Share your version of this fascinating figure from ancient history with independent publisher Debra Winegarten
Almost a Minyan, a beautifully illustrated picture book written by Lori S. Kline and illustrated by Susan Simon tells of "a loving daughter and granddaughter, whose family stays connected to each other and to the past through sacred ritual."
"It's a multi-generational love story for Jewish traditions" says publisher Debra Winegarten of Austin, Texas-based Sociosights Press.
Debra is herself the author of award-winning adult and children's nonfiction titles. She'll tell us about the editorial and technical challenges she met in producing her company's first richly illustrated children's picture book.
For a pretend sketch assignment for our group, she'd love for you to show her how you'd portray "Saint Esther" from the Old Testament and Hebrew Bible. (Esther also figures into ancient Persian, as well as Roman Catholic history. It's a good idea for you to do your own editorial and visual research on this person and her times. But for a fast and helpful overview, you can start here.)
You can buy a ticket to participate in just this month's single event with Debra and Mark ($27) or subscribe for this and future sessions and videos of all the past sessions, too ($10 monthly.)
Debra will look at the work of our group and pick some pieces from the group to discuss. "There's actually a possible book on crypto-Jews I might pick up," she explains. "I have an illustrator in mind, but I'm not wedded to that person (or the book for that matter, but if something really amazing appeared, it could help sway me!)"
Developing a stunning picture book from scratch
Deb plans to talk about the sketches or pieces that suggest to her artists she might like to work with. She'll also give us an honest, insider's picture of what it's like to work with publishers of small specialty presses and religious presses, some of which are major businesses with significant budgets for illustration.
Deb is great to visit with because of her joyful, confident approach to the toughest creative problems. (So get noodling on your "St. Esther" sketches if the topic appeals to you.)
Come join us September 13!
Monthly group critiques are 'perfect practice'
They tell you...
What isn't working
When to push harder
When to just stop
And help you...
Get a fresh perspective
Our guest critiquers – illustrators, author-illustrators, children’s literary agents, art directors, maybe an editor or two – examine your final in a spirit of teaching and mentoring.
Think more like a pro
Watch up close and personal how full-time creatives evaluate and troubleshoot their own and others’ pieces.
Prepare for... that thing
That upcoming kidlit (or illustrators’) conference, important promotional mailing, post or sit-down with a client or a prospect.
And nudge you to...
Sharpen your discernment powers
Remind you of those bedrock principles of draftsmanship, design and communication. (Funny how they keep bringing you back to those.)
Meet your tribe
Your colleagues and the expert practioners. Who share their What I Wish I Knew Then stories and become your contacts in ‘the biz.’ (It’s called networking.)
Get better at... getting better
Practice with critiques helps you understand the hierarchy of feedback and how to navigate it wisely – knowing what’s valid for you now, vs. what to set aside for later.
Precious moments. Practical stuff. Group critiques – in the classroom or around a cafe table with friends – have been training artists for centuries. Be part of a time-tested tradition, updated for the 21st century.
Join us around the table in new, live, online group sessions every month – and enjoy watching replays of past sessions at your leisure.
Only $10 monthly.
Improvement comes from consistent focus
Sometimes it will be your work being discussed. More often than not, it will be someone else's.
You'll benefit by being there. Watch and listen. Absorb the insights to help you later, when it's just you behind the drawing board making all those essential design decisions.
You don't have to go it alone...
Participate in all of our monthly live programs. Access replays of all past sessions...
Like the ones we've enjoyed and learned so much from last year, taught by these wonderful children's publishing professionals:
Mira Reisberg, author-illustrator, teacher and founder, Children's Book Academy
Jeff Crosby, author-illustrator
C.S. Jennings, author-illustrator
Giuseppe Castellano, senior art director, Penguin Random House
Jodell Sadler, founder KidLit College and agent
Len Smith, animation character designer
Abigail Samoun, children's book agent, co-founder of Red Fox Literary
Author-illustrator Kelly Light
Karien Naude, illustrator
Marsha Riti, illustrator
Nicole Tugeau, agent and artists' rep, Tugeau2 Children's Illustrators
Annette Simon, author-illustrator
Author-illustrator Robert Quackenbush Halloween Critique Bash (explains the scariness)
Terry Widener, illustrator
Jill Corcoran, founder of Jill Corcoran Literary Agency
Just us, with Mark and Chris, illustration art by Chris Perry
Page Street Kids publisher Kristen Nobles
Chris Schechner, designer, illustrator and art director for 20+ years for "Pockets" magazine
Christy Stallop, illustrator
Award-winning storyboard artist and children's illustrator Larry Day
Mark Mitchell, author-illustrator and moderator
Wendy Martin, author-illustrator and teacher
Kelly Sonnack, senior agent, Andrea Brown Literary Agency
Picture book series author-illustrator Janee Trasler
Mira Reisberg, Round 2, illustration by Lisa Goldberg
Loraine Joyner, senior art director for 23 years with Peachtree Publishers
Nick Balian, illustrator animator, art manager for digital publisher ustyme Books
Denise Fleming, award-winning author-illustrator
Mary Sullivan, award-winning author-illustrator
Catch up critique - Illustration by Kathryn Powers
Mira follow-up critique, illustration by John Wanczyk
Illustrators' agent Melissa Turk of The Artist's Network
A bit of art school...
For $10 per month.
Video thumbnail illustration by Mariama Ross.
We'll keep it real by limiting enrollment...
Secure your spot at the table while you can.
30 Day Money Back Guarantee!
Try out the subscription. You can easily cancel at any time. If you find your first experience of a session not helpful or just not your cup of tea, write me (c/o the How To Be A Children’s Book Illustrator blog) and I’ll refund you same day, no questions asked and no worries (and we’re still friends.)