Transcript: 11/18/10

[Programming note: there will be no #kidlitart chat next Thursday (11/25/10), due to the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday. #kidlitart will return on December 2.]

TOPIC: Illustrator only or author/illustrator--what's best for you?

This was a chat filled with quote-worthy wisdom from illustrators, writers and those in between. A brief sampling:

@kellylight: Shoot for the moon--if you miss . . . you get to illustrate the stars.

@JohansenNewman: Don't wait: write the stories for the things you want to illustrate.

@aliciapadron: I just want to say to all writers . . . you guys make it look easy and it's not.

@PattyJMurphy: Like illustrating, writing is a craft and an art form . . . both take time, talent, patience . . . and cupcakes.

Links:

Post at kidlit.com on possible advantages of aubthor/illustrator

Hulla-hooping supplies! (extremely relevant, believe it or not!)

Full transcript below--enjoy!

#kidlitart 11-18-10

Transcript: 11/11/10

TOPIC: What creative group challenges do you find fun/useful and why?

Challenges mentioned:

PiBoIdMo (Picture Book Idea Month)

NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month)

NaPiBoWriWee (National Picture Book Writing Week)

NaNoDrawMo (National "Novel" Drawing Month)

IllustrationFriday

The Sketchbook Project

They Draw And Cook

Watercolor Wednesdays

SCBWI's Tomie dePaola Award contest

Dueling Banjo Pigs

OutSmart 2010

Terrible Yellow Eyes (now closed)

Full transcript below:

#kidlitart 11-11-10

Transcript: 11/4/10

TOPIC: Beyond postcards: how are you expanding your promotion efforts?

First off, Tweet of the night honors go to:

@barrygott: You mean there's something beyond postcards? Weird.

and

@NVCrittenden: Singing telegrams????

SUGGESTIONS:

Showing portfolio face-to-face

Paid portfolio sites such as ChildrensIllustrators.com; picture-book.com; altpick

Free portfolio sites such as Illustration Mundo

SCBWI: conferences; paid portfolio reviews; submitting to Bulletin; Tomie dePaola Award

Sample packets (example: Meg Hunt's promo packet)

Portfolios on CD (controversy noted: ADs split on this)

E-portfolios

Online presence: website, blog, Twitter, Facebook

Website tips: "two-click" rule (should not take more than two clicks to reach portfolio images); have samples/thumbnails on landing page; track visits to site with free service such as StatCounter

Also mentioned:
Lynn Alpert (@RedStepchild)'s response to requests from self-publishers

Full transcript below:

#kidlitart 11-4-10