illustrator Archives - Rhys Keller

The Gift Shop Bear – A Sweet Family Christmas Story

Rhys Keller — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 23:16:10 +0000

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!

The post The Gift Shop Bear – A Sweet Family Christmas Story appeared first on Rhys Keller.

Crafting Messages with Author and Illustrator Shay Fan

Rhys Keller — Tue, 02 Feb 2021 16:55:00 +0000

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.

The post Crafting Messages with Author and Illustrator Shay Fan appeared first on Rhys Keller.

Interview with Illustrator June Steube

Rhys Keller — Tue, 28 Jul 2020 14:55:00 +0000

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.

The post Interview with Illustrator June Steube appeared first on Rhys Keller.

Author Illustrator Life with Shanda McCloskey

Rhys Keller — Tue, 03 Mar 2020 15:55:00 +0000

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...

The post Author Illustrator Life with Shanda McCloskey appeared first on Rhys Keller.

Picture Book Critique Fest #PBCritiqueFest 2019

Rhys Keller — Mon, 14 Oct 2019 16:01:45 +0000

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?!

The post Picture Book Critique Fest #PBCritiqueFest 2019 appeared first on Rhys Keller.

Illustrating Children’s Books with Phyllis Harris

Rhys Keller — Fri, 27 Sep 2019 14:55:23 +0000

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 sneak peak into her latest book, On Christmas Day, written by the late Margaret Wise Brown (known for Goodnight Moon and many other classics). Phyllis Harris began her career in graphic design at a newspaper while also freelancing at Hallmark Cards. She shifted to illustration full time where she has happily continued for the past 20 years creating the art for over 30 children’s books. In recent years she has focused more on her writing as well as illustrating picture books. Phyllis, thank you for opening up your publishing journey with us. It’s not easy to become an accomplished, published illustrator of 30 books. Your latest, On Christmas Day with WorthyKids which releases October 1, 2019, is particularly special. What’s a typical day like for a career illustrator and what has it meant to you being able to illustrate words from the late and beloved author Margaret Wise Brown? My day usually starts at 9 am. I have always envied those who are true morning people. Unfortunately, I have never […]

The post Illustrating Children’s Books with Phyllis Harris appeared first on Rhys Keller.

Creating Picture Books as a Team with Amy and Greg Newbold

Rhys Keller — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 17:23:44 +0000

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.

The post Creating Picture Books as a Team with Amy and Greg Newbold appeared first on Rhys Keller.

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

Rhys Keller — Tue, 02 Jul 2019 14:55:27 +0000

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.

The post When Picture Books Shine Editors Sign – Teams Tell All – Part 3 appeared first on Rhys Keller.

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

Rhys Keller — Tue, 25 Jun 2019 14:55:29 +0000

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.

The post When Picture Books Shine Editors Sign – Teams Tell All – Part 2 appeared first on Rhys Keller.

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

Rhys Keller — Tue, 11 Jun 2019 14:55:55 +0000

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.

The post When Picture Books Shine Editors Sign – Teams Tell All – Part 1 appeared first on Rhys Keller.