People I Think Are Cool

Andrea Tsurumi (@AndreaTsurumi) is a writer and illustrator AND our first repeat guest! Her debut picture book Accident! just came out with HMH Books and it's magical. I remember talking to Andrea right when she got the book deal in episode 75 of People I Think Are Cool, and it's amazing to see where the book is now. I definitely recommend checking out both episodes to get a feel for the huge and talented range of Andrea's humor. Accident! is getting rave reviews, and Andrea shares all of her delightful storytelling secrets with us! 

Show Notes: 

Buy Accident!

Tumblr link to Accident storyboards

Buy Why Would You Do That?

Website

Ep. 75 interview with Andrea

Andrea's Social Media: 

Twitter

Tumblr

Instagram

Deborah Haywood (@blytheface) is a UK based filmmaker. She is the writer and director of Pin Cushion. I caught Pin Cushion at Fantastic Fest, and it is my number one film of the year. Deborah's voice is so unique. She knows how to tell a story with heart, raw emotion, and humor. Go see Pin Cushion if it is playing at a festival near you, AND definitely check out her short films on Vimeo. In this interview, Deborah shares her experience with personal storytelling, the need for more female narratives, the fashion in Pin Cushion, and audience reactions. You can follow Deborah on Twitter, Letterboxd (@dollipop), and Instagram. 

Show Notes: 

Pin Cushion

Emily Sears Birth.Movie.Death piece on Pin Cushion

Deborah's short films on Vimeo 

Deborah Haywood on Letterboxd: @Dollipop

Raw

Fantastic Fest

Damien James Webb (@damienjameswebb) is a model maker & miniature artist based in Canada. His work has been featured in gallery shows across Canada and the US. In this episode, we explore using found objects for art, the techniques behind his mini replica of Monica's apartment from Friends, and making art for fun vs art as a career. You can follow Damien on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. 

Show Notes:

Damien's Website

Damien's Daily Mini Interview

Miniature Replicas: 

Monica's Apartment

Mulder's Office

Up!

Bluth's Banana Stand

Luke Flowers (@lafcreative) is a writer/illustrator based in Colorado. His latest book in the Scholastic series Moby Shinobi: Ninja in a Pet Shop is available now for preorder. In this episode, we talk about writing for level one readers, making deals without a literary agent, and our love of creative communities. Follow Luke on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. 

Show Notes

Website

Moby Shinobi

SquaredCo Podcast interview

Creative South Podcast interview

Art of Show Podcast interview

Jimmy Reed is a writer, illustrator, and musician based in DC. He is also my creative partner, husband, and the co-creator of Cuddles and Rage. I saved my very favorite person in the whole wide world for episode 100! Jimmy is a creative force who inspires me every day. In this episode, we go deep into how we work together and open up on some of the challenges we faced early on in our creative partnership. We also explore how even the smallest goals can push your art further and the importance of having a creative community. You can follow Jimmy on Instagram (@lamarocket) and follow all of our work on Cuddles and Rage (@cuddlesandrage). 

Show Notes: 

Steal Like an Artist

Mondo

Sweet Competition

Cuddles and Rage

James Iha

The Secret Society of Film Masons (aka our Alamo Film Club)

Orli Zuravicky (@ozsaidso) is a writer and a senior editor of children's publishing at Scholastic. This episode we dive deep into her charming new middle grade series Happily Ever Afterlife. In this interview, Orli and I explore her writing process, how to create natural sounding dialogue, writing for middle grade, her editing process, and the future of Happily Ever Afterlife. You can follow Orli on Twitter and Instagram.

Show Notes

Website

Happily Ever Afterlife Facebook page

Happily Ever Afterlife: Ghostcoming

Happily Ever Afterlife: Crushed

Book activities 

Stories Unbound Interview

Edwardian Taylor is an illustrator, character designer, storyboard and concept artist based in Texas. He's worked with tons of big name brands like Hasbro, Nickelodeon, Dreamworks TV, and National Geographic. In this episode, we talk about his long journey into landing an illustration agent, his two new picture books Race! and It's Not Jack and the Beanstalk, freelance life, and working with children's author Josh Funk. You can follow Edwardian on Instagram and Twitter (@edwardiantaylor). 

Show notes: 

Website

It's Not Jack and the Beanstalk

Race!

Blog

His portfolio

His interview on Comics Coast to Coast

Dave is an illustrator and animator based in Chicago with over 25 years of experience. He's animated some of the most beloved shows in TV history, including Animaniacs, Pinky and the Brain, and Histeria.  I caught Dave right before his trip to San Diego Comic-Con. In this episode, we talk about working on Animaniacs, his creative process, and the hardest scenes to animate. You can follow Dave on Instagram (@davepryor72), Facebook, and Tumblr. 

Show notes: 

Then and Now Kickstarter

Leftovers (aka Pie Bunnies)

Dave's site

Dave's shop

Dave's Squared Co Podcast interview

Josh Funk is a kidlit writer based in New England. He's written multiple top selling picture books including Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast, The Case of the Stinky Stench, and Dear Dragon. In this episode, Josh shares his theory on a new genre of picture books, working in rhyme, the kidlit community, and why using a pseudonym isn't such a great idea. You can follow Josh on Twitter, his blog, Instagram, and Facebook (@joshfunkbooks). 

Josh Show notes: 

SCBWI

The Picturebooking Podcast

It's Not Jack and the Beanstalk

The Case of the Stinky Stench

Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast

Pirasaurs 

Dear Dragon

 Josh's interview on The Art of Show

Liz Show Notes: 

Awesome Con's Atomic Smash

Writing with Purpose - Awesome Con Panel

Susie Ghahremani is the illustrator and designer behind BoyGirlParty. Her illustrated stationary and gift collections are available not only on her popular Etsy shop but also at amazing stores like Mod Cloth, Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters and Nordstrom. In this episode, Susie talks about her new picture book as writer & illustrator Stack the Cats, protecting your art, and the early days of selling art online.

You can follow Susie on Twitter, Facebook, & Instagram.

Shownotes:

Stack the Cats

Stack the Cats Book trailer 

What Will Grow?

What Will Hatch?