I’m back with another Wednesday series of interviews with published and unpublished illustrators whose work I admire. So prepare to be wowed by the skill and fascinated by their process and passions as we get a glimpse into their lives … Continue reading
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Blog: Miss Marple's Musings (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Patti Ann Harris. Kathryn Ault Noble, Paul O'Zelinsky, Susan Trimpe, Interview, children's books, illustration, children's literature, Illustrators, critiques, Judy Schachner, Cecilia Yung, Art Institute of Seattle, conférences, David Diaz., SCBWI, portfolio, Nina Laden, Laurent Linn, mentorship, LA SCBWI conference, Add a tag
Blog: Writing and Illustrating (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: News, Interview, picture books, authors and illustrators, Putnam, Illustrator Saturday, Illustrator's Saturday, Cecilia Yung, Dog Gone, Leeza Hernandeez, Add a tag
Leeza Hernandez’ debut book hit the bookstores the week of June 10th. That Friday night we celebrated in NYC with Leeza at her book party. It was so much fun getting to see Leeza shine. The picture on the left is Leeza and Connie Colon. Notice the necklace that Leeza is wearing? The ornanment on the chain is a dog bone – so cute! She even had rice crispy treats made up in the shape of dog bones. And the dress she wore was a knock out. The whole thing should have made the society page or the book section of the New York Times. Anyway, I thought I would show off Leeza a little on Illustrator Saturday to help you get to know the next New Jersey SCBWI Regional Advisor a little better.
I asked Leeza to share the journey to getting Dog Gone Published. Here’s Leeza:
Dog Gone! has been in the making for almost three and half years, so it’s wonderful to see it out in the world now. Early in 2009, I was invited to the Putnam office at Penguin to meet with art director Cecilia Yung, publisher Nancy Paulsen and editor Nicole Kasprzak. The meeting was a result of winning the Tomie de Paola portfolio award at the New York SCWI winter Conference that same year. I remember being so excited but crazy nervous, too!
I shared my portfolio and we talked about ideas that I had for picture books. Cecilia pointed out a dog sample in the portfolio and asked if there was a story to go with it.
It just so happened I had with me what I call an ‘ideas’ book. It’s like a small portfolio but filled with loose sketches, notes and random papers. Luckily, there was a copy of the story tucked in the back. Nancy, Cecilia and Nicole read it. I sat quietly for what felt like hours and then Nancy said “Let’s take it.” It was that pinch-me moment when a good poker face can come in really handy. I gave a silly, goofy grin and managed to suppress the girlie squeals, but inside I was running round the office as if I just scored a hat trick at the World Cup!
Writing a story wasn’t the plan, but thanks to an art director who requested a dog sample from me a year prior (there were only cats in my portfolio at the time), an idea germinated from simple word play on dog terms—“Hot Dog” became “Top Dog” which led to “Doggone it” then a-ha,“Dog Gone!” a story idea appeared about a puppy who runs away.
While working on the book, I have made a number of revisions, mostly to the illustrations; had the book release pushed back twice; saw a change in publisher and switched to a new editor. All par for the course apparently, although at the time I had no idea what to expect throughout the process, especially when a publication date gets changed. That’s hard to take when you are so excited and have to wait another six months or maybe a year before you get to see the book in hand.
Working with Susan and Cecilia has been great. Marikka Tamura was the designer on the book and nailed the type design to suit the illustrations perfectly. Everyone helped shape the book into what it is now and I could not have done it without them, for sure. You learn to appreciate very quickly that making children’s books is a collaborative team effort.
Some other things I learned during the creation of this book:
Communication is key. Anything and everything is as simple as a conversation, so don’t be afraid
Blog: The Official SCBWI 10th Annual New York Conference Blog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: illustrators intensive, NY11, Cecilia Yung, Add a tag
Our morning started off with a welcome from Cecilia Yung, SCBWI Board Member and AD and VP at Penguin. This year's intensive is a different format and focus from previous years. BEYOND BOOKS: Picture Books and the New Media. There are no hands-on art workshops or art director round tables today, but lots of exciting discussions concerning art licensing and apps with plenty of time for questions from the audience.
One of Cecilia's books for Putnam, written and illustrated by SCBWI member Jesse Joshua Watson |
Cecilia prepped us for the tone of the day:
Viable ideas with always thrive, survive and multiply in different forms and formats. We are not here to argue digital vs. print, we are here to talk about picture books and the visual opportunities presented by all these forms.
She urged us to imagine completely new concepts, completely new artwork that will take advantage of all the new formats available today.
Congratulations Leeza on your book and new position at NJ SCBWI! At the conference I looked through a lot of books and bought Bored Bella because the art looked so unique and interesting. I (honestly!) didn’t notice you were the illustrator until we were in the truck to leave – and I thought, of course, that girl’s art will always draw attention because it’s unique, animated, a special circle of colors, and beautiful! Can you tell I’m one of your biggest fans?!
Great post! Congrats Leeza! Thank you Kathy!
This was a lot of fun to read and look at! Leeza, I’ve always said you have an unbelievably distinct style and the emotion (usually humorous) comes through on every page. It’s great stuff!
I heard the party was quite an event itself! Congrats on all of it!
Kathy, what a wonderful interview!
Leeza, thank you for sharing the process for your lovely book Dog Gone. Your work is so expresive! Thank you for sharing your road to becoming a published author-illustrator. I wish you much success and happiness!
Another wonderful interview! “Dog Gone” looks like a really fun book. Great style, great work!
Thanks everyone for such kind kind words – you are all too awesome. Thanks, too, to Kathy for your wondrous friendship and guidance. You rock! Enjoy your weekend all.
Hooray for Leeza! She is one hard-working, talented chick that I’m *doggone* glad to know! She has put so much back into the NJ-SCBWI chapter and we’re very thankful to have her!
Ah, I meant to also comment on her great advice–working beyond your comfort zone. Picture books are my comfort zone and my poor MG novel has sat for so long, untouched, out of fear. Time to EMBRACE THE FEAR!
Love you, Leeza — and love Dog Gone — and loved the party — and loved this post, Kathy — and love you, too, Kathy!!! Gush, gush, gush — I just love NJSCBWI and all my lovable creative friends!