illustrator Archives - Rhys Keller

October 21, 2021

The Gift Shop Bear – A Sweet Family Christmas Story

It's rare to experience a brand new Christmas book from a talented author / illustrator with a unique story premise! But that's exactly what's been created with Phyllis Harris' sweet family Christmas story, The Gift Shop Bear. Get a sneak peak from my advanced copy and see why it belongs on your Christmas shelf! Find a secret at the bottom of this post for your chance to WIN a SIGNED copy straight from the author / illustrator's desk!

February 2, 2021

Crafting Messages with Author and Illustrator Shay Fan

Crafting the perfect message is much more than throwing words at the wall and hoping one of them sticks. Tailoring messages to a target audience is a surefire way to see better results not just in the corporate world, but at home, on blogs, and especially on book store shelves. Helping us see the importance of carefully selecting our words is author and illustrator Shay Fan, who has worked in marketing and Public Relations for companies like Skype and YouTube. She is also represented by Andrea Walker of Azantian Literary Agency. If you care about building your personal brand and communicating effectively, this is one interview you can't afford to miss.

July 28, 2020

Interview with Illustrator June Steube

Do you love nature? Animals? How about art? Do you wonder what it's like to embrace all three for a career in illustration and publishing? Nature artist June Steube shares her experiences in this incredible, in-depth interview. Learn about her journey, gain valuable insight into book publishing from an illustrator's perspective, see how she overcomes tough projects, and consider the tools she uses for success. Also, get a sneak peak into her upcoming children's book project about birds with OwlKids Press! This is one interview you do NOT want to miss.

March 3, 2020

Author Illustrator Life with Shanda McCloskey

Wishing you were living that author illustrator life? Curious what it's like? Already consumed by books and looking for a little insight and encouragement? Children's picture book author and illustrator Shanda McCloskey shares her journey in this interview. Take a breath and grab some coffee because she's spilling the beans and taking us to school. Just make sure you've brought something to write (or draw) with...

October 14, 2019

Picture Book Critique Fest #PBCritiqueFest 2019

Fall is a fantastic season for writing. Coming off the tails of the KitLit Fall Writing Frenzy and taking us to the tip of NaNoWriMo in November is the Picture Book Critique Fest #PBCritiqueFest. With 37 industry participants (literary agents, authors, and illustrators) and 35 valuable giveaway prizes (manuscript and dummy critiques), this is one writing contest you can't afford to miss. Did I mention it's completely free?!

September 27, 2019

Illustrating Children’s Books with Phyllis Harris

Thinking about becoming a career illustrator? Ever wonder what it’s like to be a published illustrator of children’s books? Gleam some insight from successful illustrator Phyllis Harris and get a...

September 10, 2019

Creating Picture Books as a Team with Amy and Greg Newbold

Creating picture books is not always a solitary, lonely endeavor. Great books require great teams and where better to start than within the same home? Amy and Greg Newbold share their story, experience, and insight into how they work together, as husband and wife, in creating beautiful books for children. Join us as we gleam from their experience chasing, and dare I say reaching, the author and illustrator's dream of publishing books.

July 2, 2019

When Picture Books Shine Editors Sign – Teams Tell All – Part 3

What makes a picture book stand out? How do you take a classic tradition, give it a modern twist, and turn it into a book an agent and editor will love? What can you do to add authenticity to a story and bridge the gap between the historic and the fanciful? Find out now from the wonderful cast of our third installment in the series, When Picture Books Shine Editors Sign - Teams Tell All, where author, agent, illustrator, and acquisition editor have pulled open the curtain for all of us.

June 25, 2019

When Picture Books Shine Editors Sign – Teams Tell All – Part 2

What's it like creating a manuscript that grips an agent, sells an editor, and excites an illustrator? What does an acquisition editor look for when judging the many manuscripts they receive? Come behind the curtain again with a second installment of the series, When Picture Books Shine Editors Sign - Teams Tell All - Part 2! This time, we learn all about creating a hook-y book that delights readers with TASTE YOUR WORDS.

June 11, 2019

When Picture Books Shine Editors Sign – Teams Tell All – Part 1

What makes a picture book shine? What separates a so-so story from a must have? What does an acquisition editor see in a great picture book manuscript? Picture book agents and editors are bombarded with manuscripts. Some are fresh twists on a classic idea. Others are revolutionary in every way. Yet, most picture book manuscripts never get off the ground if ever out of their author's head. Join along as we dive deep into picture books by interviewing recent picture book teams. We'll learn what made them shine and why the editor signed on the dotted line.