Jobs, an SCBWI Conference, a daunting deadline, and more jobs.

Not to make excuses but I'm so busy these days I only have time to respond to events which happened instead of promoting them. I'm a bad blogger. Bare with me.

On Friday I sent 'OH NO' out the door. I was so into this book that I designed everything you could imagine to exist on a book. Here is the hardback cover which ended up being edited down. I guess you could call this a deleted scene...

I also finished up 'The Christmas Genie' with Simon and Schuster the week before. Note to self, Converting from Grayscale to CMYK greatly enhances the contrast of a file...

So you ask.... what's left on your plate Dan?

Well, I have Nanny Piggins in progress which is due at the end of this month....

Meanwhile, I get to work on the next Bobby book with these fine folks...

(FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Me, Lisa Yee, Arthur Levine, Elizabeth Parisi   NOT SHOWN: Cheryl Klein)

But what's the REAL kicker?

I get to finish my graphic novel....

WHAT?! You ask? You've been talking about that for YEARS. I don't believe you! I want proof!

Here's your proof....

Holy COLOR!

Did I mention the deadline is March 1st? My editor gave me a net schedule outline and everything. It's along the lines of...

October 7th- You die 
October 14th- You DIE
October 21st- YOU DIE

Yeah...... Nuts. I know. Maybe I should inquire about the services of Kazu Kubiushi and Team Amulet down the street?

But I can't complain, all the recent work I've done has paid off rather well in giving me the exposure I needed to acquire more work. I've been getting a flood of offers within the last two weeks and now it's a matter of being able to find time to do them. I love all the stuff I've read so far so I might just have to do all of them!

Hey editors and art directors out there. I'd LOOOOOVE to do a silly pirate book if any of you have a manuscript for one! HINT HINT

In other news...

CHICKEN DANCE HAS BEEN ACCEPTED INTO THE ORIGINAL ART SHOW AT THE SOCIETY OF ILLUSTRATORS!

I selected this piece to be in the show....

I will be making a trip to NY to attend the show (Though I haven't told my wife yet) It'll be a real quick fly in fly out thing but I'd love to hang out with as many fellow children's book artists as I can because I admire ALL your work and you all keep me going.

Lastly, the SCBWI conference.

This was the first year I was a member of faculty. I critiqued picture book manuscripts and judges. The best part? Meeting people I totally admire....

(LEFT TO RIGHT: Three time Caldecott Medal winner David Wiesner, 'Trucktown' co-visual creator Dave Gordon, New York Times Best Illustrated book author Dan Yaccarino, and me)

Just a wealth of knowledge is learned chatting ith these guys.

Talk soon.

Comments

[Wilson]

Hello Dan! Long time lurker, big time fan!! Congrats on all your recent success and the deluge of work you're getting! It's well deserved! I look forward to checking out your graphic novel upon completion! Best of luck to you and I'll continue my lurkiness!!

-Wilson
www.doublewillustrations.com

[Adam Taylor]

Sounds like you are living the dream! I am so excited for OH NO! and you graphic novel really looks sweet. No fare on meeting all the gurus. Your work is looking really great!

[dsantat]

Wilson,
Lurk away my friend, though, I also like a good conversation with visitors to the ol' blog. Now, with this new comment interface I won't find replying to comments so difficult. Typepad was awful about it before.

[dsantat]

Thanks Adam! I try to live the dream and somehow I'm lucky enough to fall into the right cracks.

[Juan Manuel]

What a lot of good news, Dan!
Congratulations and all your projects looks great

[Nina]

I love seeing what you are working on- and good luck on all your future projects! You have a huge fan in Minnesota!

[Bo Kim]

wow!!! Dan You are awesome!!! I love your works!

[dsantat]

And I love hearing from you, Nina! You do beautiful work as well!

[sruble]

It was great getting to meet you in LA and getting a sneak peek at your graphic novel. It sounds and looks like you are super busy. Can't wait to see all the new projects you have coming out.

Stephanie Ruble
p.s. let me when you're in NY - it would be fun to hang out again

[Rachel]

How come your FABULOUS GRAPHIC NOVEL is at the BOTTOM of the list, eh Santat?

Remember, you die, you die, you die.

You can shut me up by sending in a few chapter sketches. Come on, you know you wanna.

[dsantat]

*gulp!*