Last week, the awesome picture-book-themed blog Picture Book Builders hosted me for their “Outside the Box” series. I talk about my children’s book editing and writing career so far, specifically all the different strands I twist into my freelance business: fiction picture book writing, nonfiction writing, children’s book editing, project managing, and more. See the post HERE and also check out the other kidlit posts on their site.
At the end of January I treated myself to Jess Keating’s Epic Creativity Masterclass. In this workshop, Jess discussed the monster that invades all our lives—Impostor Syndrome—and how to move past it to build the creative careers we want. While she was speaking to our small group, I realized that there are so many ways in which I hold back my creative self. I am not going to let this monster bully me any longer! Jess is planning future workshops on working and living creatively. If you want in (& I think you do!) click on over HERE.
During that Masterclass, I put my finger on an important thing: I realized I’ve been holding myself back from something that I really want. Whenever someone asks me what I do and I say I’m a children’s book editor and author, they always ask me if I illustrate books, too. My answer: “No, but I really wish I could.” Every. Single. Time. So, I’m going to make a very scary confession: I want to illustrate children’s books. EEK! There, I said it. Last month, I decided I’m going to do something about it. I’ve been sketching every day, hoping to build some illustration skills and muscle memory so that I can then develop a children’s book style. One thing that’s really helped move me in the right direction is the web site of children’s book illustrator Steph Fizer Coleman. She is an artist and a teacher of artists, and she’s got so many great (FREE!) resources for illustrators of all levels. If you’re like me and dream of being an illustrator, you can check her out and sign up for her newsletter HERE.
Also, please let me know if you’re an aspiring illustrator, too. It would calm my nerves a ton to go through this process with some other fine folk.
Hands up ✋ if you’re an artist or writer with kids at home. Then you are eligible for a Sustainable Arts Foundation Award! They offer unrestricted cash awards to artists and writers with children, and this year they’ll be giving $5000 each to 20 artists and writers. The application period opened on February 1 and closes on February 26 at 5pm ET, so you still have some time to send something in. Join me in applying HERE.
Black Creators in Kidlit, an organization started by several amazing children’s book authors, is hosting a fundraising auction to help fund their programs that increase Black representation across all genres of children’s literature. There are some AMAZING prizes to bid for which serve an AMAZING cause. They’ve already reached their goal (YAY!) but you can help them push higher and make more waves in kidlit. The auction page is HERE and it ends on February 19 at 11:45PM ET.
Take note of these upcoming Twitter Pitch Parties:
What is a Twitter Pitch Party? How does it all work? Read about them HERE.
These children’s book "days" always sneak up on me, so I’ve added them to my calendar and you can, too:
Go and get your kidlit on!
Happy creating,
Alli
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