Help Wanted for Smart Dummies 2017

I'm writing today to say that I will not be able to do Smart Dummies in 2017 alone. This event takes too much time and I don't want to decide between the event and an illustration job (which always seem to come along about the same time as Smart Dummies). If you are willing to help please let me know.

I will be starting a separate Facebook group for anyone helping me to plan next year's event. I need people willing to ask their friends to join the event, people with ideas for the new event and those willing to help me get the word out about Smart Dummies. The big thing is that need 1-2 people to help me send out emails, field questions and find people to join the event.

 I will not be able to run the event next year if I can't find people to help me out. I do hope that there are a few of you out there who can help donate your time. Thank you all so much for everything! I love everything we've accomplished thus far!

Winner's Badge!

I almost forgot the winner's badge. If you won Smart Dummies this year here is a badge you can place on your website, blog or wherever you'd like. Thank you so much for being a part of Smart Dummies 2016!

Final Grand Prize Winners!

I almost forgot to announce the winners of the courses! Mira Reisberg and Mark G Mitchell have wonderful courses for picture book creators! Be sure to check out: http://www.childrensbookacademy.com/ and http://howtobeachildrensbookillustrator.com/ to find a course that fits your needs. When I went to school I had to pay $1500 for one illustration course. I'm so happy that courses today are much more accessible. Mira and Mark are wonderful teachers and I've learned so much from both of them over the years!


Photoshop or Hero's Art Journey course (your choice) - Mira Reisberg

Yovana Pena

Make your Marks & Splashes course - Mark G Mitchell

Paul Weiner

Big Prize winners!

Here are two of the big prize winners! Since I like to drag these things out I will be announcing the final two course prize winners tomorrow.


1.A one-year subscription to Guest Group Critiques Mark G Mitchell

Jacqueline Price

2. A Full Dummy Critique - Traci Van Wagoner


Sussu Leclerc

I have two more prizes to announce today and then I'm going to start announcing the big prizes for those who completed Smart Dummies!



1. "Get the Wiggles Out" and "Let's Cooperate" books and a signed A4 print. - Tom Heard

Leila Nabih

2. Original Illustration and book - Tim Egan 

Phyllis Mignard

More Winners!

More winners from the Smart Dummies Challenge!

A review copy of "Toby" - Hazel Mitchell

Shawna Tenney  

Torn tissue illustration - Toni Yuly

Louann Mattes Brown

"Ring Around the Rosie", and an original Buddha painting on paper - Gina Perry

Teresa Robeson

Book Winners!

Here are a few book winners from Smart Dummies! The names of the winners are under the prize.

1. "The Egg Thief" -- Lauren Gallegos

Diane Gronas

2. "If Kids Ruled the World" --- David Huyck

Jefna Cohen

3. "Manners Are Not For Monkeys" by David Huyck

Karan Greene

I will be contacting you all soon. You can contact me if you don't hear from me soon! I will let the donors know who won their prizes. 

Sick Baby

I will be drawing prizes tomorrow most likely. I have a very sick baby on my hands so I barely have time to write this. If you finished the event you have a bit more time to sign the oath. So sorry for any confusion!

http://daniduckart.blogspot.ca/2016/11/smart-dummies-oath.html

Amazon Gift Card Winner!

So sorry I wasn't able to post this yesterday! Here is the winner for the Amazon Gift Card Giveaway. I will be contacting you shortly via email to make sure your email is correct. Stay tuned for more winners! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Prizes Coming Soon!

I'm going to give everyone the chance to sign the oath this weekend and comment on the post with prizes. There are prizes for those of you who participated but did not win Smart Dummies. Be sure to comment on the posts to win! I'll be back Monday to announce the prizes. 

This Page Was Intentionally Left Blank

While I'm waiting for people to comment and sign the Smart Dummies Oath I should be making lots of posts about the steps you need to make to get your dummy from a dummy into the hands of an agent or editor. This hasn't been a great year so my mental acuity isn't what it once was (In other words I have nothing prepared yet).

Before you start sending out your dummy to agents and editors you should first have 2-3 spreads (4-6 images) completed. This is very important because it shows what your final work is like. You don't want to finish all of the pictures, because agents and editors want you to be flexible and there may be changes to your dummy before the final product.

Last year I did a post about laying out your final images. I feel as though I'd just be rehashing what I already wrote (and not adding anything to it). Here is the post I did last year explaining the final image. If you have questiosn ask below and I'll reply or I can answer them in a post! http://daniduckart.blogspot.ca/2015/10/laying-out-your-final.html

Smart Dummies Oath!

Here it is! The Smart Dummies oath. If you completed 24-30 pages (or 12-15 spreads) CONGRATULATIONS are in order. You have completed the Smart Dummies challenge! Your images just need to be black and white. The images can all be done in pencil. If you did more than good for you!

Please do not try to send me your Dummies! We are on the honor's system. You MUST SIGN this oath in order to be eligible for most prizes and registered. You MUST comment on the posts of the prizes you want! I posted all the links yesterday. 

The Smart Dummies Oath: 

I do solemnly swear that I have completed the Smart Dummies challenge. I have at least 24 pages (or 12 spreads) completed for my Picture Book Dummy. I understand that lying about this only hurts me, Jimmy (who is living in a well, and Batman.* I will continue working on getting my dummy published.

*He is the night.
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That's it! You have about a week until I start drawing prizes. Thank you all for being a part of this event! Even if you didn't win this event know that you are a winner for just attempting a dummy. This is just one challenge. Stay in the Smart Dummies Facebook group so you can keep learning about dummies all year long!