Plan!

Tomorrow I'm going to be putting together a dummy book (hard copy) to send along to another dream agent that I've had in mind.  This particular agency does not accept email submission (argh) so I'll have to do it the old fashioned way.  One of my favorite illustrators out there is David Ezra Stein, and while perusing his site I can across a great step-by-step article on making a book by hand!  Huzzah!  The hard part will be setting up the pages on my printer so they align correctly in book form.....or maybe....I should just have a company bind it.  Um.  Hmmm....

I'm On A Mission

Dear Fox in Socks Readers,

I am on a mission!  My dream is find a literary agent that 'gets me'.  Someone I click with who shares my passion for picture book making.  I want to be more open about my journey on this blog.   Perhaps it will give other yet-to-be-discovered authors encouragement, that it is possible to finally get your work published and in the hands of someone who loves and understands it.  The only thing I will be leaving out of my posts and reports are agency names and of course, agent names--purely out of respect for them and the work they do. 

I have recently faced my first agent rejection over a book that my heart is set on.  She did like a lot of things about it, but her reason for rejecting it was one I did not agree with.  I am always open to criticisms and I have changed quite a bit of dummy book texts following suggestions from people in the industry.  But this book....I know there is something special about it and I aim to continue submitting it.

In my search for an agent, I do a LOT of research.  For right now I'm sending out one submission at a time--this may change, but I don't just want to get my book published.  I want to find an agent who will be a partner for years to come. 

I'll keep posting my ups and downs here.  It's been a tough day because I thought for sure this agent would like the book I submitted.  I'll sign off with a favorite quote:

“Every no gets you closer to yes.” ~ best selling author, Joe Girard

I'd like to add, rejection will always be part of the game.  No matter who you are, and how many published books down the line.  Hopefully I'll start building a tougher skin and not be hit so hard when they do arrive.  For right now it kind of stinks. :0)

Handmade Dummy Book

Giving this to my niece, Emma for her Birthday :)

Spring Rabbits

Spring is coming soon!  Spring Rabbits for everyone!

One Drop For Me

On The Prowl

Kitty Sketch

Bats

Unruly Neighbors

Unpacking

Thank You!

Thank you to everyone who stops by to read my blog!  <3

Skater Rabbit

Illustration Friday: Fluid

Dummy Book Spread

Sketch For Illustration Friday

Thumbnail Sketches Template

Hi everyone, here is a template I made if anyone wants to use it--they're basic page layouts.   Just save it to your computer and print! **Make sure you choose 'fit to page' or the option that shrinks it to fit the page in your printing options**

Red Bicycle Color

Trying out a watercolor style for this story. 

A New Project

With "A Dragon's Tail" complete and submitted, I'm now on to my new story entitled, "The Red Bicycle".  Here are some of the beginning sketches...and yes I LOVE bears :0)

The Owl and the Pussy Cat

The Owl and the Pussy-Cat went to sea
In a beautiful pea-green boat:
They took some honey,
and plenty of money
Wrapped up in a five-pound note - 1871 Edward Lear

Shiny Red Bicycle

Welp, I'm still waiting on a response from my secret submission to secret person, and while I'm waiting....I'm working on new ideas and working on improving my art and writing.  I updated my website and design/images, updated my images on the childrensillustrators.com site.  I'm trying hard as heck not be incredibly impatient and watch my e-mail while clicking 'refresh' over and over and over again.  I just want something good to happen from all of this.

Sometimes I do wish I had fallen madly in love with something more lucrative and more dependable, but this is it for me, in good times and bad.   I'm just not happy doing anything else.

For My Niece

Also, check out the front of my main webpage to see it animated!

A Storm Brewing

Starring: Mr. Toad of Wind in the Willows

Snow II

Snow

Night Reading

Illustration Friday: Suspense

This was an easy one for me idea-wise.  It's always around February I start waiting with suspense for spring time to arrive.  Even the smallest signs are a delight to me.