If you follow my posts and/or facebook page, you might already know that I have a contract with Wee Creek Press to put out a children's book in June 2016. That book is called "Baby Sheep Gets a Haircut" and I am anxious to see what becomes of it. I have yet to be assigned an illustrator and I do not draw at all myself so I have nothing but utmost respect for those with that talent.
But in the meantime, as I await that book with excitement, my oldest inspired another. I wrote "Shower in the Rain" based on a bedtime story I told her...and told her and told her because of repeated requests. When I visited her kindergarten class, I shared it with them and they giggled and enjoyed it. They even drew pictures for me on what they thought in their mind when they heard the story.
Getting a children's book through to a publisher is very hard. But this one is special because of the story. It fits my daughter to a T and she inspired it and I wanted desperately for her to have it in book form.
So what to do...what to do... I don't have enough projects, right?! So I decided to make it myself! :) I've never created a children's book before so I have no idea how it's going to turn out. I am making it for my daughter first and foremost. If it turns out decent enough, I might sell it as well. We shall see.
Once I had the story, and decided to move forward with this venture, I knew I needed an illustrator. I looked up some websites and found professionals who charge $300 and up...PER PAGE!!! That was way WAY out of my price range and my heart sank.
Then, I remembered a website where I have a writing profile up called ODesk.com. This website allows freelancers to find clients and clients to find freelancers. Honestly, I don't do much work through this website because most of the clients are looking to find people who work dirt cheap. I have done a few jobs for people who have sought me out and have decent offers. But as far as trolling for jobs, it doesn't usually add up to enough to make it worth my small amount of time. But since I know people accept jobs through the website all the time, I was hopeful that perhaps I could find an illustrator to work with my teeny budget.
I put up a posting and then sat there and stared at it as if people would respond IMMEDIATELY. It was immediate, but within a day, I had all sort of applications. I began to weed through them and was surprised by how much quality came along with them. There were some that I knew right away weren't right for the job. But there were several that had portfolios I adored.
I found a woman in Canada who seemed more than willing to work with my under my budget constraints and her portfolio was outstanding. She has many children's books to her credit and wanted me to give her detailed descriptions of what I wanted.
Long story short, I hired her and she got to work. Just recently, she sent me sketches of how things were coming along. Nothing is complete yet, but I wanted to share a small part of what she's working on. And so now I give you one scene from what will hopefully become "Shower in the Rain"
But in the meantime, as I await that book with excitement, my oldest inspired another. I wrote "Shower in the Rain" based on a bedtime story I told her...and told her and told her because of repeated requests. When I visited her kindergarten class, I shared it with them and they giggled and enjoyed it. They even drew pictures for me on what they thought in their mind when they heard the story.
Getting a children's book through to a publisher is very hard. But this one is special because of the story. It fits my daughter to a T and she inspired it and I wanted desperately for her to have it in book form.
So what to do...what to do... I don't have enough projects, right?! So I decided to make it myself! :) I've never created a children's book before so I have no idea how it's going to turn out. I am making it for my daughter first and foremost. If it turns out decent enough, I might sell it as well. We shall see.
Once I had the story, and decided to move forward with this venture, I knew I needed an illustrator. I looked up some websites and found professionals who charge $300 and up...PER PAGE!!! That was way WAY out of my price range and my heart sank.
Then, I remembered a website where I have a writing profile up called ODesk.com. This website allows freelancers to find clients and clients to find freelancers. Honestly, I don't do much work through this website because most of the clients are looking to find people who work dirt cheap. I have done a few jobs for people who have sought me out and have decent offers. But as far as trolling for jobs, it doesn't usually add up to enough to make it worth my small amount of time. But since I know people accept jobs through the website all the time, I was hopeful that perhaps I could find an illustrator to work with my teeny budget.
I put up a posting and then sat there and stared at it as if people would respond IMMEDIATELY. It was immediate, but within a day, I had all sort of applications. I began to weed through them and was surprised by how much quality came along with them. There were some that I knew right away weren't right for the job. But there were several that had portfolios I adored.
I found a woman in Canada who seemed more than willing to work with my under my budget constraints and her portfolio was outstanding. She has many children's books to her credit and wanted me to give her detailed descriptions of what I wanted.
Long story short, I hired her and she got to work. Just recently, she sent me sketches of how things were coming along. Nothing is complete yet, but I wanted to share a small part of what she's working on. And so now I give you one scene from what will hopefully become "Shower in the Rain"
This is just a sketch and will be in full color upon completion. I just wanted to share my excitement with you and warn you to watch for more details. I hope to get the completed pictures and put the book together over the summer. I'll let you know how it all comes together. Until then, enjoy this adorable little girl and wonder just what she does on that rainy day! :)
And, also in the meantime, I am looking forward to the September release of my next light-hearted romance, "mamarazzi"...Details to come on that as well!!
Don't forget...don't tell my daughter about this venture. It'll be a big surprise for her when I get it all finished!!
And, also in the meantime, I am looking forward to the September release of my next light-hearted romance, "mamarazzi"...Details to come on that as well!!
Don't forget...don't tell my daughter about this venture. It'll be a big surprise for her when I get it all finished!!
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