PotatoMammaDesign?? And Children Book Contest

Yes, pretty crazy name, I know. However I do love potatoes, so one silly day, I chose my email address "potatomamma(at)...". I got such cool reactions that I kept the name for my business: PotatoMammaDesign.

I specialize in illustrations for ladies and girls, but I'm about to expand into the world of children illustration too. It's one of my dreams to one day get published in a children book. Guess what, last month TWO children book authors asked me if I'd like to illustrate their story. I see you frowning. Yes the authors asked, not a publisher. After catching up on the basics of the market I found out that it's not such a good idea for a children book writer to submit a manuscript to publishers together with illustrations from another person (your own is another story).

I've now decided to create a dummy with 3 finalized illustrations for one of the authors, and we'll take part in a contest for unpublished children picture books that closes on August 1 2007. No one loses, I'll be able to practise, and use the images in my portfolio later. Needless to say, I've got to get to work immediately! Cross your fingers that I'll manage to come up with a dummy I won't have to be embarrassed to show ;-) (Pressure's on!). I'll keep you posted!

For you children book illustrators and writers out there: If anyone needs translation of the terms into English, feel free to send me an email! I'll be happy to help.

Astrid