Rhys Keller

January 1, 2018

How To Query a Literary Agent – Correctly

The inevitable journey for authors and illustrators, if you want to become traditionally published, or if you want to secure agent representation, leads to the dreadful and often mysterious query. You'll often notice the Twitter hashtag #amquerying in frequent use by the most hopeful among us. Are you wondering how to query a literary agent? What exactly is querying and how do you do it correctly? Or better yet, how do you NOT query a literary agent? What should your query letter look like? What should it include? Read on and you'll know the answers to all these questions and more!

December 31, 2017

New Year New You

What a cheesy slogan. "New Year New You" cascades from every motivational speaker this time of the year. You know what the problem is with this phrase? It's true.

I've never come across anyone who wouldn't do things differently if given an opportunity to step back in time. Why be that person? You don't need to live like that. Human nature often settles into comfortable habit and those comfortable habits are often the things we most regret when looking back over the course of time.

December 30, 2017

The Journey of Self-Publishing a Children’s Book

Many of you know of my writing exploits. Recently, I wrapped up the illustration phase of self-publishing a children's book. It required a surprising amount of effort that was largely based on my naivety. After writing the manuscript, I researched and interviewed freelance illustrators on a freelancer online platform. After finding one I thought would be a perfect fit for my manuscript material, we began working together under contract.

December 29, 2017

Endings Are Beginnings

The end of a year always catches me by surprise, just like Christmas. Even though we have so much time to look forward to it and prepare, time simply moves too quickly. My wife and I have two boys and at this point one is a bit over 4 and the other a bit over 1. Whether you've got children or not, or are married or not, your life is likely filled to the brim. And that issue takes us full-circle to the end of the year.

December 2, 2017

Book Review – How Martha Saved Her Parents from Green Beans

Let me just start off by saying it this way. My son doesn't typically ask to keep library books. But the other night, after reading How Martha Saved Her Parents from Green Beans by writer David Larochelle and artist Mark Fearing, two times mind you, he quite legitimately asked if we could keep it.

Now, I don't care who you are, it begs a question. What is there to this children's book that would cause him to say such an unexpected thing? My wife and I have read thousands of books to him and, while he may not want to return a book to the library right away, he rarely asks to keep them.

December 1, 2017

Interview with Illustrator Jo Painter

Jo is a freelance Concept Artist, Illustrator and Animator trying to break her way into the game industry! She currently works for a variety of authors and companies around the world but when she’s not working and painting at her desk, you can usually find her with her head stuck in a book or out for a walk in the countryside. The best way to keep up to date with her work is through Instagram - @po_jainter or her website, www.jopainter.co.uk

November 4, 2017

Interview with Science Fiction Author Thane Keller

It's a joy and a pleasure to be able to interview my big brother, Thane Keller. Thane is a science fiction author and U.S. Army veteran who explores the depth of human nature under dire circumstances. After over a decade of service, he has deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan where he was personally engaged in ground combat. Although busy at home as a husband and father to four, he has consistently made time to express his passion for writing.

You can find Thane at www.thanekeller.com and can purchase his books on Amazon, Apple Books, Kobo, or at any local bookstore.

September 1, 2017

On Making Time

If you ask anyone why they aren't progressing further on their goals, time is often the answer. "I just don't have the time." I've said it. You've said it. Time is unfortunately one of the clearest, most finite resources available. Interestingly enough, we all have the same amount.