What do you do?  How did you get started?

After college, I did sales for 2 years. Although it was the worst career of my life, I don’t regret it. I think everyone should do some time in sales because it teaches you how to motivate people. After that job, I became a designer for 10 years and did mostly illustrations for advertising. Clients would always tell me my illustrations were too young looking for their needs. I eventually started to listen to them.

I got started in children’s publishing when I sent a circus poster to an editor at Houghton Mifflin. She liked the work and said it would make a good picture book. As a result of that mailing, I got my first picture book, Who Put the B in the Ballyhoo due out in April of 2007.

What type of research did you do before you got started?  Did you have any background in this work?

I did major in art but not by choice. I received a 4-year scholarship to UMASS, Amherst with the condition that I major in art. I had my heart set on becoming a vet. That didn’t quite work out.

For research, I have the “black box”. The black box is filled with index cards on each publisher. I categorize them from “hot” to “cold”. The cold ones are the houses that have sent form rejection letter or an obtuse response. I am not saying that the cold ones are the houses that have criticized my work. I have received tons of great criticism that have encouraged me to improve. I appreciate someone taking the time to offer that kind of criticism.

How did you manage starting your career financially (loans, pay cuts, savings)?

Illustration and writing is not my only source of income. I also work as a web designer and animator. I find it difficult to juggle three jobs but living off my illustration salary would be stressful too. I think I could support maybe myself and 1 cat on my illustration salary. My husband and the other cat would have to live elsewhere.

How do you market yourself and your business?

I try to do regular mailings although I have not done one in awhile. I am also a bit of a conference junkie and go to as many SCBWI events as I can afford. You really can’t get a sense of what a publisher’s tastes are by their submission guidelines. I sometimes draw pictures of an editor or art director while they are speaking so I can remember what they were like when I send samples. And I take very detailed notes.

Describe your work setting.

Salsa music is playing. The cat is on my lap. Lots of caffeine near by.

What do you most enjoy about your work?

Every day is different

How do you achieve a balance in your family and personal life?  Is your family involved with your work?

My husband poses for all my art. He is a good sport, especially considering that he gets ignored during a big deadline.

What keeps you inspired?

The masters (Toulouse Lautrec is my favorite) and chocolate. Lots of chocolate. My favorite author is Jeanette Winterson. Whenever I am feeling uninspired, I read her books. The way she twists a phrase into something unexpected is pure genius.

What advice would you give to others as they pursue their own creative goals?

Be honest. Never fake it. Editors and Art Directors can tell when you are trying to work in a style that is not your own.

What does success mean to you?

Tell us something about your self not related to this interview, but that is unique.

I love shoes and only clean when I am angry. Luckily the house is pretty messy right now.

Have you always been creative?

I think everyone is creative. I hate when someone says, “I am not creative”. As long as you have a pulse and a little bit of courage, you are creative.