SOMETHING SPECIAL by Terri Cohlene illustrated by Doug Keith Benjamin Franklin Award – “Best Design” USA Book News – “Best Children’s Picture Book – Finalist” Terri Cohlene’s imaginative picture book will bring a smile to your face and a furrow to your brow as you challenge your mind with this playful puzzle. Whimsically illustrated by […]
ROSS COWMAN
How to endear yourself to an art director – pt. 3
III. EXECUTING THE ASSIGNMENT (not the art director): DO commit to attitude of reliability and cooperation. DO return phone calls promptly. DO suggest calling back if you feel too emotional to be cordial. DO confirm phone conversations with e-mail memo. DO adhere to a WRITTEN schedule with frequent “check-in†dates. DO agree how final art […]
How to endear your self to an art director – pt. 2
II. GETTING THE ASSIGNMENT, once contacted: DO try to meet (at least by phone) the art director you would actually be working with. DO listen carefully (take notes) to the entire scope of the project. DO ask questions if you have any. (Call back with a list if you need to.) DO read entire (final, […]
Formatting for Submission
Humpty Dumpty                                                                                        #words 12345 Wall St. Mother Goosetown, WA (360)123-4567 e-mail@thereyouhaveit.com www.webpresence.com BREAKING UP IS OVER-EASY by G. Yolk This is an example of a proper format for submitting a manuscript to a publisher. Start approximately half-way down the page. Single-space the heading, double-space the body of the text. Keep these approximate margins and DO […]
Collaboration Made Easy (well, easier!)
in ten, not-so-easy steps (plus three) 1. Impress your editor with your professionalism. Imbue yourself with openness and willingness to cooperate. 2. NEVER directly communicate with the illustrator without your editor’s blessing. 3. Give up the idea you will have total control of your project. The book is not going to look exactly like you […]
Critique Groups – pt. 2
TIPS FOR THE CRITIQUER DO offer positive as well as constructive comments. What is/is not working for you? DON’T EVER criticize the author’s idea. The critiquer’s roll is to comment on the writing. DON’T nit-pick every single detail unless requested by the author. There’s no need to reiterate what others in the group have said […]
Do’s and Dont’s for Critique Groups – pt 1
TIPS FOR THE CRITIQUEE DO let the group know the level of critiquing you want. Is this a first draft and you just want to know if the idea is working? Have you been working on the manuscript for three years and you want all the warts cleaned up for submission? Is there a specific […]
Where I get my ideas
When people ask where I get my ideas, I say, ‘They come from my life.’ One day, while sending my second-grader off to school, I suddenly thought of how many ways we deliver a kiss. I put that together with my children’s love of riddles, and boom! Something Special was born. And as art director […]
How to endear yourself to an art director – pt. 1
I. BEFORE THE ASSIGNMENT: DO take a class, attend workshops or otherwise educate yourself on becoming a professional children’s book illustrator. (Know the difference between, an artist and illustrator.) DO create a portfolio indicating your range and interests. DO include in your portfolio a variety of: ages, expressions, ethnicities, activities, styles (realistic/fantasy, cartoon, human/animal etc.), […]
Clamshell Boy
Wicked Basket Woman is stealing children to eat. Can clever Clamshell Boy come up with a way to trick the witch?