I’ve officially had a three month hiatus from my newsletter, mostly because I haven’t been sure of what to write about! I bet folks get tired of hearing only good-news updates and I’ve been kind of too absorbed in life-stuff to reflect on anything else. But I’m coming out of it now and thought I’d say hello.
Hi!
Of course, I have been busy with book-stuff, too. In January, I finished the art for IT’S WINTER (which pubs in October). The past two months have been loaded with school visits, where I have been presenting MERMAIDS’ SONG TO THE SEA to very enthusiastic readers (even though the book isn’t out yet, it pubs on April 30th). I am also also working on sketches for another unannounced book, writing IT’S SPRING, and writing one other project that keeps nagging at me. Yes, lots of work. But you know what else has been taking up a good portion of my time?
Meet Yoshi. She’s a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, born on March 15th. We’ve frantically been puppy-prepping our house for May when we can bring her home. I’ve never had a dog before, but have wanted one forever… and so I have all of these emotions about it! If our cat Timmy was any indication, just warning you that there will be lots of corgi art in my future and many, many pupdates to come. :)
When a new book releases, I come out of my secluded hobbit hole studio and into society. On April 30th, MERMAIDS’ SONG TO THE SEA (written by Dianna Hutts Aston and published by Hippo Park) makes a splash. I’m hoping to see lots of mermaid and sea creature enthusiasts when I venture out into the world. You might get to meet a puppy, too! Here’s a list of the places I’m planning to be in the next few months before I disappear into create-mode again:
Tues-Thurs April 16-18: TLA San Antonio - San Antonio, TX
Sat, May 4 (Time TBD): The Blue Bunny Books & Toys - Dedham, MA *Storytime + Signing
Tues, May 14 (3pm): Beacon Hill Books and Café - Charles Street, Boston, MA *Storytime + Signing
Sat, May 18 (4pm): An Unlikely Story - Plainville, MA *Storytime + Signing
Sun, May 19 (Time TBD): Trident Booksellers & Café - *Storytime + Signing
Sat, June 1 (11am): BookEnds Winchester *Storytime + Signing
For all the storytime and signing events, we’ll discuss the genius word play in Dianna’s text, look at pictures of real sea creatures, and talk about how I had to study each creature in order to draw them. I’ll show you a little bit about what the process is like creating a book, too! It’ll be fun. I made stickers.
At TLA San Antonio I’ll be signing books and talking shop with some other authors on the Little Mavericks Graphic Novel Reading List panel (Vera Brosgol, Johnnie Christmas, Kazu Kibuishi - NBD😳) I even get to be interviewed by a puppet! I’m particularly excited (but also so nervous I could throw up) for the illustrator sketch-off:
This year is throwing a lot of “firsts” at me. I’ve never had a puppy. I’ve never been on a panel at a library conference. I’ve never done a sketch-off. I never flew out of town for a school visit either (but I did it last month!)
I am a very shy/anxious person, but I keep telling myself to be brave. (Remember the 2024 word of the year - FLY.) Next month, I’ll let you know how it goes. <3
We have a 3 year old corgi named Ruby. She’s divine and is a solid studio mate. Congrats!!! ❤️
We're going to have to high five at TLA!!!