29, 2008

Book Contracts :-)

I thought I'd finally share some of the details of my recent contracts. I started Fox in Socks on Typepad back in 2004 and wrote pretty regularly about how I dreamed of illustrating trade books. I practiced and tried my best to improve as an artist year after year, and some years I hardly got any work at all. My point here is, if I can do it anyone can. I put everything I had into this goal for a long time, and yes it's hard to keep the momentum going without seeing results for that long. I guess it helps that even if I was never paid to do this, I'd still illustrate and write because I love it so much and because it's what I'm driven to do. It's what keeps me up late at night, and makes me feel excited in the morning when a wake up. I can't imagine life without children's books and the amazing world found within them.

My very first trade book assignment came in a couple months ago from Sleeping Bear Press. The story: "The Little Green Pea". I'm pretty sure I can't share any story line details yet--just don't want to take a chance on that. Anyways, this in and of itself was enough to keep me excited for the next year - I was walking on clouds.

A month later, another book assignment comes in from Charlesbridge called Raj. Wow! I couldn't believe this - two books hooray! I was over the moon!

A week later, I get a trade book offer from Dutton to illustrate "Baby Moose Visits". By this time I was feeling slightly faint! What was going on? All this work in a matter of two months?

Three fantastic stories to illustrate, what more could an illustrator possibly ask for? My biggest dream is not only realized, but bypassed.

To add to this amazing year, a fourth possible contract is being discussed with a UK publishing company who's books I absolutely love.

Let's just say I haven't been sleeping well recently - but it's the kind of insomnia you really don't mind. I can't begin to express how appreciative I am of the generosity other artists and fans of children's literature have shown me. Thank you for all the kind comments over the years.

31 comments:

Heather said...

Congratulations! I know what you mean, it is so exciting when people are actually interested in using your work. :)

Anonymous said...

Don't sell yourself short - not just anyone can do what you've done! To persist in reaching your dreams on all those quiet days takes a strong person. Your blog is one of the first children's illustration blogs I started reading a few years back. I can think of few other artists that seem as hard-working, based on your stream of lovely sketches and paintings. I'm so happy for you and this excellent windfall of trade books - good things do come in threes!

Alicia PadrĂ³n said...

Well, what can I say Paige.... I know..

You deserve this, you deserve this, you deserve this and a possible fourth time.. you deserve this! :o)

You are not only talented but hard worker and patient. And you know what? It just paid off.

I'm so happy for you my friend!!

roz said...

I'm so very happy for you and it's amazing to me how they have come all at once, reletively speaking.

We've been friends for years and you have ALWAYS been very talented so kudos to you for it finally "clicking". I knew it was only a matter of time.

The stories sound so cute.

HUGS!
Roz

Laura Zarrin said...

Your work is so lovely and you are so prolific that I can't see why you wouldn't get all those contracts. I'm so happy for you! You are an inspiration!

angelic pursuits said...

You give me hope! Thanks for your encouragement now and in the past, and I have to say that your blog is my favorite to visit. Your illustrations are perfect for kids. I feel like a lot of stuff being published isn't really what kids are drawn to, but you've got characters looking at the world the way that a kid (usually) sees things. Your illo's are full of life and color, not so realistic that the life is gone but realistic enough to keep it interesting. I will definitely point out your awesome books to my friends and family!

Tom Barrett said...

Congrats! Look forward to any updates you are allowed to post!

Ginger*:) said...

Super Congratulations. Can I touch you? Maybe this will rub off.

These publishers couldn't have chosen a more delightful artist to create new wonders for children!

Jennifer Thermes said...

Congratulations and good for you, Paige! Perseverance works! :-)

Phyllis Harris said...

Thanks so much for sharing the details, Paige. I've been dying to know!

I wish you the absolute best and I'm so very happy that all of your hard work is paying off!

You are such an inspiration to us all!!

Mary Beth said...

Congratulations! I love your illustrations - this is obviously the beginning of great things:)

Kathleen Rietz said...

Congrats Paige. You deserve all of the accolades for all of your hard work and talent. Your illustrations are beautiful.

Anette Heiberg said...

Congratulations Paige! This is great news, and you deserve it! I'm looking forward to see the results.

ChatRabbit said...

Wow- congratulations on all the amazing new projects!! I'll look forward to all seeing how they all unfold, and I am sure we will be hearing about more, too- because you're an excellent artist!

Anonymous said...

I cannot tell you how inspiring your story is! Just the push I needed to keep on keeping on with my personal work!

Like I've said many times before, your work is so friendly and full of life. It was only a matter of time before the powers that be recognized this.

God bless you with continued success Paige!

Michelle Henninger said...

Paige, congratulations!! You so deserve it! Your artwork is wonderful, and it's about time children will get to enjoy it.... I always do!

Anonymous said...

Oh, Paige, congatulations, many many congratulations! You certanily deserve it, and I can't wait to see your work published. You are so, so very talented, your illustrations are so full of light and color, charm and character, humor and tenderness. And you're also a fantastic watercolorist!
I'm certain more and more contracts will keep coming your way!

lil kim said...

congratulations three (possibly four) times over Paige! I think yours was one of the first blogs I discovered when I started getting into blogging a few years ago and I still find your work so inspiring. It was only a matter of time before you were 'discovered' - and I'm sure this is just the beginning! Enjoy the ride!

Jannie aka Chickengirl said...

woohoo, paige, big congrats again. I think you've worked very hard over the years and you deserve all these book contracts! Here's to many more to come!

Tricia Robertson said...

Wow! I love reading your blogs. You are full of so much information! My son and I adore all of your illustrations. Please keep up the fun illustrations and videos! I love the songs that you put in for the background music, too. :)

Anonymous said...

Oh Paige I'm so happy for you! You're so inspiring on your web-site and your blog and it's a joy to share in your good news!

Paola De Gaudio said...

I'm arriving here from monica's blog and enjoying your blogs and good news!
Congrats then! this brief story is so encouraging and inspiring, like a good book with a happy ending :)

Anonymous said...

you're the champ PK!!! I am not at all surprised,but I am delighted to see you finally get to bask in the harvest of your diligently sown seed! -cliff

ellencrimitrent said...

wow good for you!! I myself am trying to venture into books but find the time to do so hard with the other
licensed art I do. I am glad you stuck with it, and now see its all come true the way you planned!!

Fantastic!! Go get them!

c.g.young said...

Hooray!!! that's fantasmo news!
Breath in all that success, Paige.

-c.g.youg

Unknown said...

You deserve it all! I'm a big, big fan of your art. It's so full of charm and life. You rock...Sleeping Bear is a great publisher, my friend Susan Tooke here in town has done a number of books with them.

Donna Farrell said...

congratulations paige!

Edde Wagner said...

You deserve this,Paige!
You are talented a lot!
Congratulations.
I'll buy all of them!

Stephanie Roth Sisson said...

That's great new Paige! You worked hard for that- you deserve it.

*big proud smile*

Ginger*:) said...

I will prove how much I like your work... I have given you an award. Just visit my blog to pick it up and pass it on if you wish. *:)

Liza Woodruff said...

Congratulations, Paige.
You really deserve this. Your work is fabulous!