Visiting Sandy Hook, Pt. 2

I’ve been meaning to write more about going to Sandy Hook, but in the long run there isn’t much more for me to say that isn’t obvious.  I am glad that I was able to be a part of this great group. I feel privileged to have met such amazing teachers and staff, who I will forever see as heroes. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to share some laughs, some joy, or provide a few moments of distraction for the students, faculty and community of Sandy Hook.

I’d also like to thank Marc Tyler Nobleman for dreaming up and spearheading the visit, and for doing all of the legwork.

Marc's Blog 

Here’s some press on the event.

School Library Journal

Huffington Post

Goofy picture of me.

Visiting Sandy Hook

Yesterday, along with 11 other authors and illustrators, I visited Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown.  We did a sort of variety show for the students, and everyone seemed to have a great time.

I have much more to say about the event, I had planned to write much more about this.  However, Gavin, my six-year-old first grade son, is home sick.  And I don’t think I’ve ever been happier, or felt more grateful, and privileged just to be able to cuddle with him on the couch and watch cartoons.

New Illustration Ideas #4

A while back, I posted this text, along with this image on Facebook.




"I've been trying out some different illustration techniques, and while I'm not happy with the results I figured I would post this one. I like the idea. I wanted the drawing to feel loose, but it just looks rushed. I was hoping that the colors (scanned colored papers) would add some texture, but it still looks a bit flat. It doesn't go far enough in any specific direction. Back to the drawing board, literally."

I received a good amount of feedback, ranging from positive, to well-thought-out critiques, and possible ways to use the texture better.  Oddly, through a third party, one of the people who commented was Eric Carle.  This was done in a private message.  He was thorough in his opinion, but what he wrote has really struck a chord in me.




"He has too many excuses, should have more confidence in what he is doing. Be bold. One should not "try different styles", one should at one point arrive at ones own style. I always say: it is better to fail with ones own style than succeed with some one else's style...maybe he shouldn't worry so much."


I'm going to have to let that settle in.

Fangbone! T.V. Update

Here are some drawings that will be used in the Fangbone! pitch bible that is being worked on with the wonderful people at Radical Sheep Productions.  There's a development deal in place with Disney XD Canada, and so far, there has been a lot of enthusiasm towards the project.

The pitch bible lays out the show, the characters, the settings, and anything else that someone would need to know about Fangbone!  The bible also contains a few short story ideas, explains how a typical episode would work, and gives examples of the humor that would be an essential part of the concept.  Right now, we are pitching it as a 22 minute show.  While the artwork is close to how I envision the show, I'm sure if this goes further, the designs would be tightened up for animation.

New Illustration Ideas #3

Here's another shot at combining a previously drawn sketch of a chair, with solid color.  The solid colors are Canson papers that I scanned in, and then layered onto the sketch.  The pattern on the chair was drawn in photoshop.  This one doesn't do much for me.  I like the colors, and the slight texture the papers have, but that's about it.  It's important to make some pieces that you don't like, so that it's easier to find what you do like.

New illustration Ideas #2

Here's another piece that uses some new ideas.  These two soldier guys were drawn during the fall.  They were created with pencil in a Moleskine sketchbook.  The paper is cream colored, and I scanned it as a color image.  This way, there was no white in the image.  I then added color in photoshop, which is my usual technique, but this time the color of the paper was mixed in to create a somewhat muted look. I like the messiness and textures in it.  Again, I would like to try this with children's book imagery.

New Illustration Ideas #1

One of the things about having so much contracted work to do, is that there is little time to try new things. I've been thinking about combining solid line drawings with painted textures.  I came across this camera drawing in an old sketchbook, and thought it would be perfect to experiment with.  The background was painted on wood with acrylics.  I combined them in photoshop.  I like the look of this, and next I want to try a piece that looks a little more like children's book illustration.

"Space is the Place!"

A few years ago, while in Grad school, I attempted to make an "Early Reader" comic.  My idea was to create something simple and action packed like "Go, Dog, Go!" but to use traditional comic techniques.  I think it's pretty successful, and it makes me laugh.  While I think all of the word choices are fine, I think that there are too many different words.  The art was done with markers and colored pencils, and the only work done digitally were the word balloons.  Clicking on them will make them big enough to read, then you should be able to move from one page to the next. Enjoy!

Happy New Year, 2013!

Happy New Year!  2013 is looking to be very exciting. Random House is launching my new series, "Icky Ricky" in May.  So far, two books are done, the third is being worked on, and 4, 5, and 6 have been contracted.  I'm really excited about these, as I think they will real fill a need in the market.  Like the excellent "Bad Kitty" books, or the classic "Captain Underpants" books, Icky Ricky is a chapter book that has illustrations on every page.  The first two "Icky Ricky: The Toiler Paper Mummy" and "Icky Ricky: The End of the World" will both be out in May.

Fangbone is moving ahead, this time as a cartoon.  A wonderful company is Canada called Radical Sheep has optioned it, and we have a development deal with Disney Canada.  Writers have been hired, a pitch bible and sample script are in the works, and in February we will have our next big sit-down with the Mouse.

Soon, I am going to begin posting some very short Fangbone! stories.  Actually, they're more like skits.  I'll be putting them under the title "Fangbone! 4 Free."

Have a great new year!---MIke

Fangbone! makes the cut!

Fangbone! is one of only nine comic books (graphic books) that the New York Public Library has chosen for its "Children's Books: 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing, 2012" list.  I'm really glad they see more than the booger jokes in it!

NYPL 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing 2012

A real live Fangbone!

At a recent school visit, I was told that one of the students had come dressed as Fangbone! for Halloween! And here he is!  Awesome!  I think that my favorite part is the hair!

NJASL Conference

I will be appearing at the NJASL Conference tomorrow, November 30.  I will be talking about my school visits, selling books, and raffling off this original Fangbone! sketch.  See you at the shore!

Better than video games!

As I said in my last post, I usually don't make this stuff public, but this came in the other day and really touched me!  When people take the time to reach out and share their experiences with my books, it reminds me of why I do this, and keeps me going late at night.

"Good evening.  I am the parent of a child with high functioning autism who immerses himself exclusively in video games for entertainment.  Last night we had a long talk about other things we can do to fill his time and I suggested he read more.  Today, we went to the library.  He was unenthusiastic.  He has read all the graphic novels for his age and cognitive development level.   Then we discovered Fangbone.  He could not put it down!  What a shame the library has only the first book in the series (Something I intend to remedy right away).   This book was exactly what he needed!   It made his first day of limited tech time so enjoyable.    Thank you, thank you, thank you.   Keep writing!   You have a devoted fan club."

"I Really Like This Book!"

Every now and then I get a letter that really makes me happy.  This showed up just a few minutes ago, and it was a great way to end the day.

"I really didn't want this to be another "thanks for getting my kid to read" email, however, it is just that!!  I have searched for quite awhile to find a book to get my son to read.  He is in 5th grade and cognitively delayed and only reading at about a 4th grade level.  He got "Fangbone" at the Scholastic book fair and I figured it would be like the 203,904,738,994,001 books I have bought and be something he carried around but never really read.  Tonight, he not only actively read during his reading homework time, but kept stopping to say, "I really like this book!!"  He is now telling me how he needs more of these books for Christmas!!  I told him I would be more than happy to get them for him sooner than that.....however, he reminded me we don't get fun stuff this close to Christmas!!

Thanks Again!!

A very happy Mom!"

I'll sleep well tonight.

Icky Ricky ARC

A few days ago I a copy of my "Icky Ricky" ARC.  An ARC is an "Advance Reading Copy" and is essentially a test run of the book.  It's on cheaper paper, and there will usually be tweaks to the text and art before the final book off is sent to to be printed.  The ARC is also used so that marketing can get a sense of the book, and have something to show while selling it. Ricky is a much longer piece of writing than I have ever done.  Each page has art, along with a paragraph or two.  The book is 124 pages, and will be out in May of 2013.  Random House is publishing it.