Hollins U - Pot Luck
We had one last pot-luck party on Friday night for those who hadn't left our Hollins bubble yet. It's a chance to clean out our refrigerators (there are always lots of pickles at this party), and to have one last hoorah.
Kristen Nobles at Hollins U
We're not done yet! At the very end of the semester, when everyone's portfolios are ready, we invite a big name Art Director or Publisher to come in, give a talk, and do portfolio reviews. This year I was thrilled to have Kristen Nobles of Page Street Kids (Publishing), who I'd had speak at an SCBWI Illustrators' Day in Atlanta almost a decade before. Kristen was formerly an Art Director at Chronicle and then at Candlewick (for 16 years) before becoming Publisher of the children's imprint at Page Street.
Kristen gave the perfect talk on illustrators becoming writers - something our students really needed to hear. There's a trend right now for publishers and agents to prefer author/illustrators over one or the other, mostly because it's easier to work with just one person, partly because agents don't have to split the royalties (which are already low), and partly because editors can help get a text into good shape. Good to know!
Kristen also talked about what they're doing at Page Street Kids. With her background, they're already creating some very impressive titles.
The next day while everyone was packing up, Kristen gave very thorough reviews to five of our students (graduating or recently graduated). I take notes during the reviews so that the students don't have to focus on anything other than listening, so I get to hear everything she said, and wow, did she give some good advice!
If you're looking for an Art Director/Publisher to come speak to your region, I highly recommend Kristen! Although, considering she was seven-months-pregnant, you may have to wait a bit for an opportunity!
Kristen gave the perfect talk on illustrators becoming writers - something our students really needed to hear. There's a trend right now for publishers and agents to prefer author/illustrators over one or the other, mostly because it's easier to work with just one person, partly because agents don't have to split the royalties (which are already low), and partly because editors can help get a text into good shape. Good to know!
Kristen also talked about what they're doing at Page Street Kids. With her background, they're already creating some very impressive titles.
The next day while everyone was packing up, Kristen gave very thorough reviews to five of our students (graduating or recently graduated). I take notes during the reviews so that the students don't have to focus on anything other than listening, so I get to hear everything she said, and wow, did she give some good advice!
If you're looking for an Art Director/Publisher to come speak to your region, I highly recommend Kristen! Although, considering she was seven-months-pregnant, you may have to wait a bit for an opportunity!
Coloring Page Tuesday - Peace and Love
If you use my coloring pages often, please...
Just love this one image? Consider a one-time donation...
CLICK HERE to sign up to receive alerts when a new coloring page is posted each week.
I create my coloring pages to draw your attention to my books! For instance...
my latest picture book, Crow Not Crow - written by New York Times Best-selling author Jane Yolen and Adam Stemple.
Kirkus calls it "a solid choice for introducing the hobby [birdwatching] to younger readers."
Also, A Bird on Water Street is now available in Chinese!
Hollins U - Graduation PAR-TAY!
After the graduation ceremony, we all gather to enjoy the gallery show displaying the graduates' works, but also work from students still going through the program. Such as work from Ashley Wolff's Drawing class (charcoals, mechanical animals, and landscapes): 
All of the students show up to celebrate the graduates, knowing they will be in their shoes in a short time. It's also a wonderful time for me to get to know them, rather than waiting until they're in my class!
All of the students show up to celebrate the graduates, knowing they will be in their shoes in a short time. It's also a wonderful time for me to get to know them, rather than waiting until they're in my class!
Hollins U - GRADUATION!!!
This year we had four graduates from the MFA in Children's Book Writing and Illustrating and Certificate in Children's Book Illustration programs: Akiko, Anna, Monica, and Andrea. Here are their shows, in order:
SCBWI-BI Longest Serving Members - ME!
Although I just moved back to the states, before I left Scotland, I wrote an excerpt for the SCBWI-British Isles chapter about being a long-time member of SCBWI, the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (since 2001). Well, even though I'm no longer in Scotland, the feature just went live. The experience I share in the feature, however, is universal and, I hope, will inspire readers no matter where they reside. Click the image below to go have a read.
Hollins U - reaching the end
You may have noticed that my blog posts are a bit out of order this week. The last week at Hollins is always complete chaos, and I have to admit, even I fall behind in the thick of it all! Be assured it's for a good reason, as some of the most magical moments happen at the very end of our intense six-week program...
For instance, my students presented their completed book dummies on the last day of class - always a treat. And they did such a good job on their dummies, I was so proud of them! Akiko did a retelling of The Country Mouse and the City Mouse. Anna did an adaptation of an unpublished manuscript Jane Yolen kindly let's us use called Tea With an Old Giant. And Monica did an adaptation of The Owl and the Pussycat.
For instance, my students presented their completed book dummies on the last day of class - always a treat. And they did such a good job on their dummies, I was so proud of them! Akiko did a retelling of The Country Mouse and the City Mouse. Anna did an adaptation of an unpublished manuscript Jane Yolen kindly let's us use called Tea With an Old Giant. And Monica did an adaptation of The Owl and the Pussycat.
Hollins U Faculty Reading
Each year we have a faculty reading, at which each of us shares a recent or old project - picture book texts, dummies, novel snippets, academic outtakes, plays, you name it. Here's Ashley sharing a draft picture book about a wildfire - not only is it stunning, the world badly needs this book!
I really need to stop sitting near the front at these things, as you can't get a grasp of the crowd - the hall was full - so nice! And at the end, we faculty sang "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" for the students. Surely, somebody got a photo of that? Please share!
I really need to stop sitting near the front at these things, as you can't get a grasp of the crowd - the hall was full - so nice! And at the end, we faculty sang "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" for the students. Surely, somebody got a photo of that? Please share!
Friday Links List - 26 July 2019
From SCBWI-British Isles: ME! SCBWI-BI LONGEST SERVING MEMBERS Elizabeth Dulemba
From Perry Nodelman: "After years of procrastination, I’ve finally managed to put together a web page for myself. I’ve included a long list of links to downloadable PDF versions of many of my publications about various aspects of children's literature, including essays and other pieces that first appeared as long ago as the 1970s and as recently as last year. The website is here: perrynodelman.com And the list of available PDFs is on the page called “Essays about Children’s Literature”"
From Architectural Digest: This Tiny Traveling Bookstore Wanders the French Countryside
From PBS American Masters: Ursula K. Le Guin
From Prepare to be a Pioneer: Diverse Faculty Retention Tips
From The New Yorker: Why J.M. Barrie Created Peter Pan
From SLJ's 100 Scope Notes: Gallery: The Art of the Picture Book Barcode 2019
Interesting new blog! Design of the Picture Book
And from The Paris Review: Sorry, Peter Pan, We're Over You (Considering I spent most of this summer singing the Broadway version of Peter Pan with my fellow faculty, I don't agree!)
From Chronicle Vitae: How to Start Off Right in Your New Job Relevant to me right now!
From Muddy Colors: Hands and Feet
From The British Fantasy Society: British Fantasy Awards 2019
From Forbes: The Best Fantasy Novels Of All Time
Brightly is giving away 30 Children's Books!
Also from Brightly: 10 Binge-Worthy Middle Grade Series
From PW: Refugee Novel Arrives on U.S. Shelves After U.K. Success This novel was all the talk when I was in the UK!
From The Guardian: Story time: the five children’s books every adult should read
From The Bookseller: Call for community libraries to be included in PLR payments Would be good to have this in the USA too!!! (Basically, authors would get a royalty every time their books are checked out - just like musicians get royalties when their music is played.)
From Science: Most Wikipedia Profiles Are of Men. This Scientist Is Changing That. THIS is why I volunteer for the Women in Red project!
From The Good News Network: Tom Hanks Becomes Mr. Rogers in Newly Released Trailer for ‘A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood’ Click to watch the trailer!
Cards 2019
It's the very end of the summer semester here at Hollins University and I have completely lost track of what day/time it is. It's always absolute chaos at the finish line! But! I did manage to get my cards done. I always make a batch of hand-made cards for my students and fellow colleagues. I missed getting photos of a few of them, but here is the bulk. They're all personalized to the person they're for. If you know them, I wonder if you can guess which card goes with who? (Click the image to view larger.)