February 8, 2013

What a Week!

Greetings, Blog Friends!!
My almost-a-whole-week in New York was amazing!  I left a few days before the conference started in order to see family and friends (definitely NOT enough time for this), and to meet with the fabulous people at Simon and Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books.  We were originally scheduled to have lunch on Thursday of last week, but my art director, the brilliant Lucy Cummins, decided to go dog-sledding up in the wilds of Canada!  So we had breakfast on Wednesday, instead.  My intrepid agent, Joanna Volpe (New Leaf Literary and Media) joined us-- as well as, of course, my editor and publisher, Paula Wiseman herself :) After a delicious omelette and a much needed cup of coffee (my west coast bio-rhythms told me it was 6 a.m.), we walked over to the S and S offices for a gander at some samples of HENNY.  It was so wonderful to hear all the enthusiasm they have for my dear little bird! It was so exciting to hear that the release date for HENNY is slated for February 4, 2014 AND that she may be ready for pre-order on Amazon.com SOON (could be two weeks, or two months. This seems to work in mysterious ways...apparently we just have to keep checking!).
Here we are at S and S:
l to r: Paula Wiseman, ERS, Joanna Volpe, Lucy Cummins
It was truly a fun and thrilling morning with these gracious and talented professionals!
 
Leading up to the conference, I got to hang out with some family, visit some bookstores, pop into the Society of Illustrators, and had a nano-second to go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art--just enough time to take in one exhibit. It was a tough call between the Matisse and the George Bellows exhibits. I chose George. It was stunning! 

Then Friday rolled around, and the SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writer and Illustrators) conference began. First up was the Illustrator's Intensive--lasting all day and ending with the portfolio showcase in the evening. I am so happy to report that my very talented friend Lori Nichols (Lori is also represented by Joanna at New Leaf Literary) and my fellow Seattle resident and illustrator-extrordinaire, Jessixa Bagley, were honored as portfolio runners-up. Huge congrats to Lori and Jessixa! 
Then on to the main events...talks, presentations and breakout sessions, and in-between gatherings with so many fun and talented people.  
The conference presenters included a star-studded cast of writer/illustrators, including 
(but not limited to):
and...believe it or not, Julie Andrews (yes, that Julie Andrews) and her daughter, Emma Walton Hamilton. Who knew?
I also had the great pleasure of meeting Alexandra Penfold, who was my editor for HENNY. Alexandra, seeking more time for her growing family, has moved on to be an agent at Upstart Crow Agency. I was so sad to see her go, but also excited to have Paula Wiseman as both my editor AND publisher!

The conference was as exhilarating as it was exhausting.  I met some fascinating people, got some fabulous feedback on my portfolio, and learned a lot.  I'd say... "Mission Accomplished!" 
So, dear blog friends, those are the highlights :)  

I leave you with a few pages from my portfolio (click on the images if you wish to enlarge). 
I am looking forward to playing catch-up with all of your blogs!  
Thanks, as ever, for stopping by :)
-ERS






























































51 comments:

  1. Lizzie!! Little one and I happen to be sitting here scrolling through the blogs just as your excellent post comes up!

    We both relished in viewing your beautiful photo with all of your compatriots as well as the images from your portfolio. Little one is wanting to visit your website to see more -- she just said, 'Oh, I just love her drawings!'

    Feb 4! Red-letter date! Lizzie, this is just wonderful and makes both LO and I so, so happy to be sharing in this news, even if it is at a distance. We love you and send you our celebratory hugs.

    Look forward to pre-ordering as soon we are able!

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    1. Tell LO that Henny wants to give her (and YOU) a big HUG. I am so happy to see you first up on the comments :) :) Yay!

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  2. The end of an incredible month?

    My thoughts have been with you, knowing that you've been hard at work in the laboratory and, then off to NYC!

    and, I'm so pleased for you - just so pleased!!!

    and, these illustrations are absolutely, completely charming! Right to the heart! Actually, do you know what I feel when I look at them? (I mean, besides, smiles and laughter and curiousity...) Elizabeth - I believe! When I look at them, I believe! I think you know what I mean. It's wonderful! =]

    So, I don't have anything else insightful or witty to say. Everything seems to go around my 'words', these days. Just simply, I'm so happy for you!

    xxo

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    1. Wow, Katy! You have said it all with your wonderful comment about believing! It's truly what's it's all about...and I'm so very, very happy that my little characters speak to you. THANK YOU. xo

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  3. It was great running into you Friday evening! Sounds like you had a wonderful week. Big congrats on the release being set for HENNY--I so look forward to seeing it!! I love these portfolio pieces. Cannot get enough of that little piggy and her footwear.

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    1. Carin! What a treat it was to realize that it was YOU standing there with the wonderful MZ! I am so happy we met. I adore your work--I just got my copy of HEY, DUCK! and I am in love with it. Truly! Maybe someday you can sign it for me :) Thanks for your kind words!

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  4. I can only imagine...Congratulations.

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  5. And you escaped ahead of The Big Storm! :-)
    I have a big batch of little nieces and nephews who will
    need to meet Henny.

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    1. Yay! HENNY can't wait to meet THEM. Yes...I am so relieved to have dodged the big storm. I got stuck in one years ago in NY and once is enough! Thanks for stopping by :)

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  6. Welcome home! Glad to hear you had such a good time and that Henny was so well loved by all the ‘professionals’ (as if that would ever make a difference in how we all feel about her here!) (Glad you made it out before the blizzard hit too.) Can't wait to pre-order Henny!

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    1. R., you are a rock. xo I must catch up with your musings!

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  7. Wow, incredible! I cannot wait to read Henny. Congrats on such a wonderful trip!

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    1. Thank you, Sarah! HENNY can't wait for it, either :) :)

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  8. That was an exciting week. Congratulations on your forthcoming Henny book.












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    1. Thanks so much, M. It WAS exciting! I'm still in recovery-mode ;)

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  9. I AM SO THRILLED...I wish my font could be made bigger so you could SEE how EXCITED I AM FOR YOU! Elizabeth, your drawings...OH DEAR. Your experience with this pros in NYC? This is IT!!!

    Please visit my PRIOR POST with some of my new card designs. Though I am nowhere NEAR your ability, I think with practice, I can at least keep selling cards!!! I have had some success with my newest design.

    Bravo Elizabeth. Henny and her friends will be making a world tour soon, I just know it.

    Anita

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    1. Anita! I adore your new cards...and I think you know how much :)
      Your work is so beguiling and fresh <3

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  10. Congratulations!! It sounds so wonderful and exciting! So happy for you and can't wait to see Henny in print!

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    1. HENNY and I can't wait, either, Beth Anne! Thank you SO much!

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  11. Elizabeth well done and thank you for sharing. Your work just get better and its a pleasure and inspiration to watch your journey. Bestest of wishes from London

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    1. Namoi! Thank you for stopping by and for this this kind comment!

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  12. Sounds like you had a thrilling week - all so exciting! Can't wait to pre-order my copy of Henny. And I love all the art you shared (as ever!) and I am especially fond of those little piggies :)

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    1. Susanna! Thanks so much!! Stay tuned for more piggies ;) :)

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  13. Wonderful and exciting update.

    Thank you
    Lisa G.

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  14. I honestly don't know which of your illustrations I like the most. They all make me smile ... a lot!!!

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  15. What an exciting conference. That must have been a great feeling, to belong there together with the 'great' names, to see and hear them and being one of them. Wow! It's gonna be a great year for you and Henny! I wish you muchmuch luck and bigbig success.

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    1. Thank you very much! It certainly has been an amazing year :) Thanks for stopping by :)

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  16. What a lovely bunch of ladies! Wow, sounds like a fantastic trip and darn exciting too! Really? Julie Andrews? Squeal! Congrats on all the great Henny news! And your portfolio pieces are ADORABLE! This is going to be a stellar year for you. :D

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  17. What a great trip!!!! So glad to hear it was a success on every level! And VERY excited to learn Henny may be ready for pre-order so soon! Delightful drawings, as always, but my favorite has to be the little pig hugging the boots. I searched 6 states over the course of 4 years until I finally found the *perfect* pair of cowboy boots, so I can definitely relate!!!

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    1. Thanks, Mit! One can never go wrong with a good pair of cowboy boots :)

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  18. Congratulations!!!I'm so happy for you and HENNY too!:)
    Have a beautiful week!

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  19. Dropping by to say hello! Your works are really nice too! Very gentle and soft. :)

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    1. Angeline...thank you very much! ... And thanks for stopping by :)

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  20. wow what a week. So exciting!

    Thanks for the glimpses of your portfolio, I love the confetti one at the end the best.

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  21. Wonderful Elizabeth...your illustrations are charming and delightful, sohapppy for you!! Henny must be over the moon!
    xo J~

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    1. She's getting there, J. She just wishes her debut would happen a little faster ;)
      Thanks SO much!
      xo

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  22. You have such a sweet style. I want to hug all your characters ( is that creepy? hope not :) ) Am following you from now on.
    Hope you can stop by at my blog as well.

    Congrats on the good work.

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    1. Karla! Thanks so much for your kind comments and for stopping by. I will be right over to check out your blog :)

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  23. Hello Elizabeth

    I am so thrilled for you and you deserve recognition. How exciting for you. These are wonderful times and I will be waiting to hear when Henny is released.

    I loved hearing all your exciting news.

    Bravo

    Helen xx

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  24. Your work is so inspiring! Congratulations on the book and all your success. Your portfolio images are sweet, unique and memorable as is all your work. I can't wait to see Henny's book!

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  25. How did I miss this little episode?...BIG Congrats....to Henny of course!!!!!

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