DIY Archives

Attracting Art Directors In Kidlit And Children’s Book Publishing: With Shawna JC Tenney :: EAJ #4

Artists often struggle to find a balance between work that attracts Art Directors and work that pleases their target audience.

…but can your work accomplish both things at the same time?

Children’s book author, illustrator and host of Stories Unbound, Shawna JC Tenney, joins us for a conversation about attracting art directors in the field of kidlit children’s publishing.

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Extended Interview: Jason Brubaker :: Dreamworks Visual Development Artist & Creator Of “reMIND” (Part 1)

My friend Jason Brubaker has achieved impressive success in both the mainstream entertainment industry and as an independent creator.

He held a coveted Visual Development position at DreamWorks Feature Animation, broke Kickstarter records with his original graphic novel reMIND and now makes his living entirely from personal projects.

This Extended Interview Includes Half An Hour Of Extra Audio:

The consequences of getting too attached to your work.
How Jason’s early influences informed his art at Dreamworks.
How John K’s failure led to the birth of Ren & Stimpy.
Jason’s obsession with weird cartoon cats.
The Moose-Bird.
Jason’s first impression of The Matrix script (before it was cool).
Chris and Jason’s earliest memories.

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Extended Interview: Jimmy Gownley :: From Self-Publishing to Scholastic

Since he was 15 years old, Jimmy Gownley has never stopped breaking the rules of self-publishing.

He went from selling self-published comics in the hallways of his high school to huge publishing deals with both Simon & Schuster AND Scholastic.

This Extended Interview Contains 40 Minutes Of Extra Audio:

It all started with Peanuts.
The Dumbest Idea Ever.
The rise of independent comics in the 80’s.
Jimmy shares about getting Amelia Rules published.
Understanding how story works.
Challenges of being a writer who draws.

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