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I haven't forgotten about you, little blog. I've just been knee-deep in revisions, and now final art (yay!) for Charles Around The World.

I'm posting a lot more frequently over on Instagram, if you'd like to follow along...

Sketches filling up the wall:

I'm having a hard time coming up with words lately, since my brain is in total-overdrive-drawing mode. Also, doing a lot of standing and sketching. It's much easier on the spine. I'm a complete Miss Cranky Pants if I sit and work all day. (Note to anyone starting out in this field: Don't skimp on good ergonomics!!)

I've decided to start cross-posting from the Blue Rose Girls blog again. Otherwise, this poor blog will remain neglected.

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I'm in the throes of editing hell...actually, I'll rephrase that--I'm in editing HEAVEN! Just a whole lot of it at once, is all. But the books are SO GOOD, and this is the meaty part of my job that I love the most. Speaking of, I've been meaning to update my "How I Edit" post from almost exactly five years ago, as technology has changed my process somewhat. Perhaps that will be for next week.

What I was working on this past weekend specifically was finishing up an editorial letter for the first book in Libba Bray's new four-book series, The Diviners. It's a YA historical paranormal with hints of horror (okay, more than just hints) set in New York City in the 1920s. Flappers, Ziegfeld's Follies, speakeasies, political protests, secret government experiments, cults, ghosts, supernatural powers, and oh yes, a serial killer. It's magnificent, and coming out next Fall.

This past weekend I've also been working on Chris Colfer's middle grade novel The Land of Stories, coming out next August. It's a fantastical adventure to a fairytale land, and it's a page-turner, with unexpected twists and turns, a lot of heart, and best of all it's funny. I was reading it on the subway and found myself chuckling out loud at the dialogue. I'm excited for the world to see that this kid can write as well as he can sing. And boy, do I love his voice (I can listen to his version of Blackbird all day).

So, while I keep editing, I wanted to share with you two trailers that were released recently. The first is for Peter Brown's hilarious new picture book You Will Be My Friend!, starring Lucille Beatrice Bear, who some of you might remember from his last book, Children Make Terrible Pets. You Will Be My Friend launched earlier this month, and on Saturday I attended his book launch party at Powerhouse Studio in DUMBO. And as Lucy would say, OH! MY! GOSH! This is the cutest trailer EVER!



This second trailer is for Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke and Bone which officially pubs tomorrow! Happy early book birthday! There's been an incredible amount of excitement and buzz for this book, and the love, especially from bloggers, has been tremendous (and well-deserved, although I may be biased...).



Isn't that cool?

Okay, back to work!

So, spring arrived this weekend and it snowed yesterday. Such is life in New England. At least spring snow is only pretend snow, right? This is a rough sketch for a portfolio sample– I'll post the final when it's done. Must keep creating!

It's been a busy month around here. I finished the Maggie and Oliver cover (book to be released in October!), sent out a postcard mailer, worked up a second color sample for a dummy, dipped back into a story that needed to simmer for a while, and completed a nifty magazine map assignment. And I even managed to plant a row of snap peas in the garden this weekend. (The day before it snowed, of course!) I like busy.

And...

...I've been getting ready for the Whispering Pines Writer's Retreat this coming weekend! (I feel like my puppy: So excited, so excited, so excited!)

I'll be speaking as the author/illustrator mentor. I'm so honored to have been invited, and must admit to being a bit nervous, but in a good way. (Hope you behave yourself, PowerPoint.)

I am really looking forward to meeting new friends and the other fantastic mentors. (Oh please, don't let me get tongue-tied...)

Must remember to take lots of pictures. In the meantime, Happy Spring, everyone!

Working on rough cover color ideas for this project.

(Notice, the cats have been displaced. For now.)

This week I'm working on endpaper illustrations and a few other bits and pieces for Maggie and Oliver, a middle-grade novel by author Valerie Hobbs.

There's always a stage in the process where I think the art looks like blech. Most times I can work through it. (Figured this out after years of self-torture.)

















Usually my desk looks something like below. My hairy little assistants are always ready to help. (Between nap breaks, that is.) Luckily I also have a standing desk. Keeps the ol' spine happy.






















Here's another piece from the book:

These are two little sketches for part of the Maggie and Oliver endpapers. The editor and designer liked the one on the left. (Me, I couldn't decide! I'm bad like that.)