Q&A with SCBWI Illustrators' Advisory Committee

 

In this session, the members of the SCBWI Advisory Council's Illustrator Committee answered questions from attendees. The Committee reminded everyone of all the opportunities for illustrators (and writer-illustrators) through the SCBWI, including: Regional events, regional webinars, illustrator galleries, Awards & Grants For Illustrators, and other challenges.

They expressed huge appreciation to SCBWI Illustrator Coordinators.

Just a few takeaways:

Cecilia Yung relies on websites rather than social media to find illustrators because she wants to see how illustrators curate their own work. She prefers embedded images rather than links ("links can come with their issues, as you all know"). Do your homework before submitting your art to an art director, don't waste their time. She is seeking art with a narrative, that tells a story. One-off images are not useful. Can you draw a character in perspective? Can you draw a full body rather than just a head? Convey setting, mood, emotions?

When Paul O. Zelinsky feels stuck, he says he makes his hand do something it doesn't do. Try copying something (not for work, but to get your creative juices flowing again). Priscilla Burris adds that it doesn't matter where you are in your career, we all get stuck sometimes. She finds putting on music helps her. She says do what you need to free yourself, take off the pressure. Take time to have fun and play. Dana Carey says when she feels stuck, she plays around with different types of media.

Physical health tips: Take frequent breaks (not just your body but also your eyes). Keep moving. Do stretches. Priscilla Burris says that even if you're under a tight deadline, sometimes taking a break away from your studio will help refresh you. Dana Carey says there are 5- and 10-min exercises on YouTube that can help.

Do you want to present yourself as being professional? Meet deadlines, says Priscilla. Cecilia says to keep in touch, keep your art director in the loop, don't ghost them. If you have a problem, let your art director know. She also points out that art directors and editors talk to each other. if you get a reputation of always being late, then that will have repercussions.

Always keep learning, Cecilia advises. Stay humble. Learn to LISTEN. Never assume you have all the answers or know everything. Cecilia says she still takes notes at conferences.

Lots more great info and advice shared in this session, not just from the panel but also in the (very) active text chat!

More about the panelists:

Priscilla Burris, Illustrator Programs Consultant. Website: PriscillaBurris.com.

Dana Carey, International Illustrator Coordinator. Website: DanaCareyArt.com.

Laurent Linn, Art Director at Simon & Schuster, Author/Illustrator. Website: LaurentLinn.com.

Cecilia Yung, Art Director at Penguin Random House. 

Paul O. Zelinsky, Illustrator and Author. Website: PaulOZelinsky.com.

---

If you want to view this session to hear the full content, along with the rest of the conference, register at https://www.scbwi.org/events/summer-conference-2023. Replays of the conferences will be available until September 10th, 2023.

Also be sure to check out the Faculty Conference Bookshop and the Portfolio Showcase!

Editor/Agent Panel: Alexandra Aceves (Holiday House), with moderator Laurent Linn

Topic: The Current State Of The Children's Publishing Industry

What an inspiring and informative Editor and Agent panel, moderated by Laurent Linn! This post focuses on Alexandra Aceves of Holiday House, but also check out Justin Campbell's post about Foyinsi Adegbonmire (Feiwel & Friends), Jaime Temairik's posts about Deeba Zargarpur (Simon & Schuster) and Elise Howard (DeFiore and Company Literary Management), and Jolie Stekly's post about Sara Sargent (Random House).

Alex Aceves primarily acquires YA and MG for the Holiday House front list but is also responsible for expanding the publisher's Spanish lists and looking through the backlist for potential translation. See Alexandra's full bio at the end of this post. 

Alex occasionally acquires a book from the slushpile (unagented), but warns creators that Holiday House get a high volume of submissions. Before submitting your mss, be sure to do your research first.

In answer to Laurent's question about banned books, Alex said that Holiday House just recently had an all-company meeting about the issue. She says that editorial is always going to focus on acquiring books that young people NEED, and does not take book banning into account when considering whether or not to acquire a book. 

Alex also addressed the misconception that when a book is banned, there's a sales bump. She says that while this does sometimes happen, it's not the norm. For every banned book that does benefit in sales, there are many more that take a hit as a result of being banned. Laurent agreed - his YA novel, Draw The Line, has been banned in his home state of Texas.

On myth-busting: Alex says that some people feel that third-person in YA is old-fashioned. Alex warns against catering to trends (current is first-person, present tense). If your mss is excellently written, Alex will want to acquire it, no matter what the tense. Above all else, says Alex, think about what the young person is going to want to read.

Laurent Linn added a final takeaway, from one of his early mentors: Don't worry about the journey - you're already there.

Alexandra Aceves (she/her) is a Latine writer and editor originally from Mexico City and currently based in Brooklyn. She works as an associate editor at Holiday House, where she oversees the expansion of the Holiday House Spanish language publishing program while also acquiring YA and MG fiction and graphic novels for Holiday House's English language list. Alex was the 2015 Honor winner of Lee & Low's New Visions Award for previously unpublished YA fiction writers whose work centers characters from marginalized communities; her debut novel is forthcoming from Lee & Low's Tu Books imprint.

------

If you want to view this session to hear the full content, along with the rest of the conference, register at https://www.scbwi.org/events/summer-conference-2023. Replays of the conferences will be available until September 10th, 2023. See the index to all 2023 SCBWI Summer Conference blog posts.

Also be sure to check out the Faculty Conference Bookshop and the Portfolio Showcase!

Q&A With SCBWI Illustrator Advisory Committee

Last event of today: Q&A with the SCBWI Illustrator Advisory Committee: Peter Brown, Priscilla Burris, Pat Cummings, Laurent Linn, Cecilia Yung and Paul O. Zelinsky. They also invited two Illustrator Coordinators to join in: Dana Carey (Global Illustrator Coordinator) and TeMika Grooms (U.S. Illustrator Coordinator).

One of the frequently asked questions was to how illustrators could submit their work to Laurent and Cecilia, and Laurent gave specifics during the session as well as posting info in the chat.

Some of the other topics discussed:

Topic: Is it ok to submit a picture book as an author-illustrator team rather than separately?

Cecilia said that while most art directors and editors prefer finding their own illustrators, she says it's fine to submit as a team. However, she points out that if they don't like either the art OR the writing, you're more likely to get a rejection. Also, be wary of coming across as too controlling, which may turn off potential publishers.

Topic: Is it ok if I post multiple art styles on my website?

Priscilla says it's ok to show multiple styles on your website as long as it's well organized.

Cecilia says she only wants to see things "that you're really really good at." Be honest with yourself about your strengths and weaknesses re: techniques and styles. She points out that if you're unable do this, then an art director may wonder if this would affect your work while illustrating a picture book.

Laurent advises illustrators against trying to emulate styles that you think others want to see. "You be you." Paul Zelinsky strongly agrees. He says that if you try to be like everyone else, you're less likely to be satisfied in your career down the road.

Topic: How do I find out which specific people at a publisher who might like my work?

Pat advises looking at current books that you LOVE, then you have a better chance of finding an editor and art director who might have the same tastes. Pat says  The Original Art catalog may help track down this info.

Topic: If a publisher is closed to unsolicited submissions, does that also apply to art?

Laurent says not necessarily. He points out that he welcomes postcard samples at any time, for example. 

Topic: Where can I find critique groups?

TeMika Grooms encourages illustrators to reach out to their regional groups and get involved with their local critique groups. She also says to check The Book (mentioned in next paragraph) for useful info as well.

Other takeaways:

Dana Carey strongly recommends illustrators check out The Book: The Essential Guide To Publisher For Children, available as a free PDF (for members) on the SCBWI website. The Book has a TON of essential info covered in the Q&A, critique groups, publishers, etc.

TeMika Grooms: Stay the course. Make sure you keep work on improving your craft. Remember self-care. Take breaks, but don't let the breaks go too long.

Paul Zelinsky: When you feel stopped or discouraged, try some new art material. Even if you're not planning to use it for your book illustration work, it can help jumpstart your creativity again.

Pat Cummings: Find your community. She also encourages illustrators to attend regional conferences, which could be a great way to meet people in the industry you want to work with. Do what you love, put it out there, and believe in yourself. 

Priscilla Burris: If you're blocked, try putting on some music you loved from your early teen years (or earlier!); sometimes this can help bring out a different part of you that you've forgotten. Don't be predictable. Be you. Let the characters speak to you as you sketch daily. Let them move you.

Peter Brown: Don't be too precious about your work. Remember that publishing is a business. Be able to take constructive criticism. Be an idea factory. It won't be as painful if you're rejected if you have lots of ideas.

Cecilia Yung: Remember that the eyes are the windows to your soul. Eyes, eyebrows, eyelids, directionality. Squeeze as much emotion as you can from the eyes. If you're having a challenge, then you should rethink how you draw eyes.

Laurent Linn: It all comes down to purpose. What do you have to say, and why do you want to say it? That is what is going to make your art stand out. 

And that's a wrap on today's programming!

#NY21SCBWI Conference Attendees! Join me and some special faculty guests at Tuesday Feb 16th's LGBTQ+ and Allies Social!

It's the first official conference event, and even though the SCBWI Winter Conference is an all-virtual event this 2021, there's still going to be an LGBTQ+ and Allies Social!

Are you writing, illustrating, or translating works for kids, tweens, or teens with LGBTQAI2+ characters or themes? Or are you thinking of doing so? Then this is the social for you!

I'm hosting, and you can join in. 

Day: Tuesday February 16, 2021

Time: 4pm Pacific - 5pm Pacific

We'll be gathering in a safe space zoom room, and our special faculty guests will include Jane Yolen (multi award-winning author of 386 books for kids and adults)

The "How Do Dinosaurs..." series may be better known, but this is the most recent of Jane's titles.

Heidi Stemple (author of, most recently, with Jane, I Am The Storm)

Laurent Linn (author/illustrator of the YA novel Draw the Line and art director at Simon & Schuster

along with SCBWI staff moderators April Powers, Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer at SCBWI

Julian Petri,

Executive Director Lin Oliver,

Associate Executive Director Sarah Baker,

Director of Special Projects Kim Turrisi,

As well as Claudia Pearson and Debra Schmidt.

 

Conference registrants will receive a PDF schedule with event links. On clicking to join, you'll have to register for this zoom social with your name and email, and then you'll be welcomed in.

We hope to see you there. Stay safe,
Lee

***UPDATE Feb 16, 2021 at 11:30am Pacific: If you're registered for the conference, look for a special email that should have been sent to you with this event link. Thanks!***

#SCBWIdigital workshop: Laurent Linn and Cecilia Yung present "Two Art Directors Talking: The Theater of Picture Books"

Today's full workshop title is "Two Art Directors Talking: The Theater of Picture Books - The Art of Bringing Visual Elements Together For Storytelling."

Our experts are Laurent Linn (Art Director, Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers)
and
Cecilia Yung (Art Director and Vice President, Penguin Books for Young Readers).

Both Laurent and Cecilia are also on the SCBWI Board - so giving back to this community (including the 1,200+ of us watching live) is something they do with heart and passion.

Lin introduces them, saying that they both create picture books that are "as much works of art as they are books."

Clockwise, from top left: Lin Oliver, Laurent Linn, and Cecilia Yung

Laurent opens by speaking of how it's not just one thing, "It's everything coming together to tell a good story."

In reference to our current global pandemic, he says,

"Stories and art have survived through every catastrophe of civilization... Now is the time, not just the world needs your stories, but we - I'm a writer and illustrator also - we need to tell our stories."

Cecilia begins by discussing the inner life of the character or story, which transforms how we the reader see ourselves, and/or the world.

She suggests questions we should ask ourselves:

The most important question is "why?"
Who is your reader?
What is the take-away?
What is your difference - that unique something that only YOU can do to distinguish this book from all the other picture books that have been published?

They dedicate today's workshop to Tomie de Paola - calling him a master who "used the book as a stage."

Read Lin Oliver's remembrance of Tomie dePaola here.

Walking us through visual examples from books they've art directed, they teach us different principles.

From Misty Copeland's nonfiction picture book "Bunheads," illustrated by Setor Fiadzigbey, Cecilia shows us the drama and theater of the illustrations.

Notice the top left page, where Misty is so dedicated she shows up early to practice but her friend is already there in the studio! Cecilia speaks more of how the illustrations in the book show that friendship, and the competition between them that drove each dancer to excel.

From the fiction picture book "Sulwe" by Lupita Nyong', illustrated by Vashti Harrison, Laurent points out how even the sky is a character:

"Nothing should be generic," He advises us, adding, “Often the more specific makes it universal.”

They speak and show examples from many more picture books, discussing character design, costume design, controlling the direction of a reader's eye, getting to the heart of the emotion, narrative, and so much more.

There's a Q&A that ranges from white space to compositional tools (line composition, color composition, and light/shadow), to the selection of an illustrator.

It's a master class in how two brilliant art directors look at and think about picture books and the illustration of picture books.

Thank you, Laurent and Cecilia!

Stay safe, all.
Lee

p.s. - Did you miss it? The video is available for 30 days to SCBWI members here.

The Social Media Mentorship Award for Illustrators!

Announced at the 2018 SCBWI Summer Conference by Laurent Linn and Debbie Ridpath Ohi, the new social media mentorship award for illustrators identifies emerging illustrators or author/illustrators with a debut book coming out in the next year and offers them guidance on social media and building their presence and brand. This year's two winners are...

Check out Rahele Jomepour Bell's website here.

and

Check out Taia Morley's website here

Congratulations to both!

The LGBTQ + Allies Social

An intimate circle, the group included conference faculty guests Laurent Linn, Emma Dryden, Ellen Hopkins, Jane Yolen, Heidi Stemple, Jeffrey West, Arthur Levine, and Erika Turner.

We went around the circle, everyone introducing themselves and sharing what they're working on that has LGBTQ characters and themes, sparking lots of discussion.

Standout moments:

Ellen Hopkins on why she includes LGBTQ characters in her novels: "I write the teen landscape." And how the current political and cultural climate makes it "more important than ever" that we're here talking about LGBTQ characters and themes in books for young people.

Emma Dryden on how agents are telling her that they're looking for manuscripts in which gay is incidental...

Which lead to a broad discussion on how we need all kinds of books on the LGBTQ experience, books that star the LGBTQ character and books where they're part of the ensemble, books where it's about the LGBTQ experience, and books where it's about something else entirely and the characters' identity is incidental.

Laurent Lin spoke about visiting schools via the Lambda Literary Foundations Authors in Schools program,

The conversation covered controversy and backlash, the responsibility we have to our readers, and so much more!

Jane Yolen speaking with attendee David Daniel after the circle opened to more informal discussion 

The LGBTQ + Allies Q&A Social

With an expanding circle as more and more people arrived, and with special guests that included Ellen Hopkins, Heidi Stemple, Laurent Linn, Ellen Wittlinger, Matthew Winner, and Arthur Levine, the social opened with a conversation about the responsibilities and challenges of speaking up about diversity, equality, human rights, and politics as people who create content for children.

Then each person around the circle introduced themselves, sharing what they're working on.

And then, for another hour +, people mingled and chatted and exchanged cards with their new tribe-within-a-tribe friends.

Two moments that are still resonating for me:

On an Ally author's reluctance to make a fantasy character queer:
"I want to give you permission that you know as much about a two-headed dragon as anyone." - Arthur A. Levine.

"Don't let anyone shut you up. You have a story to tell. Tell it. ...Somewhere along the way, children will hear it and they will be saved." - Jane Yolen

The evening was brave and beautiful.

The Picture Book Panel Begins!

Moderated by Laurent Linn (standing), the panelists, left to right, are: author/illustrator Jessixa Bagley, illustrator John Parra, editor Susan Rich, author/illustrator Barney Saltzberg, and author/illustrator Don Tate.

The LGBTQ Q&A

Joining me and legendary editor Emma Dryden, best-Selling author Ellen Hopkins, art director and debut YA author Laurent Linn, and agent Danielle Smith, about 30 writers and illustrators (including conference attendee and Sid Fleischman and Lambda Literary Award-winning author Bill Konigsberg!) gathered in a large circle to share our questions about and discuss our projects that include Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning characters and themes.

We started out in a circle

As always, it was a safe space with lots of shared encouragement and mutual support.

Some highlights:

"Write bravely because it's going to matter to somebody. ...We have kids who need these books. Still!"
- Ellen Hopkins

"There is a need and a want" for these books with LGBTQ characters and themes, in publishing houses, "and readers who need these books."
- Laurent Linn

"The biggest tool against generalization is characterization. ...We are all more than our gender identification... Gender is not enough. Sexuality is not enough. Go deeper..."
- Arthur A. Levine

on why Ellen's books are successful... "These books are dealing with how kids would really feel in these situations. But if it's not on the page, kids are going to think you're lying to them."

"The question is not what hasn't been done, but what haven't I done?"
- Bill Konigsberg

Both Arthur and Danielle spoke of how in today's publishing environment, having LGBTQ characters and themes are something they cite as a positive about a project, something that helps them in selling/publishing a project.

And spent time meeting and greeting each other

And we'll let Arthur have the final word for this post:

"There's never been a more receptive environment for publishing LGBTQ characters and issues."
- Arthur A. Levine

The LGBTQ Q&A

With conference faculty guest agent Tina Wexler, agent Jennifer Laughran, Art Director and Author Laurent Linn, Best-Selling and Award-Winning Author Jane Yolen, editor Emma Dryden and editor and publisher Arthur A. Levine, our group of more than forty attendees gathered to share and talk about  writing and illustrating LGBTQ characters and themes in works for children and teens.

In moments ranging from hilarious to somber,  topics covered included picture book art notes (dos and don'ts), gender non-conformity, gender challenges in the English language, and the urgent need for more books with LGBTQ diversity.

At one point, an ally voiced a concern about writing from a queer perspective, and the consensus was to not hold back about writing from other points of view (outside your own.) To do your homework, to run it by people who are members of that community...

Arthur: "I urge you to not be self-conscious"

Jane: "In terms of getting it right. In terms of getting the feelings right."

It was a great conversation and the room was filled with a sense of warmth and community. We sat in a circle, each person sharing their name and what they're working on, with our conference faculty (and myself) chiming in with thoughts, advice and insights.

Once the session ended, many participants stayed to exchange contact information and mingle. The pictures are from that part of the evening:

I was honored to host - my thanks and appreciation to the panel and all the attendees!

Lee

Art Director Laurent Linn - The Pre-#LA13SCBWI Conference Interview

Check out Team Blogger Jaime Temairik's wide-ranging (and awesome) interview with Simon & Schuster Art Director Laurent Linn!  They talk about what makes a Middle Grade/Young Adult cover work, Laurent's favorite Pantone color, and which Muppet temperaments most closely resemble Lin Oliver and Stephen Mooser (the answers will astonish you...)

To attend Laurent's Saturday afternoon workshop, "Rethinking the Rules of Being an Illustrator," and his Sunday morning workshop with Leeza Hernandez, "The Collaboration Between Art Director and Illustrator," you'll need to join us at the 2013 SCBWI Summer Conference.  There are still a few spaces left... Details and registration information are here.

Illustrate and Write On,
Lee

Laurent Linn: Judge This! Anatomy of Creating Book Cover Art

Laurent listening to the voices in his head. They are talking about monkeys. In fact, the voices ARE of monkey origin.

What Laurent looks like when the monkey voices tell him to do a cover titled in Comic Sans.

Lovely lovely Laurent Linn says the cover of your book can make or break it. And the important voices that decide what a final cover will look like are:

• The author
• The editor
• The sales and marketing team (they are your friends!)
• The publisher
• The art director, in this case, Laurent Linn
• The voices in Laurent's head

First cover evolution story: 

Lottie Paris Lives Here
by Angela Johnson, illustrated by Scott Fisher, publishing in a few months.

One of Scott's first cover sketches:

Not only is this cover for the first book, but for establishing what may potentially be the branding of an entire series. The character is important, but so is the setting and some of the props and the question was whether to have all of these non-main character elements on the front cover, or wrapping around from the spine onto the back, or anywhere near the cover. This sketch has elements of props and Lottie's house, and the VOICES decide it should just be Lottie interacting with the type. So Laurent asks Scott for something different.

One of Scott's character-focused cover sketches with type interaction:

Laurent likes this, but rather than explain the tweaks he wants, he can just mock something up in Photoshop and show Scott. Laurent asks Scott to do tons of posture and pose sketches of Lottie. Scott did! And the mock-up below is based on pose #18 from a group of 25 and Laurent's Photoshop mock-up:

Laurent says be prepared to go through all of these sorts of iterations to get to:

Second cover evolution story: 

GIANT STEPS 

by Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee, illustrated by the totally amazing Sean Qualls

Laurent likes to give the manuscript to the illustrator and ask "What's your idea for the cover?" before directing them on what Laurent (or his inner monkey voices) might have in mind. Here's a quickie version of the sketch-to-final with the captions as Laurent's (OR MAYBE IT WAS THE MONKEYS TALKING) take on what was or wasn't working for the cover sketch.

Lovely but Sad

Too sophisticated

Could be taken too literally, those are some big [damn] steps

Final painting, but not quite working, Laurent loves the lettering

Laurent plays with it in photoshop

Sean's final painting

Ooo, now we are seeing the evolution of THE DAGGER QUICK cover by Amy June Bates, which is a middle grade cover. IS IT A COINCIDENCE THAT THERE IS A MONKEY ON THE COVER?

Laurent and his monkey voices says illustrators should STRONGLY PONDER doing illustration work that would fit for middle grade books. Shove some black and white spots and a color cover in your portfolio, yo.

Spots of monkeys.

• Fun fact about Laurent: He doesn't play with cover type too much until the final art is in so he can be inspired by it.
• 
  
• 
  
• 
  
• Fun fact about Laurent's inner monkey voices: They can sing any Gilbert & Sullivan song in up to four-part harmony.

OH, my goodness. The art for Scott Gustafson's EDDIE is crazy amazeballs.

And then I started hearing monkey voices when I saw a sneak peek of the art for a teen retelling of PINOCCHIO. These photos do NOT do the three cover sketches justice.

Laurent wanted some of the above elements combined and then asked the illustrator to leave room for the title and this is the final.

CHECK OUT THOSE FRICKING WOLVES, man! So good. Who is this illustrator? My newly acquired inner monkey voices were shouting about bananas so I missed hearing the name.

Now it's getting juicy, Laurent is talking about making a cover for a book about undertakers and souls and watches (no monkeys.) Wish you were here to hear!