I’ve been working on a few new stories lately. For the first time in a LONG time I’m having a break to work on new ideas, freshen up my portfolio and tweak my style. This is a spread from the first dummy. It’s a bit of a change but hopefully in a good way. If I let boredom set in, it shows in my work, so tinkering with style every now and again helps me to keep things interesting and new.
…Four fabulous reasons why I haven’t updated my blog since 2012. I’ve been working with Top That, Blue Rabbit and Caterpillar on some lovely books and jigsaws you’ll be able to see over the next 12 months or so.
I’m also working with Secret Singer-Songwriter Society – more details soon but in the meantime, hop on over and offer your support.
The Secret Singer-Songwriter Society has chosen the motto “Music That Mattersâ€Â to symbolize the connection between the creative output of artists and the significant impact that a single song can have on a charitable cause’s fundraising efforts. â€Music That Mattersâ€Â reflects our attitude towards a truly reciprocal way of looking at philanthropy: one in which all parties benefit from a common source…MUSIC!
I drew a Penguin, joining in with Penguinfest on Twitter – go and see the others @maybeswabey or visit the fabulous Book Sniffer Facebook page!
And last but not least, my debut children’s book, Pi-Rat, will be available from August 5th 2013 from all good bookshops (online and on the high street). Click on the cover for more details!
A whole year after I signed my first children’s publishing contract. A whole year! Mostly one of the best years of my life but a tiny part of it was also the worst. But we don’t want to talk about that because on the flip side, it’s brought our little family closer together than ever and has been firmly scraped off our shoes. So the year is ending on a high…Win!
I’ve seen my youngest start school, my oldest develop a bit of a furry top lip (my oldest is a boy, don’t panic) and Madrid with the Mister…That’s about all I’ve had time for in between all the fabulous things I’ve been working on this year which I can tell you all about over a nice cup of English Breakfast tea. And perhaps a scone (rhymes with ‘one’ for those that keep saying it wrong, just so we’re all on the same page).
The fantastic clients I’ve worked with this year are Kyowon, ACEME, Caterpillar Books, Blue Apple Books, Blue Rabbit, Parragon Publishing, CJ Education and Top That Publishing. I’ve also licensed illustrations with Ombudsman Services and Seller Publishing and had the most fantastic time with Neston Sixth Form for the day. I’ve loved every single second! In the past two weeks I’ve received an actual copy of my first book as author/illustrator (1st proof) and a contract for my second from the beautiful people at Caterpillar Books.
Thanks to Vicki, Lauren, Gemma, Lucie, Kirsten, Seonghae, James, Grace, Lulu, Emily, Hannah and Therese for all of their help this year – Bright, you really have been amazing! (One had to say amazing at least once during this post, being from Liverpool and all).
So here are some pics for your eyes…These are mostly just snippets and sneak peeks but I’ll post more as soon as I’m allowed!
Well, it would have been a newsflash if I’d updated sooner…As it stand’s, it’s just news. But great, fantastic, brilliantly-brilliant news.
My little tiny book dummy is going to be a real book. I signed a contract with Caterpillar Books a couple of weeks ago and will be starting work in January 2012.
Watch this space and don’t forget to look out for Caterpillar Books on Twitter and Facebook
Lauren, Bright and Caterpillar Books – Thank you all for being so amazing x
As I was sitting here, delicately nibbling a doughnut (stuffing my face) it hit me that I never actually came back and updated my book dummy adventures. For those of you that were following or just like to read a happy ending, I’ll do it now (as soon as I’ve finished this cake).
…
That was lovely.
As I mentioned in my last ‘dummy’ post, I digitally submitted it to four literary agents. I sat back and started to think about my next idea. Then I got an email from one of the four the same week -I was completely taken off guard…brilliant!
After speaking initially with Lauren I knew straight away that I was going to accept her offer of representation. The conversation was laid back, Lauren was lovely and I felt at ease to ask questions (even the stupid ones). As I’d done my research beforehand, I already knew that on a professional level, this was one of the four agencies I wanted the most. At this point I withdrew my submission from the other three (one of them sent me a lovely email about my dummy and wished me well for the future too, which was nice).
So, the update is, I was offered representation (literary and illustration) by Bright and I have to say, I’m over the moon about it.
As for the dummy itself, it needs some tweaking…but it’s looking better with each one. In between tweaks, I’ve written and started to develop another.
My portfolio at Bright is HERE where you can also see a couple of colour roughs from the dummy.
Thanks to everyone that followed my process, I hope its been helpful,
Max
https://www.maxinelee.com/book-dummy-process/
Updated to add the finished product -here it is on Amazon – Meet Pi-Rat!
Apologies if he eats your screen…he’s pretty big at original size (210x600mm)
