It’s been months and months since I received my first copy of my first book in the mail. At long last I have two boxes of The Secret Life of the Red Fox to sell and give away as I see fit. I’m working on an idea for a blog giveaway, but in the meantime, signed copies are available in my Etsy shop. These copies come with a secret surprise while supplies last. From now until April 22 (Earth Day) use coupon code WUKWUKWUK2017 and receive 15% off orders of $20 or more.
Here’s a little background on how I got to illustrate this bushy-tailed book:
I’ve been working toward this accomplishment most of my adult life—to illustrate and publish my first children’s book. After years of studying the craft, following the industry, and attending SCBWI conferences, I was ready when serendipity called.
I met the author, Laurence “Larry” Pringle, at a nature writers’ retreat at the Highlights Foundation. He told me about his soon-to-be 116th children’s book, a narrative non-fiction book about foxes. He shared his frustration with me that the right illustrator had not yet been found after months of searching. I told Larry, “I can draw a fox.” I drew a little sketch in my nature journal to prove it. He liked it enough to refer me to his editor at Boyds Mills Press, a division of Highlights. I was encouraged to produce some sample illustrations to show how I imagined the story. The editor liked my samples so much, she hung them on the wall in her office. Soon after, I signed my first children’s book contract to illustrate The Secret Life of the Red Fox. My dream had finally come true.
