Monday, November 16, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
100 Scopenotes BLOG interview
I was just interviewed by the blog 100 Scope Notes. Travis Jonker my interviewer is an elementary school librarian since 2005, started 100 Scope Notes in the golden days of 2007.
In addition to posting children’s literature reviews here, Travis also periodically straightens his tie and reviews for School Library Journal, and has been a judge for the Cybils Awards.
He lives in Michigan.
Hope you enjoy the interview it was a lot of fun to do.
Monday, November 09, 2009
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Interview Adventure series—Chad W. Beckerman
CW: I oversee the design, direction, and visual develop-
ment of books for these two imprints, as well as de-
signing and re-branding of the new ABRAMS logo.
I, along with the editors, think about which illustra-
tors out there are doing work that excites us and
offers the correct emotional response to the text.
Once an author and illustrator have been matched
up, I will go over sketches with the illustrator and
offer direction on how to better their work. At
of their work by offering understanding, encour-
agement, advice, honesty, excitement, and loads
of jokes.
I am also responsible for the design and direction of
the books from cover to interior — and yes, even
the back cover. I try my best to make the book look
as entertaining as possible so it becomes more entic-
ing for a reader to pick up.
Marci Hersel: What advice can you give illustrators trying to break into the business?
CW: Treat breaking into the business less like a dream
and more like a job with goals and responsibilities.
What I mean by this is if you are serious about be-
coming an illustrator you have to work at it like
your life depends on it.
My first goal would be to get a website or blog to
showcase your work. Try not to showcase too many
styles as this might confuse the art director and
make them wonder what style is truly yours. Sec-
ond, try and do a drawing a day or every other day
to keep yourself focused on your dream as well as
enhance your skills. Think of yourself as an athlete
who needs to work out before they can be at the top
of their game. It’s hard but you’ll look great for the
summer! Third, get yourself out there by any means
possible, mailing cards, e-mails, Facebook, Twitter,
etc., be inventive!
A word to the wise: if you find your way into talking
directly with an editor or art director and they don’t
respond, don’t keep calling or e-mailing, chances are
they are busy. If your work is what they are looking
for they will call.
Fourth, I cannot say this enough, do your research.
Take a trip to your local bookstore, Barnes &
Noble or Borders. Take a look at what they are posting up on
their walls and ask yourself, why? What looks like it
is selling? Don’t try to copy what is selling but look
deeper. Is it a book with animals, a book about a sin-
gle character? How is the book laid out? Who is the
publisher? These details will help you fine-tune your
own art, and your search for the publishing house
that will best match with your work. Lastly, I will
repeat my second piece of advice, draw, draw, draw!
Marci Hersel: How do you find illustrators for your projects? Are you open to hiring new talent?
I find illustrators numerous ways. For example:
• Illustrator reps.
• Artists’ websites.
• The Society of Illustrators, Illustrator annuals.
• Illustrator mailers.
• Student portfolio reviews.
• Other illustrator recommendations.
• Searching illustrators’ links to other illustrators.
I am always looking for new talent. One of the rewarding parts of my job
is finding new illustrators and giving them a stage to show off their talents.•
Monday, November 02, 2009
STRUTS & FRETS video Blog
Told in a voice that's honest, urgent, and hilarious, Struts & Frets will resonate not only with teenage musicians but with anyone who ever sat up all night listening to a favorite album, wondering if theyd ever find their place in the world.
Music is in Sammy's blood. His grandfather was a jazz musician, and Sammys indie rock band could be huge one day—if they don't self-destruct first. Winning the upcoming Battle of the Bands would justify all the bands compromises and reassure Sammy that his life's dream could become a reality. But practices are hard to schedule when Sammys grandfather is sick and getting worse, his mother is too busy to help either of them, and his best friend may want to be his girlfriend.
When everything in Sammys life seems to be headed for major catastrophe, will his music be enough to keep him together?
Find out more at: http://strutsandfrets.jonnyskov.com/
Music Video Monday
Zak Laughed is a 15 year old French musician who recently released the album The Last Memories of My Old House. I listened to it from beginning to end on this at work and I’m hooked. Thanks again to http://awwhellnah.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbdVfW4npqo
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
IGGY POP and Me
http://www.flickr.com/photos/abrams_books/sets/72157622454733553/
He was at the ABRAMS offices to sign copies for the new book THE STOOGES
Sunday, October 11, 2009
IT'S HERE! DOG DAYS
The long dog days of summer are over! We spent much of the spring and summer working on Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days from the cover to the interior and then the intense marketing campagin. Finally we get to relax and celebrate our hard work. That is until book five . . .But today is for celebrating. Charlie Kochman and I have been on a train since 6 am headed to my college town of Providence, Rhode Island for Jeff's first signing at the Providence Place Mall ( which was just being built when I was a sophmore). We are expecting a ton of people. It's going to be a long day. I'll be sure to post pictures ASAP.
Hope everyone enjoys the book.
SINCE SATURDAY:
#1 bestseller, Amazon.com
#1 bestseller, Bn.com
Read today’s, October 13, 2009,
SCIENCE TIMES
“A wildly popular series that resists easy moralizing.”
Read the entire article by clicking or copying and pasting this link: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/13/health/13well.html?_r=1&ref=science <http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/13/health/13well.html?_r=1&ref=science>
Version:1.0 StartHTML:0000000149 EndHTML:0000005374 StartFragment:0000000199 EndFragment:0000005340 StartSelection:0000000199 EndSelection:0000005340
Just in, the October 2, 2009
<http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/kids/images/masthead_logo.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/kids/games/white/0,28416,107748,00.html&usg=__jcICRpz_g6-GnI1zhtZDa7L3bKo=&h=94&w=393&sz=18&am>
“Everyone’s Favorite wimp is back.”
Read the entire article by clicking or copying and pasting this link: http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/teachers/wr/article/0,27972,1926241,00.html
October 12, 2009, Publishers Weekly gives the series its 4th consecutive starred review!
<http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.selfpublishingreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/publishers-weekly.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.selfpublishingreview.com/2009/05/19/on-demand-titles-surpassing-traditional-books/&usg=__H84c0epaEhXhV>
“Kinney's gift for telling, pitch-perfect details in both his writing and art remains (such as the cursive script and cutesy content of Mom's photo album captions). No reason to think kids won't devour this book as voraciously as its predecessors.”
October 12, 2009, Book of the Day on
http://www.booklistonline.com/default.aspx?page=show_product&pid=3824716 <http://www.booklistonline.com/default.aspx?page=show_product&pid=3824716>
“Nods to reality add humor and depth to this title, consistent in style and substance with previous series entries, which fans new and old will savor.”
TONIGHT:
NPR’s Here and Now
TOMORROW:
ABC’s The View
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Monday, October 05, 2009
Scenes from my Bulletin Board•October
This month's bulletin board features My Life in Pink & Green Scholastic Paperback, Wimpy Kid Catalog page and ABRAMS web site banner, Hereville interior page, page 28 color proof of Mama, Is It Summer Yet?, Laura Lee Gulledge's upcoming debut graphic novel Paige by Page, Secrets of the Cicada Summer paperback cover sketch by Amy Bates, Map of Italy —VACATION!, Just Like Mama original art by Julia Gorton, Title page sketch for La Noche Buena by Angela Dominguez and lastly just because I like looking at it John Hendrix's John Brown which has received 2 starred reviews and was selected into the Society of Illustrator's Childrens Art show on October 22nd.
Abrams books for Young Readers Spring 2010 Preview
Designed by Melissa Arnst
Designed by Melissa Arnst
Designed by Maria Middleton
Sunday, October 04, 2009
Music Video Monday—Crescent And Frost
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
On Press in Hagerstown, Maryland for the DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: DOG DAYS cover
Monday, September 21, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Samantha Cope—Cover model for The GIRLS and TROY HIGH
The lovely Samantha Cope emailed me this great photo last week. She is the cover model that Jonathan Beckerman and I used for two cover photographs of the newly released Troy High and last years The Girls. Beyond cover model Samantha is one of the stars of the new CW show The Lake. Check it out.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Music Video Monday—Kuroshio Sea
Two days early but I thought this was amazingly beautiful that I would post it earlier.
Kuroshio Sea is the second largest aquarium in the world. From Wikipedia:
"The aquarium is a part of the Ocean Expo Commemorative National Government Park located in Motobu, Okinawa. The main tank called the ‘Kuroshio Sea’ holds 7,500-cubic meters (1,981,290 gallons) of water and features the world’s second largest acrylic glass panel, measuring 8.2 meters by 22.5 meters with a thickness of 60 centimeters. Whale sharks and manta rays are kept amongst many other fish species in the main tank."
Thanks to Erik at http://awwhellnah.com
Monday, September 14, 2009
NERDS BOOK LAUNCH PARTY PHOTOS
Michael Buckley
Finn Buckley
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