It’s a unique opportunity when an illustrator can also write stories that other artists can render. This happened to Don Tate when he wrote It Jes’ Happened, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie.
Check out this excellent discussion between Anne Rockwell and Don Tate, at Anne’s site.
“…While I could have illustrated the story, my illustration styles weren’t the perfect match for the text. My editor wanted the art to be edgy, gritty. I wanted to go with an illustrator who had broader name recognition than myself. Greg Christie became one of our top choices.”—Don Tate
Remember this if you encounter a book editor who loves your story, but suggests that another illustrator provide the art. Don’t insist on all (doing both story and pictures) or nothing.
If a publisher is seriously interested in acquiring one component, make sure to ask why. Decisions like these are made for the good of the project.
Art from “It Jes’ Happened” by Greg Christie click to enlarge
Editors want your book to sell as many copies as possible. One practical consideration is name recognition. Newcomers tend to forget that buyers invariably prefer to request a familiar name or brand, when they shop, even in bookstores or libraries. Publishers also need to see how your name fares out there initially, in the mutual interest of nurturing a new career for the long term.
Award winning artist, R. Gregory Christie is has launched a kickstarter campaign to open a working store and studio in North Dekalb Mall in Atlanta, GA! Why should you support this?
1. There are no other stores like this in Georgia…especially North Dekalb Mall.
2. It’s Greg Christie
3. I wanna go and hang out there.
4. It would boost literacy, creativity and entrepreneurship in the neighborhood.
From the site:
Surprisingly for a mall, the space is very raw, there is even graffiti on the walls. It will take several gallons of primer, several gallons of paint , a new floor, proper lighting, signs, video monitor, shelving, display racks, a graphic designer, publicity, advertising to local schools, churches and libraries. and cash register. As of now this is all being funded by the owner. Georgia has licencing by each county (rather by the state) along with an intricate, belaboring and expensive process for opening a small business. There are leasing fees and insurance required by the mall and these specific things are being paid for by the owner.This kick starter request is to make this store stunning rather than to have the county, mall and federal paperwork completed; only to see books displayed on a gym table with chairs.
Two weeks ago I drove up to Nashville, TN to speak with Jewell Parker Rhodes at the Southern Festival of Books. Not only did I get to meet a wonderful author, but I was able to spend some quality time with my younger brother and take him to his very first book festival. On the way up we listened to Sherman Alexie‘s THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART TIME INDIAN. A few years back Chris Myers introduced me to Sherman Alexie’s poetry, specifically his list poems. He’s an outstanding storyteller and all of his accolades are so well deserved.
We stopped in Chattanooga to eat and visit the Hunter Museum of American Art. My brother was “blown away” (pun intended) by the Stephen Rolfe Powell glass sculpture exhibit. Along with the live glass exhibit, there was a viewing area that showed videos about Chihuly and other glass artists and their work. Needless to say, we both walked away wanting to be glass artists for at least a day.
In the permanent collection was also a Thomas Hart Benton and an impressive Radcliffe Bailey piece on display among many other wonderful works of art.
After leaving the museum we stopped for a bite of sushi and headed on up to Nashville. We were hosted by two of the nicest folks I’ve ever met in the book world, Robin Smith and Dean Schnieder (of “The Dean’s List”). Robin gave me a tour of her lovely home that’s full of books and ART! while Dean and my brother chewed the fat over funky jazz tunes. The next morning Robin and Dean hosted breakfast with homemade lemony cinnamon rolls, egg soufflé, and coffee! The table was abuzz with conversation from some very cool folks like Deb Wiles (whose blog I’m referring to in aiding my memory) Ellen Wittlinger; Squire Babcock from Murray, Kentucky; Ellen’s husband, David (the photographer); Robin; Ellen’s daughter, Kate Pritchard; and her brand-new husband, Mark Letcher. What a way to start the day.
Shortly after breakfast we were off to work! Jewell Parker Rhodes is a delight of a lady. The only thing better than reading NINTH WARD is listening to Jewell read from NINTH WARD and hear her motivation behind the book. After our talk we signed a few books and said our goodbyes.
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