new posts in all blogs
Viewing Blog: - News, Most Recent at Top
Results 1 - 25 of 85
News
Statistics for - News
Number of Readers that added this blog to their MyJacketFlap: 1
Ten years ago I was asked to attend the grand opening of the expansion of the Children's Library. It was an exciting day to see such an amazing and beautiful place dedicated to children's books!
I was there with Alexis O'Neill and Joan Bransfield Graham. Once again the three of us will be there, along with Ed Lawrence, Mary Ann Fraser and Sarah Lynn Scheerger to celebrate the Tenth Anniversary of the Library Expansion! The entire event runs from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. I know this will be another exciting day.
I'll be making a short presentation at 1:15 p.m. I hope you can come out and visit with us, and check out a book!
Join us as we celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Children's Expansion on Saturday, June 25 from 10am - 3pm at the main Library. Food Trucks for lunch and crafts, storytellers, sidewalk art, authors, and more.
I'm very late in reporting this great news, but my educational art is now represented by The Ann Remem-Willis Agency. I'm so honored that she asked me to join her group. Below is a copy of the announcement. Click on the image and it will link to my page on her website.
Connie Halpern just finished reading my picture book, Humphrey's First Christmas. When she closed the book this young audience member clapped and shouted out "Bravo"! It was a fun and unexpected moment for everyone! Such a cute little fellow.
Here is a short clip of a little Humphrey fan shouting 'Bravo' after Connie Halpern of Mrs. Figs' Bookworm finished reading my picture book HUMPHREY'S FIRST CHRISTMAS!This little boy was too cute, and even his mother was taken by surprise when he clapped and shouted 'Bravo'!
I had a great time at Mrs. Figs' Bookworm. Sold lots of books, signed from 1:00 p.m. till 5:30 p.m. It was wonderful, met new people and visited with good friends. Definitely a lovely day.
So many cute kids stopped by to hear the reading, but the cutest were a brother and sister. They were both laughing and intently interested in Connie's reading. When she finished the story, the kids clapped and the little fellow said "Bravo". Everyone was floored! Even his mother was amazed. She told me she didn't even know he knew that word. So cute.
I'll be at Mrs. Figs' Bookworm on December 5, 2015 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., signing copies of my latest, THE FIRST CHRISTMAS board book, and of course my favorite picture book HUMPHREY'S FIRST CHRISTMAS!
Connie Halpern (aka Mrs. Figs) well known for channeling her inner camel, will be doing her usual sparkling rendition of Humphrey's First Christmas.
Hope to see you there!
MRS. FIGS' BOOKWORM
SIGNING
December 5, 2015 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Las Posas Plaza Shopping Center
93 E Daily Dr, Camarillo, CA 93010
(805) 482-1384
I've been illustrating projects for McGraw Hill and so I'm late in posting this great news, but I won First Place for my YA novel in progress, at SoCal OC/IE - Editor's Day in October!
I've been so excited about this win!
I thought I'd post a few paragraphs from "HUMAN CHILD", my YA fantasy novel:
My heart beat out of its cage. I wished to be anywhere but here, living with this shadow of Faerie. Listening to the murmurs of Changeling, I tried to lock out the meaning, but the word had buzzed in my thoughts for too long. Worrying me. Beating me down. Feeding my growing doubt that perhaps I was not a human child. My hands went to my stomach. My mouth filled with saliva and I fought the slurry rising from my gut. Surely the fact that salt did not affect me, and iron had no power to repel, proved I was a child of Adam, not Oberon.
I stood alone. Not one of the cowards massed along the perimeter risked looking at me. The faerie with the evil eye, the one who could ruin them with a glance.
A figure slipped tentatively along the wall of shoppers, tracing a shield knot on her forehead as she approached. The girl moved gracefully. Blond hair flowed in curls around her face, framing cheeks and lips blushed crimson. I could more easily believe her Faerie, than I, with my dull, nut brown hair, olive skin and hazel eyes.
The binding ring on her finger glistened as she clutched her shawl to her breast. She would soon be wed, love a man, have children. I wanted to curse her for her good fortune.
Her lips moved feverishly as she passed. I caught some of the words she muttered, “…shield… circle’s bound… bury evil…” I recognized that familiar prayer. We were the same age. In another life we might have been friends, whispering secrets of marriage into each other’s ears. Instead, she prayed for my death.
I called up my own protection. Hate. I pounded it into armor. Let it pierce through skin, and muscle, and bone, to encase my heart. It was my strongest defense.
I feigned a move toward her. The girl cried out and sped away. I wanted to chase after her, catch her wrists and twirl her around. Grip her face between my two hands, and rattle her skull until she looked into my eyes. I wanted to scream that I had no evil to cast over her, that I didn’t want to steal her luck, or her worthless soul. Instead, I turned and followed the fragrances of lavender, peppermint and basil, to the root doctor’s stall.
I was recently interviewed by the talented artist/poet Leticia Teresa Pontoni for
LOS BLOGUITOS, a wonderful blog for children who speak and read Spanish.
I was also honored to be the first interview posted on Leticia's new Blog;
Leticia Teresa Pontoni Blogspot, Un lugar donde las entrevistas viven, a place for live interviews.
When you have the time I hope you'll check out both of the sites by clicking on the logos above.
This best-selling Easter book is now available in board book format. The rich acrylic paintings of best-selling author and artist Carol Heyer, are now presented in board book form, along with a simplified retelling of the biblical story of Easter. Here young readers will be introduced to the events surrounding the death and Resurrection of Jesus in an age-appropriate manner. Ages 3 to 5.
The Norwegian publisher, Juritzen Publishing in Oslo purchased the rights to my original picture book HUMPHREY'S FIRST PALM SUNDAY! His name was changed to Konrad the Kamel. Alliteration rules!!
I just received my advance copy. Here is the new cover. So exciting to see Konrad's Forste Palmesondag!
I was invited to read Humphrey's First Christmas on JD Holiday's Halo Kids Tales blog talk radio show, but I asked Connie Halpern, owner of Mrs. Figs' Bookworm, if she would read Humphrey for me instead. I was thrilled when she agreed! She did a much better job! :0)
The show opens with a wonderful story by Jennifer Tzivia MacLeod titled Chanukah Monsters. It's a lively story with a great message and lots of heart!
Humphrey's First Christmas, read by Connie, begins at 08:57. Below is the link to the show.
HALO KIDS TALES HOLIDAY SHOW I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
I had a great time at Bookworm signing books and chatting with everyone! I shared the day with a fantastic mosaic artist/author
Christine Brallier . She was there signing her new Christmas book
The Night Before Christmas.I was there signing copies of Humphrey's First Christmas of course! Connie Halpern, the owner of
Mrs. Figs' Bookworm read both of our books. She is so emotive and makes the book so much fun for everyone to hear! I couldn't even come close!
Here's a picture of Connie reading Humphrey and channeling her inner camel!
We were able to hold the signing outside. The sun was shining and it was in the 80's . . . in December!
Posted on 12/8/2014
Blog:
- News
(
Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:
Add a tag
THE BACKSTORY of Chasing Fireflies:
My writing and illustration was mentioned last year in the inaugural Chasing Fireflies blog by Deni Corbett and Gil Moegerle. The entire blog on Fireflies Backstory is amazing of course, but, I'm partial to the section where my work is mentioned :0) That section begins at 3:22 - 4:23
QUOTES: We are in love with Carol's illustrations ... I can't tell you if it was the words first or the illustrations first that grabs our attention ... Her books are a win,win!
Posted on 12/8/2014
Blog:
- News
(
Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:
Add a tag
My interview on Chasing Fireflies came out today!! This is a wonderful family site with lots of activities and inspiration!
Check out my interview and dozens of others on their site:
Meet Carol Heyer December 8, 2014 by Deni Corbett
Is there a better gift than a great children’s book? The Fireflies team loves Humphrey the camel and his funny, meaningful Christmas book adventure. So we wanted you to meet his creator Carol Heyer, a leading children’s book author and illustrator. Carol introduces us to this wise men’s grumpy ride and then provides practical tips for spotting and nourishing creativity in our children.Humphrey’s coloring pages & activities
Click on the Kidlit Logo to go to the site:
I'm so excited to have an Author-Illustrator Interview up on Kidlit 411 today! If you haven't been to this site you really need to check it out. It's a great resource for children's writers and illustrators.
Author-Illustrator Interview: Carol Heyer
Today we interview author-illustrator Carol Heyer, who has written/illustrated 28 children's books. Over 2 million of her picture books have been sold.
Tell us about your background and how you came to write and illustrate for children.
While I worked for an independent movie production company I also did some freelance work for a few companies. One of them had two black and white cartoon characters that appeared in church bulletins, Hopscotch and Sebastian. This same company asked me if I would be interested in painting samples of these characters for a children’s book they had written. Doing a children’s book was on my bucket list and so I was excited to give it a chance. I did three illustrations. We immediately had three publishers interested, and the rest they say is history!
We did two Hopscotch and Sebastian books, one for Christmas, and one for Easter.
I’m always marketing and at that time I used stickers of my art on all my correspondence. (Now I print them out on my letterhead.) The Publisher noticed a realistic animal sticker that was on my latest letter and liked it. Until that point they had only seen the cartoon work that I had done. The publisher requested more samples and once she saw them I was immediately asked to do Beauty and the Beast. I did a series of fairy tale books after that, and then other publishers noticed my work and started asking me if I would work on projects with them. It was a lovely snowball effect!
You have written/illustrated 28 children's books. How have your experience and the industry changed since you first published your books?
Well, when I first started it was an entirely different industry. I think publishers were more approachable and it was a lot easier to sell a project and have it published. Nowadays the amount of books being published has diminished and so have the opportunities to break into children’s books.
That doesn’t mean you can’t get something published, just that you have to be more persistent. You have to believe in what you’re doing and never give up. Keep sending things out until a door opens!
What is your most recent book and can you tell us about it?
My most recent project is a board book, my first one, titled the FIRST EASTER. It’s due out in the spring of 2015.
Also, a Norwegian publisher has purchased rights to my original picture books, HUMPHREY'S FIRST CHRISTMAS, release 2014, and HUMPHREY'S FIRST EASTER, release 2015.
I’m currently developing several new picture book projects, heading back to my “cartoon” beginnings with lively, fun characters that I’m having a blast designing.
You do a variety of art in addition to children's books. How do you balance your projects? What are you working on these days?
I love working on various projects, in different genres, at the same time. I always have. When I get bogged down on an illustration, which happens to me all the time, and it just isn’t working then I jump to another project. When I come back to the problem painting with a fresh eye, I can usually work out what was bothering me and then complete the image. I have two easels; sometimes three going all the time in my studios and leave them set up with a painting in progress. Then all I have to do is roll my taboret around and start work on the other piece.
I think this approach keeps my art fresher. I do the same thing when I write, with at least a half dozen stories, from picture books to YA, in progress at the same time.
I’m currently working on an “Alice in Wonderland” illustration for the Mazza Children’s Museum, and a fantasy series of Urban Wizards.
What are the one or two things you did that have most furthered your children's writing & illustrating career?
Researching publishers before I do mailings to make sure my style will work with their existing line, but most important of all, setting up a schedule of regular mailings and updates. This keeps your new work in front of the art directors and reminds them that you’re available for assignments.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors and illustrators?
I mentioned about being persistent. I think that’s the single most important thing you have to be. There are a lot of talented people out there that are not published, and not creating anymore, because they couldn’t take the rejections, or just gave up too soon.
Never stop honing your craft. Keep learning, painting, stretching and sending out samples. Sometimes you feel like you’re being ignored, but I always remember a letter I got from a mystery novel publisher that said, “We’ve just received your latest sample and like it very much. Thank you for your persistence, we would like to offer you a cover assignment.” Ever since I got that letter I’ve always told everyone, that my middle name was “Persistence.”
Another time I’d been mailing to a publisher for over a year with no response. I was just about to take them off my mailing list when they contacted me and offered me a two-book assignment. The art director said that she had a thick file filled with my images that she was able to take to the table and present. So, you just never know.
What is one thing most people don't know about you?
I love animals! I have two rescue Chihuahua mixes that I spoil rotten. Cashew Nut and Peanut. Since I am nutty too, friends have told me that I am now one of the Mixed Nuts, and also that my home is officially The Nut House.
Also, I’m a decorating diva and like to collect African and Asian antiques. I also love gardening.
Where can people find you online?My website is HTTP://WWW.CAROLHEYER.COM. It has a mix of my fantasy and children’s art. CAROL HEYER is a full time illustrator and writer. Before beginning her freelance career Heyer worked for a movie production company as production designer and writer of feature films, including Thunder Run, and May Day.Heyer has written/illustrated twenty-eight children’s books. To date well over two million of her picture books have been sold.Heyer's art has appeared on everything from book covers to bookmarks. She has done work for DISNEY, WIZARDS OF THE COAST, READER’S DIGEST, RAY BRADBURY, SCHOLASTIC, PENGUIN PUTNAM/Henry Winkler, and many others. Heyer graduated from CALIFORNIA LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY with departmental honors. Her biography has appeared in WHO’S WHO IN AMERICA, CONTEMPORARY AUTHORS, etc.Click on the Kidlit logo to go to the site:
I'm honored to once again be signing my Humphrey's First Christmas book at Mrs. Figs' Bookworm in Camarillo! The last time I was in the store, Connie the owner, and I tried to come up with a tally of the number of HFC's sold since my book launch in 2007. We estimated over 1000 copies sold!!!!!!! Very exciting!
Here's information from the press release about the next signing. This time I'll be there with author Christine Brallier.
Mosaic artist Christine Brallier has created fifteen stained glass mosaic illustrations in her unique rendition of the classic The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore. http://www.cbmosaics.com
Humphrey’s First Christmas (beautifully illustrated by the author) is the story of a lovable camel that accompanies the three wise men to bring gifts to the Baby Jesus.
Also plan to visit Santa's Workshop here in the Las Posas Plaza from 10-4 (Santa eats lunch from 1-2 p.m). Bring your cameras for wonderful photo opportunities!
Hope to see you there! :0)
These are two out of forty-four images I created for Doreen Virtue's Indigo Angel Oracle Cards.
The gallery is located next to the sports facility, which I think is a brilliant idea! It is a beautifully designed gallery and I'm so proud to have my art on display with so many talented alumni. Gallery Hours
Tuesday – Friday:
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Saturday:
11:00 am – 3:00 pm
(805) 493-3697
A Norwegian publisher has purchased rights to my original picture book HUMPHREY'S FIRST CHRISTMAS! His name was changed to Konrad the Kamel. Alliteration rules!
Here is the new cover. So exciting to see Konrad's Forste Jul.
I think Humphrey looks just as cute in Norwegian! :0)
Mailen Stubsveen is the translator.
Below is the page to order the new edition. Thought it was cool to see.
Humphrey's/Konrad's First Palm Sunday is on it's way too. I'll post that cover when I get my author's copy!
Recently on Kathleen Temean's
ILLUSTRATOR SATURDAY, she showcased her favorite illustrations from postings appearing the first half of the this year. Click here:
Illustrator Saturday – Favorites to see her favorites from all the interviews, and check out the array of beautiful art .
My Crystal Angel, commissioned for a deck of angel cards by Doreen Virtue, was Kathy's pick for the interview she did about my work. Click here:
Illustrator Saturday ~ Carol Heyer, or on the Crystal Angel above to go to the original interview.
Go to Kathleen Temean's site by clicking on her logo above. Don't forget to subscribe! You'll find lots of helpful and interesting writing and Illustrating tips and tricks. She showcases lots of wonderful artist interviews as well as timely publishing information you'll be glad you read!
Posted on 2/22/2014
Blog:
- News
(
Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:
Add a tag
Click on the links above to be taken to the main site.
Posted on 2/22/2014
Blog:
- News
(
Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:
Add a tag
Click on the links above to be taken to the main site.
Posted on 2/12/2014
Blog:
- News
(
Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:
Add a tag
There is a great new showcase on my art at Empty Easel a wonderful online art magazine!
Click on the art below to see the article. Thanks Empty Easel!
The image above, Something Fishy Down on the Farm won a place in Spectrum Competition for Fantastical Art.
Posted on 2/12/2014
Blog:
- News
(
Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:
Add a tag
There is a great new showcase on my art at Empty Easel a wonderful online art magazine!
Click on the art below to see the article. Thanks Empty Easel!
The image above, Something Fishy Down on the Farm won a place in Spectrum Competition for Fantastical Art.
Posted on 2/1/2014
Blog:
- News
(
Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:
Add a tag
There is a lovely article/interview posted by Kathy Temean on her blog Writing and Illustrating! Click on Kathy's logo below and it will take you to the page!
I hope you enjoy it.
Posted on 2/1/2014
Blog:
- News
(
Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:
Add a tag
There is a lovely article/interview posted by Kathy Temean on her blog Writing and Illustrating! Click on Kathy's logo below and it will take you to the page!
I hope you enjoy it.
View Next 25 Posts
