Debbie Ridpath Ohi's Blog, page 25
August 30, 2017
August 29, 2017
Launching today: RUBY ROSE, BIG BRAVOS by Rob Sanders & me (HarperCollins Children's)
Hurray!! Ruby Rose, Big Bravos by Rob Sanders and me launches from HarperCollins Children's Books *today*!!!
I love this simple, sweet story about a little girl who works super-hard to make her dance recital happen and perseveres despite obstacles. You can find a Teacher's Guide (thanks Marcie Colleen!), free print-ready bonus material, interviews with the author & art director, photos and sketches from the creation process and more at my Ruby Rose Bonus Page.
Thanks to Margaret Anastas and Jeanne Hogle for all their help with this book, to Rob for letting me help bring Ruby Rose to life in illustration, and to my awesome agent Ginger Knowlton & Curtis Brown, Ltd..
August 23, 2017
August 16, 2017
Anonymous 4Q multiple-choice survey for children's book agents, editors and art directors (plus a doodle giveaway)
A few years ago, I posted a poll for children's/YA book agents, editors and art directors to find out if they researched potential clients, authors and illustrators online before signing them on.
As part of my research for a Social Media Master Class I've giving at the SCBWI Northern Ohio Conference next month, I'm checking for updated stats.
In addition to sharing my results in the workshop above, I'll also be posting summary results here on Inkygirl.com after the conference.
If you are an agent, editor or art director who works with children's book creators, I would very much appreciate it if you could answer my quickie anonymous multiple choice (four questions) survey.
****If you are a children's book creator on Twitter and would like to help gather data, you can retweet this post (the URL shortcut is Inkygirl.com/2017poll)....and thank you! First three people to retweet will get an original mini-doodle from yours truly. Partly for reading all the way to the bottom of this blog post. :-)
August 15, 2017
Video: Desiderata Daedalus Drawing Demo (Dip Nib On A Fountain Pen!)
As some of you know, I am hooked on fountain pens (it began at a photo shoot for the Toronto Public Library, but I'll save that for another post). Anyway, I'm totally loving my new Desiderata Daedalus! To artists using dip pens: you might want to check this pen out - you can use certain types of dip nibs, but with the convenience of a fountain pen (e.g. avoid having to constantly dip).
August 14, 2017
My RUBY ROSE, BIG BRAVOS book trailer debuts on Mr. Schu's blog today!
My book trailer for RUBY ROSE, BIG BRAVOS debuts on Mr. Schu's blog today!
It features music written and performed by yours truly (on my new keyboard, yay) and is also the first book trailer I've created using Adobe Premiere Pro. I'm still gradually learning the latter, and used this project to help me figure out some of the features.
This new picture book (sequel to RUBY ROSE, OFF TO SCHOOL SHE GOES) is written by Rob Sanders and illustrated by me, and launches from HarperCollins Children's on August. 29th. You can see sample illustrations, find out how RUBY ROSE was created, download free print-ready goodies, browse the classroom guides and more at DebbieOhi.com/rubyrose.
Writers/illustrators: You only fail if you quit. Don't let go of your dreams. Take a break if you need to, but DON'T GIVE UP.
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Everyone feels overwhelmed and discouraged sometimes. Or sometimes life gets in the way, with circumstances out of your control.
Take a break if you need to, but don't give up hope. Put your half-finished mss or picture book dummy in the drawer for now and find other ways to keep that part of your creative soul on simmer. Maybe have a small notebook with you all the time, and keep track of story idea snippets? Quick notes about title ideas? Character traits? Settings?
Just don't give up.
August 7, 2017
Writers & illustrators: Be brave. Fail. Try again. Succeed. Rinse and repeat. - Jenny Bent
One of my favourite pieces of advice for writers and illustrators is from literary agent Jenny Bent: "...Be brave. Fail. Try again. Succeed. Rinse and repeat."
It applies as much to the published as well as pre-published.
In fact, this advice is good for life in general.
Thank you, Jenny!
