Three intertwined deadlines, an ode to Rainbow Rowell, and a new book cover!

Let's talk about what my last month looked like. Dirt, water, and grow -- an October roundup!

Dirt

What’s going on over here and what am I working on?

I am finally off of three months of intertwined deadlines.

I often liken being an artist to being an athlete. This is something that more inexperienced artists scoff at. This is never more apparent than when I’m dealing with deadlines. I live with disability and spend a lot of time in the doctor’s offices. It’s a weekly occurrence for me. Because of this, I have to be careful on my deadlines and make sure I warm up, warm down, stretch, strengthen, and take good care of my body — especially my drawing hand. This latest stretch of deadlines put my artist/athlete care regimen to the test and I’m happy to report that I feel okay! Mostly I’m just happy I managed to turn all three projects in earlier than the due date!

Water

What’s helping nourish my mind and creativity right now?

I read Rainbow Rowell’s new book: Slow Dance. It was so good. I couldn’t put it down! Which was a dangerous thing while having three deadlines!

I was reminded too of a time when I was newly agented and knew no one working in publishing. Rainbow Rowell had reached out to me and asked me if I would be interested in having my fanart of her book Fangirl printed in the limited edition book. This was my first published piece of art! I went and picked it up after it was printed at a Barnes & Noble while I was living in LA.

No one knew it at the time, but I was working on If Sharks Disappeared and another unnamed title (that I am still working on)! I asked Rainbow a few questions via email on how to navigate things and she was so kind to respond to me. I look back now and cringe. I can’t believe I asked such a big-name author such mundane publishing questions! However, she took time out of her life to respond and I will always remember that.

Grow

The results of the hard labor.

The cover of A Rock Is Born written by Richard Ho and illustrated by yours truly has been released! It will be on sale 7/29/2025 and you can learn more about it on Macmillan’s website.

This post is for Seedlings members. Seedlings is the paid portion of Planting Seeds.

Seedlings

What do we do with an endless book? This month’s Seedlings Roundup features thoughts on working on that book I mentioned earlier. The one I told Rainbow Rowell about when I was working on it in 2014. The one I’ve worked on for over 10 years.