About March… to BCBF!
Dear Imaginary Friends,
It’s incredibly sunny right now in Copenhagen!! It has that cold wind that keeps your cardigan on. I love it! I just made a fresh coffee and I am ready to spend some time here with you. Telling all about my last month adventures! Shall we?
How did March behave on your side? I’m having a hard time to absorb that is April already with Easter just around the corner. March was intense and exhausting. I’m looking for words and I can only see this blurry movie. Let’s see if I can go back in time and give a nice overview.
My book dummy: unexpected love and change of plans
I still can’t believe I made it! I know on my last post I talked all about how slow process it was. But somehow the final tweaks, feedback, print and take to the BCBF was like a whoosh! And I’m SO proud of myself. (pause for happy dance) I took the time, I put my heart on it and It’s almost here. And everyone a few people that saw it, got as excited as me!! Yeah, It’s been quite emotional past days.
Now let’s get back a bit so I can share how after the first print I was all about “it’s basically ready” and it was not. Took more 2 weeks AND I still have a to do list from after the Book Fair. So, last post Malu was very optimistic with her zero experience!
Some practicalities: After the first print, I needed to adjust colours, add missing details, create cover and other extras. And make a short pitch explaining all. Next, I wrote my fav agent for feedback. And now there is a “pause”.
She travelled and so did I. Good timing? Bad timing?! Anxious timing.
I went to San Francisco to support my fab husband on his first talk at GDC. A full week with no updates about it and a nice change of scenery. (more about it soon)
Once I got back, she gave me the best and most paralysing feedback: “So exciting! I think this could be a really great! Let’s not show around loosely. Let’s plan together the next steps with care” . YAY! and also.. what?!?!
My plan was to walk around showing this to everyone in the book fair like: Look what I did all by myself!! But now there is this plan thing, lists, market, royalties and other adult decisions that I was for sure not ready. Is anyone, ever?!
So after a few days paralysed I decided to move 48h before head to Bologna - not wise. But I made it. And was a magical feeling have my project poorly printed in hands!! After more meetings I now have tons of homework and love. - hooray!
In summary: all this work, even if not published, was so worth it! My dream project has shape to show around outside my mind. I felt proud to be an illustrator.
Pause: A chill week in San Francisco
We’ve been there just last year. So we stayed a the same hotel, ate mostly on the same places and had the same jet lag - haha! This time a bit different since he was in full preparation for his talk and enjoying the event as much as he could.
My plans: sit and get self promo ready for BCBF. The reality: unexpectedly, I became quite social (!!!) I set on a table and people show up to share it and end up having the most interesting creative talks. I saw many games in progress, met game artists and even got a platypus!! souvenir from super talented duo pitching their game around. I felt present and easy to be social. There was no pressure to network since is Game is not really my industry goal. It was so nice and I really want to bring this vibe with me to BCBF. What if I could let it go of the pressure of making the most of the event and just enjoy friendships I might make along the way? Spoilers: I end up overthinking half of the trip. At least was just half.
Big bonus of the trip: Camilla! My bestie and creative boss lives in Finland, but was also there to give a talk - I’m so lucky to be surrounded by talented people! So we also got to spend some time together, share pikmin, food and draw together. My iPad was really friendly at the trip. I’m learning to love drawing there. Possibly my favourite activity - right after eating and seeing Calder (again) at MOMA.
After a week in San Francisco, I had a week to get ready (again) for Bologna. Jet lag hit me again. And the great feedback also hit me. After days of paralysis - I put myself together at last minute and start printing everything. Print, cards, stickers, booklet and who knows what. My agent advised to bring just my iPad to show my folio IF I felt like. Did I listen?! Obviously not! I was in crazy print lady mode. I printed until run out of paper. Then run out ink. 16h before travel I was a bit crying while folding papers that I obviously didn’t need. I had so many printed stuff! And yet, I forgot to print the BCBF’s badge - haha! So disappointing to use my phone to enter. 99% of the print palooza is back home. Aka I listen to your agent (responsible adult), kids.
Next stop: Bologna Children’s Book Fair - finally!
Have you been to Bologna Children’s Book Fair?
Last time I was in Bologna was 2018. Back then, I felt a bit on the wrong place. I went 2 years in a roll and I felt like there was nothing for me there. This time, my motivation was my own book. A purpose. My focus. Nothing else, whatever, extra.
So, when the feedback was “let’s not show anyone yet” That really crushed my plans. Now what?! What the hell I’m going to do there?! I tried to remember the “just enjoy and make friends” thought. Pff. I needed something else. With all the travels and dummy adjustments I also didn’t have time to be social and make plans with other artists. I really had no plan anymore. Just weird memories from the past.
As soon as I arrived at the BCBF all my worries vanished and I was this happy kid at the candy store. Started as doing homework, finding publishers that I would like to work with and then very quickly I was just having fun walking around. I spotted all the books I have worked on the past 2 years on IGLOO BOOKS booth and they told me how they’ve been selling well and they were happy. Bonus happiness.
Completely forgot about talks and workshops! I had a blast going to many cool ones about books and authors sharing their process. Workshops about AI, zines and self publishing. I renew my membership with SCWI, had a 5min talk to an Art Director and introduced myself to a Korean publisher that I really would like to work with. I met Jarvis, one of my fav illustrators, on a book signing and it was magical! I had a meeting with my agent - so nice to meet in person. Talked to new ones and others from 10+ years like me, had a heartwarming talk with the CEO of the agency, sharing my concerns and dreams. My book was so well received by all. I felt like I have something truly special. And all the friendly illustrators encounters! I love it.
Even though I didn’t show my book around as I wanted to, I showed to people who matters the most: my agents, my partners on this journey. And a lot was developed meeting in person. Working remotely sometimes this magic gets lost.
I left the sure that I belong there and nothing replace the in person feeling. As freelancers we work too much in solitude. Which I love. But events like this remind you that you are part of something. Bigger, magical. The kids books universe.
Do I think I could have done more? Better? Met more artists? More publishers? had more gelato? Absolutely! But I also had a book to get feedback and figure out next steps. And THAT I did and it was what I needed the most right now. It’s important to remember goals. The only thing I really don’t need next time is more prints!!
Please Future Malu - stop the crazy print lady! Also be more social. You love it later.
I’m back so inspired! I was reminded of my goals, my dreams and possibilities. I have lots of homework to do. And I can’t wait to get started drawing it all !
But first, I am kinda enjoying this slow week. Catching up with the expenses, posting photos and making notes of all and follow ups. Next week I have lots of homework to do continue to make my dummy ready to show and tell. And Easter, of course!
Others quick show and tell highlights from this month:
#100DayProject (that I started February 23), drawing one little thing on Procreate to keep getting used to draw on iPad. Still going strong. Not so connected and nicer as I wanted but hey, progress is progress! Here is another 10 of them. I will make a post about it next. I’m reaching 50 soon!!
I still haven’t started The Picture Book Course by The Good Ship Illustration. I hope to join for real next week. I will keep you posted!
I got one of my fav book series: Bear and Bird signed by Jarvis at the BCBF!! Such fangirl! I only have one, can’t wait to find/get them all!!
I bought some books in US too: Garden Party by Helen Dardik, I am a Bunny by Scary and a beautiful Japanese book with a squirrel.
I went to MoMA again in SF and I get emotional every time I can see Calder sculptures in person.
What’s next:
I should make a post about my last year projects. I know it was suppose to be this one, but oh well, life happened and I thought write about Bologna while still fresh would be a nice idea ;)
Happy April!
love and gelato
xx Malu