The Writer's Block Interviews: Kerry G. Johnson

1) Please describe your journey to becoming an artist.


Art has always been my passion. In fact, I knew in kindergarten that I was gifted and blessed as an artist after drawing a picture of cat that won first place in a citywide contest of youth. I later honed my skills in college and through my employment as a graphics director at various newspapers throughout the country, including The Baltimore Sun, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Currently, I work as the Director of Art and Special Publications at The American Physical Society (APS Physics) in College Park, Md.

In this role, I worked with my colleague, Rebecca Thompson to create “Spectra”, a comic book teen superhero with laser powers. Outside of work, I’m involved with many different art and graphic design projects, including writing and illustrating webcomics and children’s books. I also draw caricatures for personalized gifts and I often get hired as a caricaturist for parties, corporate meetings and other social events.


2) Do you specialize in any particular medium?


I have a diverse style for my many art projects. One project may require me using pens & markers, another could have me painting with watercolors or acrylics. When I illustrated my quick sketch caricatures, I use Sharpie markers and pastel chalks. Ultimately, many of my cartoons, caricatures and illustrations are scanned into my Apple computer. And like so many other artists, I use the Adobe Creative Suite software (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) for the colorization formatting of the artwork.


3) How did you become a professional caricaturist? Who have been some
of your favorite subjects?


I started drawing caricatures in high school at the Opryland Amusement Park in my hometown of Nashville, Tenn. I enjoyed that very much. While many of peers worked in fast food restaurants and other usual part-time teen jobs, that Opryland job made me realize that I could actually get paid to draw silly pictures and and meet some great people.



4) What inspired you to start your webcomic, "Harambee Hills"? Tell us about it.


It’s funny how life imitates art. "Harambee Hills" features the hilarious moments of a fictional African-American suburban family. My wife and I develop ideas for the comic based on our family and work life. For instance, our teenage daughter is a huge fan of Justin Beiber. So, I was inspired to draw a comic in which the Dad attempts to win “cool” points by showing his daughter that he is familiar with the singer. But instead of giving her a “Beiber” T-shirt, she receives a “Beaver” one instead.

5) Describe your body of work. Thus far, which project has been the most fulfilling? Why?


My work consists of caricatures, cartoons, illustrations and graphics. They have all been fulfilling in various ways. For example, as a former graphics editor for various newspapers, I’m proud of my work because it informed readers on critical and late-breaking news stories. My caricatures, cartoons and illustrations reflect a lighter side of life and provide my clients with keepsakes of family members and friends.



6) When did you illustrate your first children’s book?

I illustrated my first children’s book last month. It’s titled, You Can’t Move an Elephant in One Day written by Nicolle Brazil. It tells the heartwarming story of three boys who encounter what seems to an insurmountable obstacle. The book reflects the values of persistence, dedication and teamwork. My wife, Tawanda, and I published the work under the banner of our new company, TawKerr Publishing. I’m also illustrating another children’s book project with writer Tammi Harris that should be completed in March 2012.

Mrs. Brazil’s book isn’t my first time being published. My career in the newspaper industry had my work appearing in newspapers, magazines, websites and blogs. Additionally, many of my caricatures and artwork across the web on clothing, greeting cards and other personalized gifts.


7) What is the American Physical Society? Describe your position and responsibilities there.


The American Physical Society (APS Phyics) is the nation’s leading organization of physicists with more than 50,000 members. I lead the association’s in-house design department. We use our graphic design skills to help promote physics for our APS members ad to provide the general public with informative and eye-appealing physica materials. Some of the projects that we produce include: annual reports, newsletters, posters, t-shirts, magazines and activity books. Also, as I mentioned earlier, I illustrate the comic book, Spectra for PhysicsCentral.com.

8) Tell us about some of the awards you have received.


I've been blessed with many accolades throughout my career. Here are some recent highlights:

2010, Glyph Comics Awards nominated in the Rising Star category, presented by the East Coast Black Age of Comics Convention (ECBACC)

2008, first place: the National Arts Program for Illustration[2]

2002, 2001, 1996, first place: Press Club of Western Pennsylvania’s Golden Quill Award for News Illustration

2002, Society for News Design Award of Excellence for Photo illustration

2001, 1998, 1994, 1993, first place: Pittsburgh Black Media Federation’s Robert L. Vann Award for Feature Illustration

2000, second place: National Newspaper Publishers Association’s Heritage Award for Editorial Cartooning

1996, first place: National Association of Black Journalists NABJ Award for Art and Design


9) What is your definition of success as an artist?


For me, success is being able to earn a good living and live comfortably as an artist. Additionally, I’ve experienced success based on the favorable reactions to my cartoons, illustrations and design work. I have been blessed to produce work that has been recognized favorably by my professional peers and the general public.


10) What do you plan to accomplish in 2012?


I plan to continue to work with my talented wife to produce more funny and entertaining Harambee Hills comics and to spread the word about You Can’t Move an Elephant in One Day and my many other upcoming projects. We have also have plans to produce a Harambee Hills book. We are excited about the great things that are in store for our family!
_______________________________


Author Bio




Kerry G. Johnson is a creative and experienced art director, caricaturist, cartoonist and graphic designer. He’s an award-winning artist whose work has been published in local and national publications, web sites and blogs. Kerry also illustrates caricatures at private homes, schools, corporate functions, church events and local festivals.

He’s currently the director of art and special publications at the American Physical Society in College Park, Md. Before joining APS, he worked as the newsroom graphics director at the Baltimore Sun newspaper.

In 2008, he debut his webcomic, "Harambee Hills" about the semi-autobiographical character Gerard James and his daily life observations with his modern African-American family, co-workers and wacky neighbors of Harambee Hills, a fictional suburban neighborhood outside Washington, D.C.

Kerry and his wife, Tawanda, a press secretary and media specialist, live in Columbia, Md., with their two children.


Twitter: @caricaturekerry

Web: http://kerrykraft.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Kerry.G.Johnson.Illustration

Go Comics: Harambee Hills

Kenworthy Interviews: Author Raychelle Muhammad

[Guest blogger John Kenworthy is author of the chilling new novel The Missionary and the Brute, a thriller set in Tanzania, East Africa. Kenworthy's previous books have included The Hand Behind the Mouse: an intimate biography of Ub Iwerks and Bungee Jumping & Cocoons. He is the Founder/Executive Director of Brick by Brick for Tanzania!, Inc.]

1) With your background in Sports Management and personal training, how did you decide to transform that passion for health and wellness into books?

In my former life, I worked in management, dabbled in real estate, and owned several businesses. After becoming a personal trainer, I decided to go back to school and obtain a degree in the field. I also resumed homeschooling my daughter. The year-round program took 3 years to complete. There were a lot of ups and downs during that period of my life. During my last year in the program, my father died suddenly from a heart attack. On a brighter note, my daughter skipped two grade levels and blossomed both academically and creatively. My plate was full and there was no time to grieve. I am a recovering workaholic, so I kept my head down and I pressed on. In the spring, I graduated Summa Cum Laude (with highest honors). Needless to say, I was proud of my achievements, but I was also exhausted. Ironically, I had studied fitness and wellness, but when it was all over I was neither fit nor well.

According to Dr. Bill Hettler, wellness is comprised of six dimensions: occupational, physical, social, intellectual, spiritual, and emotional. The challenge is to find balance across all six dimensions. I wanted to use my degree in a way that would allow me to continue to homeschool my daughter and keep balance in my family life. After weighing my options, writing became my occupation. It made my schedule flexible enough that I could fit in some exercise or gardening. I now meet all kinds of people through social networking and promoting my books. Doing research for my blogs and freelance work keeps me mentally sharp. The creative process is a spiritual connection for me and it keeps me sane. So, whether I am writing children's books, articles on interior design, or blog posts on exercise and nutrition, I know that I am helping others live well in a way that fulfills me.

2) Your books support values such as self-esteem, courage, friendship, family, creativity and the importance of education in a beautifully positive manner that is truly unique. When you were a child, who or what was your source of inspiration and support for instilling those values in yourself?

Thank you! My mother, Regena V. Thomas, was a force of nature and I credit her for instilling all of those values in each of her six children. She set very high standards for us academically which quickly spilled over into our extracurricular activities. She showed us love and held us accountable. We spent a lot of time in the library for both school and leisure reading. I recall wondering why there were not more books about people who looked like me. My mother encouraged us to read everything that interested us. It certainly didn't hurt that we were enrolled in gifted and talented programs through high school. We were exposed to challenging academic subjects, the arts, foreign languages, clubs, and athletics. A well-rounded education builds self-esteem, it inspires creativity, and it removes fear, but it takes a village.

3) How did you create your story? Did you storyboard the sequences? Or did you jump right in to the narrative and think of the imagery after? Share with us if you will the process by which you created your work.

Every story is a bit different, but I would have to say that my daughter inspires all of them in some way. My "Like You" series is written with the specific aim of teaching children good character, the importance of family and education, friendship, healthy lifestyles, achievement, and to love themselves. So, I start with an overall theme and feel for the book, do some brainstorming, and then decide on the sequence using an outline. It is much easier for me to create my framework and then be creative within those parameters. I write the story first, but because I am a visual person, I edit according to whether or not my words can easily translate into an illustration. Sometimes the text dictates the imagery and sometimes the imagery dictates the text. If something in the manuscript doesn't work, it is obvious when I attempt to illustrate it.

4) How did you decide the methodology of publishing? Did you shop it to agents/traditional publishers first? Please tell us how you came to decide to self-publish? Has that met your expectations?

Initially, I did send out Little Girls Like You, Little Boys Like You, Fit Girls Like You, and Fit Boys Like You to 5 or 6 publishers. I did get some positive feedback, but I quickly realized that if I wanted to keep my vision intact, self-publishing was the way to go. The "Like You" series will be comprised of at least 10 titles. I want the look and feel of these books to be consistent. I have already created the characters, themes, cover design, and some of the related companion pieces (activity books, calendar, etc.). A traditional publisher would have to be willing to take on the whole project. Realistically, these books are geared for African-American children and I am very clear on what I would like to accomplish. We are a grossly underrepresented group in the literary world. I chose CreateSpace (an Amazon company) and by publishing my series with them I retain creative control, ownership of my work, broad distribution options, and a greater share of the profits. Hopefully, I am producing something of value that will impact all children, especially children of color. The most challenging part will be marketing, but I am up for it.

5) What is next for you? Are you working on more books? What is the inspiration behind them?

I have written the next two installments in the "Like You" series entitled Smart Girls Like You and Smart Boys Like You. Currently, I am illustrating Smart Girls and working on rough sketches for Smart Boys. I am preparing the entire series for broader distribution which requires some tweaking of the existing titles. There is an academic calendar in the works to accompany Smart Girls and Smart Boys as well as an activity book and children's cookbook.

I have written 3 picture books that I am currently submitting to agents and traditional publishers. One is inspired by my fiesty nieces; one is a hopeful story about a little boy who must adjust to a new life after his family is forced to downsize; and the third is an imaginative look at how the loss of something valuable may touch the life of the person who finds it.

To keep working at becoming a better illustrator, I have launched a line of greeting cards.  I am finishing the birthday card category with more to come!

In the health and fitness arena, I am blogging at Journeys Fitness (http://www.journeysfit.blogspot.com) and doing some freelance writing. Within the next 4-6 weeks, I should finish an ebook on circuit training that I am under contract to co-write. I will also be teaching a course for aspiring personal trainers starting mid-April.

As you know, one of my most exciting projects is my blog Raychelle Writes (http://www.Raychelle-Writes.blogspot.com) and the interviews I am doing on The Writer's Block (http://www.Raychelle-Writes.blogspot.com/p/writers-block.html). (Read John Kenworthy's interview HERE!) I have met so many talented people and learned something fantastic from each and every one of them. They make me a better a writer, illustrator, and entrepreneur.

6) When you write – do you have a specific audience in mind when crafting your tales? Who is your ideal reader?

It depends on the genre. My goal is always to add quality to the reader's life. I love children's picture books for ages 0-12, so I try to write books that will challenge younger children without boring the older children. That is no small feat. I write what I like to read and then I run them by my 12-year old. I suppose that my ideal reader is anyone who wants to learn something new and walk away with something positive whether the book is fiction or non-fiction.


7) What has been the most challenging aspect of publishing the books as you have done?

The most challenging aspect of self-publishing has been remaining patient with the process. The author controls the time table and I am a results-driven kind of girl. It begins and ends with me and there is no one to blame if I miss my own deadlines. In my mind's eye, I am able to see the finished product, so I put a lot of pressure on myself to finish what I start. I also get new ideas for other projects while I am working. What works best for me is to keep a pad and pen nearby so that I can revisit these ideas later.

8) What is the most gratifying part?

The most gratifying part of self-publishing is knowing that I have finished a project from beginning to end that will enhance someone else's life while staying true to my vision.

9) How has your community – friends, family, neighbors – reacted to your work?

The reactions have been very positive. In the beginning, there were some who questioned my commitment to writing. But, I don't make it a habit of worrying with what people think about what I do. I have many interests and I pursue them all. Eventually, each of those interests will translate into a book or two. Education and homeschooling are huge parts of my life as are sports, health, and fitness. I enjoy cooking, interior design, gardening, real estate, and sewing. I believe that I have a duty to share the gifts I have and everything I have learned with as many people as possible. For me, writing is one of the best ways to do that.


10) As a writer – what do you want your eventual great-grandchildren to know about you and your work?

Good question. Should I have great-grandchildren, I want them to know that I trusted my instincts, I worked hard, and that I helped as many people as I could along the way.

Connect with Raychelle:

Website: http://www.raychellesplace.weebly.com

Blog: http://www.Raychelle-Writes.blogspot.com

Blog: http://www.journeysfit.blogspot.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RaychelleWrites

Twitter: @RaychelleWrites and @journeysfit

Amazon Author Page

Lulu Author Spotlight Page

Greeting Card Universe Store

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John Kenworthy's Links:






The Missionary and the Brute on Amazon (paperback):

The Missionary and the Brute on Amazon (Kindle):

The Missionary and the Brute on publisher's site:

The Missionary and the Brute Blog:

*Guest Blogger* John D. Kenworthy Talks Literature, Education, and Building Schools in Tanzania "Brick by Brick"

The Terry Berg School at Ndoombo, Tanzania

[Guest blogger John Kenworthy is author of the chilling new novel The Missionary and the Brute, a thriller set in Tanzania, East Africa. Kenworthy's previous books have included The Hand Behind the Mouse: an intimate biography of Ub Iwerks and Bungee Jumping & Cocoons. He is the Founder/Executive Director of Brick by Brick for Tanzania!, Inc.]


Often times in my interviews people ask me why did I set The Missionary and the Brute in Tanzania, East Africa. It is a unique setting to be sure but not the usual one for a serial killer thriller. My answer to that question is similar to my response when people ask me why I chose to focus the efforts of my tax-exempt non-profit organization, Brick by Brick for Tanzania!, Inc., solely on Tanzania as well.

Well, why not?

It's a cheeky answer, but one that sort of cuts to the meat of the true response. Tanzania is often neglected in literature, in art, and in the public mind share. Aside from Hemingway's African novels and stories set around Mt. Kilimanjaro, there is precious little literature that takes place there. This may be one of many reasons that people truly don't know much about Tanzania in general at all. As such, it is often shoved to the side of any discussion of Africa and why it seems continuously marginalized.

The truth is that because I travel to Tanzania each year to build preschools for Brick by Brick, I know and love the country, the people, the culture to the point that I wanted to share that in a way that would have resonance - and writing is one way I can do so. I have tried to write several bucolic non-fiction works about Tanzania in the past, but they all seem to fall apart on me - they either seem too self-congratulatory or too soft or too something! So far my non-fiction hasn't captured that tight rope walk of horror and beauty in equal accord as I hope I did in my novel.

(Though the novel admittedly is twinged toward the horrific nature of human nature as well - which has little to do with any nation or ethnicity - simply is a fictive device.)

It is a bit ironic that the very attributes that make Tanzania so appealing to me as a humanitarian and as author are the very same that keep it from public discussion - it is peaceful, stable, quiet. There is neither genocide nor apartheid; no grotesque horrors of war or great natural disasters. They have droughts and famines to be sure - but not as publicly as do Ethiopia or Kenya even. They suffer in silence.

Nonetheless it remains one of the poorest nations in the world. Poverty - and extreme poverty at that - is the norm. The average income for a family in Tanzania is approximately $370 US dollars per year. From that money the families must feed, clothe, house, provide health care and if they are lucky educate their children just as do we. Imagine that. $370 a year! Some of our kids earn that in paper routes or allowances! And for what? PlayStation games and iTunes downloads?

That's not exactly for familial survival!

There is a huge need there to alleviate poverty - and in my eyes, education is the key. No change can come from within without having the populace better educated to embrace those changes from a vantage point of knowledge. The Missionary and the Brute can give new-comers to Tanzania a bit of an overview of conditions there and a sense of setting, but it does not have the didactic role of talking about that educational situation. So let me indulge my Brick by Brick side by telling you the rest of that story.
Education is very much revered in Tanzania. I have never spoken with a parent who didn't deeply desire their children to be educated. Sadly however, there are many factors from keeping that from happening effectively. It is a disappointing fact of life that only 57% of all elementary school aged children attend primary school. One of the primary reasons for this is the direct effect of poverty. The children are needed around the home to work in the shambas (the small fields) of the region. Part of this dilemma is exacerbated by younger siblings who must be cared for by the Mamas while the fathers are off working.

Our Brick by Brick preschools help alleviate that. By giving those younger children (3-5 years old) an active, safe nurturing, academic environment where they can prepare for the rigors of primary school, our preschools can give the mothers the ability to work in the shambas picking crops to barter for other food - or even to take jobs in the villages to supplement the family income. There are jobs available, and the women are willing to work. A more ardent, tougher group of individuals I have never seen than these mothers. They are strong, strong women whom I very much admire.

The effect of our schools on slightly older children is even more profound. Only 7% of all secondary school aged children attend school with less than 1% graduating. That's a 99% failure rate! Unacceptable! The reason these children drop out is plain and simple economics, they must work. As you can imagine the jobs available for a 13 or 14 year old child are not great. For young boys, often times it means getting strapped to a board and be lowered down mine shafts where their nimble fingers can be put of use. Frightening to think of our own kids doing such - and thereby equally unacceptable for the children of others. For young girls the jobs are even more horrifying. For many, prostitution is the only means by which they feel they can help the family.

I had a young girl - probably 14 or 15 - tell me that she was going off to the big city to be a prostitute. She was smart as a tack, had gone through a lot of school to that point and was aware that with the prevalence of AIDS in Tanzania she would probably be dead within two years. But to her, the only asset she had with which she could help her family was her body. That's a tragedy on so many levels and unthinkable to us in the US where we take so much for granted.

We have in five years seen the effects of our preschools on communities. I am regularly mobbed by sobbing Mamas who now have jobs knowing their young ones are safe in our Brick by Brick preschools. They hug me and thank me profusely. It is a sincere outpouring of love that I know we are doing good work there. We have followed up on graduates from our preschools too. For the first graduating classes, we are doing extremely well. At the Malaika School in Usa River - our longest running school - we have 100% of our students continuing on that path by attending primary school. That perfect record I know will not hold forever, but it is a great start. We are breaking that 57% cycle of failure.

We are achieving our modest goals.

It will not happen for Tanzania over night. There are so many schools to build. But we are doing so little by little each year. We take each day at a time. Small steps. One after the other. And together, brick by precious brick, we are making a difference. I have seen it.

This hope for the future that education provides is the other side of Tanzania. The light amid the darkness. And it is to this lightness that I cling and for which I work with all my heart and passion. Having seen with my own eyes the success amid the challenges, I can do no else.
It is what I do and why I revisit Tanzania constantly in my work and in my art...

John Kenworthy's Book Blog Tour continues tomorrow with "Kenworthy Interviews Author Raychelle Muhammad" at: http://www.raychelle-writes.blogspot.com/

Links:

The Missionary and the Brute on Amazon (paperback):

The Missionary and the Brute on Amazon (Kindle):
The Missionary and the Brute on publisher's site:

The Missionary and the Brute Blog:

The Writer's Block Interviews: Mike Dooling

 1)     Describe your journey to becoming an author.

As a boy, I could always be found ‘doodling’ away. I loved adventure and mystery stories like Sherlock Holmes and Treasure Island. My interest in drawing and stories led me to Syracuse University where I received an MFA in illustration. Since graduating in 1988, I have illustrated over fifty books-- many on historic subjects. But, it was always on my mind to write a story. Without any formal training in writing, I just started writing, and rewriting, and rewriting. I asked questions, read books and wrote again. In 2002, I wrote my first book, The Great Horseless Carriage Race. Then, I wrote Young Thomas Edison that School Library Journal said “…belongs in every library.”

 

 2)     What inspired you to start writing children’s books?

I am inspired to write and illustrate about history because I am so fascinated by people’s lives. My wife, Jane, jokes that I am stuck in ‘70’s (the 1770’s and 1870’s). I read old books, watch old movies, and even have old friends. History fascinates me. Did you know that an estimated 2,000 women and children marched, camped and struggled right alongside George Washington’s army? Who knew? Imagine you’re a 9 year-old boy or girl and you have to follow your dad to war! What a story you could tell. So, I imagined what it was like for a young boy and told the story through his eyes, although the facts are based on military records and diaries from the period.

3)     Tell us about your current project, George Washington’s Army and Me.

This new book, George Washington’s Army and Me is a poignant story about families that followed their fathers to war because they had nowhere else to go. I came upon this story, by chance, when I was attending a revolutionary war re-enactment. Amongst the soldiers, I noticed women and children dressed in colonial costumes. Why women and children, I thought. I asked questions, went home to my library, researched the revolutionary war, and found that families often followed the army.

 

4)     What other books have you written? Where can readers buy them?

In addition to George Washington’s Army and Me, The Great Horseless Carriage Race, and Young Thomas Edison I have recently written and illustrated a story titled, Fossil Hunter (due out Fall 2012). It is the true story of fossil hunter William Foulke who discovered the first almost-complete dinosaur skeleton in 1858. It was the first time that people could say, “So, this is what a dinosaur looks like!” To research this book, I went to the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia and interviewed the paleontologist who let me touch the actual dinosaur bones! The fossils were found about a mile from my house, and I can’t stop thinking that maybe I should start digging in my back yard.

5)     How did you find your publisher(s)? Do you have a literary agent?

Over the past twenty-three years, I have worked for every major publisher (Scholastic, Henry Holt, Disney, Macmillan, Penquin, Holiday House, Farrar, Straus & Giroux). George Washington’s Army and Me is published by Bookpartners. (www.Bookpartners.org). Bookpartners affords me much more of the market share in exchange for me doing the marketing.

6)     How have you promoted your work? What strategies have been the most effective?

I do that marketing by visiting schools. Over the years, I have visited over 800 schools nationwide inspiring children to read, draw, and learn about history. Hence, I try to write stories that not only interest me but also relate to a school’s curriculum. I have illustrated books on Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, Ellis Island, fossils, pilgrims, Lewis and Clark, and more.

7)     What advice would you give to budding author/illustrators?

My advice to a budding writer or illustrator is to become the character, and project yourself into their life, and imagine what it was like. And then, write and rewrite and draw and re-draw.

Author Bio

Michael Dooling is an author, illustrator, explorer, inventor, patriot, fossil hunter, and sometimes a bit of a rogue:

"At times, I have imagined myself as all of these characters in my books. In my mind, I become the character that I am painting or writing about. In fact, I pose in costume for many of the characters. You could say that, 'Every day at my house is like Halloween.'  Someone is always putting on a costume. My books are adorned with paintings of my daughters, Rachel and Lisa, and the neighborhood children."

Find out more about my books at www.michaeldooling.com  You can purchase my books on Amazon or in any bookstore. George Washington’s Army and Me is also available as an ebook on iPad for $2.99.

The Writer's Block Interviews: Illustrator Kim Siebold

1) Tell us how you became an artist/illustrator?

As far back as I can remember, I have always been interested in drawing and illustrating. My childhood days consisted of coloring with my crayons, writing stories, illustrating and creating books. I remember wining a poster contest in grade school and actually getting in trouble for focusing on “only the art”. So it was only natural that I went to college for a B.F.A. in Graphic Design and also picked up a B.A. in Communications. I always knew that art, drawing and design was my passion. After college, I pursued my career working at many ad agencies, design firms, owning my own businesses and always dabbled in my entrepreneurial interests whether I was working full-time for myself or for a company. As my children grew older, I was able to devote more time with illustrating and creating art outside of my full-time corporate design jobs. Although I have illustrated for many years, I seriously started to focus on my illustration goals in 2009 when I landed my first children’s book job after opening my Etsy shop (http://www.etsy.com/shop/kimsieboldstudios). Illustrating has been my main focus and goal ever since.



2) Do you specialize in any particular medium? Describe your style.


I prefer pencil and digital. It depends on my mood or where I am actually. Sometimes, I get over stimulated from all the technology and process of creating digitally. That is when I like to go back to just pencil. I feel like my creativity is simple and free when I just use pencil. But then again, there is so much you can do with Illustrator and Photoshop. I do have three styles that I tend to use and promote. Sketchy, digital and line art. If you take a peek at my portfolio on my studio website(http://www.kimsieboldstudios.com/gallery/lineart.html), you will see I have all three styles (even though I read you should stick to one style… but I can’t just choose one.)


My style is whimsical. I like drawing cute and girly things and animals. My art is geared towards the children’s market naturally because of my subjects.



3) Where do you live and work?

I live in Lakeville, MN. I work wherever my work takes me right now. I am trying to learn the balance of work and life balance that I am working for myself now.



4) Who or what inspires you?

OMG… where do I start? I don’t even know where to begin. Everything I look at inspires me. My children inspire me, my emotions inspire me. Typography, paper, children’s toys, surface design, children books, retro graphics are just a few of the million things that inspires me. Seriously… everything inspires me! The world is a candy store.



5) What was your first illustration job?

Wow… I need to think back. I believe I was hired to illustrate a portrait by a friend’s mom back in early high school. I was VERY stressed as I couldn’t do portraits very well. Back then I thought if you looked at something for reference, it wasn’t real art. Ha… if I only knew then what I know now!



6) Describe your body of work. Thus far, which project has been the most fulfilling? Why?

Most fulfilling? Hmm. I am torn between two actually. My first book, Starry Night, Hold Me Tight was fulfilling in the sense that it was a dream to land a book deal and my agent. Just being in the front end of the creative process and learning about the publishing world was very fulfilling to the business side of me. I like to see the big picture and understand process so professionally, this piece of work hit the mark. And of course to see my artwork in Pottery Barn Kids, wasn’t too hard on the eyes either!


The other piece of work that has been most fulfilling is my alpha animal artwork . View here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/kimsieboldstudios?section_id=6576351. This also resulted in another book deal but the reason it was so fulfilling his how I created my first alpha animal. I was on vacation with my family and started creating a cute pig on my computer. Then a few of the kids came over and started art directing me. It was fun to have them tell me what they wanted me to draw. Then we kept adding things to the pig. It was really fun to see where the kids were creatively taking my pig!



7) Where can your works of art be found?

You can view my art in many places online and in many book stores. My two websites are: http://www.kimsieboldlicensing.com and http://www.kimsieboldstudios.com. You can find my Starry Night, Hold Me Tight book in Barnes and Noble and Pottery Barn Kids stores, as well as many of the .com shops such as Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Starry-Night-Hold-Me-Tight/dp/076244066X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1301598179&sr=8-1 ) and Target (http://www.target.com/p/Starry-Night-Hold-Me-Tight-Hardcover/-/A-13484427).

My second book due out the next month, ABC, Now You See Me which is a padded-cover introduction to the alphabet which features a sequence of animals that peek out from beneath interactive. It is available at this time for pre-ordering on many .coms such as Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/ABC-Now-You-See-Me/dp/0762440678/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1314499351&sr=8-2) and Barnes and Noble. As it comes closer to the release date, I will find out which stores will carry it. You can follow this book for the latest information on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/ABC-Now-You-See-Me/284625091553501?ref=ts) or Twitter (http://twitter.com/#!/ABCNowYouSeeMe). You can also go to my Etsy shop at (http://www.etsy.com/shop/kimsieboldstudios?section_id=6576351) to purchase coordinating art as well as view other artwork for purchase.


Some of my prints are also sold at http://www.mammothandcompany.com/the-littlest-mammoth (http://www.mammothandcompany.com/shop/circus-puppy-by-kim-siebold/ and http://www.mammothandcompany.com/shop/determined-bunny-by-kim-siebold/



8) What is your definition of success as an artist?

My definition of success as an artist is when I can make someone smile with my art.



9) What do you plan to accomplish in 2012?

I hope the year 2012 brings good things to my illustration career. I hope to land more book deals and become more solidified in the publishing world. I am also now exploring surface and character design. I joined SCWBI this year and am excited to be a part of a professional group of writers and illustrators. I am learning more about my new world working for myself and that I am no longer living the corporate life. I am so thrilled to have this opportunity! So stay tuned in!

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Connect with Kim and see her work:

http://www.linkedin.com/in/kimsiebold


www.kimsieboldstudios.com


http://www.kimsieboldlicensing.com


http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kim-Siebold-Studios/210300050931?ref=ts


http://www.facebook.com/pages/ABC-Now-You-See-Me/284625091553501


http://www.etsy.com/shop/kimsieboldstudios


http://www.kimsieboldstudios.blogspot.com


http://twitter.com/ksieboldstudios

The Writer's Block Interviews: Donalisa Helsley

1) Tell us how you became an author? Describe your journey.

Since the 1st grade I have written stories. I used to type at the kitchen table on an old typewriter when I was nine years old. I completed my first book when I was 11. It was about 250 typed pages and it was a Christian version of Sweet Valley High I gave it to a friend to read and never got it back! It still frustrates me to this day!


2) Do you prefer any particular literary genre?

I prefer suspense and psychological thrillers, but I read anything that catches my attention. These last 2 months I have been really into Mercedes Lackey’s fantasy books.

                                                                           

3) What is your chosen profession?

I am a mom and wife foremost, but my job description is family and children’s therapist and author.



4) Tell us about The Day No One Played Together. What inspired you to write it?

I promised my oldest daughter, who is multiracial (black, white and chinese), that I would write a story about her when she was three. She wanted to see someone that looked like her in books. So the characters are based on my two daughters, Jadyn (9) and Genesis (4). I am always trying to help them figure out how to work through conflicts on their own. I helped them learn to compromise and they loved doing it so much that I thought that maybe other children would enjoy the lesson also. (The Day No One Played Together Synopsis: Jadyn and Genesis want to play and have fun but neither one wants to play what the other one wants to. What will they do? Will they be able to brainstorm and find a way to play together? Will they play alone? The Day No One Played Together teaches an important lesson in a fun way. Join these sisters in the first of their series. Here is also a book trailer http://youtu.be/36XEnpipJfg .



5) Describe your path to publication.

I am an indie (independent) author. The Day No One Played Together was published by a print on demand publisher. My 2nd book, I Love You Better than Chocolate, was accepted by a more traditional publisher. It will be out by the end of February.


6) What is Wild About Reading?

Wild About Reading is my brand. My website is a place you can go to learn more about me, my mission and also buy my books. It is a work in progress. I want to add links to places you can donate books for children who can’t afford them and also some tips for parents. My Wild About Reading Facebook page is where I share tips, encouragement, book reviews, interviews of other authors, book giveaways and trivia. The goal is to re-ignite a love of reading in parents and encourage it in children. Stop by and visit!



7) How do you promote your work? What methods have worked best for you?

I’m finishing my Masters Degree in Social Work so I have had very little time to promote my work. I’ve had a television interview and wonderful bloggers like you have spread the word for me. Thank you! I blog and use my Facebook page. With this second book the publisher is setting up book signings for me. I hope that when I graduate I can do more promotional things.



8) What advice would you offer to aspiring authors?

I’ve said this before but it is my advice. 1. Read, Read, Read. How can you be a writer if you don’t even read? 2. Find people that you trust to share your thoughts with. 3. Never stop believing in magic, the impossible and the unbelievable. Some of the greatest books I have ever read were written by people who remembered what it was like to be a child and to dream. 4. If you are a children’s book writer I believe that there is a part of us that never grows up. Tap into that!



9) What is your definition of success as an author?

If I can feel proud of what I have put out there and my children love it; I am successful. When I get messages from parents and kids telling me that they love my book or that it was helpful to them, I am happy.


10) What is next for you in 2012?


May 11, 2012, I will graduate with a Masters in Social Work. I will be done with school. NO MORE SCHOOL. I really hope that I will be able to spend more time writing and sending out my work. Spending more time with my family is at the top of the list.



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Author Bio

Donalisa is an award winning children's author. Donalisa lives in Oklahoma with her husband, David, her daughters, Jadyn and Genesis. She is Wild About Reading. Donalisa has written many stories since she was a child. She is a social worker and has worked with children for over 12 years. Donalisa is finishing her Masters in Social Work so that she can be a licensed therapist for children and adolescents.



Read my Blog


Visit my Website


Follow me on Twitter


Connect with me on FaceBook



Thank you for interviewing me, Raychelle. Thank you Raychelle’s readers for taking the time to read this. Keep an eye out for I Love You Better than Chocolate Chip Cookies. It's for the little ones!



I Love You Better Than Chocolate Chip Cookies Synopsis:


How much do you love chocolate chip cookies? I love them a lot, but there is something I love even better! I Love You Better Than Chocolate Chip Cookies is an entertaining book that teaches what should really take first place in our hearts.

The Writer's Block Interviews: Camy de Mario

1) What inspired you to start writing children's books?

I truly love anything that brings me back to childhood. I believe I'm still a child myself into a grown up body! I spent hours trying to create new cartoon characters designs, and figure out how to put them into animation. Walt Disney had always been my mentor. When I finally realized that technology still wasn't my best solution, I decided to turn into a more traditional way to express my talents. About four years ago, when I relocated with my husband and our youngest children from Florida to a small island in the Bahamas, the beauty of nature surrounding me every day opened up a new world of creativity. There was when my first children's story started to become a reality. 

2) Which came first: a love of writing or a love of illustrating?

As I said I've always been so interested in animation, and of course that was the result of my love of illustrating. Now I can't see one without the other. In fact, at first I visualize my drawings, and immediately after, the story takes shape into words.

3) What books have you written? Where can readers buy them?

I've just published the first book of a series The World of Happy-Let's all be Friends!. It's a sweet, positive story that should appeal to young children, who will enjoy traveling with Happy, a red sea star, on his sea voyage.  The themes of diversity, friendship, and acceptance are important and handled in an age-appropriate way, and the variety of creatures and settings offers a number of fun, cheerful illustrations.

The book is available as paperback on major online retailers as Amazon and Barnes and Noble, and if you are lucky to travel around the Abaco Family Islands, in the Bahamas, you can find the book for sale exclusively at one of the major vacation resorts, Bluff House Resort and Marina, in Green Turtle Cay!

4) How did you find your publisher?

Many of my successful fellow authors suggested to me to go global and self-publish.  I researched all the publishing alternatives and Amazon looked like one of the best choices available. It takes your own financial resources to get started, but the benefits are very fruitful.

5) How have you promoted your work? What strategies have been the most effective?  

Social networking in this new era is definitely the best way to promote yourself and your work.

Of course, anyone should understand that it takes a lot of time, dedication and perseverance.

The most effective strategy, well, I guess carrying copies of The World of Happy with me wherever I go. You never know who you could you meet!

6) What advice would you give to budding author/illustrators?

At the end of the day it's all about telling a great story, and sharing the emotions through colorful illustrations. Children love colors!

7) What is your definition of success?

It's the recognition of my work. When people purchase my book, I feel I have given something special back to them. It comes right from my soul.

8) What is next for you in 2012?

Despite all the negativity around the year 2012, I'm very positive about the outcome. I'm organizing book signing events in Miami and I've just completed the second book...Where will Happy, The Red Sea Star, be traveling this time? Somewhere beyond our imagination! 

Author Bio

Camy De Mario was born and raised in Milan, Italy. She studied and graduated in “Foreign Languages” with English, French and German. At the age of thirty she moved to Florida in the United States. Now at forty-six years old, she is a creative author and illustrator of children's books. She presently resides in a small island of the Bahamas with her husband and their youngest children, ten year-old twins. In the surrounding of this peaceful life, she developed the idea of a series dedicated to Happy, a red sea star, and his love for traveling to discover a whole new world.

Contact Camy

Website link:  http://www.theworldofhappy.co
Blog link: http://www.theworldofhappy.blogspot.com
Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/theworldofhappy
Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-World-of-Happy/108600502588130
 

  

   

The Writer's Block Interviews: Damir Fonovich

1)      Tell us how you became an author?

My wife and I had been talking for a while after our son was born about writing a children’s book. My wife in particular wanted to write something that included suggestions for parents, as she had found a lot of children’s literature to be lacking in true educational experience. After about a year of talking about it,one cold winter day in December of 2010, we were looking at how long our son’s eyelashes were and came up with the idea for Luca Lashes, a boy with magic eyelashes. It took us till about April of 2011 to really get going on the idea,and it has snowballed since then. This truly became a family business, as my wife, her sister and myself worked hard at researching, writing and editing our first nine stories by the end of summer. We found a company to help us create eBooks and Apps, and finally in December of 2011 we achieved the publication of our first eBooks and Apps on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Apple. 

2)     Describe how you chose your illustrator.

I am an author, and I definitely stick to writing. We, Luca Lashes LLC, found an amazing illustrator out of Chicago, who really captured the essence of both our son and the magic that we were trying to create.

3)     Where do you live and work?

My wife and I live in Woodstock, IL, and work on our books out of our home office!



4)     Who or what inspires you?

As is obvious, my son Lucas is my main inspiration and motivation. Also, my wife Nicole is the central hub of our entire operation and I could not accomplish anything without her inspiration, motivation, and candor.

As far as my inspiration as a children’s book writer, the obvious choice is Dr.Seuss. As an author in general, I am inspired most by Victor Hugo, CS Lewis,and Neal Stephenson.

5)     What was your first writing job?

I wrote and contributed other content for an economics-based website from 2001 to 2003, and the experience of managing my own time and writing for a living were part of the reason for a standing desire I had always had to become a writer.

6)     Tell us about your new children’s book series.

The series, Luca Lashes, is about a special boy with magical eyelashes. He lives with his parents and discovers the world and new experiences all the time.Every time he sees something new or encounters something difficult, he blinks his eyelashes twice to find the strength to get over any fears. Our first book, Luca Lashes the Brown-Eyed Boy with Magic Eyelashes, introduces our character and sets the stage for all of the following books that will be coming out. We have already finished publishing the second book, Luca Lashes Learns to Brush his Teeth, and are ready to begin the online publishing process for our third book, Luca Lashes and His First Trip to the Dentist. Our books are also all multilingual, having been translated into French, Italian and Spanish. Futurebooks titles include Luca Lashes and His First Haircut and Luca Lashes and his First Swimming Lesson.

7)     What steps are you taking to promote it?

At the moment, we have done strictly self-promotional social media, mainly through Facebook, YouTube (where you can find book previews and our Press Kit), LinkedIn, and Twitter. Our website, http://www.LucaLashes.com, will be completed shortly, and we look forward to finding additional marketing channels this year.

8)     What is your definition of success?

I have an audio recording of an old author being interviewed, and I never forgot his answer to this question, “Do a little good, have a little fun, make a little money.” I always liked this, and it’s kind of a personal philosophy at this point. 

9)     What do you plan to accomplish in 2012?

The plan is for our first nine eBooks and Apps to be finished and published. We would also like to begin the process of having hardcover and softcover board books published to go in tandem with the eBooks. Having the next set of 9 books written and edited would also be a great step to complete in 2012. We are looking at the long-term viability of our eBook/App series, and would like to continue to the series indefinitely. We might explore merchandising opportunities that enhance our series.



Company Bio:

Luca Lashes LLC created and is publishing a multilingual compilation of e-books/apps helping children to be brave when confronting new and unexpected experiences. Life lessons are taught which help children deal with fearful situations. Parents can use these books to help children deal with their“firsts”, including first visits to the doctor, first visits to the dentist,first haircuts, etc. In addition to offering these in English, French, Italian,& Spanish, what makes these e-books/apps unique is the parent’s section at the back of each book, which highlight the key teaching concepts and offer questions parents can use to prompt learning opportunities. Check out our website which is set to go live soon at http://www.LucaLashes.com!


You can find us on our YouTube channel here:
http://www.youtube.com/user/LucaLashesLLC


Follow us on Facebook, and like “Luca Lashes”:
www.facebook.com/lucalashesllc


Follow us on Twitter at:
@LucaLashesLLC

Our books  and Apps on Amazon can be found here:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Luca+Lashes+LLC&x=10&y=20#/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=%22Luca+Lashes+LLC%22&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3A%22Luca+Lashes+LLC%22


Our books and Apps on Barnes & Noble can be found here:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Luca-Lashes-LLC?keyword=Luca+Lashes+LLC&store=allproducts


You can also found us on iTunes for iPad, iPhone, andiPodTouch.

We Are Meeting Children's Books Authors This Week on The Writer's Block!

I hope that you will stop by and visit with five authors who write for some of the most special people on the planet: children! For obvious reasons, I am particularly excited about this genre of writing. Reading opens up a world of possibilities for young minds. So, mark your calendars! Here is this week's lineup:

Monday, February 27
Damir Fonovich

Tuesday, February 28
Camy DeMario

Wednesday, February 29
Donalisa Helsley

Thursday, March 1
Kim Siebold

Friday, March 2 Mike Dooling

Keep your pen to the paper! Remember, inspiration is everywhere...

The Writer's Block Interviews: Paul Caballero

1)  Tell us how you became an artist/illustrator?

I could say I was born as an illustrator. Since I was a kid I liked painting and drawing a lot. In the beginning it was all about imitating my older brother who knew how to draw a five-fingered hand! I enjoyed drawing more than playing football so I decided that would be my way. Afterwards it’s all been about hard-working and drawing, drawing and drawing… 

2)  Do you specialize in any particular medium?

I trained in all styles in order to broaden my offer but the one I enjoy the most and what I do best is illustration for children’s books.

3)  Who or what inspires you?

I suppose I’ve always been a kid and I’ll always be in a way. That’s what helps me dream and imagine my parallel world where the characters I create come into life and that’s crazy… that’s simply happiness! I am also lucky I belong to a quite funny family and have had a life full of fun experiences in which I relay in order to create characters and stories.

 4)  What was your first illustration job?

The cover of a novel called Checkmate (Jaque al Rey) which I created for LOBHER publishing group.

5)  Describe your body of work. Thus far, which project has been the most fulfilling? Why?

I usually work in digital media due to the demand. But what differentiates my work is luminosity, brightness and colour of my final arts.

When it comes to the work I enjoyed the most I must say it’s the collection of stories I’m working on now where various typical children’s pathologies such as bed-wetting or fear of darkness are treated in a pedagogic way. In truly enjoying creating animal characters that bring those stories to life and I’ve been lucky to work with enthusiastic and professional people.

6)  What is your definition of success as an artist?

It’s quite simple: to be trusted to work on different projects, the public to like the project you worked at and that same project to be able to convey the correct message in a correct way. And learn, always learn and grow as an artist with every job.

You should never think you’ve achieved what you were looking for because that would mean you’re dead as an artist: innovation is essential for becoming a good artist.

7)  What do you plan to accomplish in 2012?

Work as much as possible and make myself known in other countries with the aim of working abroad.

Artist Bio

My name is Paul Caballero and I was born in Bilbao in 1981. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine arts at the University of the Basque Country (UPV-EHU). Right after graduating I moved to Madrid in order to specialize in animation, design and illustration It’s been two years now and I work as a professional illustrator.

http://www.pafulillo.blogspot.com