Let’s say you’re writing a comic, and you want to indicate that your character is out of breath and speaking French from the other side of a closed door. How do you do it?
Nate Piekos knows. Although most of us never give it a second thought, comics have an elaborate, established visual language for speech balloons and their contents. Nate understands this language, and he’s put together a terrific guide to all the variations. It’s a great read, even if you have no interest in ever making a comic for yourself. I guarantee you’ll be surprised at how many of the conventions you already recognize and understand fluently.
As an author, I am extremely interested in the idea of e-books and their impact on the future of publishing. Mandy Brown, a writer and designer, takes an interesting perspective on the issue: as long as we’re calling it an e-book, we’re kind of missing the point.
Remember the shock of seeing your third grade teacher in the supermarket … with her husband? This was how I felt when I discovered that Nicole Gastonguay, the graphic designer at Walker and Co. who so carefully crafted my Backbeard and Lion’s Share books, has a life of her own. She sews Salisbury steak. Also, hot dogs and spray can cozies. Who knew? Be sure to check out her gallery.
I’m just back from my most recent expedition to distant lands. I saw amazing things, ate exotic foods, and had a great time. Where did I go? I can’t say exactly, because I ate the map. But it was somewhere in the Clarksville region, beyond where the dragons live.
The chest was overflowing with every type of treasure imaginable, including snacks, a t-shirt, and some very creative messages. These included a connect-the-dots puzzle, messages in bottles, bags of gold, pop-up cards…
Ok, I’m ashamed to admit this, but it’s going to come out sooner or later: This past week, while upstate New York was suffering through near record snowfalls, I was in southern Florida visiting Country Hills Elementary. Not only that, but it was a great visit. To all my friends and family back home, please know that I feel really, really guilty.
It’s always a little tough traveling a long distance for an author visit, because I’m never quite sure what I’ll find when I get there. That’s why it was such a nice surprise to be greeted by a big gift basket full of welcome cards from the kids at Country Hills.
One of the great things about attending as an author is that I get to catch up with – and get inspired by – so many of the great people working in the field. (At left, 
