Tribute to Therese Broderick

Therese sent me her illustrated chap book. Above is a photo showing the delicate color scheme of blues, greens and pinks water colored and penciled excellently by Alan Casline. There are violet end-pages included and lovely dedications, acknowledgments, and Benevolent Bird Press listings. The classic style and graciousness of the work fired my enthusiasm for chapbooks.

Blurb.com does an excellent job of showcasing my book designs. But my dynamic “off the page” designs are so opposite this delicate style. And I had to say how softly it settles me, and makes me slow down to savor every word written. I read them when they were posted and they caught my breath then. But now I can carry them with me like a toddler carts a “lovey blanket” on every exploration, every new adventure.

Thank you, Therese.

My Marketing Vision

My fellow poet,Joy Acey, wants to know more about my Marketing Vision.
All my former books have been for “children of all ages“.
The next one, “Riddles”, will be for parents and pre-schoolers to read together.
My Blurb books were created to be free Galleries for friends and family on line. (Turn the page with the curser.)
Several editors have said that they are not written for children. (but sometimes about children)
So I have begun editing my 30 odd riddles, looking for single syllable words and straight-forward photos.
Amy VanDerwater’s book – Forest Has a Song – inspires me with its classic spacing.
So that lay-out is my design vision; the color themes will evolve; and the lovers of the book resonate.
(Like many fresh flowers in water at the farmer’s market.)

Writing and Illustrating

Spine Poem of Jeanne’s Poetry Books

Comment to Laura Purdie Salas:
I find your descriptions so refreshing!
I’ve been tight-rope-walk-ing the last 3 years between writing and illustrating. Writers have very distinct tastes in illustrations, sometimes detailed visions of the image to accompany their words.
They have little experience with the techniques for illustrating, and can’t relate to the technique, but only the finished image. I heard one editor say she waited 2 years for a chosen illustrator to become available for a book. No wonder publishing takes 4 years or more.
Meanwhile, e-publishing can be a blip.
Over the last 3 years I’ve found most of my revelations unfolding when we present at a poetry reading: aloud brings perspective.
Jeanne Poland

Reply from Laura Purdie Salas:
Interesting observations, Jeanne! That’s one thing about self-publishing–most people, even most traditionally published writers like me, have little real insight into the processes of visual arts. Even though I appreciate that illustrating a picture book, for instance, is every bit as demanding and time-consuming as writing one, I really don’t know much about the ins and outs. It’s always a revelation when I get to hear an illustrator speak at a conference and see their process. Or even just revealing blog posts, like the one at 7-Imp with Erin Stead showing some of her linoleum blocks from if you want to see a whale. (http://blaine.org/sevenimpossiblethings/?p=2562) Amazing.

It’s hard just keeping track of my writing career and all its variations and fluctuations. I can’t even imagine throwing illustration into the mix. That’s the silver lining, I guess, of my having absolutely no artistic talent:>)

Thanks for sharing!

ABCdarian #1

Thus begins my series of ABCdarians: from hieroglyphics to hand-lettering, to alphabet poems to contemporary codes.
Let the research unfold!