William Marchant

Adult Swim, Before Cartoon Network!

This is one of those Golden Oldies that simply has to live on!

Why can't cartoons be like this nowadays...something the kids can REALLY benefit from!

 

The Art of Justin Bua - Video

VIMBY - Bua

Justin Bua's artwork continues to influence my own to this day.  Ever since I immitated his painting style back in 2003...I haven't been able to get enough of him. 

While I do not attempt to immitate his mastery of lighting--which is what truly makes him great--I try and keep some of his urban/graffiti-esque style present...even in my cartoonish stuff.

This video is great in showing his style and his influences...but if you are really interested, go check out his book The Beat of Urban Art: The Art of Justin Bua.  It REALLY shows what is BUA.

Maurice Sendak On What It Means To Be An Illustrator...

This is great...enough said by me...

The End of Publishing - The Future of Publishing

I found this video on Elizabeth Bluemle's PW Blog...very VERY cool...

What Goes Into Making a Book Cover

Although children's books are a bit different than novel covers, I still think this is pretty interesting...especially since I've worked through a similar process many many times in my design work...

"Forever Young" - A Bob Dylan Children's Book

I found this book yesterday called "Forever Young," written by Bob Dylan, illustrated by Paul Rogers.  Here is a promo-video for it:

 

Great Advice

Here is a video that helps a little bit with the "re-writing process" by Jon Bard from the Children's Book Insider:

How to Write a Picture Book That Shines

by cbijon

Creating a Dummy for a Children's Picture Book

Along my path to becoming published, I have learned a lot about children's book publishing...a lot more than I knew 3 months ago at least.  I've read books and checked out as many websites as possible among other things.  But I am still unclear on what a book dummy is supposed to look like phisically.  I know it is a mock-up of your book, but what is it phisically?  What size paper?  What kind of paper?  Color or black & white?  These are some of the main questions I have.  I have How to Write and Illustrate Children's Books and Get Them Published, which according to the 2010 Children's Writers and Illustrators Market , is supposed to be a great reference on how to go about creating a book dummy.  But, since that book was published in 1988, doesn't that make it a bit out-dated?

Also, since I am trying to not only get this book published, but also establish myself as an illustrator (sometimes author/illustrator)...I need to produce it in color and make it look eye catching and impressive...much like a portfolio.  But, what I have been doing is printing 8.5"x11" copies of each page on photo paper and putting them in a portfolio folder.  This is not only getting expensive each time I need to revise a page, but it is also getting heavy...literally heavy; as in it will cost a whole lot to send it out to 20 different publishers.  This portfolio folder is more for personal use and for showing family and friends.  I suppose I need to make a cheap, lightwieght dummy for publishers.  Or do I go all out for them?

Here are some resources that have helped to give answers to some of my questions:

1.  How to Write and Illustrate Children's Books and Get Them Published, edited by Treld Pelkey Bicknell and Felicity Trotman (North Light Books)...and NO, THIS IS NOT CONSIDERED "OUT DATED" from what I understand.

2.  Websites such as eHow.com which has a great article on creating a Book Dummy.  Click Here to go to That Article

3.  Many videos are available on sites such as YouTube...you just have to search for them the right way.  Here are a couple decent ones that I found:

    

I would greatly appreciate any additional resources that you might think are more useful than these.  I am always trying to gain more knowledge that will help me get published and keep getting published.  Just leave comments below or shoot me an email at 22@wmarchant.com.

Just One More Book Podcast

I found one of the most amazing websites yesterday called www.JustOneMoreBook.com.  It is a podcast where they just talk about their passion for children's books.  They bring in books to discuss and interview writers & illustrators.  They have a lot of "hidden gems" that they feature...books that aren't just on the main display at Borders or Barnes & Noble.  Also, they have a long list of great links to different blogs websites on the topic.

It seems like they are very well established because of the obvious connection they have with all the different authors and illustrators.  This is definiely a site that I am going to start checking daily.

Click Here for Just One More Book!!

Lane Smith Interview

In this interview Lane Smith, my illustration idol, discusses how he got started with Jon Scieszka's The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, as well as much more.  Although my start-up story is a lot different, I find it and everything else he says very pertinant and, of course, very inspirational.

Click Here for More About Lane Smith

Click Here for More About Jon Scieszka

Click Here for More Lane Smith Videos