I did get my literature review back today from my honours supervisor, who gave me a mark of 95/100 and said it was one of the best literature reviews she's ever read, so off I went home with a considerably swelled ego to work on my prototype a bit more, only to discover more bits that I had thought would work, actually wouldn't. I also discovered I had to redo my ethics forms, but since they're mostly minor changes, it shouldn't take me that long, and I should be able to submit the final version by the end of the week.
In my Illustration for Children's Books class today, we were lucky enough to have children's book illustrator/writer Roland Harvey come to talk to us, which was quite interesting. It was good to see the different stages of his work, showing how he took a book from the planning stage, through the illustration and composition phase to completion. And it was lovely to be able to see the full sized originals of some of his watercolour pieces, as the detail in them was amazing (and a little envy-inspiring, if I'm honest lol). However, he did also mention that there is a surprising amount of 'politics' involved in getting a children's book through to publication, as there are so many issues of political correctness and age-appropriateness involved, as well as 'creative differences' between the writer and the illustrator of the book if they're not the same person. It certainly shattered any illusions I had of producing children's books as simply being a matter of 'draw some pictures and slap in some text and off you go'.
Today I also got my first pay from uni for tutoring, which I started last week, so that was a bonus :D
I feel your pain, Judgemental Dog. Oh, how I feel your pain.
See how other ROW80ers are going here.
Hi Rebecca! I had never considered how difficult it may be to get a children's book published. But after reading about the political correctness, I can believe it. A young brother/sister team that attends my church self-published a children's book last summer, and it was wonderful. One sibling writes and the other illustrates. The pair are incredibly talented. Not only did they write the book, but they write and perform music as well. Inspiring.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the 95/100 and positive feedback on your literature review. That has to feel good! Really, it is admirable that you are juggling so much - with school and writing and illustrating.
~ Nadja
Great job on your literature review. That is fantastic!
ReplyDeleteChildrens books, unfortunately are becoming a battleground for adult ideologies. This is unfair to the kids as this forces them to an opinion that is not held through educated experience but rather through social force.
Many times I think it is easy to write for adults then it is for children or teens. Best of luck in navigating this treacherous sea.
Have a great week.
Sounds like you are doing great. Interesting to hear about the process of getting a children's book published. Especially the political correctness. I'd certainly have difficulty with that since I'm so not into being pc. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDelete