In today’s conversation with Jake Parker (Author/ Illustrator of Little Bot and Sparrow, Creator of Inktober) we discuss different ideas for promoting your picture book:

- When should you start growing an audience? (Sooner than you think!) - Why trust is essential for growing an audience. - Should your project have its own website? - The importance of school visits. - …and Shawna shares her personal tip to avoid overwhelm!

Listen to 'Stories Unbound' 20: http://traffic.libsyn.com/oatley/SU020-JakeParker-BookPromotion.mp3

[ download the mp3 ] [ subscribe in iTunes ]

Awesome Links:

Jake’s Website

LittleBotAndSparrow.com

Brunhilda’s Backwards Day

Jake’s Little Bot Tour

Interview with Jake Parker :: Stories Unbound #8

Music By Ryan Keith and Wes Cepin

How About You?

Most artists have a love/ hate relationship with social media…

…but Jake Parker loves it.

What stops you from posting? Did any of Jake’s advice help? If so, which part?

Please share your thoughts in the comments below…

The post How To Promote Your Picture Book with Jake Parker :: Stories Unbound #20 appeared first on The Oatley Academy of Visual Storytelling.

I have an urgent (but awesome) announcement!

Our new Visual Development Workshop is finally open for enrollment!

To learn more, listen to the audio announcement via the media player below…

Listen To The 'First Flight' Announcement: http://traffic.libsyn.com/oatley/FirstFlight-OatleyAcademyArtCast-Announcement.mp3

[ download the mp3 ] [ subscribe in iTunes ]

*Banner Image Credit: Detail from a Character VisDev painting by Sarah Marino for Book Of Life (Fox/ ReelFX).

Announcement Transcript:

Chris Oatley here with an urgent (but awesome) announcement!

Our new Visual Development Workshop is finally open for enrollment! 

You can go now to http://OatleyAcademy.com/go/ff/ to learn more and register.

For those of you who aren't able to visit the website right now, I'll share a the teaser – accompanied by the new score written by Seth Earnest:

Sarah Marino (Nickelodeon) and Jenn Ely (Dreamworks, Laika) will join Maike Venhofen (Director, The Storytellers' Summit) and me for an emotional, inspirational, educational experience unlike anything available online or offline…

First Flight: How To Create Your New Career In Visual Development is a five-week online workshop that will help you launch a new career in Visual Development for Animation.

With the information-rich lessons, fifteen hours of real-time Visual Development Demos / Q&A Sessions and personalized guidance you’ll find in our Group Coaching Sessions, you will:

- Create a Visual Development Portfolio and corresponding web presence that meets industry standards while rising above the competition. - Form the professional mindset and focused work habits that will help you reach the high levels of artistic skill required by the animation industry. - Choose an area of specialization and expand your versatility. - Avoid the Top Ten Visual Development Career Killers! - Know whether you’re “good enough” to get hired now and, if not, what you need to do to reach that level of quality with your work. - Strengthen your skill in the three main areas of Visual Development – Character Props and Environments – and make a plan for ongoing practice. - Overcome the fears and bad habits that prevent aspiring Visual Development Artists from landing their dream job. - Understand how an Animation Art Department works. - Prepare for your first week as a professional Visual Development Artist.

If you're interested in a career as a VisDev artist for animation, it would be amazing to have you join us…

You can get all the details at http://OatleyAcademy.com/go/ff/

…and you'll also be able to read about How A Boring Illustration Job Changed My Life Forever.

We gave a sneak peek to some of our current students.

Here are some of the many fantastic reviews:

“I'm so excited to be starting First Flight!  Already watched the first two videos and love it so far!  I'm still working through Magic Box and Storyteller's Summit and thrilled to add another OA class to the mix.  OA's seriously my favorite place on the internet.  :D” 

– Veronica

“I was impressed by everything the course contains. By the second video I already felt my confidence boost.” 

– Vismaya

“I'm already feeling the love. Really like the attention you guys are putting into developing a good atmosphere and attention to the students. Looking forward to learning, growing and adding new friends in my life.” 

– Carlos

“First Flight is the Voltron of OA Courses”

– Chad

“What I like most about First Flight is how honest and clear it is about what both you and your work need to be like to be successful, and what mindset you need to achieve that. Would definitely recommend it, just the first few videos have been so mind-opening for me!” 

– Mari

“First Flight lifts ...

Orli Zuravicky is a Senior Editor at Scholastic and the author of the forthcoming Happily Ever Afterlife middle grade novel series.

In this interview we talk about:

- How an Editor chooses an Illustrator. - How to approach an Editor at a conference. - How being an Editor helped Orli become a better writer. - Why manuscript submissions get rejected. - Why there are more opportunities in Kidlit now than ever before.

Listen to 'Stories Unbound' Episode 19: http://traffic.libsyn.com/oatley/SU019_OrliZuravicky.mp3

[ download the mp3 ] [ subscribe in iTunes ]

Join Us On The Storytellers’ Summit:

Whether you write children’s books, screenplays or novels…

…or draw storyboards or comics: You are a storyteller.

…and every storyteller understands that turning our lofty thoughts into a finished work often feels like an uphill climb…

The Storytellers’ Summit – an online course at The Oatley Academy – will provide guidance from some of the entertainment industry’s best teachers.

We’ll help you master fundamental concepts like:

- Developing your protagonist - Building a believable world - Constructing a compelling plot - Finding your voice - Fighting writer’s block

Your story is waiting.

Join The Storytellers’ Summit today!

Awesome Links:

Orli Zuravicky

Scholastic Publishing

Happily Ever Afterlife (Shawna's Affiliate Link)

Connect with Shawna on Twitter

Music by Ryan Keith and Wes Cepin

Share Your Thoughts:

Today Orli helped us understand what it’s like to be an Editor at a major publishing house.

What did you learn about the Editor’s role that you didn’t know before?

The post Interview with Scholastic Editor Orli Zuravicky :: Stories Unbound #19 appeared first on The Oatley Academy of Visual Storytelling.

In part one, we talked about query letters and how to submit your work to an agent with Jennifer March Soloway, Associate Agent at Andrea Brown Literary Agency.

Today in part two we talk about:

- Beginning writer? Learn more on how to get started! - What makes a great Critique Group – and why you need one. - Why you should learn to think like an Editor. - What Jennifer looks for in a writing submission. - Important things to consider before signing with an Agent.

Listen to 'Stories Unbound' Episode 18: http://traffic.libsyn.com/oatley/SU018_JenniferMarchSoloway_part02.mp3

[download the mp3] [subscribe in iTunes]

Join Us On The Storytellers’ Summit:

Whether you write children’s books, screenplays or novels…

…or draw storyboards or comics: You are a storyteller.

…and every storyteller understands that turning our lofty thoughts into a finished work often feels like an uphill climb…

The Storytellers’ Summit – an online course at The Oatley Academy – will provide guidance from some of the entertainment industry’s best teachers.

We’ll help you master fundamental concepts like:

- Developing your protagonist - Building a believable world - Constructing a compelling plot - Finding your voice - Fighting writer’s block

Your story is waiting.

Join The Storytellers’ Summit today!

Awesome Links:

Connect with Jennifer on Twitter

Andrea Brown Literary Agency

Connect with Shawna on Twitter

Music by Ryan Keith and Wes Cepin

Learn More:

Building Your Kidlit Career: Agents

Launching Your Kidlit Career (Part 2): Critique Groups

How to Gather Healthy Critique Groups and Collaborators

What Do You Think?

Jennifer talks about how giving feedback to others can help you become a better writer. How has giving feedback to others helped you with your own writing or illustrating?

Share your thoughts in the comments below!

The post Interview with Literary Agent Jennifer March Soloway (Part 2) :: Stories Unbound #18 appeared first on The Oatley Academy of Visual Storytelling.

Jennifer March Soloway is an Associate Agent at the reputable Andrea Brown Literary Agency.

In this interview:

- How to pitch your story to an Agent. - What’s a query letter? …and how to write one. - Why it’s important to keep revising, rewriting and resubmitting your story. - What is the Big Sur Writing Workshop? …and why you should go. - What do a Toy Inventor Liaison and a Literary Agent have in common?

Listen to 'Stories Unbound' Episode 17: http://traffic.libsyn.com/oatley/SU017_JenniferMarchSoloway_part01.mp3

[download the mp3] [subscribe in iTunes]

Do You Want To Make Children’s Books?

The Stories Unbound team is cooking up something new here at The Oatley Academy.

…something special, made just for children’s book creators.

Join the early notification list to get sneak peeks and a special price when we launch…

Awesome Links:

Connect with Jennifer on Twitter

Andrea Brown Literary Agency

Word Count Dracula

Big Sur Writing Workshop

Connect with Shawna on Twitter

Music by Ryan Keith and Wes Cepin

Learn More:

Building Your Kidlit Career: Agents

What Do You Think?

Jennifer talked about how her job as a Toy Inventor Liaison was a stepping stone in helping her become a literary agent.

Have you ever done work or learned a skill that seemed totally unrelated to writing or illustrating, but ended up helping you make better art and stories?

Tell us about it in the comments below!

The post Interview with Literary Agent Jennifer March Soloway (Part 1) :: Stories Unbound #17 appeared first on The Oatley Academy of Visual Storytelling.

For Children’s Book creators, it has never been easier to Self-Publish…

But is Independent Publishing the best way?

In today’s episode, Mike Sundy, former Pixar crew member and best-selling Children’s Book author talks about:

- Do you really need a big publisher? - How to market your own independent Children’s Book. - “Hybrid Publishing” and why you might want to try it. - How Mike’s IT background influenced his career. - The pros and cons of Self-Publishing.

Listen to 'Stories Unbound' Episode 16: http://traffic.libsyn.com/oatley/SU016_MikeSundy.mp3

[download the mp3] [subscribe in iTunes]

Do You Want To Make Children’s Books?

The Stories Unbound team is cooking up something new here at The Oatley Academy.

…something special, made just for children’s book creators.

Join the early notification list to get sneak peeks and a special price when we launch…

Awesome Links:

Mike Sundy

Legbug

Jonathan Sundy

Sansu

Dan Holland

Lissa Rovetch

Music by Ryan Keith and Wes Cepin

Helpful Resources:

The Talent Code by Dan Coyle (Shawna’s Amazon Affiliate Link)

Kindle Direct Publishing- Kids

CreateSpace

Book Creator

What Do You Think?

Today Mike gave us an in-depth overview of the benefits of Self-Publishing high quality Children’s Books. What did you learn about Indie-Publishing that you didn’t know before?

Tell us about it in the comments below!

The post Indie Vs Traditional Publishing with ‘Part Of My Heart’ Author Mike Sundy :: Stories Unbound #16 appeared first on The Oatley Academy of Visual Storytelling.

Literary Agents and Artist Representatives can often open doors for Authors and Illustrators in the Children’s Book Industry…

But is having an Agent essential for building your career?

In today’s episode, publishing experts Giuseppe Castellano (Art Director: Penguin Random House), Julie Olson (Author/Illustrator: Discover America: From Sea to Shining Sea) and Russ Cox (Author/Illustrator: Far Away Friends) share insights on:

- What makes a good Agent? - How to find the right Agent for you. - The difference between Literary Agents and Artist Representatives. - Why you need to know the business of illustration, no matter what. - What to do when things don’t work out between you and your Agent.

Listen to 'Stories Unbound' Episode 15: http://traffic.libsyn.com/oatley/SU015_Agents.mp3

[download the mp3] [subscribe in iTunes]

Do You Want To Make Children's Books?

The Stories Unbound team is cooking up something new here at The Oatley Academy.

…something special, made just for children's book creators.

Join the early notification list to get sneak peeks and a special price when we launch…

Awesome Links:

The Illustration Department

Julie Olson

Russ Cox

Music by Ryan Keith and Wes Cepin

Helpful Resources:

The Book: The Essential Guide to Publishing for Children (SCBWI)

Children's Writers and Illustrator's Market 2017 (Shawna's Amazon Affiliate Link)

Query Tracker

Publishers Weekly

What Do You Think?

Today we had an in-depth view of an Agent’s role in the Children’s Book Industry. What is something you learned about Agents that you didn’t know before?

Tell us about it in the comments below!

The post Building Your Kidlit Career: Agents :: Stories Unbound #15 appeared first on The Oatley Academy of Visual Storytelling.

'Beast of Burden' assignment from 'Painting Drama 1' by Ian Rosenthaler

Hey, friends! We have two exciting OA announcements for you:

1.) We *finally* have a new release date for The DIY Animation Show (Wednesday, December 7th)

…and…

2.) Auditions for the next generation of Painting Drama open this month!

To get all the details, listen to the audio announcement via the media player below…

Listen To The Audio Announcement: http://traffic.libsyn.com/oatley/OA_Announcement_Dec62016_DIYA_PD1G6_Announcement.mp3

[ download the mp3 ] [ subscribe in iTunes ]

Announcement Highlights:

1.) The DIY Animation Show will launch Wednesday, December 7th!

After a sudden slew of mysterious tech issues deflated our launch celebration, The DIY Animation Show is finally working!

When we announce the launch on Wednesday, December 7th, could you please:

- Subscribe to the show in iTunes. - Download all of the episodes. - Tell a friend.

…and if you have time to give us a star-rating or write a review, that would also be amazingly helpful!

If we can create enough download and review activity on launch day – Wednesday, December 7th – iTunes will take notice and promote the show in their “New and Noteworthy” section.

That, as you might imagine, would be significant.

Of course, on launch day, we'll post reminders in our podcast feeds, on our various social media platforms, and via email.

2.) 'Painting Drama' Auditions will open within the week: 'Painting Drama' work by Sara Burke

Auditions for the next generation of Painting Drama (Chris Oatley's mentored course on composition and developing your visual voice) will open within the week.

- Class will run for 12 weeks with a 1-week break at midterm. - Class will begin January 14th and will be held live, online on Saturdays from 7:30am-1:30pm PT. - This year I will be offering additional (optional) open office hours on Thursdays. - We will offer audition opportunities to Magic Box and Storytellers' Summit students first. - Learn more about Painting Drama here, here and here.

Thank You!

Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for your patience while we worked through the DIYA launch delay.

Also, thank you for emphatically expressing your desire for more Mentored Courses in general and, specifically, more Painting Drama opportunities.

Your unbridled enthusiasm and never-ending support is what keeps us going and ultimately makes OA what it is.

We couldn't do any of this without you.

Gif by Lauren Morse

Any Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact OA support or post in the comments below!

The post [Announcement] New Release Date for 'DIY Animation' + 'Painting Drama' Auditions Open Soon! appeared first on The Oatley Academy of Visual Storytelling.

Samantha Kallis is an Art Director at Dreamworks TV Animation Studio, and the illustrator of The Fantastic Frame chapter book series, written by Lin Oliver, Executive Director of SCBWI.

Join us today as we talk about:

- How Social Media (Tumblr and Twitter) landed Sam her first job in animation. - Pros and Cons of having different art styles in Animation and Kidlit. - How getting a job in Kidlit is different from Animation. - Why every Kidlit creator should be on Twitter. - How Sam became a Tumblr celebrity overnight – true story!

Listen to 'Stories Unbound' Episode 14: http://traffic.libsyn.com/oatley/SU014_SamKallis.mp3

[download the mp3] [subscribe in iTunes]

Do You Want To Make Children's Books?

The Stories Unbound team is cooking up something new here at The Oatley Academy.

…something special, made just for children's book creators.

Join the early notification list to get sneak peeks and a special price when we launch…

Awesome Links:

Sam Kallis

The Fantastic Frame Series

Lin Oliver

The True Meaning Of Smekday by Adam Rex (Shawna's Amazon Affiliate Link)

Frankenstein Takes The Cake by Adam Rex (Shawna's Amazon Affiliate Link)

Learn More:

Launching Your Kidlit Career (Part 1): Conferences

Launching Your Kidlit Career (Part 2): Critique Groups

What Do You Think?

Many artists struggle with the idea of choosing their one career path. Today, Sam showed us it’s ok to try new things, even if you’ve been working in a certain industry for a while.

Have you ever changed gears after pursuing a specific artistic path?

Share your stories in the comments below!

The post Interview with DreamWorks Animation Art Director and Children’s Book Illustrator Samantha Kallis :: Stories Unbound #14 appeared first on The Oatley Academy of Visual Storytelling.

Creative community is vital for kidlit illustrators and authors. In this episode, guest co-host Manelle Oliphant and I talk about:

- How to get the most helpful feedback from your Critique Group. - Keeping criticism positive with the “Critique Sandwich” technique. - Digital vs. physical meetups. - How Critique Groups deepened our understanding of the children’s publishing industry. - How your Critique Group can help you stay focused on your goals.

Listen to 'Stories Unbound' Episode 13: http://traffic.libsyn.com/oatley/SU013_CritiqueGroups.mp3

[download the mp3] [subscribe in iTunes]

Do You Want To Make Children's Books?

The Stories Unbound team is cooking up something new here at The Oatley Academy.

…something special, made just for children's book creators.

Join the early notification list to get sneak peeks and a special price when we launch…

Awesome Links:

Manelle Oliphant

Jennifer Eichelberger

Kimberli Johnson

Nasan Hardcastle 

#BrunhildasBlogTour

How to Gather Heathly Critique Groups and Colaborators :: PWP #22

What Do You Think?

For most professional artists, leaving college means leaving the security of their creative community.

Have you found ways to stay connected to other artists? If so, how?

Share your thoughts in the comments below!

The post Launching Your Kidlit Career (Part 2): Critique Groups :: Stories Unbound #13 appeared first on The Oatley Academy of Visual Storytelling.