My Christmas Wish List #2: The Craft and Business of Writing Children's Picture Books

MY CHRISTMAS WISH LIST # 2

I have known Mira Reisberg for many years now. She has a love for teaching and wants those who create children's books and illustrations to succeed! Mira often has free webinars she hosts and these are packed with wonderful information!

I took "The Craft and Business of Illustrating Picture Books" from The Children's Book Academy earlier this year. I don't have time to post a full review of the course, but I'll give you some of the highlights! This is the writing course, but a lot of the main components stay the same.

SCHOLARSHIPS: DECEMBER 15th Deadline. http://www.childrensbookacademy.com/yuyi-morales-picture-book-scholarship.html There are diversity scholarships (and low income scholarships) for this course! There were not enough people applying for the diversity scholarships last class, so be sure to apply. Let's make the children's industry more diverse!

There is also a discount code on the page and that's good until the end of the week! Find the code here, but hurry, because it will be gone soon! Save $100!
https://wj168.infusionsoft.app/app/hostedEmail/1962074/8c7914e6987899c8

* Course Materials There was just so much information packed into this course! There were hours and hours of videos to watch. Techniques, tips and tutorials were discussed.

* Good for All Skill Levels This course contains information from all skill levels. If you are just starting out you can get a strong foundation for art. For more advanced students this class pushes you to do your best.

* Dedicated Staff  Like I said, Mira cares about the people in her course. The people helping out with the course are absolutely wonderful. They all take the time to answer questions.

* Golden Tickets This is the exciting part of the class! You can get your work seen by editors and agents (and art directors in the illustration class). 

* One on One I kicked myself for not getting a one on one for the illustration course. These give you 1 hour with Mira Reisberg (Clear Fork Publishing) or Kelly Delany (Random House/Knopf). Their normal consulting fees are much higher than the $100 you'll pay, so this is very much worth it!

It takes a lot of work to catch the eye of industry professionals. The illustration class is absolutely what I needed to get to the next level in my art career.

The reason this class is #2 on my list is because I'm still processing what I learned from the past class. It's an ongoing experience, really. I have learned so much about my illustration and now I'm working on dummies and my portfolio so I can show what I can really do with my art! Even had said this, Mira's writing class is definitely in my future!

Want to know more about "The Craft and Business of Illustrating Picture Books"? Click here: http://www.childrensbookacademy.com/writing-childrens-picture-books.html

My Christmas Wish List #1: "Make Your Marks And Splashes Course"

MY CHRISTMAS WISH LIST # 1

Okay, I've thought about it long enough and I'm starting on my Christmas Wish List. It's a bit late, but most of the things on this list will (hopefully) be things you can still get before Christmas!

I absolutely love Mark Mitchell's newsletter for artists. I have learned so much from his newsletter and his blog. I have a few of the posts saved and refer back to them often. If you go to his website check out the post 'Charging' up Your Watercolor. It just changed my life! You can help me with the number 1 thing on my Christmas list by signing up for the class yourself here: https://marksandsplasheslearning.thrivecart.com/make-your-marks-and-splashes/?affiliate=daniduck

Here are  reasons this children's illustration course is #1 on my Christmas list this year!


1. FREE INFO 

Mark gives out great information free on his website. No purchase necessary or expected. People who freely tell you useful information

2. EXPERIENCE

Mark is an experienced illustrator. He has illustrated over 20 books (20 from other authors, 3 he wrote himself and tons of magazines. This experience gives those who take

3. COURSE OFFERINGS

Everything is covered in this course from design and color to how to market your work!

4. ART COMMUNITY

There is nothing better for being creative than joining a good community of artists. I have tried creating art in a vacuum and my art suffered greatly for this. I have found being part of a good creative group is essential to being a great artist!

5. EASY PAYMENT

The cost of the course is really inexpensive for an all inclusive course. It's only $249! If you can't afford that much at once you can do a payment plan. My favorite thing is that you can use Paypal to pay. I love finding any excuse NOT to use my credit cards.


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Still not sure? Here is a preview of some of the things you'll be learning. Sign up to his FREE news letter and you'll receive 4 short videos and a .PDF lesson! http://howtobeachildrensbookillustrator.com/drawingsecret/


Things are tight this year. If you join the course using my affiliate link I'll be able to afford to take the class with you! Let me know if you are taking the class and I'll give you some extra bonus help and motivation!

If you use my affiliate link here: https://marksandsplasheslearning.thrivecart.com/make-your-marks-and-splashes/?affiliate=daniduck

Count Down to the New Year - 22 Days Left!

Only 22 days until the New Year. What are you planning on working on next year? After Christmas I'm going to be posting my New Year plans. These plans are not a resolution. They are purposely made difficult for me to finish. I focus on the positive, so if I achieve any of my goals I'm doing well!


Prompts:

1. The one thing you don't want to receive as a gift.

2. The worst thing about winter.

Countdown to the New Year: Scholastic Book Fair

26ish days left in the New Year! Here is my book haul from the Scholastic Book Fair this year. Only book not here is "I Am Not a Chair" by Ross Burach. David's teacher is the lucky one who gets this book for her class!

The rest of these are Christmas/Birthday books for the kids!:

If you have access to a book fair, which books did you buy?

Prompt: What would you do if you were stuck overnight at the library?

Other than above, where would you like to be stuck overnight?

Countdown to The New Year - Let's Have Some Cookies

One of my favorite times of year for making cookies is December. What kinds of cookies do you make in December? I like making sugar cookies, but honestly they are so much work that I only want to do them once a year.

Prompt:

Create a scene/story with a baking mishap.

Write or draw a scene containing cookies (can be a continuation of the first prompt).

Countdown to the New Year - Day 1 Prompts

I have had the worst luck lately with being ill! I feel like doing some extra prompts and fun stuff to end off this year. 

You can use these for either pictures or stories. If you send them to me at smartdummies@hotmail.com I will post them here and give you a link back. Also you can send me prompts to share if you'd like!

1. Your perfect holiday scene.

2. How you feel about snow.

Monday Prompts: A Look at Color

Sorry this is late! I was not feeling well all last week which has thrown everything off. Including this week!

Writers: Describe color to someone who can't see colors.

Artists: Create the feeling of a rainbow without using a color (black, grey and white is ok.)