KidLit 101
For Illustrators Who Want to Know About Children’s Book Publishing
I get frequently asked for information on children’s book illustration and publishing, and unfortunately I’m unable to respond to each individually, so I’ve compiled all the beginning info that I have to share with folks here, for anyone who’s looking for it! This information is based on my personal experience and it’s important to say…
Read MorePicture Books Are Not Easy To Write
I recently attended a wonderful opening exhibit at the University of Minnesota’s Andersen Library, The ABC of It , which has hundreds of children’s book treasures—original artwork from Poky Little Puppy, Millions of Cats, Goodnight Moon, Maurice Sendak, Tomi dePaola, Beatrix Potter…oh, and an 18 foot replica of the Goodnight Moon bedroom (!)—on display. If you have…
Read MoreMy SCBWI LA National Conference Keynote
Last month I attended the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators summer conference in Los Angeles, and was invited there by Lin Oliver to give my first keynote speech for one of their national conferences. It was an incredible honor to be invited, and it marked a big milestone for me as an SCBWI…
Read MoreCut the Fluff in Your Portfolio!
For those illustrators making last-minute shifts to their portfolio for the SCBWI National Conference, I have 3 pieces of advice: I was recently asked to judge portfolio applications for a Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators award. It was an eye-opening experience being on the other side of the table, in the judge’s seat. Here’s what…
Read MoreResearch Travel Tips
Over on the Picture Book Builders blog, I shared some highlights about illustration research I did for three weeks in England in 2015 for the new picture book biography JOHN RONALD’S DRAGONS: STORY OF J.R.R. TOLKIEN, by Caroline McAlister. I had a great question come over Twitter recently about traveling for research, but couldn’t seem…
Read MoreInterview on InkyGirl
I have some amazing Kidlit artist friends, and at the top of that list sits Debbie Ohi. Debbie is an artist, writer, musician, gamer, and social media fiend. She generously shares great industry info with everyone around her. We have both been on similar career paths since we met in 2010 during the SCBWI summer…
Read MoreMiss Maple’s Seeds: F&G’s
The F&G’s for Miss Maple’s Seeds are in! This is exciting for two reasons: 1) I get to walk around saying “F&G!” and nobody can scold me. 2) I get to see a beautiful printed proof of my book, all laid out and paginated. As you’ve likely deduced by now, F&G is not a literary…
Read MorePublishing 101: Who’s Who
For illustrators new to publishing, I briefly cover the roles of editors, art directors, literary agents and art reps. See that post on my group blog; KidLitArtists http://kidlitartists.blogspot.com/2012/09/publishing-people-101-by-eliza-wheeler.html
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