tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31911817.post1568854394227650632..comments2024-03-10T14:07:40.468-04:00Comments on Blue Rose Girls: Matchmaking: finding the perfect style and illustrator for a textBlue Rose Girlshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05224076615462128422noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31911817.post-49710476161597414992008-11-01T14:00:00.000-04:002008-11-01T14:00:00.000-04:00Keep in mind that you don't have to send postcards...Keep in mind that you don't have to send postcards to every level of editor — at L,B in particular, art samples are circulated within the editorial department, so every editor has a chance to look at them. At other houses, there is probably a similar sharing system. Also, editors looking for illustrators will ask other editors for suggestions too.yamsterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12137479180057978586noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31911817.post-8658453201999456382008-10-31T00:27:00.000-04:002008-10-31T00:27:00.000-04:00Kristi, the general progression from entry level t...Kristi, the general progression from entry level to top is:<BR/><BR/>Editorial Assistant<BR/>Assistant Editor<BR/>Associate Editor<BR/>Editor<BR/>Senior Editor<BR/>Executive Editor<BR/>Editorial Director<BR/>Editor-in-Chief<BR/>Publisher<BR/><BR/>I guess it's true that the top-most levels might not be working with as many new illustrators, partially because they're probably editing people they've worked with before, and are also probably not acquiring/editing as much as someone younger would be, but I wouldn't count them out completely. If you had to limit the number of cards you sent, though, I'd probably recommend focusing on the first four or five levels.alvinalinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04503984086482905226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31911817.post-64360543760101450702008-10-30T11:51:00.000-04:002008-10-30T11:51:00.000-04:00It was an illuminating talk, Alvina. Thanks so mu...It was an illuminating talk, Alvina. Thanks so much for coming, and for posting your notes here!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31911817.post-43294354367594911482008-10-30T09:52:00.000-04:002008-10-30T09:52:00.000-04:00Your talk is a wealth of information, Alvina!A cou...Your talk is a wealth of information, Alvina!<BR/><BR/>A couple years ago I began sending postcards to editors in addition to the ADs. Then I heard David Gale from S&S say that since he's an Editorial Director, it would be extremely rare for him to work with a new illustrator; Junior staff will work with new illustrators more often. My question is, where is that line between Junior and Senior staff? Who should I send postcards to and who should I skip because whoever opens their mail won't show it to them anyway?<BR/><BR/>Maybe it's just me, but I'm not sure of all the totem pole ranks at a publishing house. I figure Publisher/President is at the top, and Editorial Assistant is closer to the bottom, but I'm not sure of the order of the promotions in between. Would you mind listing them please?<BR/><BR/>Thanks, Alvina, for being willing to take our questions!Kristi Valianthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05997984098630895653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31911817.post-41652925433147068842008-10-28T19:25:00.000-04:002008-10-28T19:25:00.000-04:00Thanks!Maybe a future post could be a little somet...Thanks!<BR/>Maybe a future post could be a little something about how Jimmy works, kind of like how you did with Ed Young and Wabi Sabi-I'm sure faithful BRG readers like me would LOVE to read about it!Daniel Mahoneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11256892763009705442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31911817.post-67103316834567955122008-10-28T18:15:00.000-04:002008-10-28T18:15:00.000-04:00Jimmy used watercolor and acrylic on watercolor pa...Jimmy used watercolor and acrylic on watercolor paper for this book--I don't know anything of his process beyond that!alvinalinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04503984086482905226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31911817.post-41996445027453777622008-10-28T17:07:00.000-04:002008-10-28T17:07:00.000-04:00Very cool article, and very helpful! your pal, ELI...Very cool article, and very helpful! <BR/><BR/>your pal, ELIO<BR/>www.eliohouse.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31911817.post-57542692056550875902008-10-28T12:33:00.000-04:002008-10-28T12:33:00.000-04:00Alvina,Do you know what medium Jimmy uses? I'm ver...Alvina,<BR/>Do you know what medium Jimmy uses? I'm very intrigued about his work, I'd love to learn about his process. <BR/>Thanks!Daniel Mahoneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11256892763009705442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31911817.post-19988493636051002792008-10-28T11:16:00.000-04:002008-10-28T11:16:00.000-04:00And yes, "unknown" illustrators are used all the t...And yes, "unknown" illustrators are used all the time, especially on novel covers. We're always looking out for new talent!<BR/><BR/>Thank you Alvina, this is GREAT to know and I think I have a perfect young woman in mind to advise now on where and to whom she should send her amazing art. I talked her into coming to our SCBWI Agent Day here in Ottawa 3 weeks ago and both of the US agents gave her their cards, loved her portfolio.<BR/>I knew she would do well, her work SO suits novel covers (along with so much else) <BR/>ChrisChristine Tripphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05058419743726981987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31911817.post-58203872039803831092008-10-28T10:13:00.000-04:002008-10-28T10:13:00.000-04:00Oh, and Wren, the pros and cons of posting the art...Oh, and Wren, the pros and cons of posting the art:<BR/><BR/>pros: you create some advanced attention for the book, maybe peak people's interest and have them anticipate the pub date<BR/><BR/>cons: I guess the chance that someone could steal the image? And if you put the whole book up, people might not feel inclined to actually buy the book, although really, I don't think this is the case (DIARY OF A WIMPY kid was up no the author's website in its entirety before publication).alvinalinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04503984086482905226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31911817.post-4463238119870643062008-10-28T10:01:00.000-04:002008-10-28T10:01:00.000-04:00Karen--I think it's fine to post a sampling of the...Karen--I think it's fine to post a sampling of the art, but I wouldn't put the whole book up! My fellow BRGs often post their work-in-progress, and I think it's great to see.<BR/><BR/>Christine, yes, I suppose the AD and Designer is the same--within a publishing house, the Art Director is generally the person in charge of the art department and the designers report to the AD or the Creative Director, but yes, the Designer would be the art director of the book. Semantics, really.<BR/><BR/>In terms of who to send samples to, I've always advised illustrators to send samples to both editors and designers (or art directors), because you really need to reach both.<BR/><BR/>And yes, "unknown" illustrators are used all the time, especially on novel covers. We're always looking out for new talent!alvinalinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04503984086482905226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31911817.post-27135181352369788942008-10-28T09:46:00.000-04:002008-10-28T09:46:00.000-04:00Oops, I don't mean when/whether to PUBLISH illustr...Oops, I don't mean when/whether to PUBLISH illustrations, I mean POST them on your website.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31911817.post-8422805088783692902008-10-28T09:44:00.000-04:002008-10-28T09:44:00.000-04:00Alvina, This is great stuff! As a beginning illu...Alvina, This is great stuff! As a beginning illustrator (but long time writer) I'm trying to figure out the new angles, and one BIG question I have is when and whether to publish illustrations from a book that is under contract but not published yet. What's the protocol with the publisher? What are the pros and cons? Thanks and love, WrenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31911817.post-74817568905427329122008-10-28T01:58:00.000-04:002008-10-28T01:58:00.000-04:00That art by Jimmy Liao is awesome.And so is this p...That art by Jimmy Liao is awesome.<BR/><BR/>And so is this post. I'm forwarding it to a few SCBWI Schmooze leaders for sharing. Thanks!! :DRitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03823648489427679440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31911817.post-82843867416046331232008-10-27T23:46:00.000-04:002008-10-27T23:46:00.000-04:00Alvina, after reading again what you posted I may ...Alvina, after reading again what you posted I may have found my problem.... by designer are you referring to the AD? THAT could be all there is to my confussion, if so, sorry, it all makes sense now:)Christine Tripphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05058419743726981987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31911817.post-82675468995986351552008-10-27T23:22:00.000-04:002008-10-27T23:22:00.000-04:00Alvina, that was all a little disheartening. Thoug...Alvina, that was all a little disheartening. Though most of us illustrators have HEARD that it's the Editor that does begin the illustration picking process, we have always been TOLD it's the Art Director we should send our samples and promo's to. I don't think an author gets such mixed signals. I'm wondering, with a large house, are Illustrators who are either A) not known by their name/history or B) unagented, ever used? How would an Editor have heard of them or is it that the AD will bring some outstanding promotion to the Editor, thus the Ed has these promo's to put in their file?<BR/>All very confusing but as the SCBWI Illustrator Rep for Canada, I'd love to know whom I should suggest our members send their samples to:)Christine Tripphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05058419743726981987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31911817.post-7568508991025998132008-10-27T17:35:00.000-04:002008-10-27T17:35:00.000-04:00Hi Alvina,I was also there on Saturday (I'm the on...Hi Alvina,<BR/><BR/>I was also there on Saturday (I'm the one who asked about your marathon running mere minutes before your talk...sorry about the timing!). <BR/><BR/>Although I'm a "W" and not an "I" in SCBWI, I really enjoyed your talk. I was amazed at how much time and effort can go into finding just the right illustrator. I'm looking forward to seeing the books you discussed on the shelves, especially the yet-unnamed one. Thanks again!Nataliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14119053515951615279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31911817.post-61407509045168812592008-10-27T17:16:00.000-04:002008-10-27T17:16:00.000-04:00Hi Alvina,Thanks for this super post. It's wonderf...Hi Alvina,<BR/>Thanks for this super post. It's wonderful information to know. And Jimmy Liao's art is spectacular! I think you made the perfect choice-nice match-making!<BR/>Daniel J. MahoneyDaniel Mahoneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11256892763009705442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31911817.post-34332662332788014022008-10-27T12:45:00.000-04:002008-10-27T12:45:00.000-04:00Thanks, Alvina! I've always wanted to be a 'fly on...Thanks, Alvina! I've always wanted to be a 'fly on the wall' for this process!Nicole Tadgellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14375868685169414073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31911817.post-80872883801967356992008-10-27T12:29:00.000-04:002008-10-27T12:29:00.000-04:00Thanks for another behind-the-scenes glimpse. :)Thanks for another behind-the-scenes glimpse. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31911817.post-54370157420779146002008-10-27T12:16:00.000-04:002008-10-27T12:16:00.000-04:00This is the best breakdown I've ever seen of the p...This is the best breakdown I've ever seen of the process.<BR/><BR/>I've passed the link on to fellow illustrators at SCBWI-Carolinas.<BR/><BR/>Many thanks!BonnieAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07033605628106047385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31911817.post-35180175558719536642008-10-27T10:14:00.000-04:002008-10-27T10:14:00.000-04:00Funny, I was at the conference on Saturday, but I ...Funny, I was at the conference on Saturday, but I didn't make the connection between you and this blog. I've been following for about a month now.<BR/><BR/>Your talk was certainly a highlight of the day. I was afraid there'd be nothing for illustrators. I'm a newbie, writing MG fiction and drawing pen-and-ink illustrations for it. At the moment I'm working on developing a portfolio for my online presence. Your discussion on the style ranges of various illustrators is really helping me think through how I want to sell myself. Thank you.Jean Wogamanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14464446396668373473noreply@blogger.com