Small Crisis - by Jason Kirschner

I am facing a little bit of a dilemma right now. A small crisis of faith. I'm a guy with a family and a day job who wants to write and draw for kids. I'm passionate about it. I do it in my spare time, weekends, late nights, Arbor Day. I've got one book out and it’s doing ok.  People are buying it and based on reviews, liking it! But … it hasn’t made national news or a best-seller list but if you’re reading this blog, odds are that you've heard of it.  And I’m proud of it.  I believe in it.  I think the work is strong.

Currently,  I’m working on some follow-up projects.  I have ideas.  Lots of ideas actually, but there was one I was drawn to the most and I decided to concentrate on that. It’s the kind of story I like — silly and nerdy and a bit wordy.  I’ve finished a manuscript that made me laugh. I’m in the process of drawing the dummy now and I like how it’s progressing.

And still, my mind wanders back to the first book often.  The one that’s on shelves but not “breaking the internet” in any way, shape, or form.  This new book is written very much in the same vein as the first.  Not the same story or characters, but I think stylistically they’re cut from the same cloth.  I wonder if I’m making a mistake.  Should I infer some lesson from the “not huge success” of the first book?  Should I change my style? Should I be trying something completely different?

A sketch from the new project--and also sorta how I'm feeling (minus the tutu.)

I’m not sure of the answer here.  When I first started trying to write and illustrate books, I tried very hard to make the kind of books that I saw on the shelves. I was probably imitating more than creating.  I was so frustrated that I was making the kind of thing that I saw in the stores and yet I couldn’t sell a thing.  So I took a small leap and created something I really loved.  I honestly thought it was going to be an exercise or a practice project of some sort.  I didn’t think anyone would ever bite.  But they did!  I thought I’d found the secret.  Make what you love!

But based on early sales, not as many people love it as I’d hoped.  I’d hoped there would be one in every household across America. It didn't happen. There could be loads of reasons why.  I'm a first time author.  Perhaps I didn't market it perfectly?  I've learned a lot on that front for next time. (Also see Mike’s brilliant entry from last week for help there.)  But part of me thinks that if the work is out there and it’s appealing, then people will find it.  It might be naive but it’s the way I feel.

So…some questions.

Also from the new thing.

First off — what’s my goal?  If it’s to match J.K. Rowling’s sales, I’ve failed miserably.  If it’s to get my books in the hands of kids that might love it, I think I’ve done that. In fact, I know I have. I've seen great reviews and received kid drawings that tell me it's true.  Ding!

What to do with the new project?  Should I scrap it? Do I rewrite it and make it more stylistically different from the first?  I think I am going to rewrite a bit.  Just a bit.  I won’t make it something I don’t love or just imitate what I see on shelves but if you just ignore what you’re seeing in the world around you than you're burying you head in the sand. Ding?

So. What have we accomplished here?   Believe in your work.  Write what you love. Know the market.  Know how to market. I know all of this isn’t new ground for writing/illustrating blogs but it was my week to blog and this was much cheaper than therapy. Much appreciated and Happy (belated) Arbor Day!

Jason Kirschner is the author and illustrator of Mr. Particular: The World's Choosiest Champion from Sterling which you can now find on shelves in bookstores everywhere. Get your own copy and see more of Jason's work at jasonkirschner.com.

Marketing... it's not a dirty word - by Mike Ciccotello

I love creating stories and illustration, but luckily for me, I also love marketing. Yup. I said it. 

I LOVE MARKETING!

I really don't need a caption for this.

Embrace marketing. It doesn't have to be coupon pack mailers, or cheesy radio ads, and it should NOT be instantaneously telling people about your book as soon as they like one of your tweets.

You're probably marketing your work right now and you didn't even realize it.

Every time you enter a contest, attend a conference, and get a portfolio review, you are marketing. Yes, you are still honing your craft, but at the same time, you are promoting you and your work. You are showing people what you create, who you are, and getting your name out there. By doing this consistently, people will start seeing your name and work, over and over, which leads to familiarity. Repetition is a good thing, as long as it's done in moderation. 

My entry for the NJ Library Association, poster contest.

Try to find a balance between creating great work and getting it our there. Don't just do the marketing, that would be putting the cart before the horse. And don't be scared to share the work you create. You don't have to share everything, but try to share something. 

Recently I hit a creative block while rewriting one of my manuscripts. In order to keep working, I tried my hand at some short term projects while I took a break from my manuscript. I entered a couple contests and applied for a conference. I was able to share the imagery on social media and feel the accomplishment of completing a short term project. Illustrators have a lot of opportunities to do this and they don't cost a dime.

My entry for SCBWI Draw This, for July. The prompt was, Admire.

Drawing challenges - share on social media with proper hashtags. 
These are ones that I know of.
pinch punch post, sketch dailies, daily doodle, finish the scribble, scbwi draw this, inktober, and illustration friday.
(Please mention some more challenges in the comments.)

Contests - see if you are allowed to share your entry on social media. 
This year I submitted to SCBWI Art Spot, NJ Library association's poster contest and 3x3.
(If you know more contests, please mention them in the comments.)

Blogs - research blogs that take submissions from illustrators and will promote your work.
I'm a regular contributor at AllTheWonders.com, but I have also been invited to show work on Kathy Temean's blog, Nerdy Chicks Write - Kid Lit Summer School and Tara Lazar's blog Pre-PiBoIdMo.
(If you know other blogs that take regular submissions, please mention then in the comments.)

By putting all of this effort into yourself and your work, you're building your brand.

That may sound business-like, so we don't have to refer to it that way. Let's say, you're putting your best foot forward to promote what you love doing.

Website:  Ciccotello.com 

Facebook:  The Art of Mike Ciccotello 

Twitter: @ciccotello 

Instagram: @ciccotello